Napa Cab under $100

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August 18th, 2019, 2:15 pm

Hi everyone,

I know this is a played-out topic but I have a specific question so I’m hoping I can tap the collective wisdom here.

It’s about a month until my wife’s 30th birthday. She loves Napa cabs, but we barely ever drink them at home (in part because of price, in part because she humors my predilection for the weird and far-flung). I’d like to get her something special to drink on her birthday. My constraints are:

(1) Under $100 (this is a semi-firm limit. 110 or 120 would be doable if it’s really worth it; 150-200 wouldn’t).
(2) Drinking well now, preferably without a huge decant
(3) Available to purchase in the next month
(4) Her tastes - I‘ll confess to not being an expert in the differences between Napa cabs. What I can tell you is that she has enjoyed La Jota, Mayacamas, Newton, Hall, Robert Craig Affinity, Mt Veeder, Alpha Omega. She also doesn’t have much of a taste for old wine. I’d say under 20 years is safest (probably can’t afford older anyway).

Thanks!

August 18th, 2019, 2:26 pm

Have a look at 2015 Pilcrow Pym-Rae Cabernet. It is $95, and the peak of Mt. Veeder. I have had it, and really liked it.

The Pym-Rae vineyard was owned by Robin Williams, and as I understand it the fruit was sold to multiple wineries. In late 2015 Alfred Tesseron of Pontet-Canet fame bought the winery, and began making their own wine. (The 2016 release of the Tesseron Pym-Rae is expexted this fall.)

So, the Pilcrow is one of the last wines made from Pym-Rae before Tesseron took it over. Makes for a cool story, and is a very good wine (IMHO)...

Justin S · #3 Post by **Justin S** » August 18th, 2019, 2:27 pm

Recently saw some back vintages fo Chateau Montelena "Estate" cab from the 2000's for around $110. See K&L website, they have a handful. I'm not at all a Napa cab drinker normally (so can't give other recommendations), but these seem like a decent value as far as Napa goes and already have some age on them. Gave the 2005 a shot and enjoyed it. Old world leaning stylistically.

https://www.jjbuckley.com/wine-knowledg ... ignon/1019

#4 Post by **D@vid Bu3ker** » August 18th, 2019, 2:29 pm

Matthiasson - specifically their Red Wine.

Freddy L · #5 Post by **Freddy L** » August 18th, 2019, 2:33 pm

Readily available and under $100 is Chappellet “signature”.

#6 Post by **Tom DeBiase** » August 18th, 2019, 2:46 pm

This one is easy. Frogs Leap 2016 Estate Cab (current release) is $65.00 and for me tastes way better than most Napa Cabs costing 2X or more.

https://store.frogsleap.com/

Tom

August 18th, 2019, 2:49 pm

Tom DeBiase wrote: ↑August 18th, 2019, 2:46 pm This one is easy. Frogs Leap 2016 Estate Cab (current release) is $65.00 and for me tastes way better than most Napa Cabs costing 2X or more.

https://store.frogsleap.com/

Tom

FWIW, Jonah Beer VP at Frog's Leap, and his wife, Sara, are the winemakers of Pilcrow.

#8 Post by **Chris H.** » August 18th, 2019, 3:24 pm

Are you looking for more old school traditional Napa, or fruit forward, lush, but quality Napa cabs?

A few options more old school:

Corison Napa Valley (around $100), can order from the winery if there aren't local options
Chappellet Signature (around $60 in my area)
Frog's Leap (around $60 in my area)

#9 Post by **Chris H.** » August 18th, 2019, 3:27 pm

I'd also add O’Shaughnessy Napa bottling, exceptional for $75.

Chris Atkins · #10 Post by **Chris Atkins** » August 18th, 2019, 3:28 pm

Go get the 2011 Dunn Howell Mountain. It appears to be available on the K&L website for $99. That is a steal for a wine of this caliber.

#11 Post by **Chr!s G|@rn3r** » August 18th, 2019, 3:43 pm

Hall Eighteen Seventy Three vineyard is a great cab at $75 via wine.com. One of the few instances where wine.com has the best price. Drinks above its price point, drinking well now and from a producer you know she likes. Enjoy!

https://www.wine.com/product/hall-eight ... 014/405545

#12 Post by **Scott Jameson** » August 18th, 2019, 4:17 pm

You may want to get in touch with board member Merrill Lindquist. She's in Calistoga and her Black Cat Cabernet Sauvignons sound like they're right in your wife's wheel house.

#13 Post by **P@u1_M3nk3s** » August 18th, 2019, 4:18 pm

Any thoughts on Stony Hill cab? I've never tried one but pricing seems reasonable.

#14 Post by **D@vid Bu3ker** » August 18th, 2019, 4:20 pm

P@u1_M3nk3s wrote: ↑August 18th, 2019, 4:18 pm Any thoughts on Stony Hill cab? I've never tried one but pricing seems reasonable.

It’s very fine, but needs to age.

#15 Post by **Jim Stewart** » August 18th, 2019, 4:45 pm

Psst . . . Champagne!

