Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Reviews

Much like its Napa counterpart, this Cabernet Sauvignon from Sonoma Valley offers just the right scope of balance, achieving a delicate yet stable body via aromatic layers of cherries, coffee and spices.  Right off the cork are deep layers of blackberry and cherry; the mid-body experience is more subtle, offering hints of vanilla and even black licorice.  The finish is slightly less structured; however, such a feature should not be judged against the whole body, which is generally stable and maintains well throughout the palate.

For $15, this Cabernet Sauvignon is a recommended buy.  While it has decent across-the-board features, what really stands out is the wine maker’s attention to detail; injected beneath the main core are notes of raw nutmeg, vanilla and coffee.  As you will find, subtle flares such as these are rarer among lower-tier wines, which often sacrifice complexity for a sweeter, more fruit-forward body.  A good buy for novice drinkers . (Approx retail: $14.99)

Ranking:

Louis Martini Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007 (California)

Complexity: B+

Stability: B-

Overall Quality: B

Final Ranking (factoring retail price): B

Suggested Food Pairings:  Steamed pork chops minus breading — lots of parsley — side with bread and butter.

Final Comment: Novice Cab drinkers will appreciate this bottle’s complexity; experienced Cab drinkers might be put-off by the slight lack of finish.  Perfect for first-timers.    -Matt

The 2006 Charles Krug Yountville Cabernet Sauvignon has all the basics: cherries, blackberries, dark currants and coffee.  Further, these flavors are propelled by a tangible ceder smoke sub-body which, although resinous, offers a complete taste for those traditional Cabernet Sauvignon drinkers who prefer wholeness over sweetness.  Add a smooth yet subtle vanilla finish and see whether this Cab has earned its reputation as one of Mondavi’s finest twenty-and-up-club sellers.

To me, this bottle runs pretty consistent with a rather outstanding 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Vintage from Napa Valley.  Everything is in place: the body, the finish, the developing mouth-feel — this Cab doesn’t miss a beat.  Although above-average Cab vintages are more common in Napa these days, stellar, over-the-barrel wines are not, and thus I would recommend taking advantage of this Cabernet Sauvignon before its vintage gets replaced.  As for the $22 price tag, I would say it is worth it — especially if the plan is to pair  with food.  (Approx retail: $22.99)

Ranking:

Charles Krug Yountville Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006 (California)

Complexity: B+

Stability: B+

Longevity: B

Final Ranking (factoring retail price): B+

Suggested Food Pairings:  Pepper-seared steak is a MUST in this case; braised beef cubes w/salty veggies would be an idea, too.

Final Comment: Definitely a multi-purpose wine; use as a gift or to complete a one-on-one steak dinner.  As I said, seasoned Cabernet Sauvignon drinkers will enjoy it; the body is heavy yet subtle enough to appreciate.  First-time Cab drinkers will find the structure a bit firmer than expected; give the bottle a little time to decant and then try again.  -Matt

Over the past couple decades, Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon has established itself as one of California’s leading Cab labels.   The 2005 vintage offers supportive layers of dark fruit, black currants, and Bing cherries.  Other notable features include layers of mocha and vanilla, festive spices, and traces of woodsmoke–all of which settle brightly into a smooth, fruity finish.

For $70, this Cabernet is surprisingly soft.  The body is modestly structured, and has a firm enough grip to satisfy most Cab drinkers.  As far as complexity goes, the interplay between fruit and chocolate here is impressive.  Overall, I’d say this vintage stacks up with all the rest in-terms of consistency.  Retail: $69.99.

Suggested Food Pairings:  I’d go with chocolate here.  If not chocolate, then a simmering, well-herbed lampchop  might also do the trick.

Ranking:

Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005 (California)

Complexity: A-

Overall Quality: A -

Longevity: B -

Final Ranking (factoring retail price): B+

Final Comment: Like its Napa counterpart, this Cabernet from Alexander Valley is consistant with just about every other top-shelf brand out there.  This being said, I don’t believe $70 is a justifiable price; particularly for such a commercialized label.  Like many high-brand Cabernet Sauvignon labels, Silver Oak has out-lived its stardom, and is now considered by many to be overrated.

