'03 Napa cabernet

I'll be going to a tasting next month and will need to supply a bottle of the best possible 2003 Napa cabernet that retails for under $40. I'm not a big Napa cab drinker, so I'm looking for help in coming up with something. Anyone have any ideas?

I think there will be around a dozen people at this tasting. It will be interesting to see if we can come up with 12 decent under-$40 Napa cabs!

Thanks in advance,

Mike

Hm....Challenging question. Under $40? The challenge is style-do you want a "hedonistic gobs of fruit" wine? I can't refer to too many of those as I don't like 'em

Some suggestions might include:

I was very impressed with the Charles Krug "Yountville Selection." At $26, it's a very nice wine. I don't recall which vintage I tried, though

Clos Du Val (regular bottling) which I enjoy. It's not a blockbuster style and may not be considered as "typical" Should be widely available.

Elizabeth Spencer Cabernet Sauvignon 2003-a nice, again rather lean style of Cabernet. Available at the winery, though, and not sure about other availability.

Hess Collection Allomi Cabernet Sauvignon $26. A little fruitier than the main bottlings, but it still has the nice earthiness characteristic of this winery.

Thanks, Brian! I'm not a "gobs of fruit" kinda guy myself, so those sound like good suggestions.

It is certainly a challenge, though.

Mike, we quite like Smith-Madrone Cab. Not a gobs of fruit wine at all.

Wine-Searcher is showing a Colorado listing at $37.00, but I'm not sure what you'd pay in CA.

(A friend just went to their winery this week... and better have brought back a case for me!)

That's a winery I need to try, Cynthia. Have you ever tried (moving out of Napa proper) Michel Schlumberger?

Mike, we quite like Smith-Madrone Cab. Not a gobs of fruit wine at all.

Wine-Searcher is showing a Colorado listing at $37.00, but I'm not sure what you'd pay in CA.

(A friend just went to their winery this week... and better have brought back a case for me!)

Thanks, Cynthia. I've had some of their cab in the past and liked it, so I'll see what's around here.