I get a lot of requests for affordable Cabernet Sauvignon selections all the time. So I thought it would be a time good to do a quick post highlighting the best value Cabs that I found this fall and winter. We will start with the 2010 Joseph Carr “Napa Valley” Cabernet Sauvignon for $19. We scored this wine 92 points. That said, this impressive Napa Cabernet likely almost gone. There are a few prominent online retailers that still have this gem. Be sure to order this one soon. It is medium to full bodied, balanced, and displays tasty blueberry and ripe plum flavors with notes of nicely integrated mild vanilla oak. This Cab would pair perfectly with a New York strip steak. Buy it up before it disappears.
The next two gems both scored 90 points. The 2010 Kilikanoon “Killerman’s Run” Cabernet Sauvignon for $20 is a very good wine. It hails from South Australia. It is medium bodied, nicely balanced, and very juicy. The flavor profile is a juicy blackberry with notes of spice, black currant, and black licorice. There is also some nicely integrated oak intertwined throughout. I would suggest pairing this Cab with Kerrygold Dubliner cheese and stone wheat thin crackers by the fireplace.
The 2011 Don and Sons “B Side” Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa for $25 was a very pleasant wine. It is medium bodied, balanced, and very smooth. The flavor profile is a tasty blueberry with hints of black cherry, minerality and boysenberry. Its finish is dry and its moderate tannins stick around for quite some time. This Cab is very food friendly and would pair well with beef bourguignon.
Our 89 point recommendation is the 2010 d’Arenberg “The High Trellis” Cabernet Sauvignon from the McLaren Vale in Australia. It’s a very nice Cabernet for the money. ($20) On the palate, this wine is a fruit bomb and is loaded with ripe black fruit flavors. Those flavors are a blend of blackberry and black currant with hints of mild oak, black plum, and gentle minerality that is nicely integrated in the background. It closes with its flavors and dry moderate tannins stick around in your mouth for a little while. This Cab is foods friendly and would pair well with a juicy Angus bacon burger with sautéed mushrooms.
We will close with four 88 pointers.
2011 Columbia Crest Cabernet Sauvignon “H3” (Horse Heaven Hills, WA) $15
This Cab is medium bodied, balanced and easy to drink. The flavor profile is a pleasant black cherry with hints of oak and red licorice. This is a very good everyday Cab. It would pair well with a Five Guys bacon cheese burger.
2010 Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon “Sonoma County” (CA) $16
This Cabernet from Rodney Strong would make a nice by the glass option. It opens with an inviting bouquet. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, balanced, not overly complex, but very easy to drink. I enjoyed its mild oak infused black cherry flavors with hints of minerality and a touch of black currant. This is a very nice everyday Cab that would pair well brick oven pizza.
2011 Kendall Jackson Cabernet Sauvignon “Vintners Reserve” (Sonoma County, CA) $19
This Cabernet from KJ is medium bodied, balanced and easy going. The flavor profile is a gentle plum with hints of mild oak, minerality and a touch vanilla. The finish is dry and its moderate tannins stick around for quite some time after it is gone. This friendly Cab would pair well with juicy Kobe burger.
2011 Penley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon “Phoenix” (Coonawarra, Australia) $20
This Cabernet is medium bodied, balanced, juicy and easy to drink. Its flavor profile is a mild plum with hints of black cherry and a touch of oak and acai berry. This Aussie Cab is very easy to drink and a very good everyday red. Pair it with an Angus burger with sautéed mushrooms.
I hope you enjoy these Cabs as much as I did! If you know of other great Value Cab’s please share with the group and post a comment. Cheers – Ken!