#16 Post by **D@vid Bu3ker** » August 18th, 2019, 4:48 pm

Jim Stewart wrote: ↑August 18th, 2019, 4:45 pm Psst . . . Champagne!

Psst...not what he’s asking about

#17 Post by **Jim Stewart** » August 18th, 2019, 4:50 pm

D@vid Bu3ker wrote: ↑August 18th, 2019, 4:48 pm
Jim Stewart wrote: ↑August 18th, 2019, 4:45 pm Psst . . . Champagne!
Psst...not what he’s asking about

no shit!!!

K. Tr@n · #18 Post by **K. Tr@n** » August 18th, 2019, 5:16 pm

Chappellet signature. About $60.
If you have access to total wine, use this coupon 2328 for 20% off of 6 bottles.

Another option is the chateau montrose 2015 in costco for $99.97. They should have 2 in the Santa Rosa costco.

August 18th, 2019, 5:28 pm

Jean Edward's Cabs are all delicious. Karen is an active member on this board. Taste great young with good decent. All of her wines meet your price point.

#20 Post by **NickRut** » August 18th, 2019, 5:28 pm

My favorites under $100 that you can still get your hands on:

2016 bevan Ontogeny
2016 outpost howell mountain
2013 Hidden Ridge 55 Slope

#21 Post by **Chris H.** » August 18th, 2019, 5:33 pm

Good call on the Bevan Ontogeny ($95), and really tasty right now!

August 18th, 2019, 5:47 pm

Second votes on Outpost, Corison, Hidden Ridge 55% Slope, and Bevan Ontogeny. Others to consider: Riverain, Lewis, Myriad, Quivet, Rivers Marie, Chiron Candor, Kobalt, Aonair, Paradigm, Kamen.

Grab that 2011 Dunn at KL if still available.

#23 Post by **Bdklein** » August 18th, 2019, 5:51 pm

Chris Atkins wrote: ↑August 18th, 2019, 3:28 pm Go get the 2011 Dunn Howell Mountain. It appears to be available on the K&L website for $99. That is a steal for a wine of this caliber.

Doesn’t need to age ?
Doesn’t need to decant ?

Just aksing -thought it would need both .
Maybe not because a 2011?

August 18th, 2019, 6:42 pm

Jim Stewart wrote: ↑August 18th, 2019, 4:45 pm Psst . . . Champagne!

Can you believe it, she doesn’t really like sparkling wine.

August 18th, 2019, 6:52 pm

I PnP’d a 2011 Dunn HM two weeks ago, still young, but surprisingly open and ready for business.

Alex N · #26 Post by **Alex N** » August 18th, 2019, 7:27 pm

I've have and have tasted every Mending Wall cab since 2012 and they've been nice right out of the gate, except the '13 which understandably needed some time. Loved the '15 most of all. All under $100

#27 Post by **John Glas** » August 18th, 2019, 7:29 pm

Anderson's Conn Valley Reserve.

#28 Post by **adam landa** » August 18th, 2019, 8:05 pm

+1 on a couple references to Outpost.

Would also recommend the regular Napa bottling of Rivers Marie as well as the regular bottling of 12C...both are consistently solid.

August 18th, 2019, 8:09 pm

I also concur with Bevan Ontageny ($95) and they drink well young. Over the past several months, I've drank the 2014, 2015 and 2016 and all are a delicious bourdeaux blend that drink very well with a decant. It is my personal favorite wine under $100. I recently joined the Rivers Marie allocation list and own some of the cabs but I haven't drank any yet. However, I am a big fan of TRB and have no concerns that the Rivers Marie won't be great. Good luck finding a bottle and all suggestions so far have looked great!

#30 Post by **Chris H.** » August 18th, 2019, 8:15 pm

The 2016 Rivers-Marie Napa Cab (base bottling) is drinking very well at the moment, as well! So much so, that I've drunk through my allocation and had to seek out more on the secondary market. The 2016 Lore was very good too, but built for the long haul (and over $100).

Ian S · #31 Post by **Ian S** » August 18th, 2019, 9:15 pm

Surprising that nobody has mentioned Drinkward Peschon. Wine Searcher shows plenty of slightly older vintages available well under $100, including the very ready right now 2009, 2007, and 2005:

https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/drin ... 09/usa/usd

Both K&L and Flickinger show bottles from those vintages, and are resellers who get positive reviews here all the time.

#32 Post by **Scott Brunson** » August 19th, 2019, 3:38 am

Ian S wrote: ↑August 18th, 2019, 9:15 pm Surprising that nobody has mentioned Drinkward Peschon. Wine Searcher shows plenty of slightly older vintages available well under $100, including the very ready right now 2009, 2007, and 2005:

https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/drin ... 09/usa/usd

Both K&L and Flickinger show bottles from those vintages, and are resellers who get positive reviews here all the time.

+ a million

Lewelling
Becklyn
Snowden

#33 Post by **Karen Troisi** » August 19th, 2019, 4:26 am

ChrisMcElligott wrote: ↑August 18th, 2019, 5:28 pm Jean Edward's Cabs are all delicious. Karen is an active member on this board. Taste great young with good decent. All of her wines meet your price point.

Thanks very much for the mention Chris.

