Uncovering the Best Values in California Cabernet Sauvignon

Every fall I publish my big Napa Valley report and every year I hear the same comment from readers. Quite understandably, consumers are increasingly frustrated by the continuing escalation of prices for Napa Valley’s finest wines. But top-flight California Cabernet doesn’t have to cost a fortune. These are three rules of thumb for getting the most out of your budget, along with a selection of wines that deliver exceptional quality for the money.

1) Focus on Napa Valley’s 'Super-Seconds'

A total obsession with quality and heated competition has pushed Napa Valley’s most ambitious estates to bottle only the very best under their top label(s). What about the rest of the production? At the top properties, it is often terrific. These wines all deliver superb quality and relative value. The best of the wines below compare favorably to the flagship labels at many other estates. With the exception of David Abreu’s red blend Rothwell Hyde, all of these wines can be had for less than $100 a bottle.

Top Picks

Abreu Rothwell Hyde

Blankiet Prince of Hearts

Bryant Family Vineyards DB4

Dalla Valle Collina dalla Valle

Dominus Cabernet Sauvignon Napanook

Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon

O’Shaughnessy Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five

Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Lyndenhurst

Seavey Cabernet Sauvignon Caravina

Blankiet’s Paradise Hills Vineyard, Yountville

2) Stretch Your Horizons

There is no getting around the fact that top Napa Valley Cabernets are often expensive, sometimes painfully so. Readers willing to look beyond Napa Valley’s high-rent district will find plenty of far more affordable choices. Knights Valley, which lies in Sonoma County and borders Napa Valley’s Calistoga AVA, is a terrific source for affordable Cabernet Sauvignon, as is nearby Alexander Valley.  The same is true of Sonoma’s newly created Moon Mountain AVA, which is perched on the Sonoma side of Mt. Veeder. The Santa Cruz Mountains produces Cabernets of rare distinction, minerality and pedigree. In Santa Barbara, Cabernets can be deep, pungent and full of earthy/savory character, while Paso Robles yields Cabernets rich with voluptuous, racy fruit. In short, the choices are many.

Top Picks

Sonoma: Anakota Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Montana, Arnot-Roberts Cabernet Sauvignon Montecillo Vineyard, Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon Knights Valley Reserve, Dehlinger Cabernet Sauvignon, Kamen Cabernet Sauvignon

Santa Cruz Mountains: Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, Mount Eden Cabernet Sauvignon, Arnot-Roberts Cabernet Sauvignon Fellom Ranch

Santa Barbara: foxen 7200 Cabernet Sauvignon Vogelzang, Goodland Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Happy Canyon, Star Lane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, The Paring Red Blend

Paso Robles: DAOU Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Foxglove Cabernet Sauvignon, Viña Robles Cabernet Sauvignon Estate