Best Overall: 2016 Chteau Pape Clment Pessac
Region: Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France | ABV: 14% | Tasting Notes: Cherry, Black truffles, Tobacco
Its hard to overstate the brilliance of the 2016 Château Pape Clément. The bottle is named after Pope Clement V, who owned the vineyard when he was just a scrappy upstart Archbishop of Bordeaux in the early 14th century, meaning the vineyards been in operation for over 700 years. Operated by esteemed French winemaker Bernard Magrez, this cabernet is a liquid luxury thats impossible to resist .
Complex and beguiling, this wine boasts a diverse flavor palate of dark fruits, cherry and fig, along with black truffles, forest floor, tobacco, and mocha and vanilla-tinged oak spices. It’s medium to full-bodied with fine-textured tannins, silken fruit and a long, elegant finish. In a word, exquisite.
Ancient Peaks Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
The Ancient Peaks Cabernet 2016 might be the most fun, exciting wine on this list. It offers Bordeaux-like notes of leather and tobacco, which is augmented by a slightly wild game flavor.
This Paso Robles winery has made an excellent wine uniquely their own but still new and outstanding. The wine offers a complex aroma of red and black fruit with an undertone of black olive, pencil shavings, toasted oak, and tobacco.
It’s smooth on the palate, offering layers of flavor reminiscent of blueberry and plum alongside grainy tannins that add depth structure while finishing long-lasting.
Pedregoso Pinot Noir Gran Reserva
If youre looking for a unique, new-world Pinot Noir, then look no further. Pedregoso puts its Chilean spin on this wine variety. Its fruit-forward and light yet surprisingly acidic . A hint of fresh herbs on the back end helps pair it with almost any dish.
Body: Light
Notes: Red fruit, earth, and herb
Cost: From $15.99
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Nederburg Private Bin R163 2018
- Producer: Distell Ltd.
- Country: South Africa
- Approx. UK retail price: £30
Nederburg was established in 1791 by German immigrant Philippus Wolvaart. The impressive thatched and gabled Cape Dutch manor house was completed in 1800, and is now a national monument. This wine is just as gorgeous as the house. Deep ruby-hued, the wine is full and rich, packed with bramble and smoked meat flavours. Fresh acidity and dense tannins balance the generous alcohol, and hints of dark chocolate and vanilla bean accent the long finish. This is one for the braai.
Best Splurge: 2016 Lokoya Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Mt. Veeder, Napa Valley, California | ABV: 15% | Tasting Notes: Blueberry, Truffle, Wild herbs
Not to knock Champagne drinks, but if you have an occasion worth celebrating, try skipping the bubbly and diving into this exquisite bottle of cabernet. The Lokoya Mount Veeder is an indulgence, and you’ll know why as soon as the first drops fall on your tongue. It combines the best of Napa Valleys mountain climate, rich soils, and expert winemaking from Lokoyas artisan of the grape, Christopher Carpenter.
This is an example of peak cabernet. It is intensely aromatic with blueberry, violet, and blackberry notes bolstered by truffle and wild herbs. It’s also full-bodied with tannins that grip and refuse to let go. Enjoy with reckless abandon.
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Casa Real Reserva Especial Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
- Region: Alto Jahuel, Maipo Andes
- Approx. UK retail price: £90
Made using Cabernet Sauvignon from an almost 60 year-old vineyard in one of the highest parts of the Maipo Valley, an area called Alto Jahuel, this is a wine of intensity and freshness. Indeed, it is a beautifully balanced red that benefits from the free-draining soils of an ancient alluvial terrace of the Maipo River and the cool night-time air from the Andean mountains above. In terms of flavours, this Casa Real from 2019, the 30th vintage since its launch with the 1989 harvest, is loaded with ripe and juicy blackcurrant and dark cherry fruit, then tobacco leaf and cedar notes, complemented by flavours of cocoa powder and toast, with a lovely, dry, fresh edge to the wine that leaves one salivating and will ensure that this release, like the others before it, will age wonderfully if properly cellared.
