Cabernet is still king. Even with all the new trends of blends and the rising popularity of other grape varieties, Cab remains on top.  With so many choices out there, here’s a little guidance for a handful of them from the good old USA.  Cheers and enjoy!

Kenwood 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon

Grape(s): 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec, & 2% Cabernet Franc

Region: Sonoma County, Ca

Price: 10-15

Tasting Notes:

A combination of blackberries, currants, and black cherries meets hints of toasty oak, brown spice, and dried herbs on the nose. Flavors of bramble berry and dark cherry come together among notes of herbs, barrel spice, and vanilla on the palate. Much less fruit driven than almost any Cab in its price range, fans of an old world style should check it out.

Rating: 89

Chateau Ste. Michelle “Indian Wells” 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon

Grape(s): 88% Cabernet Sauvignon & 12% Syrah

Region: Washington, USA

Price: 10-15

Tasting Notes:

A bouquet of black cherry, blackberry, spice, and bacon rises up from a glass. Dark cherries, plums, and cassis flavors intermingle among suggestions of game, cocoa, and spice on the palate. Offering good balance for a Cab under $15, if you like a more robust style (instead of lush and fruity), this is a bargain.

Rating: 90

Tuck Beckstofer “75” 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon

Grape(s): 100% Cabernet

Region: California

Price: 15-20

Tasting Notes:

Blackberry, strawberry and red currant aromas mingle among suggestions of toasty oak, butterscotch, and spice on the  nose. The palate presents with flavors of blackberries and strawberries that flow into expressions of toasty oak, butterscotch, and earth. Polished tannins and welcoming fruit make this an approachable Cab.

Rating: 88

Educated Guess 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon

Grape(s): 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, & 1% Cabernet Franc

Region: Napa Valley, Ca

Price: 20-25

Tasting Notes:

On the nose, blackberries, cherries, and currants play among nuances of dark chocolate and barrel spice. Blackberry, black cherry, and plum flavors flow into elements of cocoa, toasty oak, and clove on the palate. With plush tannins and welcoming fruit, it’s not a Cab for a steak but it will work nicely when you serve meat loaf.

Rating: 89