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California Cabernet
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In 1976, by taking first place in a comparative tasting of top wines from California and France, it was Stag's Leap Wine Cellars' early 1970's release that broke the news to the world about the arrival of California Cabernet.
Good California Cabernet Sauvignon will possess a full, lingering flavor with tones of blackberries, cherries and other dark fruit. Most of these wines, with a fairly firm structure, noticeable tannins and astringency, can be aged for 10, 20 or even more years. But expanded plantings alongside rainy forests and in deserts, on mountain slopes and old river beds, and in scores of sites less extreme have stretched Cabernet's varietal character to wide limits. Some of the fattest, most alcoholic models from California's hottest districts can come to resemble the rich body of a port wine. And some thin, sharp-featured examples from colder districts can really highlight the herbaceous tone that the variety carries.
Buying Guide: Recommended California Cabernet
$10 and Under Cycles Gladiator Cabernet SauvignonCentral Coast$10
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Challis Lane Cabernet $6 |  |
Fetzer Cabernet Valley Oaks $6 |
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Cellar No. 8 Cabernet Sauvignon California $9 | |
Viano Cabernet $7 |
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Jewel Collection Cabernet $5 |
$11 to $20
Geyser Peak Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley $14
Grapes: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting Notes: Classic California Cabernet: cherry, blackberry, chocolate, and spice. Bright, ripe fruit, and a restrained note of oak. Rich in the mouth and lush, finishing with hints of vanilla.
Comment: Geyser Peak is one of those wineries that has a winning formula for a consistently good, yet affordable Cabernet Sauvignon.
Food pairing: dark chocolate | beef | pork | lamb | pasta | poultry | bbq | sausage
When to drink: Drink young, keep for up to 2 years
Service temperature: 18°C | 64°F
75 Wine Company Cabernet $17
Grapes: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting Notes: Vanilla and cocoa on top of cherries, cranberries, and roses.
Comment: Hand selected, very pretty wine from the unique Amber Knolls Vineyard in the Red Hills of California.
Food pairing: beef | pork chops | lamb | saus age | dark chocolate | mocha pudding | espresso gelato
When to drink: Drink young, keep for up to 4 years
Service temperature: 18°C | 64°F
Grapes: 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 4% Syrah, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc
Tasting Notes: Cassis, blackcurrant, with vanilla and exotic spice. Round and precise.
Comment: Made in a state of the art “green” facility, this is a finely crafted, state of the art California Cabernet. The price to quality ratio is also always excellent with this wine.
Food pairing: roast beef | pork chops | lamb | bbq | sausage | dark chocolate
When to drink: Drink young, keep for up to 2 years
Service temperature: 18°C | 64°F
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Geyser Peak Walking Tree Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon $20 |  |
Shiloh Road Cabernet $11 |
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Louis Martini Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon $13 | |
Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley $17 |
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Alexander Valley Cabernet $14 |  |
Clos du Bois Cabernet Reserve $14 |
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Castoro Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles $15 | |
Chateau St Jean Cabernet California $11 |
$21 to $30
Raymond Cabernet Reserve Napa Valley $28
Grapes: 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot
Tasting Notes: Blackberry, blackplum, cherry, and chocolate.Peppery andspicy at the end, but smooth and flavorful.
Comment: The grapes come from estate vineyard in Rutherfod and St. Helena. Hand picked and sorted, then aged 18 months in 50% new French oak barrels. Rich, and deep, from the addition of Cabernet Franc and Merlot.
Food pairing: prime rib | pork chops | lamb | dark chocolate | wild game | gumbo | chocolate souffle
When to drink: Drink young, or age for 10-15 years
Service temperature: 18°C | 64°F
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Geyser Peak Block Collection Walking Tree Cabernet Alexander Valley $25 | |
Heitz Cabernet Napa Valley $30 |
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Beaulieu Cabernet Rutherford $21 | |
Trinchero Cabernet Main Street $25 |
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Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley $21 | |
Michael Pozzan Cabernet Sonoma $21 |
Charles Krug Napa Valley $27
Grapes: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% PetitVerdot, 3% Syrah, 2% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petite Sirah, 1% Merlot
Tasting Notes: Cocoa and licorice up front, with dark sweet cherries. Full and big, with a long and intense finish.
