Add Tasting Table on Google: Preferred Source Google Discover Cabernet sauvignon is a popular grape variety that most consumers are likely to come across while shopping for wines or selecting bottles off of a restaurant menu. Often referred to as the king of red grapes, the variety is known for producing some of the most iconic wines of all time. With origins in Southwest France, it has played a significant role in the red blends of Bordeaux. Meanwhile, elsewhere in the world it is often produced as a single varietal wine (though small percentages of other varieties are usually permitted), showcasing its characteristics front and center.
Although cabernet sauvignon grows in vineyards around the world, to produce excellent wines, it requires some know-how in the vineyard and cellar, especially if growing conditions aren't optimal. For this reason, the variety shows up in wines that vastly range in price, from affordable entry-level options to luxury bottles that can cost as much as a month's rent.
As a Certified Specialist of Wine, WSET Level 3 holder, and wine writer with experience tasting cabernet sauvignon from around the world, I put together a selection of bottles for every budget. I've kept it at a level of splurge that some enthusiastic wine consumers might be ready to pay, without going beyond to levels of absurdity. Through this lineup of cabernet sauvignon bottles, you'll discover a range of producers, quality levels, and styles of the renowned grape variety. Prices are based on national averages and accurate as of publication.
vinhoeliteratura/Instagram Although cabernet wines can sell for a pretty penny, there are also some great deals. This bottle of Alamos Cabernet Sauvignon costs just over $10, yet it displays the Argentine terroir and winemaking expertise. Owned by the family behind the longstanding Catena winery, the Alamos brand benefits from over a century of experience producing wines in Argentina. The winery is located in the Mendoza province, where high elevations from the surrounding Andes Mountains offer optimal growing conditions for grapes.
The cabernet sauvignon is made with hand-harvested fruit from vineyards ranging between 3,000 and 5,000 feet above sea level. The high altitude helps balance ripeness, acidity, and aromatic concentration in the fruit. After fermentation, the wine is aged in French oak prior to release, allowing complexity to build. This cabernet features notes of cherry, blackberry, red currant, and cassis, as well as eucalyptus and mint. Hints of baking spice, tobacco, and leather from the oak aging add depth to this wine. If you're looking for great value and flavor for a midweek dinner or casual party, this bottle of cabernet is a hit with grilled meat and hard cheeses.
shigueo.foodtravel/Instagram Chilean cabernet sauvignon offers excellent quality and value, thanks to highly suitable growing conditions. Although there are plenty of premium bottles on the market, the entry-level category offers a wide selection for consumers looking for well-made, affordable cab. That's what you get with Los Vascos Chagual Cabernet Sauvignon, which will run you around $20. The Chilean winery is owned by Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite, a historical European producer that brings centuries of experience to the Chilean terroir.
Produced with fruit grown in the Colchagua Valley, where warm temperatures are moderated by cooling breezes from the nearby Pacific Ocean, this cabernet sauvignon balances ripeness with freshness. After fermentation, the wine matures in cement vats, allowing the fruit aromas to remain dominant. Dark fruits like berries, currants, and plums are present on the palate, along with notes of black pepper and lavender. It has a bright acidity and firm tannins, making it the kind of wine that pairs beautifully with grilled meat.
sevenhillswinery_1988/Instagram Cabernet sauvignon dominates vineyards in Washington's Walla Walla Valley American Viticultural Area, accounting for over ⅓ of plantings. After tasting Seven Hills Winery Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, it's clear that the terroir is optimal for this grape. Seven Hills Winery produces a few different cabernets that showcase the diversity of the vineyards, but the Walla Walla Valley bottle is the perfect expression of the region as a whole.
