Monday, March 25, 2024

Best Tasting Cabernet Sauvignon

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Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

The best California Cabernet Sauvignon: Napa and Sonoma Virtual Tasting

For almost 50 years, the Duncan family has been dedicated to making perfect wines. Their property in Alexander Valley is worth a visit for any wine lover so that you can experience their LEED Certified Platinum winery and taste their delicious cab from Alexander Valley!

The first thing you’ll notice about a Silver Oak bottle is the deep, oak flavors that fill your mouth. On top of this are hints of blackberry and cassis with a finish reminiscent of a juicy clementine fruit.

This wine will be perfect for sipping while sitting around an open fire pit in winter or keeping company with friends over Thanksgiving dinner!

Nickel & Nickel Element 28

A longtime Napa specialist in single-vineyard Cabernet, Nickel & Nickel brings beauty to a grape sometimes derided for being too much about mass appeal as opposed to art. This one from 2017 is the latter and worthy of a few hours of your time as it opens up and shows brambly fruit, cardamom, and tantalizing structure.

Editors’ Recommendations

Best Under $: 2016 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Alexander Valley, California | ABV: 13.9% | Tasting Notes: Toasty oak, Cassis, Wild herbs

For almost five decades, the Duncan family has shepherded Silver Oak Cellars on a continued path of perfection. Their Alexander Valley property is worth a visit to California alone, just to experience their LEED Certified Platinum winery and, of course, to taste their Alexander Valley Cabernet.

Classic Silver Oak layers of deeply delicious toasty oak notes are harnessed with vanilla, blackberry, cassis and violets, further revealing black currant and wild herb notes over time in the glass. Expect bold tannins, bold flavors and mind-boggling complexity.

Region: Mendocino County, California | ABV: 14% | Tasting Notes: Plum, Spice, Vanilla

Bonterras reputation in the beverage trade can be distilled into two major points: first, theyre committed to producing quality wines, and second, they were organic before it was cool. Yes, even as far back as 1987, Bonterra has made their wines without using pesticides. The extra effort is evident in their 2018 cabernet, an inspired feat from the originators of organic vino.

Expect flavors of cherry, plum, and spice with pretty oak notes tinged with vanilla. The wine has a hearty structure with soft acidity and a fresh finish.

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Bonterra Organically Grown Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Lavish and luscious, this red wine is full of life. Tasting notes include cherry, currant, and raspberry with hints of toasted oak on the nose. It is medium-bodied and has good structure and balance, with a satisfying and lingering finish.

Bonterra has been committed to quality wines for more than 20 years, and they have done so without using pesticides. As early as 1987, Bonterra was already an organic winemaker. This 2018 cab is an inspired feat after being one of the originators in this field since then!

Full Body And High Tannins

The Best of Washington Cabernet Sauvignon // 4 Bottles

Most wine recommendations usually suggest protein with tannins.

So to match the high tannins of the wine were looking at chunks of meat. Steaks, roasts, and rich stews are friends of high tannin wines.

The full body style means you need intensity in the sauce too. Beef Bourguignon would be too light for a cab sauv. Whereas short ribs, often in an intense, sticky sauce, are perfect as youll feel the fruit and savory notes bursting from the wine when paired with the meat and rich sauce.

This may seem like a cabernet wont work with vegetarian dishes. But cabernet sauvignon tastes amazing with mushroom risotto, I know its the laziest example of vegetarian food ever.

Seitan will also work nicely though, especially if theres a rich sauce to go with it and some roasted potatoes and vegetables. Braised red cabbage is another awesome veggie side that works well with cabernet.

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We Tried 7 Boxed Red Wines & This Is The Best

Boxed wine has been around since the 1980s, but has spiked in popularity over the past few years as people look for easier ways to store and drink wine, as well as be more eco-conscious. In fact, more people are turning to boxed wine after realizing the quality of wine is the same as what’s in the bottles, and it’s way easier to let family and friends pour themselves a glass right out of the fridge without the need for a corkscrew.

In the name of science, we tried seven different boxed wines to see which one is the best. To start, I narrowed down this search for boxed wine to only include red wine, which is consistently the most Googled wine across the United States, according to a Google Trends search. Then, once I was at the liquor store, I tried to pick options that I knew would be readily available in most grocery stores. After gathering a few friendsbecause who wants to drink aloneI broke open the boxes and we started tasting.

This is the official ranking of seven of the most popular boxed red wines. If you prefer a canned wine, we’ve got a list of the 17 best canned-wine brands that you should try. Cheers!

Best Australian: 2018 Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: South Australia | ABV: 14.5% | Tasting Notes: Tomato leaf, Brown butter, Mocha

Try cabernet the Aussie way with this fruity rendition from Penfolds. This South Australian multi-regional blend is made with grapes from the countrys cooler climates, maturing in French and American oak for a full year. The result is this deep and structured wine thats worth crossing the Pacific for.