Comment: Aged 18 months half French and half American oak.
Food pairing: beef | pork chops | lamb | dark chocolate
When to drink: Drink young, or keep for up to 10 years
Service temperature: 18°C | 64°F
Dry Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Dry Creek Valley $21
Grapes: 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 4% Malbec, 3% Cabernet Franc
Tasting Notes: Plum and rose aromas with flavors of sweet currant, cherry, and cocoa. Smooth and rich in the mouth.
Comment: Aged 20 months in French and American oak. Always up there with the cream of the crop of Dry Creek Valley Cabernets. It also has a nice aging potential.
Food pairing: beef | pork chops | lamb | mocha mousse
When to drink: Drink young, or keep for up to 10 years
Service temperature: 18°C | 64°F
$31 to $50
Stags' Leap Winery Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon $49
Grapes: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Merlot
Tasting Notes: Plum and cassis up front with complex notes of leather and cocoa. Dense layers of cherry, with rich, dark berries in the background. Baked spice and coffee at the end.
Comment: After aging in 100% French oak for 12 months, the wine is assembled into a final blend and then aged for another 12
months.
Food pairing: prime rib | lamb | dark chocolate | wild game | chocolate souffle | duck
When to drink: Drink young, or age for 10-15 years
Service temperature: 18°C | 64°F
Frog's Leap Cabernet $42
Grapes: 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, 2% Merlot
Tasting Notes: Ripe black fruit mellowed by sweet, fresh herbal tints. Flavors of plum and dark currants also are intesified by notes of both cedar and tobacco. The feel on the mouth is velvety.
Comment: A throwback Cabernet, but in a good way. It is focused toward a harmony between Cabernet's ripe fruit character and it's herbaceous side.
Food pairing: duck| short ribs | lamb | dark chocolate | game | truffles
When to drink: Drink young, or age for 10-15 years
Service temperature: 18°C | 64°F
Silverado Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley $42
Grapes: 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc
Tasting Notes: Strong scents of plum and sweet herb. Ripe fruit and a hint of cedar also pop up along the way. The body is medium, but sturdy, with an underlying taste of cherry.
Comment: Sourced primarily from the top tier Stag's Leap Vineyard. Aged for seventeen months in one-third new oak.
Food pairing: duck| short ribs | lamb | dark chocolate | game | truffles
When to drink: Drink young, or age for 10-15 years
Service temperature: 18°C | 64°F
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Salvestrin Estate Vineyard Cabernet St. Helena $49 | |
Arrowood Cabernet $45 |
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Raymond Reserve Cabernet Napa Valley $35 | |
Iron Horse T-bar-T Cabernet Alexander Valley $35 |
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Hagen Heights Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley $48 | |
Ladera Cabernet $35 |
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Sequoia Grove Cabernet $32 |
$51 and Up
Grapes: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting Notes: Color is ruby purple, with mineral, earth, and black olive. Lush with black fruit, toasted, and oaky. This wine is elegant, and powerful.
Comment: Aged for 18 months in French barrels, 50% of which are new.
Food pairing: duck| lamb | dark chocolate | game | truffles | prime rib
When to drink: Drink young, or age for up to 10 years
Service temperature: 18°C | 64°F
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley $70
Grapes: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting Notes: Strong with mocha and vanilla, with powerful scents of blackberries, dark cherries, and rose petals. Rich in cocoa texture, slight in acidity, and expansive on the palate.
Comment: The Caymus style is a California Cabernet classic, and worth the money.
