What Cab blend (claret) producer gives you the best value?

WINE TALK
21

Different style than montebello but for my money you cant beat Jones the sisters. Kills me that every Sunday it can be had for $38 on wc and i have no space to put it…id own ten cases :slight_smile:

22

Humberto, you are correct, although more Cab heavy lately. The 2009 which I opened last thursday is 98% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc and
Petite Verdot.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining, as a matter of fact i’m a bit giddy. [cheers.gif]

23

What is “wc”?

24

Welcome Oliver

25

wc is probably winecommune.com

26

Flora Springs Trilogy
Robert Craig Affinity
Hess Collection Block 19
David Ramey Cabernet Sauvignon

27

Ramey Cabernet
Ridge Estate SCM
Cantemerle
Sociando-Mallet
Fonbadet
Talbot

28

2009 Arbor Crest Five Vineyards cabernet is a very good wine and an absolute steal at $14 at Costco. Had this side-by-side with Seven Hills Columbia Valley cab this weekend and it definitely held its own (and excelled in terms of fruit concentration and structure). Good acid and very minimal oak if you’re so inclined. Parker even likes it but I’m not taking points off for that… LOL. I had some of the 2007 Columbia Crest Walter Clore (been a fan for years) recently and it was overtly coconut flavored (american oak?). I’d be careful about that wine unless you’re an oak fan.

29

First wine that came to my mind also, Just an outstanding value for what’s in the bottle!

30

Yes, stay away from columbia crest is you have an oak aversion.

For a portion of the price of Montbello (a good wine) you can get the best of Washington. How about Andrew Will or Cadence Ciel du Cheval? How about Betz left or right bank blends? If you are price sensitive, just buy 2009 Cadence Coda for just over $20.

31

Can’t discount Washington producers in this discussion for their price/quality ratio. Andrew Will certainly comes to mind for the WA representation in this realm.

I’d also throw out Robert Foley on the higher end for California. Ridge Monte Bello is likely the top of the heap for me.

32

Monte Bello is great, but I will be sitting on most of my bottles for a decade or more, while the declassified Ridge Santa Cruz red tastes quite good young old and in-between and is guilt-free at a quarter the price.

33

I love White Rock. It’s such a cool property, nice people, and really great BDX styled Napa wines at exceptionally good prices. I especially love the Laureatte!

34

+1 on Calluna. Excellent wines at a still very reasonable price.

35

A long list of Washington Cab.

An equally long list from Bordeaux (Fleur Cardinale comes to mind).

Done with Napa, completely.

36

Mount Eden Estate is a very good bang for the buck Santa Cruz Mountain Cab blend @ around $50.

Recently had the both '94 and '95 and they have aged extremely well.

Anderson’s Conn Valley Eloge has crept up in price recently, but older vintages are often a steal if you can find them.

37

Langoa and leoville barton
In the past Chateau st. Pierre

Havent had as much luck with domestic blends that don’t also hit you in the face with oak.

38

Girard artistry was quite a nice surprise $35
Smith haut laffite as good as the first growths in some vintages for $50
Palmer’s Alter ego sexy juice from margaux $50
Mid 2000’s Bravante trio $35 this maybe more merlot based can’t remember, but what I do remember is that a couple of these bottlings absolutely floored me. '03/04

39

Not sure if I missed it… I expected to see Mayacamas mentioned. My experience is limited to a really impressive 1973. Maybe the fans are tight-lipped?

40

WC is indeed wine commune.