Favorite Cabernet Producers Under $75

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Alex G · #1 Post by **Alex G** » May 17th, 2020, 3:36 pm

Searched and couldn’t find a recent thread...

What are your favorite Cabernet producers for under $75? Bonus points for under $50, and also with a focus on cooler, balanced wines that aren’t over-extracted. Blends (clarets, etc.) and NVDs totally fine. Trying to lower our average cost per Cabernet in the cellar.

Our favorites:

Bremer Family Claret and Napa NVD bottlings
Scherrer
Bedrock
Rivers Marie Napa Valley NVD

Vince L. · #2 Post by **Vince L.** » May 17th, 2020, 3:39 pm

My Fav is Matthiason's @ $65. Granted I'm not a big CS fan & don't enjoy most of the 14%+abv out there.

#3 Post by **Robert R** » May 17th, 2020, 3:43 pm

Zeitgeist

NED VALOIS · #4 Post by **NED VALOIS** » May 17th, 2020, 3:46 pm

Nada !

brigcampbell · #5 Post by **brigcampbell** » May 17th, 2020, 3:49 pm

Sandler makes an awesome CS

Alex G · #6 Post by **Alex G** » May 17th, 2020, 3:53 pm

brigcampbell wrote: ↑May 17th, 2020, 3:49 pm Sandler makes an awesome CS

That’s right!! Lazare $45!! It’s in the 4-bottle / $100 sampler he’s offering now. Forgot about that, thanks!

#7 Post by **Ed Steinway** » May 17th, 2020, 3:55 pm

Ridge Estate, Rafanelli and Keenan.

Ed

blarmston · #8 Post by **blarmston** » May 17th, 2020, 3:57 pm

I’ll second Zeitgeist. Their 2016 drinks like a cab twice the price point. Primarily Lewelling fruit from Saint Helena I believe.

#9 Post by **Frank Z** » May 17th, 2020, 3:59 pm

Really enjoy Becklyn's Napa Valley ($65) and Di Costanzo's DI CO ($55).

#10 Post by **Mark Maddox** » May 17th, 2020, 4:04 pm

Frank Z wrote: ↑May 17th, 2020, 3:59 pm Really enjoy Becklyn's Napa Valley ($65) and Di Costanzo's DI CO ($55).

Yes, yes!

May 17th, 2020, 4:04 pm

My go-to cabs at that point would be Ridge Estate, Togni Tanbark Hill, Ramey Napa, Mount Eden Estate, and Chappellet Signature.

#12 Post by **David B** » May 17th, 2020, 4:11 pm

Spring Mountain

M. Dildine · #13 Post by **M. Dildine** » May 17th, 2020, 4:13 pm

Dehlinger and Scherrer have to be on the list.

Monticello Vineyard cabs from Bedrock, Turley, Arnot-Roberts and Carlisle are in the $75 range.

Tom DeBiase · #14 Post by **Tom DeBiase** » May 17th, 2020, 4:14 pm

Don't buy much Cab these days but when I do it's either

Calluna
Frogs Leap
Scherrer

All under $75.00. All are traditional in style. No oaky ooze monsters.

Tom

David Baum · #15 Post by **David Baum** » May 17th, 2020, 4:15 pm

Easy choice. Chappellet Signature - Pritchard Hill fruit, available widely at retail, consistently very good and stable pricing for a long time.

K Kl@dder · #16 Post by **K Kl@dder** » May 17th, 2020, 4:16 pm

Smith Madrone
Chappellet Signature
Frank Family
Ridge Estate
Scherrer

#17 Post by **dcornutt** » May 17th, 2020, 4:16 pm

Ridge.

#18 Post by **Jim F** » May 17th, 2020, 4:19 pm

I have mentioned these before: Beringer Winery Exclusive, and Anderson’s Conn Valley Napa, and a bit better, their Cave Dweller cuvee. Closer to the upper limit identified, and possibly requiring some form of sale or discount: Blankiet Prince of Hearts, Lail Blueprint, Drinkward Peschon, Robert Craig Affinity, Rivers Marie Napa and Turnbull Reserve. And Chappellet Signature.

#19 Post by **Philip G** » May 17th, 2020, 4:26 pm

Becklyn, Quivet, Myriad, Rivers-Marie Napa Valley, Seavey Caravina, Sojourn Home Ranch are all top quality coming in just below the $75 mark. Can't go wrong with any of those.

KenL. · #20 Post by **KenL.** » May 17th, 2020, 4:27 pm

Becklyn nv
O’Shaughnessy nv

#21 Post by **Lee Braem** » May 17th, 2020, 4:29 pm

Lewelling

Jeff P · #22 Post by **Jeff P** » May 17th, 2020, 4:30 pm

Rafanelli
Sleeping Giant

Big names:
Frank Family
Pine Ridge
Frog's Leap

#23 Post by **HoosJustinG** » May 17th, 2020, 4:30 pm

David Baum wrote: ↑May 17th, 2020, 4:15 pm Easy choice. Chappellet Signature - Pritchard Hill fruit, available widely at retail, consistently very good and stable pricing for a long time.

