Pinot Noir vs Cabernet Sauvignon

You’ve likely heard of Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir—both are very popular red wines. But what’s the difference between the two, and which should you choose?

Read on to discover the unique characteristics of Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon, including the flavors and aromas that make them unique and where the best wines can be found. Now, who’s ready for a taste test?

What’s the Difference? Pinot Noir vs Cabernet Sauvignon

There’s no denying that Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon are both delicious red wines. While Cabernet Sauvignon tends to present a bold profile with dark fruit flavors and robust tannins, Pinot Noir is known for its delicate yet complex nature, its enticing aromas and its bright red fruit flavors.

Whether you like to drink red wine on its own or pair it with food, both wines have plenty to offer. Here’s what you need to know.

Pinot Noir vs Cabernet Sauvignon: Origin Stories

Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir both trace their roots back to France, but these red grape varieties have since found homes in vineyards across the globe, notably in the U.S.

Cabernet Sauvignon is a naturally occurring cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc grapes that first appeared in France’s highly esteemed Bordeaux region. The grape is essential in creating the world-renowned Bordeaux blends, contributing to their structure, depth and aging potential.

In the U.S., Cabernet Sauvignon is widely planted in California, most famously in Napa Valley, where the climate and soil create the perfect environment for the grape. This, alongside a wealth of well-funded estates and talented winemakers, has built the region’s status as a premier Cabernet Sauvignon producer.

Pinot Noir is native to the Burgundy region of France, where it’s the primary grape variety used to craft the region’s iconic reds. The grape’s ability to adapt to various terrains allows winemakers to produce various styles of Pinot Noir wines. These include the structured and earthy wines of Gevrey-Chambertin and the more delicate and aromatic examples from Volnay.

In the U.S., Pinot Noir thrives in the cool, damp climate of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, creating wines with bright acidity and earthy complexity. California’s coastal areas (including the Sonoma Coast and Santa Barbara County) offer the ideal blend of sunlight and cooling breeze—producing Pinot Noir wines that balance ripe fruit flavors with vibrant acidity.

Pinot Noir vs Cabernet Sauvignon: Grape Characteristics

Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are small but have thick, dark skins. This gives the wine a rich, deep color and high tannin content. But this thick skin has another essential function, as it also helps protect the grape from bad weather conditions and pests. The resilient nature of Cabernet Sauvignon means it thrives in vineyards worldwide, from Bordeaux in France to the diverse terroirs of California, to the red soils of Australia’s Coonawarra region and beyond.

Pinot Noir grapes, which are dark in color, form tightly packed clusters resembling a pine cone. In contrast to Cabernet Sauvignon, the grapes are known for their thin skin and delicate nature. These features contribute to the wine’s lighter color and softer tannins, but it also means the grape needs care and attention as it grows because it’s more vulnerable to fungal diseases or harsh weather conditions.

Pinot Noir vs Cabernet Sauvignon: Style and Character

Cabernet Sauvignon wines are full-bodied with firm tannins and a noticeable acidity that contributes to their aging potential. Deep and dark red, Cabernet Sauvignon’s flavors develop slowly over time, which is why it benefits from a longer aging process. Cabernet makes a delicious red wine on its own, but is also a staple in certain red blends, especially in the Bordeaux region.

Pinot Noir—These wines are lighter in body and color, with a beautiful translucent ruby red hue. They typically have medium-to-low levels of tannin and a crisp acidity. While they can age, many styles are made to be enjoyed while they are young. These single-variety wines develop different flavors and aromas, depending on where they have been grown.

Pinot Noir vs Cabernet Sauvignon—Aroma and Taste Profile

Cabernet Sauvignon—A young Cabernet Sauvignon will be rich with flavors of black cherries, black currants and blackberries, often layered with notes of vanilla, pepper and tobacco as it ages. Floral and herbaceous aromas can also be detected in cooler-climate wines.

Pinot Noir—These wines offer a wide range of flavors, but red fruits like cherry, strawberry and raspberry are consistently present. Aged Pinot Noir wines develop earthy notes like mushrooms and even aromas reminiscent of a damp forest floor. Some Pinot Noirs can also have notes of vanilla and cloves if they have been aged in oak barrels.

Pinot Noir vs Cabernet Sauvignon: Food Pairings

Cabernet Sauvignon pairs well with:

Hearty meats—The wine’s robust tannin structure and complex flavors complement red meats like steak, lamb and venison. The high-fat content in these meats balances the tannins, making a balanced pairing.
Strong cheeses—Firm, aged cheeses like cheddar, Gouda or Stilton can stand up to Cabernet Sauvignon’s bold profile. The fat in the cheese softens the wine’s tannins, while the rich flavors interact with the complex flavors of the wine.
Rich and flavorful dishes—Foods with high flavor intensity, such as meals featuring bold spices or sauces, can match Cabernet Sauvignon’s high tannin content, which creates a good balance.

Pinot Noir pairs well with:

Light meats and fish—The wine’s high acidity and medium-to-light body make it versatile enough to pair with a variety of foods, but Pinot Noir pairs best with chicken, pork and even fatty fish like salmon or tuna due to its light tannins and high acidity.
Rich dishes—The wine’s acidity can cut through the richness of creamy sauces or fatty foods, providing balance.
Cheese—Both soft and hard cheeses, especially Gruyère, Brie and Camembert, pair very well with Pinot Noir, as the wine’s fruitiness complements the creaminess of the cheese.

Serving Advice

Cabernet Sauvignon—Serve your wine slightly cooler than room temperature, around 60-65°F. The wine can benefit from decanting, especially younger, more tannic bottles. It’s a good idea to serve Cabernet Sauvignon wine in a Bordeaux glass. Its taller, narrower bowl helps to direct the wine towards the back of the mouth to experience its full flavor and structure.

Pinot Noir—The ideal temperature for Pinot Noir is around 55-60°F—slightly cooler than room temperature. The wine can be decanted, but Pinot Noir is typically ready to drink once opened. A wide, round Burgundy glass is ideal for Pinot Noir, allowing its delicate aromas to express themselves.

Unopened, both wines can age well, but once opened, they are best consumed within a few days.

Discover Your Favorite

If you’d like to explore these wines further, these are just a few from our extensive selection.

Cabernet Sauvignon:

Belle Roche Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, France—Experience the rich, black-fruit flavors of this award-winning southern French red. Perfect when paired with hearty dishes.
The Inaugural R Collection by Raymond Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2020, USA—Savor this ripe-fruited exclusive, crafted by Cab ace Stephanie Putnam. Expect a ripe core of cherry and plum, white pepper notes and a smooth finish.
Drawbridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, USA—Try the award-winning, affordable California Cab that impresses with ripe bramble-fruit aromas, blackberry flavor, gentle spice and rounded tannins.

Pinot Noir:

Purple Owl Pinot Noir 2022, USA—This velvety, award-winning bestseller is rich in vibrant black cherry and raspberry flavors with hints of violet.
Les Champ des Etoiles Pinot Noir 2021, France—A southern French twist on classic Burgundy. Expect ripe strawberry and red currant aromas, juicy raspberry and crisp white cherry on the palate.
Cinco Manos Pinot Noir 2020, Chile—An exclusive from the award-winning Viña Casa Silva, this wine boasts a perfectly ripened, fresh, complex character with cedar notes framing cherry and berry fruit flavors.

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