What Makes a Great Cabernet?

[effinwill]

I usually limit myself to the stuff in the $6-20 range. I like them big and smelly - unlike my ladies. But they do need to pair well with hunking slabs of beef. :-)

What do you guys look for in budget cabernets?

[Ken Gargett]

» I usually limit myself to the stuff in the $6-20 range. I like them big

» and smelly - unlike my ladies. But they do need to pair well with hunking

» slabs of beef. :-)

»

» What do you guys look for in budget cabernets?

not sure that great cab and budget cab go together.

i'd be hoping for good fruit definition, a seamless palate avoiding the typical cab doughnut, and good length of flavour. lots of blackberry and cassis notes, not too herbaceous.

[Jimmy2]

France.

[El Rushbo]

If anybody could recommend some (by Brand/year) that seem to be readily available, I'd like to sample some. My biggest problem (with searching for all wines, not just cab's) is the mammoth selection. I've got some great wine stores nearby here in Baltimore. I should be able to locate notable labels. Any specific recommendations would really be great.

[GoSteelers]

» If anybody could recommend some (by Brand/year) that seem to be readily

» available, I'd like to sample some. My biggest problem (with searching

» for all wines, not just cab's) is the mammoth selection. I've got some

» great wine stores nearby here in Baltimore. I should be able to locate

» notable labels. Any specific recommendations would really be great.

What makes a Great Wines store is thier ability to help you pick the right wine for you, not just a huge selection. If you can't get any help move on to the next cellar!

Same with a Smoke Shop....move on to the next Humidor!

[Colt45]

» What do you guys look for in budget cabernets?

I pretty much agree with Ken on all points, and would add that I really dislike over

oaked and overly extracted wines. Good structure integrated with the fruit, with

good body and depth. In the $6 dollar range, I'd be looking for beer :-)

»

» Any specific recommendations would really be great.

Obviously, taste is subjective, but I'll give you my opinion on a few that I've enjoyed,

trying to keep things in the U.S. $10-$15 range.

Spain: Marques de Caceres Rioja - I've tried a few others in the price range, but

liked this one the best. Roughly $12.

France: Guigal Cotes du Rhone. This is my go-to wine. Always consistent in flavor and

quality - I've never had a bad bottle. Around $11

Italy: Personally, I'd stay away from inexpensive Chiantis - they tend to be gritty and

lack balance. Instead, I'd look for a Montepulciano d'Abruzzo - a bit less tannic and

softer, and nice ones can be had for around $12. Castello di Salle is a nice one.

If you want to stick with Sangivese, I'd move it up a few notches and go for a

Rosso di Montalcino or a Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. I like Capanna for the former

and Avignonesi for the latter.

U.S. For an inexpensive, relatively easy to drink but well made wine, I'd suggest

Coppola Rosso - it's zinfandel based - around $10. For a cabernet, one of my faves

is Hess Select - very good quality and consistency, around $15. Their next step up

is Hess Estate - it's a single vineyard at around $22 - but still a good value.

I have to mention one of my favorite wines - Ferrari Carano Sienna. It's a

Sangiovese based blend, that to me is like drinking silk. Smooth and well

integrated, I love it. Around $23.

Australia: I really like the Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet, which I used to be

able to get for around $12, but prices have crept up. At a lower price point, with

good consistency and quality, try some of the Wolf Blass offerings.

The above are just a smattering of wines I've tried and enjoyed. Even early on I

was never afraid to try something new and different. The list goes on and on and on...... Have fun!

[Cam]

french cabernets have significantly dropped in price AND quality, I suggest staying away unless you want to spend more, other than that i agree with Ken, a good cabernet and budget don't go together.

[effinwill]

» » What do you guys look for in budget cabernets?

In the $6 dollar range, I'd be looking for beer :-)

Hopefully, something better than Colt 45. :-p

Alas, the foibles of posting late in the evening after a bottle of cabernet and a couple cognacs. While I will disgaree with the insinuation that nothing in the $6 range is worthy of consumption (Columbia Crest Grand Estates wines and some Argentinian wines immediately come to mind), the last line of my query should have read, "What do you guys look for in GREAT cabernets?"

Thanks for the replies, though I am surprised nobody specifically mentioned nose or the unique terroire of specific appellations.

[jqmunro]

I really enjoyed the Montes Alpha - Cab from Chile which was under $20. The Montes Alpha M is a bit more money, but I think the standard production cab is a great value.