Youll find aromas of blackberry compote, on-the-vine tomato leaf, cassis, and brown butter sage out the gate. This is a medium-bodied wine with wispy tannins and flavors of black and red currant, cherry and nutty mocha. This wine tastes excellent today, but will also improve over the next decade.

Region: Colchagua Valley, Chile | ABV: 15% | Tasting Notes: Blackberry, Crème de cassis, Olive tapenade

The Lapostolle family is Chilean royalty, and a member of the family, Charles de Bournet Marnier Lapostolle, is president and CEO of Clos Apalta. With the help of two notable French winemakers, Michele Rolland and Jacques Begarie, they are producing some of the best cabernet blends on earth.

With 64% carménère, 19% cabernet sauvignon and 17% merlot, this is a compact red, bursting at the seams with black raspberry, blackberry, red currants, crème de cassis and olive tapenade. Grippy, powerful tannins are underscored by savory tobacco, mint, and cacaoall leading to a focused and harmonious finish.

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Best Cabernet Sauvignon Wines Under $30

Nobody wants to go to the trouble of selecting a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon and then finding that it does not meet their expectations even if you have spent under $30. We all have different preferences and different palates, and there are so many bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon to choose from. So, relax, keep calm and take a look at this list of the 10 best Cabernet Sauvignon wines I have sampled for under $30.

Your Search for the Best Cabernet Sauvignon Wines Under $30 Ends Here!

Cabernet Sauvignon is recognized as one of the most popular red wines in the world. However, some folk thinks that it has to be expensive to be good. Well, I have some good news for you. Some fabulous Cabernet Sauvignon wines come from different countries around the world, and they do not cost the earth. Take a look at this list of best value cabernet sauvignon under $30.

Gamble Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

The Best Red Wines For Beginners (Series): #2 Cabernet Sauvignon

This is a delightful California Cab. Its still aging, but its drinking well now. It has edgy tannins that are still softening and a deep, rich fruit core that will remind you of blackberry jam. Its so Cali and so Napa. This is a bottle to treat yourself with, gift to your boss, or bring to dinner with the parents. It has all the old-school vibes from back in the day, with all the balance and power of todays more restrained style. Rating: 91

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The Top Cab Is Is The 2016 Chteau Pape Clment Pessac

We independently research, test, review, and recommend the bestproductslearn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

Liquor / Chloe Jeong

From its ancestral homeland in southwest France, to the sun-drenched vineyards of California and Washington, to emerging footholds in Tuscany, Australia, and South Africa, cabernet sauvignon stakes a fair claim as the most beloved wine grape in the world. A recent study revealed that it’s now the world’s most widely-planted grape variety, up from fourth place as recently as 1990 .

Besides consumer preference shifting toward so-called “varietal” wines, another cause for cabernet sauvignon’s meteoric rise is that its relatively easy to grow the grape berries are known for their thick skin and natural ability to flourish in a wide range of climates. More important than its ease of cultivation, however, is the fact that cabernet sauvignon is simply delicious. Bold and sturdy, with satisfying dark fruit flavors and big tannic character, its a crowd-pleasing favorite that’s almost never absent from a restaurant wine list .

How Cabernet Sauvignon Is Aged

Cabernet Sauvignon produces some of the most age-worthy wines in the world. Cab loves oak its such a bold wine that its almost impossible for oak to be intrusive. Instead, oak can really work wonders to round out the rough edges of young Cabernet Sauvignon.

French, American, and Hungarian oak all work well with Cab and its rare that oak isnt used. High-end Bordeaux and high-end Napa Cabs can age for decades, and even less expensive Cabernets can age for a bit. While we dont necessarily recommend hanging on to an inexpensive wine for years they are, after all, meant to be drunk young with Cab, it could be a fun experiment just to see what happens.

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Why Is Cabernet Sauvignon So Popular

The easy answer to why Cabernet Sauvignon is so popular is because its delicious. It is full-bodied, fruity, has balanced acidity, and plenty of tannins that make it age-worthy. Cabernet Sauvignon is also a wine that goes very well with many foods, but can also be enjoyed on its own with a little snack. Its also a relatively easy grape to grow and produces a good sized crop which makes it profitable for winemakers. Beyond that, its popularity has bred even more popularity. If everyone else likes it, then maybe you will, too!

Austin Hope 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon

The Best of Washington Cabernet Sauvignon // 4 Bottles

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This is a very powerful and yet spicy and nuanced bottling. Lush aromas of black cherry, caramel, coffee, cream and baked licorice show on the nose, while the viscous palate is packed with black-cherry cordial, licorice and mocha cream flavors. Firm tannins give balance to the brown sugar kick of the finish. Matt Kettmann

All tastings reported in the Buying Guide are performed blind. Typically, products are tasted in peer-group flights of from 5-8 samples. Reviewers may know general information about a flight to provide contextvintage, variety or appellationbut never the producer or retail price of any given selection. When possible, products considered flawed or uncustomary are retasted.