I was actually going to post the same thing, but AFAIK only a limited portion of the wine is comprised of estate fruit. The rest is sourced elsewhere in the valley.

Michael Martin · #24 Post by **Michael Martin** » May 17th, 2020, 4:32 pm

I wouldn’t put Bedrock or Rivers Marie in this competition. I love Bedrock for blends, Zins and Syrah, not so much for cab. Rivers Marie just doesn’t fit my interests in cab.
Of the ones I have had lately, easily Liparita, Alexander Valley Vineyards and Congruence. With the exception of Alexander Valley which is easily found, the others were procured on Winebid or blowout pricing under $30. I find no reason to go over $45 in this category any more. There a deals to be had and deals to come in the world of wine.

#25 Post by **Jeff Rosenberg** » May 17th, 2020, 4:42 pm

Vincent Arroyo.

#26 Post by **Nicolas G.** » May 17th, 2020, 5:03 pm

Matthiasson and Ehlers are 2 good choices.

Andrew Ing · #27 Post by **Andrew Ing** » May 17th, 2020, 5:07 pm

My two favorites are Swagger and Teeter Totter. Little known labels from great winemakers. I buy a case of each every year and they are my house cab.

G. Bienstock · #28 Post by **G. Bienstock** » May 17th, 2020, 5:11 pm

Dehlinger. Russian River Valley old vine Cab. Totally unique.

May 17th, 2020, 5:11 pm

Bougetz
Chappellet
Cresta Velia
Frogs Leap
Ridge Estate
Scarlett
Sbragia Monte Rosso
Rivers Marie / Becklyn / Quivet / Myriad NVs

#30 Post by **Glen Gold** » May 17th, 2020, 5:26 pm

Andrew Ing wrote: ↑May 17th, 2020, 5:07 pm My two favorites are Swagger and Teeter Totter. Little known labels from great winemakers. I buy a case of each every year and they are my house cab.

These are great. Did you, like me, discover these through Acme? Dominus Napanook is another go-to under $75, but it's sometimes $79 these days.

#31 Post by **John Glas** » May 17th, 2020, 5:55 pm

Anderson's Conn Valley and Januik.

JC J o u a s · #32 Post by **JC J o u a s** » May 17th, 2020, 5:59 pm

Under $50: Domaine Eden, regular Heitz, Jean Leon, Smith Madrone

Under $75: Anderson’s Conn Valley Estate Reserve, Chappellet Signature, Drinkward Peschon, Grand Puy Lacoste, Mount Eden Estate, O’Shaugnessy Napa, Silver Oak Alexander

May 17th, 2020, 6:35 pm

Plenty of cab-dominated Bordeaux under $75 that is absolutely killer, but it looks like that's not the theme here, so:

From the U.S.
Ridge Estate
Frogs Leap
Rafanelli
Charles Smith (Substance Bx) - a blend, but cab-dominated. And for even less money, the Cs is a great QPR at $15.
Stonestreet's single vineyards/Legacy

From Australia:
Wynn
John's Blend
Leeuwin Art Series

Andrew Ing · #34 Post by **Andrew Ing** » May 17th, 2020, 7:09 pm

Glen Gold wrote: ↑May 17th, 2020, 5:26 pm
Andrew Ing wrote: ↑May 17th, 2020, 5:07 pm My two favorites are Swagger and Teeter Totter. Little known labels from great winemakers. I buy a case of each every year and they are my house cab.
These are great. Did you, like me, discover these through Acme? Dominus Napanook is another go-to under $75, but it's sometimes $79 these days.

I did not. Not sure where I found them. But I recently found ACME and am excited to go there the next time I’m in Napa.

#35 Post by **Andrew Demaree** » May 17th, 2020, 9:04 pm

Ruston “La Maestra” is nice with a few years on it.

Yoni O v a d i a · #36 Post by **Yoni O v a d i a** » May 17th, 2020, 9:41 pm

Karl Lawrence
Ridge Estate
Rudius
ACV

#37 Post by **rgallagher** » May 17th, 2020, 9:45 pm

Smith Madrone
Neal
Pride

Sc0tt F!tzger@ld · #38 Post by **Sc0tt F!tzger@ld** » May 17th, 2020, 9:59 pm

+1 for Ridge Estate

#39 Post by **Craig G** » May 17th, 2020, 10:12 pm

I wasn’t clear if the OP was restricting to USA or pure Cab. My CA favorites in this range are Ridge and Dehlinger, but if open to France and Cab blends, I would strongly recommend tasting some Bordeaux. There is a bunch of good value between $15 and $75 if you like the style (and recent weather and winemaking have provided more of a continuum toward US style).