Food pairing: duck| lamb | dark chocolate | game | truffles | prime rib | chocolate mousse | ripe dark berries and cream
When to drink: Drink between 3-8 years after release
Service temperature: 18°C | 64°F
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Lancaster Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley $65 | |
Stag's Leap Cabernet Artemis $55 |
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Baldacci Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District $55 | |
Château Potelle VGS Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder $60 |
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Clos Pegase Palisades Vineyard Cabernet Napa Valley $60 | |
Goldschmidt Vyborny Vineyard Single Vineyard Selection Alexander Valley $65 |
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Marita's Vineyard SOMA Limited Private Reserve Cabernet Napa $86 |
On the Market: California Cabernet
89 Cycles Gladiator Central Coast $10
86 Wine Block $10
86 Grayson Paso Robles $10
86 Twin Fin $10
86 Ironstone $10
86 Full Circle $8
86 Ravenswood Vintners Blend $10
86 Smoking Loon $9
85 Bear Republic $6
85 Canyon Road $9
85 Vinum Cellars Rose It's Okay! Napa Valley $10
85 Castle Rock Paso Robles $10
85 Sonoma Crest Sonoma County $10
85 Meridian $10
85 Turning Leaf Reserve $8
85 Gallo Family Vineyards NV Twin Valley $5
85 Line 39 Lake County $10
85 Stone Creek Mendocino County $9
84 Talus Lodi $8
84 McManis $10
84 Hilltown Monterey County $7
84 Surf Point $9
84 Mountain View Lake County $9
84 Cupcake Central Coast $10
84 Grayson Paso Robles $10
84 Château Julien Barrel Aged Monterey County $10
84 Eastwood $9
91 Geyser Peak Alexander Valley $18
91 Sobon Estate Amador County $15
91 Summers Andriana's Cuvée Napa Valley $20
91 Cameron Hughes Lot 47 Diamond Mountain $20
90 Castoro Cellars Paso Robles $15
90 Cameron Hughes Lot 73 Chalk Hill $16
90 Beaulieu Vineyard Napa Valley $19
90 Rodney Strong Sonoma County $19
90 Hobo Alexander Valley $20
89 Ramsay Napa Valley $16
89 Shannon Ridge Lake County $19
89 Liberty School Paso Robles $14
89 Martin Ray Napa-Mendocino- Sonoma $20
89 X X3 $18
88 Gallo Family Vineyards Sonoma County $15
88 337 Wine Cellars Lodi $15
88 Alexander Valley Vineyards Estate Alexander Valley $20
88 Peirano The Heritage Collection Lodi $12
88 Kenwood Sonoma County $18
85 Black Box Paso Robles $18
85 Red Truck $13
85 Jekel Arroyo Seco $15
85 Minassian-Young Paso Robles $18
85 Paso Creek Paso Robles $18
92 Merryvale Starmont Napa Valley $27
92 Falcone Paso Robles $30
92 Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards Sonoma County $25
91 Charles Creek La Sonrisa del Tecolote Napa Valley $30
91 Beaulieu Vineyard Rutherford $27
91 B Side Napa Valley $24
91 Chateau St. Jean Sonoma County $27
91 Beringer Knights Valley $27
91 Robert Mondavi Napa Valley $28
91 Franciscan Oakville Estate Napa Valley $25
91 White Oak Napa Valley $26
91 Kent Rasmussen Napa Valley $28
91 Laurel Glen Counterpoint Sonoma Mountain $30
90 Rockledge Vineyards St. Helena $25
90 Sausal Alexander Valley $30
90 Hess Allomi Napa Valley $25
90 Enlace Napa Valley $26
90 Castello Da Vinci Napa Valley $25
88 Conn Creek Limited Release Napa Valley $28
88 Schug Sonoma Valley $24
88 White Oak 25th Anniversary Napa Valley $27
88 Hans Fahden Mountain Cuvee Sonoma County $28
88 St. Francis Sonoma County $24
88 Lake Sonoma Alexander Valley $24
88 Pedroncelli Block 007 Estate Vineyard Dry Creek Valley $25
88 Wellington Handal-Denier Vineyard Dry Creek Valley $30
