Is there any wine drinker who is not familiar with the dark berry flavors and often savory notes of Cabernet Sauvignon? It is one of France’s most-heralded grapes now grown in practically every region of the world.
The grape also produces some of the world’s best and most-expensive wines as either a straight varietal or as a blend, but fortunately there are also nice, affordable Cabs as well. This Dozen has some of both for your consideration. We’ve also tossed in three delightful rosés to start things off and a luxurious Irish cream liquor to finish things.
The photo above is a wintry scene is one of Domaine Bousquet’s Argentina Cabernet vineyards.
2024 Famille Perrin “La Vieille Fermé” Vin de France Rosé ($9). Simple and softer but well-structured with cotton candy flavors.
2024 Miguel Torres “Andica” Valle de Curicó Rosé ($14). Pleasant strawberry fruitiness with a slight piquancy, a chalky minerality and good acidity in the finish.
2022 Domaine Bousquet Gualtallary Cabernet Sauvignon ($25). From one of Argentina’s best organic producers, it has wild and brambly flavors of blackberries with creamy textures.
2023 Château Cantemerle ($27). A bargain-priced, Cabernet blend from the Medoc with fruity yet lean raspberry flavors and a touch of leather at the finish.
2023 Hecht & Bannier Bandol Rosé ($27). Not heavy, but a substantial Rhone blend with crisp and lightly tangy strawberry flavors.
2020 Penfolds “Bin 600” California Cabernet-Shiraz ($50). The American version of a favorite Aussie blend has pleasant but broad berry flavors with some chalky notes and a little tang.
2018 Miguel Torres “Manso de Velasco” Curicó Cabernet Sauvignon ($72). Full-bodied and complex, with flavors of blackberries and black cherries, but also some dusty chocolate and earthy tastes.
2023 Gamble Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($100). From a rising quality producer in Napa, this wine is very smooth and somewhat creamy with flavors of blackberries, raspberries and a touch of dusty chocolate.
2022 Brion “Caldwell Vineyard” Coombsville Cabernet Sauvignon ($210). From Napa Valley’s favorite new sub-region for Cabs, it has brambly red and black fruit flavors with some creaminess and pleasant barrel notes.
2022 Trailside Vineyard Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon ($225). A delicious, tangy Cab with dark purple but lean fruits with a hint of creaminess and noticeable but well-integrated tannins.
2022 Brion “Sleeping Lady Vineyard” Yountville Cabernet Sauvignon ($250). Yum – creamy black cherry flavors with notes of Baker’s chocolate and a little tanginess in the aftertaste.
Five Farms County Cork Single Batch Irish Cream Liquor ($35). This is a textured, lovely liquor that I would love to have for breakfast every morning – 17% alcohol from excellent Irish whisky and a rich creaminess to finish things off.
Prices listed are generally SRP or from wine-searcher.com. As more wineries are now shipping direct-to-consumer, check the winery website if you can’t find a bottle in your retail store.
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