Guidelines for aging Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon is a varietal more suitable for aging, but are the any general guidelines for the ideal age, or is it highly variable?   

Specifically I'm interested in finding out if there are general rules around how long after bottling before you should drink it, and how long it can stay in the bottle before you should drink it.  And if the guidelines are variable, what are some of the factors that come into play?
Way variable.  On the high end even from year to year the same vineyard and same grape will vary how long to hold. When it is released the vineyard and others will have a recommendation.  On the shelf at the liquor store is often ready to drink.  High end wine that is going to be put up is often bought out before it even hits the shelves.  Some wine that still needs to age does hit the shelfs.

Wineries will typically hold some back to mature. Follow when they release it.  But that often goes to high end restaurants.