88 Souverain Alexander Valley $22
94 Silverado Napa Valley $40
94 Pine Ridge Rutherford $40
93 Astrale e Terra Arcturus Napa Valley $39
93 Martin Ranch Reserve Santa Cruz Mountains $40
93 Rafanelli Dry Creek Valley $40
93 Iron Horse T-bar-T Alexander Valley $35
93 Martin Ray Reserve Stags Leap District $40
93 Forefathers Alexander Valley $40
93 Raymond Reserve Napa Valley $35
93 Whitehall Lane 2005 Napa Valley $40
93 Dry Creek The Mariner $40
92 Hawkes Alexander Valley $40
92 Joseph Family Alexander Valley $40
92 Stonehouse Shultz Family Vineyards Legacy El Dorado County $38
92 Souverain Winemaker's Reserve Alexander Valley $40
92 Surh Luchtel Napa Valley $40
92 Signorello Estate Napa Valley $40
92 Alexander Valley Vineyards Alexander School Top of the Crop $35
92 Clos Pegase Napa Valley $35
92 Simi Landslide Vineyard Alexander Valley $33
92 Flora Springs Club Selection Napa Valley $35
92 Frog's Leap Napa Valley $39
92 Keenan $37
92 Mount Veeder $40
91 Sequoia Grove $34
91 Midsummer Cellars Mann Vineyard Napa Valley $35
91 Byington Cerro Prieto Paso Robles $32
91 Whitehall Lane Napa Valley $40
91 Monticello Jefferson Cuvée Napa Valley $38
91 Fritz Dry Creek Valley $35
91 Riboli Rutherford $40
91 Sbragia Adolsen Vineyard Dry Creek Valley $35
91 Wild Oak by St. Francis Sonoma County $32
91 Nipa Reserve Paso Robles $39
90 Sanctuary Usibelli Vineyard Napa Valley $32
90 J. Lohr Hilltop Vineyard Paso Robles $32
90 Ferrari-Carano Alexander Valley $3490 Rombauer $38
90 Château Montelena Napa Valley $40
90 Cobblestone Napa Valley $39
90 Rutherford Hill Napa Valley $36
90 Clos La Chance Central Coast $40
90 Spann Vineyards Twenty Three Barrels Sonoma County $32
90 Ehret Knights Valley $39
90 Terra Valentine Spring Mountain $38
90 Herzog Special Reserve Alexander Valley $34
89 Rezonja Sky Pines Vineyards Estate Alexander Valley $32
89 Surh Luchtel Napa Valley $40
89 Sensorium Napa Valley $40
89 Honig Napa Valley $35
98 Coup de Foudre Napa Valley $75
97 Caymus Special Selection Napa Valley $136
97 Lancaster Alexander Valley $65
97 Stonestreet Christopher's Alexander Valley $100
97 Ridge Monte Bello $130
96 Goldschmidt Game Ranch Single Vineyard Selection Oakville $65
96 Kendall-Jackson Highlands Estate Napa Mount Veeder $70
96 Far Niente Estate Bottled Oakville $125
96 Nickel & Nickel John C. Sullenger Vineyard Oakville $90
96 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cask 23 $140
96 Andersons Conn Valley Vineyards Reserve $60
95 Nickel & Nickel Vogt Vineyard Howell Mountain $90
95 Marita's Vineyard Select Private Reserve Napa Valley $150
95 Lancaster Alexander Valley $70
95 Von Strasser Sori Bricco Vineyard Diamond Mountain $70
95 Goldschmidt Vyborny Vineyard Single Vineyard Selection Alexander Valley $65
95 Piña Buckeye Vineyard Howell Mountain $78
95 Barnett Rattlesnake Hill Spring Mountain $120
95 Charles Creek La Vista Stagecoach Vineyard Napa Valley $55
95 Beaulieu Vineyard Georges de Latour Private Reserve Napa Valley $95
95 Baldacci Stags Leap District $55
95 Pride Mountain Reserve Sonoma-Napa $120
95 Joseph Phelps Backus Oakville $200
95 Girard Diamond Mountain $75
95 R Mondavi Reserve $130
95 Beaulieu Vineyard eorges de Latour Private Reserve Napa Valley $105
95 Caymus Napa Valley $70
94 Girard Pritchard Hill Napa Valley $75
94 Piedra Hill Purple Label Howell Mountain $54
94 Livingston Moffett 20th Anniversary Vintage Rutherford $95
94 Kendall-Jackson Trace Ridge Estate Knights Valley $55
94 Robert Mondavi Reserve Napa Valley $135