Kirkland Signature Columbia Valley Merlot
This wine is exclusive to Costco. The merlot-cabernet blend offers a great flavor at a pretty low price. The color is deep red, while its flavor is dark and fruity. The finish after you taste it is dry and lasting. The best way to drink it is to give it some time to breathe, and not drink it straight after pouring.
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Craftwork Estate Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Monterey County, Calif., $15
Craftwork is a label of good quality, affordably priced wine from Scheid Family Wines, a major grower and producer in Monterey County celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. This cabernet is juicy and straightforward with dark fruit flavors. At first, theres a bit of brown sugar sweetness on the finish, but that goes away with a little air to reveal bright fruit and great balance. Alcohol by volume: 13.5 percent. BW: 660 grams .
Mulderbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Rose $9
This rose variant comes from South Africa. It has a bright pink color and an extremely flavorful taste. It is easy to recognize hints of strawberries, raspberries, and rose aromas in its fruity flavor. Pair it with whatever you are having for lunch or dinner, as it goes well with a wide variety of foods.
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Best For Collector: Shafer
Vivinos tips: 100 by Wine Advocate | Featured in Vivinos 2020 Wine Style Awards: Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: United States, Stages Leap District
Tasting notes: Ripe Red & Black fruit notes, Nutmeg, Coffee, Vanilla, Cocoa.
I can just state two facts to demonstrate how outstanding this wine is. Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 is rated 4.7/5 stars amongst nearly 8000 Vivinos users. And yes, thats impressive, in case you wonder.
Expect aromas and flavors of dark cherry, black coffee, sweet vanilla and wet forest floor with rose petal, cranberry, blueberry, oregano, and sage.
This wine is perfectly balanced, silky, with smooth tannins, complex and elegant. In the words of Robert Parker, One of the worlds, as well as Napas, most profound Cabernet Sauvignons.
Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
This wine has an impeccable balance of power and elegance. The depth of fruit combined with a well-integrated tannin makes this one powerful yet elegant bottle from Napa Valley!
It is intense but not overbearing, allowing for its vibrant acidity to flow through it smoothly without overpowering any already present flavors in this complex blend.
The flavors of cherry and raspberry are supported with cocoa, hazelnut, and Earl Grey taste. Black pepper and cedar complement the freshness of this wine nicely.
The unique taste of blackberry sorbet joins plum sauce and strawberry jam, bringing together a solid and bright experience.
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What Is Cabernet Sauvignon Known For
Cabernet Sauvignon is a special wine for many reasons. It has high tannin levels which means that it pairs well with fatty and protein-rich foods like steak. The tannins act as scrapers to fats and proteins that collect on your tongue from the food you eat, helping to clean your palate and enhancing the flavor of the wine. Cabernet Sauvignon also has a strong flavor that can stand up to robust foods. Cabernet Sauvignon even has its own official holiday on the Thursday before Labor Day called Cabernet Day.
Another reason why Cabernet Sauvignon is so special is its history. It is one of the oldest and most popular wines in the world, and it has been enjoyed by wine lovers for centuries. Cabernet Sauvignon is also unique in that it can be made in a variety of styles, depending on the climate where it is grown. This makes it an ideal wine for food pairing, as there are countless combinations of dishes and wines that can be enjoyed together.
Finally, Cabernet Sauvignon is a grape varietal that can be grown in many different climates and terroirs, making it a versatile wine that can be enjoyed all over the world. Its strong flavor profile also makes it a perfect candidate for aging, and many well-aged bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon are some of the finest wines in the world.
Best Washington: Woodward Canyon Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon
courtesy of woodwardcanyon.com
Region: Washington | ABV: 14.5% | Tasting Notes: Black cherry, Menthol, Baking spices
Washington State might seem like an odd place to cultivate a big, rich, warmth-loving red grape like cabernetafter all, isn’t Seattle rainy about ten months out of the year? Maybe so, but once you get east of the Cascade mountain range, the climate is considerably drier and sunnier, yielding one of the nation’s premier growing regions for hearty reds.
