Budget-friendly cabernets just right for holidays
Selecting a good California cabernet sauvignon for the holidays shouldn’t bust your budget. But as we often do around the holidays, the tendency is to splurge and overspend. I hope the following “smart buy” selections help you to resist that temptation — and keep more money in your wallet for other things.
Bella Union Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2016 (SRP $80) — “Second label” wines from prestigious wine houses usually yield outstanding values. Bella Union shares its single-vineyard pedigree with the makers of Far Niente and Nickel & Nickel. Velvety Bella Union shows intense plum, cherry and blackberry fruit laced with spicy clove. (Wine Enthusiast gave the 2015 vintage 94 points). I scooped up the 2016 at the Wine ConneXtion in North Andover for $59.99.
The Hess Collection Allomi Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2017 (SRP $33.99) — Allomi Vineyard in western Napa escaped the wildfires chaos and produced an abundant harvest of elegant fruit. The deep purple wine is 81% cabernet sauvignon and filled out with petite sirah, malbec, petit verdot and merlot. My tasting revealed dark, juicy delicious blackberry and plum flavors and a soft vanilla coating. Allomi’s on sale in New Hampshire for $26.99.
Miro Cellars Reserve Silverwood Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 (SRP $38) — Miro Tcholakov climbs 2,200 feet atop Cloverdale’s Pine Mountain to reach Silverwood Vineyard’s bounty for this luxurious wine. The elevated site rises above the Russian River Valley’s fog layer to allow more sunshine and milder temperatures. Richly aromatic with baking spices, Miro bursts powerfully at mid-palate with layers of black cherry and mocha cream flavors. It’s a bargain at $29.99 at the Wine ConneXtion.
J. Lohr Hilltop Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 (SRP $29.99) — The winery has sold out of this superb vintage but plenty of bottles are still circulating in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. It was recently on sale for $21.99 in several border stores. This plump, lush cab (petit verdot-cabernet franc make up 10% of the blend) from Pasa Robles competes gamely with Napa’s big boys for a fraction of the price.
Coppola Diamond Collection Claret 2017 Black Label (SRP $19.99) — Movie director
Francis Ford Coppola is called the “Godfather of U.S. claret” for good reason. He’s got a perennial star in his Napa-sourced claret, a term used by British elite to describe Bordeaux-style cab blends. This fragrant and robust cabernet is highlighted by sweet, soft tannins. Gold netting adds luster to the bottle. Get it on sale in N.H. for $14.99.
B.R. Cohn Silver Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 (SRP $24.99) — With 17% percent merlot in support, this cabernet sauvignon (79%) is both supple and bright with red and dark fruit flavors. Vanilla bean and allspice add to the layered complexity. Buy this now at a $5 discount in New Hampshire.
Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 (SRP $45) — If there were a Mount Rushmore to U.S. wine icons, Robert Mondavi would be the visionary Abe Lincoln of the group. Considered the winery’s “entry” level edition, the plum-colored wine overachieves on bold red currant flavors and silky texture. For free spenders, the winery’s highly acclaimed grand cru, Robert Mondavi The Reserve 2016, costs $164 a bottle. OK, there is a difference in quality, but I’d still go with the value play because four good bottles is better than one great one in my book.