Sub $20 Cabernet based wines

[Nathan_Smyth]

No specifics but there are many very good cabs from AU that are well priced, with the ones from from western AU being a bit more civilized.

In our market, we don’t get diddly squat from Australia anymore.

A few years ago, we saw some “Three Rings” shiraz, from Chris Ringland, but that pipeline closed down real fast.

Ringland does have the “Southern Belle” label, with Dan Phillips, aged in old Pappy Van Winkle Kentucky Bourbon barrels, and coming in at something like 17.6% alcohol.

https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/southern+belle/1/usa

That’s definitely a BIG RED wine at less than $20.
.

[jcoley3]

Two Cal Cabs that I hawk at retail and haven’t seen mentioned: True Myth out of Paso Robles and Requiem out of Washington.

[Jim_Brennan]

No need to apologize Jim - instead double down! Spell it in caps! It’s the way we do it now.

Anyway, we all read or misread things from time to time.

But I can’t imagine any sub-$20 Cab that I’d really want to drink. A few years ago maybe, but $20 is the new $15, so you really have to go over $20 unless you want something sweet and uninteresting. As others suggested, I’d go to another grape variety. Aglianico is a good choice, or maybe Syrah, depending on the producer. Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero or Toro, but again, you’re going to be spending a few bucks more than $20 unless you shop sales and clearances. Xinomavro if you can find any.

Some of the suggestions aren’t bad - Novelty Hill for example, but that’s north of $20 these days. And don’t forget to look at Merlot - most people can’t tell the dif anyway and it’s often cheaper than Cab.

Yes, I rarely consider much from the US at this price point… so much of it has perceptible residual sugar.

Malbec from France, Temperanillo from Spain, and a host of red wines from Italy.

[Scott_Brunson]

Maybe the question should be what big red should I be drinking sub 20?

Rioja, Chianti?

Syrah/Grenache/Carignan etc. from Languedoc-Roussillon.
Many examples at or near that price point.

[Joe_Chanley]

La rioja Alta vina alberdi is a super value in rioja

[dave_kammerer]

2016 Josh and Twenty Bench are both drinkable and under $20. Both readily available.

[Nick_F]

Really great insights. Will be making a Binny’s run later.

[JDavisRoby]

Right at $20 but we’ve enjoyed Ancient Peaks Cabernet lately.

And, I’ll second the merlot recommendation. On days I want a Cabernet but not open an expensive bottle I’m reaching for merlot more and more.

[Kris_Patten]

Some of the suggestions aren’t bad - Novelty Hill for example, but that’s north of $20 these days. And don’t forget to look at Merlot - most people can’t tell the dif anyway and it’s often cheaper than Cab.

Not super hard to find in WA, so I may have a bit of home bias on better pricing.

As for Merlot, that would open a world of WA wines, and frankly Merlot is more tannic than Cabernet in WA and acts more like Cabernet. Price points are generally well below $20 for very high quality wines, this includes BDX blends in WA that are Merlot heavy.

[Mike_Kuller]

Maybe Zinfandel…you can get Bedrock Old Vine for $20. Perfect bbq/pizza leave the rest for the next day type wine.

Also Turley Juvenile zin about the same price.

[Mike_Kuller]

I am still learning the ropes here and hope that I do not get banned for this - tonight we are drinking Kirkland Cabernet Oakville (2016). It was 18.99 at my local Costco and I can find absolutely nothing to complain about at this price point.

Good choice but most have sold out of it.

[Nathan_Smyth]

Binny’s

Dude.

In the future, could you warn us about that beforehand?

Everyone on this thread is trying to give you some serious advice, and you’re just gonna head off to a package store which services hobos?

SMDH.

[jcjouas]

At the around the $20 and under price point for reds I happen to really like and that frequently find their way into my rotation;

Chave CdR Mon Coeur
Coudert Roilette Fleurie
Lanessan
Olga Raffault les Picasses
Thivin Cote de Brouilly
La Rioja Alta Vina Alberdi
Cavallotto Langhe
Felsina Chianti Classico
Rodano Chianti Classico
Terre Nere Etna Rosso
Torbreck Woodcutters Shiraz

[fotikatsigiannis]

Foxglove
Rabble Red
Louis Martini
CS Substance
Tapiz

You can also probably find some good Kirkland or Cameron Hughes stuff in that range.

[D_Mowe]

A new wine in $20.00 Cabernet category called juggernaut ($18-21.00 and very tasty) by Bogle. Great QPR

[ray_ormand]

The Bogle regular Cabernet at $10 is also an excellent choice.

Plus, another recommendation for Marietta Arme. Shockingly good.

[Josh_Grossman]

Kiona Cabernet Sauvignon Red Mountain

[mattccheung]

2015 Robert Mondavi Napa Valley. Might be able to find it at $20.

Always a safe choice. Not too ripe.

[mattccheung]

Mount Veeder Winery Cab, or J Lohr Hilltop

[Bill_Tex_Landreth]

Mount Veeder Winery Cab, or J Lohr Hilltop

Neither of those is sub $20 a 750 mL bottle and the Mount Veeder is $30-40 in most markets.