Only the second winery to be established in Washington’s prolific Walla Walla Valley, family-run Woodward Canyon has been churning out delicious reds since 1981, and their Artist Series cabernet is a blend of grapes sourced from some of the most highly regarded vineyards in the entire state, including the lengendary Sagemoor Vineyard. “The result is a silky, medium- to full-bodied wine bursting with notes of ripe black cherry, blueberry, cassis, warm baking spices, cedar, black pepper, menthol, and cocoa,” says Claire Coppi, a Certified Sommelier and a cast member on SOMM TV. “Wait about five years before opening, as the wine benefits highly from a little time to integrate in the bottle.”
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Chteau Jalousie Beaulieu Bordeaux Suprieur
While the Italians can make a bottle of great wine, France has held the wine title belt for centuries. While red wines are known for being paired with red meat and other rich food, a good Bordeaux goes well with pork, pasta, and poultry. This Bordeaux Supérieur from Château Jalousie Beaulieu is light bodied and smooth with earthy, leathery notes.
- Notes: Leather, earth, and tobacco
- Cost: From $12.99
Robert Mondavi Private Selection Cabernet Sauvignon $10
The California cab before us is a white wine, blended with Carignan, syrah, petite syrah, Malbec, and petit verdot. The flavor is a complex and fruity one, with plum, blackberry, cherry, toasty oak, and spice notes. The texture is smooth and it has a dry finish. This is a popular everyday wine by a consistent brand.
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De Martino Legado Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva
Chile is another warm weather wine region to watch for up-and-coming high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon bargains, and this one comes from the Maipo Valley. Try the De Martino Legado Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva, a beautiful Cabernet Sauvignon with well-integrated tannins and the flavors of blackcurrant and blackberries. James Suckling rated the 2015 vintage of this wine 92 points, and Wine Spectator rated the 2011 vintage 92 points as well. Price will depend on the vintage, but expect to pay between $17 and $25.
Tenuta Sette Cieli Yantra Toscana 2018
The wine came from the winery Tenuta Sette Cieli, or “The Estate of Seven Skies.” The name is derived from the magnificent view atop the tiny estate overlooks Bolgheri and is named for this scenic landscape that can be seen nearly 1300 ft. above sea level.
Their Yantra 2018 is drawn off the high ground in Bolgheri using Bordeaux varietals just like Sassicaia does however, it provides an entirely different experience with its delicate aromas and flavors.
It is also much more price-friendly than its neighbors, whose prices can go as high as three digits.
It has a crowd-pleasing taste that is bursting with juicy hints of black cherries, licorice, red fruits, and spice. This wine’s flavor profile is perfect for the nighttime. You can drink this now or wait it out and let its flavors mature with age.
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Continuum 2018 Sage Mountain Vineyard Napa Valley
This has incredible nuances and delicacy with power. Its full-bodied with lots of gentle tannins that spread across the palate. The character is full of blackberry, black currant and lead pencil. Some conifer and pine needles. Sage at the end, too. Savory. So long-lasting and layered. Such purity. Its so complex and changes all the time in the glass. Goes on for minutes. 54 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 31 percent Cabernet Franc, 9 percent Petit Verdot and 6 percent Merlot. Organically grown grapes. So drinkable now, but will age beautifully. James Suckling
Bevan Cellars 2018 Dr Crane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
I always seem to compare great wines from this site with Haut-Brion, and I think the comparison holds here, although its a Haut-Brion on steroids! The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Dr. Crane Vineyard reveals a dense purple color as well as a powerful nose of ripe black fruits, tobacco leaf, earth, coffee beans and gravelly earth. All of these carry over to the palate, where the wine is full-bodied and has a deep, layered mid-palate, sweet tannins and a blockbuster of a finish. Hats off to the talented Russell Bevans for another brilliant, singular wine thats going to keep for 20 to 25 years. Jeb Dunnuck
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Where Does Cabernet Sauvignon Grow Best
Cabernet Sauvignon grows best in moderate to warm climates to help the long ripening of the grape.
