Cabernet under $50 in 2022 is excellent as cabernets are getting ever more expensive: $100, $200, $300 are Napa Valley’s prices. Deep, rich, and power-packed, Cabernet has plenty of appeals. It’s the ultimate meat wine, the mainstay of auctions, and the pinnacle of age-worthy red wines.
In Napa, the considerable cost of vineyard land rises in grapes selling for $10,000 a ton and up, ten times more than, say, Grenache. Add in the value of ageing in new French oak barrels, which hovers winemakers back $800 to $1,000 per. Cabernets from Napa Valley have cache and prestige. To understand more about Cabernet under $50, start reading the following blog and even get them online .
Alexander Valley is known for its richly flavoured Cabernets. The vineyards in Alexander Valley are planted from the valley floor to the benchlands up to mountain vineyards with southwest facing slopes sitting on the Mayacamas mountain range. Ultra-premium quality Cabernet Sauvignon grapes thrive in the benchlands, rolling hillsides and mountain ridges due to the valley’s inland locale and its diverse array of soils rich in calcium, gravel, sand and clay typically above 400 feet in elevation. The dramatic west-facing hillsides on the Mayacama Mountain range hold an exquisite soil profile that drains exceptionally well and yields a favourable composition that optimizes Cabernet Sauvignon‘s mature flavours. In these regions, Bordeaux variety grapes achieve a larger quality of tannin and intense blackberry fruit.
As the ‘reserve hunters’ of the wine business, we taste a rainbow of wines weekly to obtain the most desirable wines for you. Being established in the heart of wine country affords us unique entrance to artisan wine labels, short, family-owned producers and below the radar gems. So, contemplate no further. Here is the selection for value yet delightful Cabernet under $50.
2014 Château du Raux ($20)
This spicy, smooth 50 per cent cab, 50 per cent merlot blend from the heart of the Medoc will debut on U.S. shelves in May. It’s a tremendous example of the reductions coming from Bordeaux and over-delivers for the price.
2015 Agnès et René Mosse Anjou Rouge ($22)
This cabernet sauvignon-cabernet franc blend from a distinguished biodynamic producer in the Loire Valley has the lively aroma of violets and rose petals and delivers many bright red fruit flavours.
2013 Wynns Cabernet Sauvignon Black Label ($40)
The first vintage of this internationally available Australian red from Coonawarra was 1954, and although it is sensibly priced, it has encountered success at auction. Succulent, essentially fruity, with notes of liquorice and aromas of berries and violets, it’s also powerful and structured just for long ageing.
2014 Château Sociando-Mallet ($26)
The wine from this château in the north Medoc is perpetually a steal, and 2014 is intense, strong, and polished, with more extra elegance than usual and lots of ageing potential.
2014 Andrew Will Cellars Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($35)
Extensive, comprehensive, layered, mouth-filling, this rich red is an excellent example of how cabernet flourishes in Washington State. Winemaker Chris Camarda’s single vineyard wines are magnificent, but this entry-level cab blended from two top vineyards, with floral and liquorice records, is remarkable for the price.
2014 Ramey Cellars Napa Valley Claret ($36)
Winemaker Dave Ramey has always been a top and expensive chardonnay source, but this cabernet-based blend is one of his several exciting wines in this classic vintage. Smooth and easy-drinking, with just the best dollop of oak ageing, it’s available to drink right now.
NV12 Cain Cuvée ($36)
This lighter cab-merlot blend, warm vintage 2012 and fantastic 2011 is lively and complex. Winemaker Chris Howell, who has served at the Spring Mountain winery for decades, prepares the grapes from different Napa locations.
2013 Domaine Eden ($37)
This red from the Santa Cruz Mountains inhabits one of California’s classical cabernet values. The secondary label from more prominent Mt. Eden is beautifully deep, succulent, and sophisticated, with an aroma of fruit and tobacco and moderate spice flavours.