Ratings reflect what our editors felt about a particular product. Beyond the rating, we encourage you to read the accompanying tasting note to learn about a products special characteristics.

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Priest Ranch 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon

Origin: Napa Valley, California, USAVarietal: 100% Cabernet SauvignonPrice: $44.00ABV: 14.9%The historic Priest Ranch is now part of the Somerston Estate, a significant property with 244 acres of hillside vineyards. The wines of Priest Ranch are sourced from multiple blocks, showcasing the diversity and complexity of the combined property. Their 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon came from 24 unique vineyard blocks, planted at elevations from 850 to 1,650 feet. The wine was aged 20 months in 40% new French oak and 60% once-used French oak barrels. The lees were stirred for the first year followed by three rackings in the second year of aging. The wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered.The wine has a deep crimson red color. The nose shows aromas of ripe berries, black currant, dark chocolate, mocha and a touch of oak. Layers of ripe fruit, spices, vanilla and chocolate reveal themselves on the palate. The wine has a good tannic structure with well-balanced acidity and a lengthy, refined finish.> For more information, visit the Priest Ranch Wines official website.

Dalla Valle 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon

Origin: Napa Valley, CaliforniaVarietal: Cabernet Sauvignon with a fraction of Cabernet FrancPrice: $250.00ABV: 14.8%Since husband-and-wife team Gustav and Naoko Dalla Valle purchased the property in 1982 and began planting vines, their exceptional acreage has continually distinguished itself as the ideal site for producing very fine wines. With Naoko and Maya Dalla Valle now at the helm, Dalla Valle Vineyards continues to produce elegant, age-worthy wines that are impeccably balanced and offer a distinct acidity compared to their Napa counterparts. Maya seeks to further the legacy of this true multigenerational winery and has incorporated changes such as a switch to biodynamic viticultural techniques.The wine shows a dark, barn red color. Aromas of ripe, dark berry fruit, cedar wood and mineral pop up in the nose. The palate reveals complex flavors of red berries and spice, all wrapped up in mildly gripping tannins and good acidity to deliver a long, complex finish.> For more information, visit Dalla Valle official website.

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Best Cabernet Sauvignon Wines In California

Full of Flavor

Cabernet Sauvignon is considered the worlds most popular red grape. Its native to Bordeaux, France, and its a natural cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. Wine enthusiasts love Cabernet Sauvignon for its dynamism, high flavor concentration, and aging potential.

What Are The Best Cabernet Sauvignon Wines in California?

Currently, there are many Cabernet Sauvignon options in the market. Some are super fruity, while others have smoky and savory flavors. In reality, the taste of your Cabernet Sauvignon depends on where the grapes have grown, and the way the winemaker has vinified it. The top regions for Cabernet Sauvignon are Bordeaux, France, the North Coast of California, South Australia, and Chile. In general, expect to taste blackberries, cherries, figs, and plums, as well as tobacco, smoke, leather, pencil lead, eucalyptus, and mint.

Also, keep in mind that Cabernet Sauvignon shows green elements, too, especially if its coming from Bordeaux. The green flavor is bell pepper, and its appearance is due to an aromatic compound group called methoxypyrazine. Additionally, as you sample Cabernet Sauvignon, you might even discern notes of peppercorn, chocolate, and graphite. These are the best-selling Cabernet Sauvignon wines in California:

The 8 Best Napa Valley Wineries For Cabernet Sauvignon

Explore The Styles of Cabernet Sauvignon | Wine Folly

Napa Valley’s prestigious wine reputation was built boldly on the back of cabernet sauvignon. The region boasts close to 20,000 acres of vineyards planted with this red wine grape varietal. Napa’s warm weather, long growing season, diverse soil structures, and remarkable microclimates welcome cab-loving vintners and consumers alike.

The vast majority of Napa’s wineries will offer at least one cab in their tasting lineup. However, if you’re a wine enthusiast visiting the Valley, you’ll want to hit the top wineries to discover the best of Napa Valley cabernet sauvignon. Keep in mind, it’s always a good idea to call ahead for tasting reservations, though many places still allow drop-ins.

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The New Cult Cabs Are From Wineries Youve Never Heard Of

Get in on the ground floor of collectible wines with these bottlings from exceptional producers.

When it comes to cult Cabernet Sauvignon and other high-end juice from Napa Valley, bargain is a relative termwith bottlings from Screaming Eagle and Sine Qua Non topping $1,000. Fortunately for anyone looking for a cellar-worthy, special occasion-ready bottle, a handful of wineries in the region are making exceptional Cabernet and other varietals sourced from stellar vineyards at a fraction of the price of the better-known brands.

While the prices by no means take them into daily drinker territory, these wines are exquisite enough for cellaring. Be sure to sign up for their mailing lists to be one of the first to know when the bottles drop.

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.

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