Comparison
Cabernet Sauvignon vs Mourvèdre
How Cabernet Sauvignon and Mourvèdre differ, dimension by dimension.
The short answer
Cabernet Sauvignon and Mourvèdre come from the same country but sit in different territory. The main differences: Cabernet Sauvignon has more herbal / green character; Mourvèdre has more earthy character; Cabernet Sauvignon has more acidity.
Choose
Cabernet Sauvignon
Choose Cabernet Sauvignon if you want something more herbal and green, fresher and more acidic, fruitier.
Where they genuinely differ
Only differences large enough to notice in the glass are listed here. A gap of half a point on a five-point scale is noise, and WineHQ does not dress it up as a finding.
Herbal / green character
Clear differenceHerbs, grass, blackcurrant leaf, capsicum and other green notes, largely driven by methoxypyrazines and picking decisions.
Cabernet Sauvignon is more herbal and green: medium against low.
Earthy character
Clear differenceForest floor, mushroom, wet stone, clay and undergrowth notes. Frequently, though not exclusively, associated with cooler and more traditional styles.
Mourvèdre is earthier: medium-plus against low-medium.
Acidity
Clear differenceTotal perceived acidity. Rises in cooler climates and with earlier picking; falls with heat and ripeness.
Cabernet Sauvignon is fresher and more acidic: medium-plus against medium.
Fruit intensity
Clear differenceHow loudly the fruit flavours speak, independent of whether they are ripe or tart.
Cabernet Sauvignon is fruitier: medium-plus against medium.
Aromatic intensity
Clear differenceHow strongly the wine smells before it is tasted. Some grapes are intrinsically aromatic; others express mainly on the palate.
Cabernet Sauvignon is more aromatic: medium-plus against medium.
Savoury character
Clear differenceNon-fruit, umami-adjacent character: meat, leather, olive, soy, broth, cured notes. Often increases with age.
Mourvèdre is more savoury: medium-plus against medium.
Where they are much the same
Just as useful: knowing which parts of the choice do not matter.
- Sweetness: Similar — both low.
- Tannin: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Alcohol: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Body: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Oak influence: Similar — both medium.
Full side by side
| Dimension | Cabernet Sauvignon | Mourvèdre |
|---|---|---|
| Herbal / green character | typically medium, ranging from low to medium-plus (3/5) | low (1/5) |
| Earthy character | typically low-medium, ranging from low to medium (2/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Acidity | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Fruit intensity | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Aromatic intensity | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | medium (3/5) |
| Savoury character | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Texture | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Sweetness | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Tannin | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Alcohol | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Body | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Oak influence | typically medium, ranging from low to high (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Floral character | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Spice | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Perceived freshness | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) |
| Carbonation | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Serve at | 15–17°C | 15–17°C |
| Typical flavours | blackcurrant, black cherry, cedar, graphite, tobacco | blackberry, game, leather, black pepper, dried herbs |
Values are typical points within each wine’s range. Both wines vary — see the individual pages for how much.
Read more
Grape
Cabernet Sauvignon
The world’s most planted red wine grape: thick-skinned, tannic and blackcurrant-scented, and the backbone of Bordeaux’s left bank.
Grape
Mourvèdre
A late-ripening, sun-demanding variety giving dark, gamey, firmly structured wine — the M in a GSM blend.
Comparison
Cabernet Sauvignon vs Merlot
The two halves of the Bordeaux blend — which is firmer, and which should you choose?
Comparison
Cabernet Sauvignon vs Syrah
Two structured reds for a steak — which suits which cut?
Comparison
Malbec vs Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are steak wines — which is the softer choice?