Cabernets for chilly days

On a bitterly cold day there are few things that are better than lighting a wood fire (not those horrible gas logs), making a fabulous beef stew and sitting down with a fish bowl of Cabernet Sauvignon.

Cabernet Sauvignon is one the most widely recognized and grown varietals.  Damn near every country that produces wine produces a Cabernet.  Cabernet is a relatively new wine as it is a cross between Cab Franc and Sauvignon Blanc varietals way back in the 1600’s in France.  It is easy to grow;  and because of that it often crowds out other grape varieties that are native to a region.  Some view it almost with as much disdain as a pesky non-indigenous weed or animal with no local predators.

But I could care less!  I love this variety in all the various forms it comes –  Old Word Bordeaux, and Tuscans, New World Californians, Australians and South Americans.

General tasting notes

Often Cabs will have a blackberry and black currant flavors up front.  Dark cherry, tobacco, cedar and green pepper (believe it or not) are also common notes.  They can be quite tannic — a taste quite similar to overly steeped black tea.  To me, tannins taste like dirt, which is a very good thing IMHO.  Pure Cabs are big wines and generally need some age and air to soften.  More often than not, they are blended with other varieties like Merlot to soften the taste to make them drinkable straight away.  Cabs are often oaked which means they under go aging or fermentation in oak barrels.  The amount of oak taste in a wine is dependent on the type of oak, French or American, and if the barrel was previously used.  As long as it isn’t over oaked, the oaking of the Cab mellows the wine.  Over oaked wines are generally hiding horrible tastes.

Let’s cut to the chase and chat about my recommendations:

$20 and Under– Cabs can be pricey!
Chono 2008.  A great deal at $11.  Rated 90 by Wine Advocate.  Lots of smoke, spice, lavender but very smooth.

Fin Cabernet 2007, a great Cab at $17.  2007 was a great Cab year in California.  Deep red, almost black in color.  Black raspberry and cherry, throw in some plum, chocolate, and tobacco.

I’ve never had this.  But it is just $15 and I like the name.  Zachy’s likes it too, which is generally a good recommendation.  From Australia.  Berry up front, tobacco, pepper and supposedly “smells like a $50 Napa Cab” according to Zachy’s.  (Note they don’t say TASTE)  Light tannins.  I’m going to buy some on my next pilgrimage to Zachy’s.
A $20 blend of Cab, Shiraz and Merlot.  I bought this on a whim because of the name for a friend.  We loved it.  Lots of plum, tobacco and spice

Full disclosure:  I sell this wine ($20).  I sell a lot of this wine because it is so darn good — despite the label which is so-so.  This is why Ms Stabby and the rest of you philistines should NOT buy because of the label.  This is a Paso Robles cab which is quite different than a Napa.  This is gob-smackingly tasty.  Big and full from start to finish.  Lots of dark fruits up front, violets and herbs in the middle and some bold but not brash tannins.  Just the right amount of oak to mellow this cab blend.   Get this at winedreamer.com  and thank me later.

Up to $25

Los Vascos is a bargain at $23.  Great structure, cherries, plum, licorice black pepper and spice (nutmeg and clove, if memory serves).  Oakey but not too oakey.

The 2007, which will be available soon will retail at $23.  I tasted this for my restaurant and I swooned!  Rated 92 by Wine Spectator.  Mostly Merlot but Cab’s there too.  Full-bodied, Just like Cap’n Crocker.

I love me some Molly Dooker, this 2006 Maitre D’ Cab is phenom!  $25 retail. Rich, full-bodied, ripened berry.  Very intense.  Could use a bit of air before drinking.  Sustainably grown, which is always near and dear to my heart.

North of $25

This is a big area.  There are lots of Cabs that are in this price range.  I’m going to highlight a couple that are worth it.

At $33, this highly rated (93-95 by Wine Advocate) wine is a bargain.  A heady 13.5% alcohol — it is a great bang for your drunk buck.  Silky texture, lots of berry up front, full body, long finish.  Little tobacco, lots of smoke and mineral.  YUM.

A delicious Tuscan at $40.  Lots of berry up front, wood, smooth integrated tannins.  This is a great sipping wine that goes on forever!!!!! Rated 95 by Wine Spectator

Napa Cabs don’t come any better at this $39 price point.  Silky and soft.  Classic berry an dark fruits up front, a touch of vanilla, spice and cocoa.  Very smooth or integrated tannin.  This is a very elegant cab and if you can get your paws on it, grab it.

Safe names to buy in general

You can certainly spend hundreds of dollars on a great Cabernet. Here are some solid names that are generally worth the price: Chateau Phelan-Segur, Lynch-Bages, Cardinale, Joseph Phelps (YUM!), Beaulieu Vineyard, Viader, Bennett Lane, Clos Pegase (try to get their Pegaso — Fabulous and not expensive), and Chateau Montelena – I hate their famous chard but love their cab.

Names that are not worth it

Names that ARE NOT worth it: Anything with Lafite or Rothschild on the bottle.

More importantly do not get Anderson’s Conn Valley. While it is a delicious cab — a cult cab no less — the winemaker was such an ass to my husband and me on our honeymoon that I vowed never to promote or drink his wines again. I bash him at every opportunity with a vengeance. Curse you Mac Sawyer!