#40 Post by **Arv R** » May 17th, 2020, 10:14 pm

S teve R edenbaugh wrote: ↑May 17th, 2020, 4:04 pm My go-to cabs at that point would be Ridge Estate, Togni Tanbark Hill, Ramey Napa, Mount Eden Estate, and Chappellet Signature.

We seem to have similar preferences. I'd echo those and throw in some Sonoma names too - Anderson's Conn Valley, Laurel Glen, and Arrowood (at least the old school ones).

Sometimes one can find Dominus' Napanook in the $50-$60 zone, and I think that's a super bottle too.

#41 Post by **mowen** » May 17th, 2020, 10:20 pm

Burgess Cab - classic style, howell mountain fruit, retails $40 and up, but can be found for less

JohnP · #42 Post by **JohnP** » May 17th, 2020, 10:41 pm

David B wrote: ↑May 17th, 2020, 4:11 pm Spring Mountain

Agree, current and back-vintage Spring Mountain

mattccheung · #43 Post by **mattccheung** » May 18th, 2020, 1:48 am

Myriad, Becklyn, Vice Versa Le Petit, Chappellet Signature, Lewelling, Robert Craig Affinity, Pine Ridge, Drinkward, Joseph Phelps

Alex G · #44 Post by **Alex G** » May 18th, 2020, 5:57 am

Craig G wrote: ↑May 17th, 2020, 10:12 pm I wasn’t clear if the OP was restricting to USA or pure Cab. My CA favorites in this range are Ridge and Dehlinger, but if open to France and Cab blends, I would strongly recommend tasting some Bordeaux. There is a bunch of good value between $15 and $75 if you like the style (and recent weather and winemaking have provided more of a continuum toward US style).

I was thinking new world with the thread, but you have me curious. What Bordeaux producers in this price range would you recommend that have a similar profile to some of these recommendations like Ridge, Dehlinger, Rafanelli, etc.

Thank you.

bob poirier · #45 Post by **bob poirier** » May 18th, 2020, 6:14 am

mowen wrote: ↑May 17th, 2020, 10:20 pm Burgess Cab - classic style, howell mountain fruit, retails $40 and up, but can be found for less

This, Amazing structure for a $40 cab

#46 Post by **JeremyMullman** » May 18th, 2020, 6:29 am

As others have suggested, Smith-Madrone and Rivers-Marie Napa are fantastic.

I’d add Sojourn’s Oakville and Home Ranch and also Jean Edwards Stagecoach, which is right around $75.

Justin S · #47 Post by **Justin S** » May 18th, 2020, 6:34 am

Another vote for Domain Eden (<$50) and Mount Eden (around $75).

#48 Post by **Craig G** » May 18th, 2020, 6:43 am

Alex G wrote: ↑May 18th, 2020, 5:57 am
Craig G wrote: ↑May 17th, 2020, 10:12 pm I wasn’t clear if the OP was restricting to USA or pure Cab. My CA favorites in this range are Ridge and Dehlinger, but if open to France and Cab blends, I would strongly recommend tasting some Bordeaux. There is a bunch of good value between $15 and $75 if you like the style (and recent weather and winemaking have provided more of a continuum toward US style).
I was thinking new world with the thread, but you have me curious. What Bordeaux producers in this price range would you recommend that have a similar profile to some of these recommendations like Ridge, Dehlinger, Rafanelli, etc.

Thank you.

I’m not sure I can exactly answer that because I don’t seek out Bordeaux that is more like CA wine. Some that I’ve recently liked in this price range are Reserve de la Comtesse, Gloria, Cantemerle, Chasse-Spleen, Meyney, and Le Pape. These will have various blends of Cab. Sauvignon, Cab. Franc, Merlot and possibly some others.

Just for example, I did a horizontal tasting of six 2016 Bordeaux in the $30-60 range and Chasse-Spleen was the one I ended up liking the best. It’s about $30-35. I can’t find any CA Cab-based wine of that quality for that price, and I believe the wine will age very well too. In the past few years I’ve had excellent bottles of Chasse-Spleen 1983 and 1985.

With respect to style, if you want something more toward CA you might want to choose vintages like 2015 and 2018. 2016 would also be powerful but more structured. 2017 and 2014 maybe a little more “French.” But all of these are good vintages.

#49 Post by **Dan Hammer** » May 18th, 2020, 7:10 am

Sojourn Home Ranch drinks well above it’s cost.

Edited to add EMH Black Cat.

Mike Van1 · #50 Post by **Mike Van1** » May 18th, 2020, 7:20 am

Not mentioned so far, Honig and Adaptation are two $40-50ish Cabs my wife and I enjoy in addition to many of the ones already mentioned.