Ben -I see you are in Santa Rosa. If you’d like to stop by, our tasting room is at the Sonoma Plaza. Just let me know ahead of time. Karen

Glenn P · #34 Post by **Glenn P** » August 19th, 2019, 5:21 am

The beauty of CA wines. Incredible value for less than $100!

#35 Post by **Philip G** » August 19th, 2019, 6:41 am

Mondavi To Kalon Reserve is a classy wine. The '14 can be found for $89 at Belmont.

rsmithjr · #36 Post by **rsmithjr** » August 19th, 2019, 7:00 am

Mt. Brave Cabernet & Louis Martini Monte Rosso Cabernet.

EDIT: Of Course try Quilt for $40.

#37 Post by **Jeff_M.** » August 19th, 2019, 7:25 am

Ehler's Estate Napa Valley Cab is $55.

EHeffner · #38 Post by **EHeffner** » August 19th, 2019, 7:32 am

Cade Howell mountain can be found for under $100

Gabe Berk · #39 Post by **Gabe Berk** » August 19th, 2019, 1:25 pm

With neighbors such as Bryant, Ovid and Continuum at $250+ per bottle and garnering the same scores, there really isn't a better Napa Valley Cabernet for less than $70 as Chappellet Signature Cab.

#40 Post by **Hank Victor** » August 19th, 2019, 1:34 pm

You can find a bunch of Spring Mountain Vineyard cabs under $100 with some age on it. A couple 1997's on winebid.com right now.

John Kight · #41 Post by **John Kight** » August 19th, 2019, 1:36 pm

Chris H. wrote: ↑August 18th, 2019, 3:27 pm I'd also add O’Shaughnessy Napa bottling, exceptional for $75.

Always an impressive....this would be my pick. A lot of "wow" wines don't actually drink well beyond the first few sips or the first glass, but this one does.

#42 Post by **Jeff_M.** » August 19th, 2019, 1:56 pm

John Kight wrote: ↑August 19th, 2019, 1:36 pm
Chris H. wrote: ↑August 18th, 2019, 3:27 pm I'd also add O’Shaughnessy Napa bottling, exceptional for $75.
Always an impressive....this would be my pick. A lot of "wow" wines don't actually drink well beyond the first few sips or the first glass, but this one does.

Agree on O'Shaughnessy NV. Tasted this at the winery in March and was wow'd by it. This wine in the cellar is a good problem to have.

#43 Post by **Jim Stewart** » August 19th, 2019, 2:05 pm

Ben M a n d l e r wrote: ↑August 18th, 2019, 6:42 pm
Jim Stewart wrote: ↑August 18th, 2019, 4:45 pm Psst . . . Champagne!
Can you believe it, she doesn’t really like sparkling wine.

Understood . . . in that case, a cab that has not yet been mentioned: 2015 Shafer "One Point Five" Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon which is listed at $89.95 at K&L. Some of the reviews suggest its a drink now or wait until your wife's 40th birthday type of wine. Good luck with your decision and happy birthday to your wife.

#44 Post by **JeremyMullman** » August 19th, 2019, 2:21 pm

Jean Edwards Stagecoach is great is like $70ish.
Rivers-Marie Napa ($75 iirc) and Calistoga ($95 iirc) are great, although perhaps less easy to find at release prices.
Smith Madrone is like $55, easy to source and very very good as well.

mattccheung · #45 Post by **mattccheung** » August 19th, 2019, 2:23 pm

Bevan Ontogeny
Shafer One Point Five
Affinity Howell Mountain
Chimney Rock
Pride Mountain

Matt M . · #46 Post by **Matt M .** » August 19th, 2019, 2:24 pm

rsmithjr wrote: ↑August 19th, 2019, 7:00 am Mt. Brave Cabernet & Louis Martini Monte Rosso Cabernet.

+1 on these and the Bevan Ontageny. Rivers Marie Cab at $65 is also terrific value, just had the 2015.

David Baum · #47 Post by **David Baum** » August 19th, 2019, 2:34 pm

+1 on the Chappy Sig Cab. It's available everywhere, always very good, well under $100 and will stay all of those things for a long time. If she likes it, you'll have a go to bottle for life

#48 Post by **Howard Cooper** » August 19th, 2019, 2:42 pm

Glenn P wrote: ↑August 19th, 2019, 5:21 am The beauty of CA wines. Incredible value for less than $100!

#49 Post by **Howard Cooper** » August 19th, 2019, 2:45 pm

P@u1_M3nk3s wrote: ↑August 18th, 2019, 4:18 pm Any thoughts on Stony Hill cab? I've never tried one but pricing seems reasonable.

I have very much liked the ones I have had. Very much on the more elegant side of California Cab.

#50 Post by **Jim Stewart** » August 19th, 2019, 2:50 pm

David Baum wrote: ↑August 19th, 2019, 2:34 pm +1 on the Chappy Sig Cab. It's available everywhere, always very good, well under $100 and will stay all of those things for a long time. If she likes it, you'll have a go to bottle for life

Lot of love on this thread for this wine, but your note sold me! Love the phrase "a go to bottle for life"!