2014 Laurel Glen Counterpoint ($39)
Sonoma is not as well-known for cabernet as Napa, but this estate raised on Sonoma Mountain has been dedicated since 1981. Counterpoint, the second wine, has aromas of dried herbs and flavours of dark berries.
2013 Vasse Felix Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ($40)
Australia’s Margaret River neighbourhood south of Perth is a wine paradise for cabernet grapes. This winery is the region’s founding heritage, and its medium-bodied red is savoury and fruity, with excellent fruit and spice notes and a luxurious texture.
2013 Catena Zapata Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon ($45)
Before Argentina made the Malbec grape a star, this pioneering winery established old-world-style cabernets from high-altitude vineyards. There are numerous cuvées; this one echoes Bordeaux with outstanding balance and a long, lingering aftertaste.
2013 Lewelling Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon ($45)
For many decades, the Wight family has been producing cabernet south of St. Helena in the Napa Valley, near a host of more essential players. This silky textured 2013, from the highest vintage, is a better value than its single-vineyard cab.
2013 Gramercy Cellars Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($50)
This elegant red displays what a great source Washington State is for a good-value cabernet. This one is created by a master sommelier who established his Walla Walla winery in 2005.
2012 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon ($50)
Sadly, several of Western Australia’s top cabs are challenging to get outside the country. This one, from the Margaret River district, is not. It’s stuffed with layers of savoury flavours—fruit, cedar, and tobacco—and has the kind of arrangement you require for ageing.
2016 BonAnno Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley ($28)
A deep ruby red, this charming Cab shows classic Cabernet Sauvignon fragrances of spice and sage followed by a blend of blueberries and blackberries with fresh raspberry notes. The 2016 BonAnno Cabernet Sauvignon fruit was sourced from various prime valley level vineyards from within St. Helena, Rutherford and Oak Knoll districts.
2016 Fisticuffs Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley ($29)
The 2016 Fisticuffs is a quintessential Napa Valley Cabernet with Merlot, Petite Sirah, and Petite Verdot’s suggestion. Aromas of rose petal, spice, and dark chocolate compliment a mouth-coating palate of black cherry, vine-ripened blackberry, and baked raspberry. The tannins are firm yet complex and expansive.
2018 Fortune 1621 Cabernet ($29)
Always the best chance on Cabernet year after year. The unwilted nose of toasty oak, vanilla, blackberry, Bing cherry and touches of chocolate. The taste is full-bodied with a jammy fruit note of ripe cherry, blackberry, and oak spice hints. It can be appreciated on its own but has sufficient structure and consistency to continue with grilled meats.
2018 Band of Vintners Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley ($32)
The 2018 Band of Vintners Cabernet Sauvignon is a rich, agreeable and pleasurable wine. What a spectacular vintage. Weather was constant throughout the developing season, and the resulting wines are complicated and powerful.
2018 Silver Ghost Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley ($38)
Aromas and flavours of dried flowers with currants, blackberries and violets is full-bodied with soft, refined tannins and a savoury finish. Pretty length, too.
2018 Reynoso Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley ($39)
Deep ruby in colour, this wine is juicy and structures. Blueberry, black cherry and wild blackberry predominate, framed by notes of sweet liquorice, violets, sage and bay leaf. The tannins are broad and savoury while adding length and drive to the wine.
2017 Honig Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley ($44)
The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon is mixed with 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petit Verdot, 4% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Malbec. Deep purple-black coloured, it gives the incredible intensity of crushed blackberries, warm plums and black currant warm scents with wafts of cinnamon toast, underbrush, and charcoal.
2018 Titus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley ($49)
It will get you the plushness of fruit and tannin from the sandy alluvial soils at St Helena vineyard. The wine jumps out of the drink with dried cherry, plum, cigar box and ground coffee aromas. The taste is rich with rich pomegranate, mocha, French plum, fresh herbs and spice that continues through the series mid-palate.