The Cheers National Wine Panel recommends a lineup of top quality/value cabernet sauvignon.
Cabernet sauvignon remains the benchmark of red wine in the U.S., even with the increasing popularity of zinfandel, syrah, pinot noir and merlot. With this in mind, we asked our National Wine Panel (cited at the end of this article) to suggest some top cabernet sauvignons. As always, these selections include brief tasting notes, a rating and the wine’s suggested retail price (which varies from market to market).
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
FIVE STARS
RATING SYSTEM
***** Five Stars (92-100)
A top-flight wine. Superior in taste and character and providing an
outstanding price/value relationship.
**** Four Stars (86-91)
A very good wine and an excellent value. A wine for which customers will keep coming back.
***** 97 Cakebread 1999 Benchland Select Cabernet Sauvignon (California). If the deep, dark ruby color isn’t enticing enough, then the rich aromas of ripe black cherries, dusty chocolate and cedar certainly are; on the palate, ripe, dark fruit flavors of cherry, blueberry and cassis mix with hints of chocolate and dried herbs; supple tannins and a long, smooth finish. $130
***** 96 Chateau Montrose 1998 St. Estephe (France). Saddle leather, black cherry, plums and violets all come together in the nose and follow through to the palate; luscious and medium in body; a fine example of Classified Bordeaux (Second Growth); about 65% cabernet sauvignon blended with a significant amount of merlot. $70
***** 95 Joseph Phelps 2000 Insignia Red Table Wine (California). An amazing wine; deep ruby, black color; expansive aromas of ripe black fruits, cassis; medium to full-bodied on the palate, fully ripened flavors of cassis and oak; long, lusty, slightly tannic finish; a tremendous choice for the cellar. $125
***** 95 Martin Ray 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon (California). Top-flight cabernet from this perennial quality producer; the 1999 shows off vivid color and a seductive bouquet of Asian spice, leather and cigar box; the fruit is a mélange of currant, black cherry and hints blackberry; the balance is a nearly flawless combination of elegance and power. $20
***** 95 Paradigm 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon (California). Very concentrated and forward nose with loads of blackberry, black cherry, cassis and currant aromas, supported by notes of pencil lead, oak and damp earth; rich and full on the palate with all the fruit flavors confirmed in a long, balanced and silky finish; soft tannins give the wine structure and the possibility of many years of cellar longevity. $50
***** 93 Sterling Reserve 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon (California). Deep, inky color, with huge depths of black fruit, toffee, currant, blackberry and cinnamon in the nose; Big, bright dusty cocoa powder with caramel, cassis and blackberry fruit flavors; a robust wine with youthful tannins, which shows a restrained elegance. $89
***** 95 Quinta Da Bacalhoa 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon (Portugal). The finest Cabernet produced in
Portugal, eerily reminiscent of top Pauillac; dark, dense and concentrated, with currant, cassis, plum, cedar, spice, smoke and vanilla flavors; outstanding structure; built for the long haul, but delicious today. $30
***** 94 Nelms Road 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon (California). This second label of Woodward Canyon is an awesome value; complex with cassis, oak and blackberry. ($20)
***** 94 Chateau St. Jean 1999 Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon (California). Aged in French and American oak and offers layer upon layer of blackberry and cassis flavors balanced by soft tannins and vanillin oak nuances; a great job. ($23)
***** 93 Muirwood 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon (California). Intense dark fruit flavors, currant and dark cherry, followed by hints of truffle, spice and cedar; 12 months of oak aging give this wine unmatched finesse at this price point. ($15)
***** 93 Kunde 1999 Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon (California). Ripe fruit flavors with a mix of cherry and cassis, mint and roasted red peppers; blended with cabernet franc, merlot and petite verdot to add dimension and depth; an elegant integrated finish. $19
***** 93 Plumpjack 2000 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (California). Concentrated cassis, currant and berries; big, rich tannins; a long, lengthy finish; a year or two aging could make it even better. $62
***** 93 Col Solare 1998/1999 (Washington State). This wine is made in the super Tuscan style in Washington State (a collaborative effort with Piero Antinori); it