What's your under $20 "go to" Cabernet Sauvignon?

My current favorites are the 2003/2004 Steltzner (actually this is a Cab Blend) and the 2002/2003 Los Vascos Reserve.
What's yours?

I don't drink as much cab sauvignon as I used to but for less expensive ones I sometimes reach for:
Buehler Vyds Estate (Napa)
Merryvale Starmont (Napa)
Smith and Hook (Santa Lucia Highlands)
Pere Ventura (Penedes. Spain)
Murphy Goode (Alexander Valley)

[Robin Garr]

Kind of like what Bill said ... for one reason or another I don't turn to Cabernet as much as I used to. If Laurel Glen still made Quintana, that would be the sure winner, and if you can find Counterpoint close to $20, I would absolutely "cheat" and round down to make it meet the criteria.

I used to call Louis M. Martini the top QPR favorite, but its price point seems to have moved up to the upper teens, which is still under $20 but is not really a value at that point.

I might not have said this in the late '90s, but with a string of decent recent vintages in Bordeaux, a carefully chosen satellite appellation can give good value in a Cab blend for $20 or less.

I'm sure I'm missing some goodies, but those are the first to come to mind on a Saturday morning.

Bodega El Portillo, Finca El Portillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza. Usually goes for $9 or less. It may not be the best under $20 but definitely IMHO the very best under $10 U.S.

[Jenise]

Wonder of wonders, a local wine is better than most of the competition in this ballpark, and I love supporting a great local business, so the 98, 00 and 02 Mt. Baker Cabernets are at the top of my list. Those are joined by a case of the 98 Wynn's Coonawarra Cab and various recent vintages of La Rose Trintaudon from Bordeaux.

It would have been easier to answer this 10 years ago (Beringer's KV) or 6-7 years ago (BV Rutherford). But prices rise as quality seems to stutter. Now if pressed to buy an under-$20 domestic cab, it would probably be Sebastiani or Franciscan, but adequate is best descriptor. I've got a itch to try more less expensive WA wines, but most of the WA cabs I've tried have been more pricey.

So if backed in a corner I'd say Lanessan, Potensac, Cantemerle, or Gloria (I think these are all at least 50% CS, though they probably wouldn't qualify in CA as CS-75%, right?).

David Coffaro. $14 on futures.

Clo du Bois [under $18]

Alexander Valley [$10-12]

Castoro Cellars [under $18]

J. Lohr [under $16]

Meridian [$10-12]

I will second the Los Vascos and add Cartlidge and Browne.

I will third the Los Vascos...and second the Cartlidge & Brown, along with the J. Lohr...and add McManis Family Vineyards & Casillero del Diablo.

My favorite sub-$20.00 "go-to" Cabs :

*Sebastiani- $15.00

*J.Lohr- $12-15

I buy J.Lohr by the case at "Total Wine" for approx. $11.49/btl when I'm near one of their stores. Outstanding QPR IMHO !


Cheers!

Art

Hmmmm, the J Lohr has been mentioned a couple of times. I never was too impressed with this winery, but it has been a good number of years since I've had one...perhaps time for me to give them another go.
Curly

Clos Roche Blanche Cabernet.

Although of course there is some Cab Franc in the mix as well.

Clos Roche Blanche Cabernet.

Although of course there is some Cab Franc in the mix as well.

Party pooper! Back to your studies, Rahsaan!

Mark Lipton

Cantemerle and Meyney. Got the '99 Cantemerle for $17 and '00 Meyney for $19.

Peter Lehmann, $15.99 (Australia)

Cousino-Macul Antiguas Reservas, $13.99 (Chile)

Peirano Estates, $11.99 (California)

Peter Lehmann, $15.99 (Australia)

Cousino-Macul Antiguas Reservas, $13.99 (Chile)

Peirano Estates, $11.99 (California)

Cousino-Macul was my first thought as well. Very nice stuff at any price and a steal at what they charge.

Mike

Wonder of wonders, a local wine is better than most of the competition in this ballpark, and I love supporting a great local business, so the 98, 00 and 02 Mt. Baker Cabernets are at the top of my list. Those are joined by a case of the 98 Wynn's Coonawarra Cab and various recent vintages of La Rose Trintaudon from Bordeaux.

I'll second Jenise's recommendation of Larose Trintaudon, especially the 2000 which is drinking nicely now.

Alexander Valley Vineyards. And cheapo Bdx from good vintages. The 2000 Haut Bages Averous qualifies, and is G R E A T !!!!

David Coffaro. $14 on futures.

As you know, I will second, third, and fourth that. I haven't missed a vintage since 1995!

Say Hi! to Dave and Pat for me next time you're there.

Linda

That's funny. I can't recall my favorite over $20 Cabernet Sauvignon either. Hmmm...




Prost!
-Bill

Traditionally it has been Santa Rita Reserva from Chile. I recently got a couple of bottles of it for my birthday from different people, so I haven't had the opportunity to buy any and know what it costs ... but that said, it used to be around the $13 Canadian mark some years back.

I've always liked it for its true-to-type, pin-point Cabernet cassis and cedar aromas and the overall quality, which seems fine. But, like a lot of others here, although I love a good tannic Cab now and then, I find myself drinking varietal Cab a lot less nowadays than in the past.