The Five Best Cabernet Sauvignons of 2021 | Wine Enthusiast
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The Five Best Cabernet Sauvignons of 2021

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Cabernet Sauvignon is grown in nearly every major wine-producing region of the world. While it is the backbone in the iconic blends of Bordeaux’s Left Bank, across the globe you’ll find many single-varietal expressions that highlight the grape in all its statuesque glory.  

The beauty of this variety is its ability to express a number of styles depending on where it’s grown. From full-bodied, rich Napa Valley Cabernets to pleasantly herbal and earthy Chilean options, and even those from South Africa that seamlessly blend ripe New World fruit with a firm structure and ample acidity more typically associated with the Old World, there’s a bottle for every moment and every Cab lover.  

Of the 1,300-plus Cabernet Sauvignons reviewed this past year, only a select few made the cut to be on our Top Lists. The best $15 and under selections were on our Top 100 Best Buys list, while many age-worthy Cabernets were spotlighted on our Top 100 Cellar Selections list. Below you’ll find the best of both worlds. Here are the top five Cabernet Sauvignons from our Enthusiast 100 list that provides the best bang for your buck for your immediate drinking pleasure.  

Bec Hardy 2019 Pertaringa Lakeside Cabernet Sauvignon (South Australia); $17; Vivino. This rose-colored South Aussie Cab delivers in a big way. It opens with bright, lucid aromas of red berry, baking spice… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW 

François Lurton 2018 Hacienda Araucano Gran Araucano Cabernet Sauvignon (Colchagua Valley); $35; Wine.com. The nose of this Cabernet gives way to red bell pepper, brick dust and baking spice aromas… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW

Januik 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley); $30; Total Wine & More or Wine.com. The aromas are brooding, with notes of coffee, cherry, vanilla and sweet spices… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW

Simonsig 2017 Labyrinth Cabernet Sauvignon (Stellenbosch); $23; Vivino. Pomegranate, currant and cherry skin form the bouquet of this slightly shy wine, which is just waiting for a bit more time to come into its own… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW

Turnbull 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley); $50; Wine Express. This is a blockbuster of a wine, especially at the price, opening with a violet aroma on the nose and a moderately grippy texture on the palate… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW