Cabernet Wine Reviews

I drank these 9 wines and tasted black cherry, black fruit, blackberry, bright, cassis, cherry, dark fruit, eucalyptus, smooth tannin, spice. The wines are aged, small production and came from a variety of sources, including wine clubs, wineries, and wine stores.

Wine reviews by: Jessyca Frederick

Oakville Cabernet Sauvingon

2019 Stag’s Leap Winery Oakville Cabernet Sauvingon

The nose was classic blackberry and graphite, with a hint of pyrazine. It was fairly bright for a Napa Cab, and lighter bodied than I expected, too. I tasted cedar and clove, blackcurrant, and some plum.

Tasting notes: bright, black fruit

Cabernet Sauvignon

2017 Dani Gold Wines Cabernet Sauvignon

Easy-drinking, well-made California Cabernet Sauvignon featuring cherry, cassis, and soft tannins. Quite enjoyable.

Tasting notes: cherry, cassis, smooth tannin

Lazuli

2018 Viña Aquitania Lazuli

Subdued fruitiness and out of balance with too much eucalyptus and menthol. We were not impressed. Fortunately we didn't get hit with any bell pepper flavors.

Tasting notes: eucalyptus, smooth tannin

Cabernet Sauvignon

2018 Courtney Benham Wines Cabernet Sauvignon

It had all the hallmarks of a classic Napa Cab — blackberry, cassis, and pretty smooth tannins for a young wine. And it retails for $20!

Tasting notes: blackberry, cassis, smooth tannin

Métier Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley

2020 Delille Cellars Métier Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley

A great expression of Washington’s best terroir across Columbia Valley and into Yakima Valley. Structured but easy drinking blend representing the region.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

2015 Camaraderie Cellars Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

I enjoyed this Cabernet Sauvignon, which I often don’t. A blend of Cab Sauv from multiple Washington AVAs and 15% Merlot to soften the edges even further.

Tasting notes: black cherry

Hersly Lazare Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

2015 Hersly Wines Hersly Lazare Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

A true Napa Cab somewhere in the middle of its transformation from young and chewy to smooth and supple. Fruit flavors are fading faster than the tannins are integrating.

Tasting notes: spice, chocolate, dark fruit, grippy tannin

Anthem Mt. Veeder Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

2015 Anthem Winery Anthem Mt. Veeder Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

It’s hard not to be a fan of Anthem Winery’s transparency on their wine bottles, but what’s in the glass is always enjoyable, too.

Tasting notes: dark fruit, stewed fruit, soft tannin

Über Cab

2019 Brutocao Cellars Über Cab

Made in a popular style, this Cabernet uses conventional winemaking techniques to achieve a specific flavor profile from medium-quality fruit.

Tasting notes: spice, mocha, cherry

Notice: I hold no formal wine credentials. I am a wine geek who has consumed 1000+ of bottles from 100+ different wine clubs and 1000s more bottles that didn’t come from those wine clubs. I do not accept payment for wine reviews, and I do not accept payments to influence my opinions. I happily accept free wine (and I buy wine).

Why read my wine reviews: Wine taste is subjective. What I like may not be what you like. I try to leave room for you to form your own opinions, so I don’t provide a score or a rating. I do point out wines that are an incredible value or truly not worth the money. I note flaws, wines that don’t have typicity (because this matters if you are buying wine without having tasted it yourself), when wines are out of balance, and when wines lack appropriate body.

I don’t like wasting money (or anything for that matter). I’m careful about where I spend my money and my mindset as a reviewer is to be careful about where you spend yours. I don’t believe a high price tag equals quality and I know for sure there are wines of very good quality that are also a great value.

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