When unripe, Cabernet Sauvignon is unpleasantly high in tannins. This is why in cooler areas, it is generally blended with other grapes.
Blending and oak aging are the common techniques used to soften Cabernet Sauvignon high tannins.
Here are the typical taste profiles depending on the climate:
- Cool : green bell pepper, mint, black currant, and cedar.
- Moderate/Warm : black cherry, black currant, black olive.
- Very Hot : flavors become more cooked and jammy
Domaines Barons De Rothschild Lgende R Pauillac 2015
This bottle is a stable example of the quality that Pauillac produces. Wines from this sub-region are excellent because they drink well young and age for an even longer time.
This wine has an intense ruby color. The aroma of figs, black pepper, and cocoa powder fills your nose as you drink it. It’s a powerful blend with its well-integrated tannins. It finishes off with notes of licorice that will leave you wanting more after finishing a glass.
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J Lohr Seven Oaks Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon
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Lokoya Winery Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
The Lokoya Mount Veeder wine is a delicacy that will make any palette tingle. Combine the best of Napa Valley’s mountain climate, rich soils, and expert winemaking from Lokoya’s artisan for grape production Christopher Carpenter – this indulgence is sure to please!
This is an example of the perfect cab. It has a fruity aroma with blueberry, violet, and blackberries mixed in with truffle flavorings to make it richer.
The tannins taste like they grip your mouth as you drink this wine while simultaneously refusing to let go, which ensures that every glass deliciously lingers on your tongue long after swallowing.
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Chateau Buena Vista 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon
Origin: Napa Valley, California, USAPrice: $40ABV: 15%
In the 1860s Buena Vista covered more than 6,000 acres that ran up into the foothills and into Napa County. In 1861, their founder, Count Haraszthy, journeyed to Europe to procure the finest grapevines. While in Bordeaux, he declared, Cabernet Sauvignon is its unsurpassed grape the wine made of it possesses splendid color and an exquisite bouquet. Taking choice cuttings back to California, he propagated them at Buena Vista and brought Cabernet Sauvignon to the Napa Valley. The Chateau Buena Vista Cabernet Sauvignon celebrates and honors Buena Vistas indelible presence and significant contributions to the California wine world. Sourced from vineyards from Yountville to St. Helena, the wine was aged for 28 months before being racked and aged an additional four months in French oak barrels, 40% new. It was then bottled unfiltered.The wines color is a rich crimson red. It opens with aromas of black cherry, blueberry, cardamom and cedar. On the palate, flavors of ripe dark fruit, spices and toasted oak unfold, all framed in by elegant tannins and good acidity leading to a long finish.
> For more information, visit the Buena Vista official website.
Mcmanis Family Vineyards $10
McManis Family Vineyards
This one’s a deep garnet colored California cab with aromas of bell pepper and flavors of fresh berry. The McManis cab is a medium-bodied wine with a smooth and easy finish. The 2001 vintage was the winner of a double gold medal at the San Francisco International Wine Competition. At only $10 a bottle, this may be the best-bargained cab around!
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Penley Estate Phoenix Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
This complex Cabernet Sauvignon hails from Coonawarra, a wine region in South . Produced by winemakers, Kate Goodman and Lauren Hansen, it features luscious flavors of plum and blackberry, a sprinkle of cocoa, and supple tannins, resulting in a wine that is super fruity but also savory, says Kendeigh Worden, a sommelier who runs the wine education blog, The Grape Grind. Hearty and juicy at the same time. The fruit is intense and the structure is milder. Its really easy drinking for Cabernet, she adds.
