Favorite Cabernet Producers Under $75
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Favorite Cabernet Producers Under $75
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
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
Alex Gold
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Re: Favorite Cabernet Producers Under $75
My Fav is Matthiason's @ $65. Granted I'm not a big CS fan & don't enjoy most of the 14%+abv out there.
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Re: Favorite Cabernet Producers Under $75
That’s right!! Lazare $45!! It’s in the 4-bottle / $100 sampler he’s offering now. Forgot about that, thanks!
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Re: Favorite Cabernet Producers Under $75
I’ll second Zeitgeist. Their 2016 drinks like a cab twice the price point. Primarily Lewelling fruit from Saint Helena I believe.
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Re: Favorite Cabernet Producers Under $75
Really enjoy Becklyn's Napa Valley ($65) and Di Costanzo's DI CO ($55).
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Re: Favorite Cabernet Producers Under $75
My go-to cabs at that point would be Ridge Estate, Togni Tanbark Hill, Ramey Napa, Mount Eden Estate, and Chappellet Signature.
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Re: Favorite Cabernet Producers Under $75
Dehlinger and Scherrer have to be on the list.
Monticello Vineyard cabs from Bedrock, Turley, Arnot-Roberts and Carlisle are in the $75 range.
Monticello Vineyard cabs from Bedrock, Turley, Arnot-Roberts and Carlisle are in the $75 range.
Last edited by M. Dildine on May 17th, 2020, 4:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Favorite Cabernet Producers Under $75
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
Calluna
Frogs Leap
Scherrer
All under $75.00. All are traditional in style. No oaky ooze monsters.
Tom
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Re: Favorite Cabernet Producers Under $75
Easy choice. Chappellet Signature - Pritchard Hill fruit, available widely at retail, consistently very good and stable pricing for a long time.
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Re: Favorite Cabernet Producers Under $75
Smith Madrone
Chappellet Signature
Frank Family
Ridge Estate
Scherrer
Chappellet Signature
Frank Family
Ridge Estate
Scherrer
K e i t h
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Re: Favorite Cabernet Producers Under $75
Ridge.
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Re: Favorite Cabernet Producers Under $75
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.
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Re: Favorite Cabernet Producers Under $75
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.
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Re: Favorite Cabernet Producers Under $75
Rafanelli
Sleeping Giant
Big names:
Frank Family
Pine Ridge
Frog's Leap
Sleeping Giant
Big names:
Frank Family
Pine Ridge
Frog's Leap
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Re: Favorite Cabernet Producers Under $75
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.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.
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Re: Favorite Cabernet Producers Under $75
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.
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.
Last edited by Michael Martin on May 17th, 2020, 4:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Favorite Cabernet Producers Under $75
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.
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Re: Favorite Cabernet Producers Under $75
Dehlinger. Russian River Valley old vine Cab. Totally unique.
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Re: Favorite Cabernet Producers Under $75
Bougetz
Chappellet
Cresta Velia
Frogs Leap
Ridge Estate
Scarlett
Sbragia Monte Rosso
Rivers Marie / Becklyn / Quivet / Myriad NVs
Chappellet
Cresta Velia
Frogs Leap
Ridge Estate
Scarlett
Sbragia Monte Rosso
Rivers Marie / Becklyn / Quivet / Myriad NVs
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Re: Favorite Cabernet Producers Under $75
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.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.
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Re: Favorite Cabernet Producers Under $75
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
Under $75: Anderson’s Conn Valley Estate Reserve, Chappellet Signature, Drinkward Peschon, Grand Puy Lacoste, Mount Eden Estate, O’Shaugnessy Napa, Silver Oak Alexander
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Re: Favorite Cabernet Producers Under $75
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
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
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Re: Favorite Cabernet Producers Under $75
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.Glen Gold wrote: ↑May 17th, 2020, 5:26 pmThese 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.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.
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Re: Favorite Cabernet Producers Under $75
Karl Lawrence
Ridge Estate
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ACV
Ridge Estate
Rudius
ACV
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Re: Favorite Cabernet Producers Under $75
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).
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Re: Favorite Cabernet Producers Under $75
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).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.
Sometimes one can find Dominus' Napanook in the $50-$60 zone, and I think that's a super bottle too.
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Re: Favorite Cabernet Producers Under $75
Burgess Cab - classic style, howell mountain fruit, retails $40 and up, but can be found for less
m a r k
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Re: Favorite Cabernet Producers Under $75
Agree, current and back-vintage Spring Mountain
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Re: Favorite Cabernet Producers Under $75
Myriad, Becklyn, Vice Versa Le Petit, Chappellet Signature, Lewelling, Robert Craig Affinity, Pine Ridge, Drinkward, Joseph Phelps
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Re: Favorite Cabernet Producers Under $75
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.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).
Thank you.
Alex Gold
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Re: Favorite Cabernet Producers Under $75
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.
I’d add Sojourn’s Oakville and Home Ranch and also Jean Edwards Stagecoach, which is right around $75.
Re: Favorite Cabernet Producers Under $75
Another vote for Domain Eden (<$50) and Mount Eden (around $75).
$ ! n g h
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Re: Favorite Cabernet Producers Under $75
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.Alex G wrote: ↑May 18th, 2020, 5:57 amI 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.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).
Thank you.
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.
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Re: Favorite Cabernet Producers Under $75
Sojourn Home Ranch drinks well above it’s cost.
Edited to add EMH Black Cat.
Edited to add EMH Black Cat.
Last edited by Dan Hammer on May 18th, 2020, 7:21 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Favorite Cabernet Producers Under $75
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.
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