After complaining about not seeing enough U.S. based Cabernet Sauvignon posts on WB, Todd suggested I start putting more posts out there for discussion. Also, thanks to all the comments on my other post, yes, there are in fact a number of WB posts out there on Cab.
I’m looking to fill out some more inventory in the '09 and '10 cab space and was wondering what suggestions you may have. While I have a few select bottles, I’m not into the ultra-premiums, mainly because of cost and low QPR. I’m looking for suggestions in the $50-$80 range, but would go into the “3 figures” if it was extraordinary. Also, I like a little balance…nothing too jammy or fruit-forward (I know, I know…it is new world we’re talking about here).
P.S. I live in Texas (obviously) so my shipping options are limited, outside of direct from wineries or something like wine.com, which doesn’t seem to have a lot of unique inventory. Frankly, I think this is what drives my to buy more U.S. based wines, given our state’s limitations.
As mentioned in my note on the '06, the '09 EMH Black Cat is terrific. Delicious, but I don’t think anyone would ever call it jammy. Definitely get in touch with Merrill and see if she has some left to sell.
In general, I like that price range as well. A few I go to year in, year out listed below. Full disclosure, particularly the Larkmead stuff, is a blend rather than 100% Cab.
Anderson Conn Valley Reserve (100% Cab if I’m not mistaken)
Larkmead (various bottlings, some blends)
Keenan (regular and reserve, both labeled as Cab)
Drinkward Peschon (labeled as Cab)
Betz Pere de Familie (labeled as Cab
Hobel (a relatively new entry, Cab)
Rivers Marie (any of the bottlings, Cab)
I buy all of these direct from the winery, or opportunistically if they happen to come up via a different source.
Check out Benchmark Wine, Rare & Old Wines, Hart Davis for older cabs. Just Google for sites. I am confused by your shipping issue…all these stores will ship at reasonable rates. I think another thread for this board should be how the Internet and FedEx are killing the value of being on a wine list.
In terms of good cab blends at decent price…Rubicon!
I think the first thing any Cali Cab lover should do is get on the mailing list for Montelena and buy at least a 6-pack in every vintage. They have a subscription set up called the CellarMaster club in which you just get it every year. It now comes in a lovely wood box, if you like that too.
They have other clubs that include other wines of theirs. One thing Parker was right about, no winery on earth has a more consistently strong record in every vintage since the late 1970s.
I used to be able to order from K&L for instance (I also live in Texas) - nowadays, you have to seek out a 3rd party expediter if you want to by from an out of state retailer, which costs more money… wish Texas would rescind this nonsense.
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