94 Lail J. Daniel Cuvée Napa Valley $110
94 Revana St. Helena $105
94 Reverie Estate Special Reserve Diamond Mountain $85
94 Sbragia Monte Rosso Vineyard Sonoma Valley $50
94 Sbragia Rancho Del Oso Howell Mountain $75
94 Robert Craig Howell Mountain $70
94 B Cellars Blend 26 Napa Valley $85
94 Surh Luchtel Sacrashe Vineyard Napa Valley $60
94 Beringer Private Reserve $110
94 Etude Oakville $75
94 Buoncristiani Napa Valley $90
94 Terra Valentine Wurtele Vineyard Spring Mountain $60
94 Robert Young Scion Alexander Valley $58
94 Kendall-Jackson Highlands Estates Trace Ridge Knights Valley $70
94 Nickel & Nickel Martin Stelling Vineyard Oakville $140
94 Kenefick Ranch Napa Valley $60
94 La Sirena Napa Valley $150
94 Emilio's Terrace Sophie's Rows Oakville $120
93 Terra Valentine Yverdon Vineyard Spring Mountain $70
93 Château Potelle VGS Mount Veeder $60
93 Sineann Lazare Vineyards Napa Valley $64
93 Barnett Cyrus Ryan Vineyard Napa Valley $90
93 Corley Reserve Napa Valley $65
93 Vine Cliff Pickett Road Napa Valley $150
93 W.H. Smith Purple Label Howell Mountain $54
93 Rubicon Estate Cask Rutherford $75
93 Clark-Clauden Estate Grown Napa Valley $75
93 Pillar Rock Stags Leap District $125
93 V. Sattui Steve Lee Reserve Napa Valley $95
93 Terra Valentine Yverdon Vineyard Spring Mountain $70
93 Ferrari-Carano Prevail Back Forty Alexander Valley $85
93 Salvestrin Three D St. Helena $110
93 V Madrone Estate Napa Valley $75
93 William Cole Cuvée Claire Napa Valley $125
93 Cefalu' Michael Anthony St. Helena $55
93 Surh Luchtel Sacrashe Vineyard Napa Valley $55
93 Luna Reserve Napa Valley $100
93 Rutherford Grove Estate Reserve Howell Mountain $65
93 Flora Springs Hillside Reserve Rutherford $108
93 Peju Reserve Rutherford $105
93 Kendall-Jackson Hawkeye Mountain Estate Alexander Valley $50
93 Kendall-Jackson Napa Mountain Estate Mount Veeder $60
93 Ramey Pedegral Vineyard Oakville $140
93 Shafer One Point Five Stags Leap District $65
93 Corley State Lane Vineyard Yountville $58
93 Blankiet Napa Valley $150
95 Lancaster Estate $70
93 Kathryn Hall Napa Valley $71
92 Pride Mountain Napa-Sonoma $66
92 Casa Nuestra Napa Valley $55
92 Luna Napa Valley $80
92 Robert Craig Mount Veeder $70
92 Spring Mountain Vineyard Napa Valley $55
92 AZS Napa Valley $75
92 Anomaly St. Helena $75
92 Beringer Chabot Vineyard Napa Valley $90
92 Goldschmidt Vyborny Vineyard Alexander Valley $65
92 Brandlin Mount Veeder $85
92 Far Niente Oakville $120
92 Salvestrin Salvestrin Estate Vineyard St. Helena $58
92 Sterling Diamond Mountain Ranch Napa Valley $55
92 Sterling Reserve Napa Valley $65
92 Vineyard 7&8 Spring Mountain $90
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Image Gallery
Resources
- Useful Links (external): California Cabernet Vintage Reports, California Cabernet Factsheet
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90+ California Cabernets Under $25 |
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90 Frei Brothers Reserve |
92 Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County $25 |
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91 Geyser Peak Block |
 91 B Side Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley $24 |
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 90 Cameron Hughes Lot 73 Cabernet Sauvignon Chalk Hill $16 |
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 90 Hobo Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley $20 |
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