has syrah in the blend with a heavy dose of cabernet. $85
***** 92 Geyser Peak 1999 Reserve Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon (California). Deep, dark, bright color; great nose of smoke and complex fruit aroma; rich cassis, currant and cherry flavor; substantial tannins; some spice and a long finish. $35
***** 92 Lewelling Vineyards 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon (California). Deep ruby color; enticing black fruit aromas, with hints of flowers, very good depth; medium bodied, pleasingly layered on the palate, moderate tannins; ripe fruit flavors, sweet earthiness; long finish. $40
***** 92 Alexander Valley Vineyards 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon (California). Dark color; intense nose and a good structure; smooth, silky; a superior wine. $19
***** 92 Sequoia Grove 2000 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (California). Inviting nose of cherry, plum and cedar; good depth of flavor with polished finish of black cherry, smoke, spice and herbs; ripe, form tannins. $28
***** 92 L’Ecole No. 41 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon (Washington State). Rich and deep with complex notes of coffee, vanilla, cherry and chocolate; layers of flavors include blackberry and currant enhanced with a generous spicy finish. $35
***** 92 Kelham Vineyards 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon (California). Explosive bouquet of cassis, spice and cherry; a seamless finish that lasts and lasts; a wonderful effort. $50
***** 93 Coppola 2001 Claret (California). Deep and violet-purple with aromas of blackberry, clove and sweet vanilla; smooth on the palate with layers of cassis and blueberry followed by an elegant tannin finish; pairs well withy roasted lamb and sirloin steaks. $13
***** 92 Caraneto “Farnito” IGT 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon (Tuscany, Italy). Classic cabernet lines of licorice and dark berries; aged in barrique for 10 months; deep and complex. $35
***** 92 Gundlach-Bundschau 2000 Rhinefarm Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (California). Great intensity of flavor now, and will definitely improve with age. $20
***** 92 Lake Sonoma Winery 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon (California). An exciting cabernet with bold, rich fruit and firm tannins; a very well-balanced wine. $20
***** 92 Montes Alpha 2001 Apalta Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Chile). Dark, inky purple, with a soft nose of glycerin and red fruits; it is quite forward on the palate, with aggressive fruit flavors, silky tannins and a rich structure; contains 15% merlot in the blend, which adds to the complexity and enhances the overall balance. $17.50
***** 92 Smoking Loon 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon (California). Layers of rich cassis, mint, spice and blackberry flavors balanced with oak; the best cabernet value of the 2001 vintage. $7 (Sebastiani & Sons)
FOUR STARS
**** 91 Clos du Bois 1999 Briarcrest Cabernet Sauvignon (California). Deep garnet hue, opening with aromas of rich blackberry, nutmeg, cassis and toasted almonds; forward fruit flavors of blackberries and black cherries on the palate, followed mid-palate with spicy vanilla oak and toast; a fine expression of the rich, supple texture typical of Alexander Valley cabernet sauvignon. $42
**** 91 Maculan “Frata” IGT 2000 (Veneto, Italy). Cabernet sauvignon/merlot blend; bold fruit with hints of cassis and moderate toast; could play with the big boys of Bordeaux. $77
**** 91 Forman 2000 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (California). Bordeaux in style; earth, minerals and tobacco in the nose; an elegant blend of sweet chocolate and red fruits on the palate. $60
**** 91 Les Hauts de Pontet Canet 2000 Pauillac (France). This is the second label to Pontet Canet; in the glass, a dark ruby color and blackberry aromas mingle with hints of licorice, vanilla and mint; intense blackberry, currant and chocolate-covered cherry flavors are followed by subtler flavors of anise, pepper and mint; its full body, firm tannins and a long lasting finish give the wine balance and create a lasting impression. $30
**** 90 Jacob’s Creek Reserve 2000 South Australian Cabernet Sauvignon (Australia). Lots of berry and cassis flavors; ripe and round with plenty of jam and clean red fruit throughout. ($15)
**** 90 Chateau Montelena Calistoga Cuvée 1999 Caberrnet Sauvignon (California). Concentrated fruit with good complex flavors; 75% cabernet and 25% merlot; drinks well now and can age 10 years. $34
**** 90 Angeline 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon (California). Milk chocolate and dark cherries abound with ripe tannins and integrated oak and spice flavor; a long, velvety finish; an elegant wine with nicely balanced tannins; great for pot roast or grilled flank steak. $13
**** 90 BV Rutherford 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon (California). Full ruby-violet color; deep berry-mineral and black cherry aromas, with a distinct top note of vanilla oak adding spiciness and nuance; layers of dark cherry flavors with Rutherford minerality, some licorice and coca elements; supported by round yet firm tannins and judicious oak; more concentrated and less earthy than recent vintages; great balance; should age well for a decade. $20
**** 90 Penfolds Thomas Hyland 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon (Australia). Rich, smooth and elegant; hints of mint and cassis; balanced oak; a tad tannic on the close; pairs with grilled meats or game. $13
**** 90 Sebastiani 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon (California). A real nice cabernet; rich fruit highlighted with an anise flavor running throughout; fairly soft tannins make the wine ready to drink. $20
**** 90 Bookwalter 2000 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Washington State). Elegant and seamless displaying aromas of mocha and sweet spices; rich flavors of blackberry, currant and tobacco led to a long beautiful finish. $24
**** 90 Katnook Estate 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon (Australia). Intense, dark crimson color; showing varietal bouquet and a taste of black currant and mint; persistent finish of dark chocolate and spicy oak. $29
**** 90 Wynn’s 2000 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon (Australia). Intense dark fruit flavors with notes of mint and cherry; rustic, earthy edge but still very drinkable now. $15
**** 90 Groth 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon (California). Medium body; spice notes with sweet vanillin and ripe red fruit; very approachable now. $46
**** 90 Dynamite Vineyards 2000 North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon (California). Lush, ripe fruit with a touch of spiciness; nice finish. $18
**** 88 Kenwood 2000 Sonoma Valley Jack London Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (California). Dark ruby color; fine and lively aromas of earth and black fruits, medium depth; medium bodied with some tannin edges on the palate, very good structure; youthful ripe fruit flavors; medium finish. $35
**** 90 Baron Philippe de Rothschild 2000 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon (Chile). Plenty of berry and cherry fruit on the nose; notes of fresh mint, vanilla, and herbaceous smells that show more on the palate then in the aromas; soft and tasty, balanced and of moderate length on the close; wonderful value. $9
**** 90 Michael Pozzan 2000 Alexander Valley Cabernet sauvignon (California). A consistently good wine that is full-bodied with ripe blackberry flavors. $18
**** 90 Paringa 2002 South Australia Cabernet Sauvignon (Australia). Cassis, plum and dark fruit; fairly substantial tannins and a long finish; a real good buy. $11
**** 90 Oak Grove 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon (California). Sturdy Cabernet boasting ripe plum, currant and berry flavors with a suggestion of oak and supple tannins. $9
**** 89 Crow Canyon 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon (California). Soft and juicy, with a smooth texture and plenty of plum and blackberry flavor; a genuine bargain. $7
**** 89 Leasingham 1999 Bin 56 Cabernet Sauvignon (Australia). Deep ruby color; an expansive aroma of polished leather and sweet earth; medium bodied on the palate, nicely textured, soft tannins; ripe, black fruit with a hint of earth; a flavorful finish. $19
**** 89 Chateau Ste. Michelle 2000 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Washington State). Generous and ripe flavors of plum and currant balanced nicely by a soft tannin structure; hints of pepper and spice are evident in the elegant finish; a wonderful value. $14
**** 89 Oak Grove 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon (California). Round and ripe, this cabernet shows lots of bright fruit wrapped up in subtle nuances of vanilla and toast; the forward fruit and soft tannins give this wine great appeal for most bargain hunters. $10
**** 89 Thorn-Clarke 2002 Terra Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon (Australia). Dark purple, with a mint nose that hints at eucalyptus, spice and pepper; full and fruity on the palate, it stays dry and complex throughout, with a wonderful finish. $10
**** 88 Judd’s Hill 1999 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (California). Intense black cherry fruit with soft tannins that allow it to work well now; also good for cellaring over the next 5-10 years. $46