Since its inception in 2001, this Cabernet Sauvignon-based Bordeaux blend has performed exceptionally well.  From the first sip, my initial impression was that this Cabernet Sauvignon is definitely age-worthy.  Tucked beneath a fine layer of oak, this Cabernet’s body is packed deep with dark fruit and black currants, all of which settle nicely into a long, balanced finish.  Aside from its fruit, this Cabernet also shows an interesting layer of  earth–stones and mushrooms–that adds to an already impressive body.

For $30, this Cabernet Sauvignon is a decent buy.  As far as tannins goes, this wine does not disappoint.  My advice would be to buy three bottles (one for immediate drinking, and two for storing).  At the very least, this Cabernet Sauvignon is a good “dinner party wine”; supplement yourself with some hard cheeses, and watch guests flock around the bottle.  Retail: $29.99.

Ranking:

Worthy Sophia’s Cuvee Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005 (California)

Complexity: B

Overall Quality: B +

Longevity: B +

Final Ranking (factoring retail price): B+

Final Comment: A classic Cabernet Sauvignon blend that is rack-worthy for 2-3 years.

What a surprise this Cabernet Sauvignon was!  Straight off the cork are fresh aromas of dark fruit and mint, both of which suggest to me a wine worth taking seriously.  After taking my first sip, I immediately tasted Bing Cherries–a nice feature in heavier Cabernet Sauvignons–which seemed to put my tongue in the right spot for the finish, which was long and full of intense fruit.

Usually I prefer to let my Cabernets decant for twenty minutes or so, but not this time–literally, the fruit was so fresh I didn’t feel a need!  Here’s the crazy part–despite this Cabernet’s ready-to-drink freshness, the wine itself is still young!  Supported by a complex body, this Cabernet Sauvignon would do well to sit for the next year or so.  Retail price: $14.99.

Ranking:

Daniel Gehrs Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006 (California)

Complexity: B

Overall Quality: B

Longevity: B +

Final Ranking (factoring retail price): B+

Final Comment: An over-achiever that is well-worth the price, especially among brand-name Cabernet Sauvignons.

Hello there, fellow Cabernet addicts!

My name is Matt, and I’ll be your top source for Cabernet Sauvignon wine reviews!  Aside from Cabernet Sauvignons, I’ll also be reviewing various other California wines, as well as wines from other countries.

Generally, my Cabernet Sauvignon ranking system will consider the following:

1. Complexity – How is the fruit?  Does it interact with other flavors?
2. Quality – How impactful is the fruit?  Is it layered correctly, or just messy?
3. Longevity - Is the Cabernet built for aging?  And if so, how long?

Each Cabernet Sauvignon will be ranked on an A+ to C scale.  Cabernets that fall below a “C” ranking will not be reviewed.  Further, Cabernets that fall below a “B-” ranking will not be recommended.

Soon, we will begin posting wine reviews.

DISCLAIMER:

FOR ALL THOSE WHO OPPOSE ONLINE WINE REVIEWS — a.k.a. the wine snobs — GET A LIFE!  Contrary to popular belief,  semi-professional online wine reviewing does not diminish the reputation/acknowledgement of a rapidly-growing wine culture, but rather spreads it.

Cabernet Sauvignon is one of California’s leading wine varietals.  Due to its solid body, refined fruit, and capacity for aging, Cabernet Sauvignon has risen to become one of the country’s most popular–and best selling–wines.

For many, selecting the “right” Cabernet is often a difficult process.  Often, consumers will rely on pricing as a sure-fire guide (i.e. the more it costs, the better it tastes).  Though this logic is sometimes difficult to argue with, it is not full-proof.  Yes, expensive Cabernets often guarantee a certain range of quality; however, depending on your own personal tastes, such quality may or may not be worth the price paid.

Tier – 1 Cabernet Sauvignons (average retail value $50 – $120):

• Silver Oak (California)
• Far Niente (California)
• Robert Mondavi Private Reserve (California)
• Karl Lawrence (California)
• Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages (California)
• Stag’s Leap (California)
• Catena Alta (Argentina)
• Beaulieu Vineyard Latour Private Reserve  (California)

IMPORTANT RULE: Only YOU can decide which Cabernet Sauvignon is right for you.