[Colt45]

» Thanks for the replies, though I am surprised nobody specifically

» mentioned nose or the unique terroire of specific appellations.

Nose or bouquet is certainly part of the wine drinking experience. Soil and climate

conditions play a major role in the final outcome, but unfortunately, a heavy hand

can vinify these unique qualities right out of a wine.

» "What do you guys look for in GREAT cabernets?"

Firm tannins that are not gritty and are integrated with the fruit. Dark fruit that is also

"firm" - as mentioned, well defined, without being cloying or so overly extracted as to

taste like cough syrup. An overall feeling of density, while remaining smooth and silky.

The proper use of oak - a hint of vanilla, and not so oaky as to give one a stomach

ache. No wateriness. No sense of acetic acid, or mustiness of cork taint. A long

velvety finish.

A producer who knows how to make the very best out the grapes and climate

conditions of the season.

» While I will disgaree with the insinuation that nothing in the $6 range is worthy

» of consumption

Here I must still humbly submit that "you get what you pay for" at that price range.

I also really enjoy Argentine and Chilean wines - a big fan of malbec - but have

found, to my palate at least, that anything under around $15 has been forgettable.

» In the $6 dollar range, I'd be looking for beer :-)

»

» Hopefully, something better than Colt 45. :-p

Even I don't drink that

[El Rushbo]

Colt,

Info is much appreciated..exactly what I was looking for. THANKS!

As far as getting advice from the wine shop...I trust the fellas here a lot more than a 19 year-old named Destiny. It's a little more cost effective to get the good word here, rather than experiment on the advice of college students working part time at the local booz depot :-D

[jqmunro]

» Colt,

»

» Info is much appreciated..exactly what I was looking for. THANKS!

»

» As far as getting advice from the wine shop...I trust the fellas here a

» lot more than a 19 year-old named Destiny. It's a little more cost

» effective to get the good word here, rather than experiment on the advice

» of college students working part time at the local booz depot :-D

You might want to search out a good wine shop. General liquor stores not only lack an adequate selection, I find that they charge more for similar products. A good wine store will offer you a product at a great price, with a selection which makes you feel spoiled. I'm lucky enough to have a Total Wine near me, which is a great balance of selection with reasonable pricing.

[Colt45]

» As far as getting advice from the wine shop...I trust the fellas here a

» lot more than a 19 year-old named Destiny. It's a little more cost

» effective to get the good word here, rather than experiment on the advice

» of college students working part time at the local booz depot :-D

I agree with the guys - a wine merchant can be very helpful. But also, most larger

"liquor stores" usually have a "wine person" - someone in charge of buying the wine.

Find out if your local has such a person - they are usually quite helpful. Don't be

afraid to ask them questions, tell them your price range, what style of wine you

like, etc. You should be able to quickly determine how helpful / knowledgeable they

are.

[effinwill]

I would have to say that I am satisfied with that answer, as well. :-)

My palate seems to prefer a little over-oakiness, I think. I really dig big reds with that velvety, puckering effect.

The best $6 red I can think of at the moment was the 2002 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Shiraz (about $6.30 from the super, on sale and bought in a carrier). Pretty hard to find now, but that was a SMOKING bargain.

IMO, the difference between a $10 wine and a $30 wine is not a slam dunk, as it is with cognac or bourbon. $10 bourbon is ummmmm.....ummmmm..... pretty nasty.

[mmblz]

» If anybody could recommend some (by Brand/year) that seem to be readily

» available, I'd like to sample some. My biggest problem (with searching

» for all wines, not just cab's) is the mammoth selection. I've got some

» great wine stores nearby here in Baltimore. I should be able to locate

» notable labels. Any specific recommendations would really be great.

Pushing the high edge of your price range, but:

Clos du Val

Gundlach Bundschu

Chateau Souverain

Bonterra

Frei Brothers

Pushing even more:

Clos Pegase

Cuvaison

Even easier to find, well within your range, not quite as good:

Hess Select

J Lohr

[chef2275]

Some wine that i have been into lately have been rosenblum from cali. They have been pretty good. They have different price points. Their upper end have truely been nice. As well as the lower end.they mainly have red Zin i beleive you would be happy with them. As for cabs this one i like...Château St. Jean Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon..has been good for me. $10 a bottle. Then the typical rosemont estate, ravenswood, smoking loon all below $12 a bottle. do yourself a fav a try to get a bottle of caymus special selection 2004, that will open all your senses...go easy with wine you can get caught up with it, like cigars, and have to hide more cards from the wife.;-)

chef