How hard is it really to find a great Cabernet for under $20? This topic seems to keep coming up out on the floor of Ryan’s amongst the circle of us wine geeks. You’ve either got to pay $30 or more for a nicely structured, highly rated Cab or pay around $10-15 (which the market is saturated with cabs in this price range right now) and get one that’s “ok.” Really? I think people are kind of getting sick and tired of paying through the nose for some of those $40 and $50 Cabs and getting something that leaves a lot to be desired, in return. Why do wineries charge this much for a wine and get away with it? First of all, they have made their wine into a “cult” wine. A “sign up for a case before the wine is even bottled” kind of wine. They may also source their grapes from very small parcels of vineyards. They may hand pick vs machine pick, cut back their fruit to produce more concentrated flavors/sugars/acidity to the surviving bunches, and how long they age their wine in barrels (and what type of wood) also adds digits to the price of your wine. And lets not forget to mention their name. Doesn’t that glass of Opus One just taste better because you know its Opus? I mean, it should taste like perfection because its pricey. That’s the beauty of wine, its all personal! Case in point, there is a rather expensive Champagne out there that sells for $175-$200 a bottle that I opened one night to celebrate my brothers engagement. I was less than impressed to say the least. I would have taken the $20.99 Chandon any day over this stuff. I think most people buy it because of its status and it makes a statement, “Hey, look how much I spent!” I enjoy cashing out folks at Ryan’s and saying, “Hey, you picked out a great bottle that’s cheap! Cheers!” Other times, wines can be made for much less because fruit is sourced from larger vineyards, the wine doesn’t spend quite as much time in oak, they don’t prune the vines (which results in more fruit per vine) and many if not most- pick with large grape picking machines.
Here is a list of my favorite Cabernet’s for under $20 that you can readily find at Ryan’s:
Concannon Conservancy Cabernet Sauvignon comes in around $13 and is made from grapes sourced from sustainably farmed lands. This cab is one of the best “cheapies” in our Cali section!
Hayes Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon for $9.99! You’ve all heard of Wente Vineyards, right? This is one of their labels and you won’t be sorry spending $10 on this!
Hogue Genesis Cabernet Sauvignon for $14.99. I’m a huge fan of pretty much anything made by Hogue Cellars from Washington State.
B.R. Cohn Silver Label 2007 Cab for $19.99. This vintage (‘07) is being hailed as the best of the decade, even more so than the 2005. Of the “pricier” under $20 Cabernet’s on this list, this is probably my favorite. I think. I really haven’t met a wine I haven’t liked.
Marques de Casa Concha for $18.99. This yummy Chilean cab is big and bold. A nice big steak would be pairing pretty nice with this.
Sebastiani 2005 Cabernet for $16.99. This would be one of the staff favorites around here.
Urban 2008 Cabernet for $11.99. A Chilean cab that comes in on the cheap and just got 89 points from Robert Parker. Better snatch this one up real quick!
Robert Mondavi Napa Valley 2006 Cabernet for $19.99 (sale). We tasted this one in our Mondavi wine class and decanted it first. There is a huge difference in taste if you drink it immediately after opening and if you decant it first and let it open up for an hour. WOW!
Barnwood South Mesa Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 for $14.99 (sale). This cab has lots of tannins and structure and is drinking very nicely right now. Bonus- you don’t have to walk far in the store to get it! We have a nice big display right up by the register areas!
Rodney Strong Cabernet for $16.99. This would be a favorite of JR’s, kind of his go-to-Cabernet!
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