Cabernet Sauvignon is grown in nearly every聽major wine-producing region of the world.聽While it is聽the backbone聽in聽the iconic blends聽of Bordeaux鈥檚 Left Bank, across the globe聽you鈥檒l find many聽single-varietal聽expressions that highlight the grape in all its statuesque glory.聽聽
The beauty of this variety is its ability to express聽a number of聽styles depending on where it鈥檚 grown. From full-bodied,聽rich Napa Valley Cabernets to pleasantly herbal and earthy Chilean options, and聽even those from South Africa that seamlessly blend聽ripe聽New World fruit with聽a聽firm structure聽and ample acidity聽more typically associated with the Old World, there鈥檚 a bottle for every moment and every Cab lover.聽聽
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鈥檒l 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. 聽
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聽
Fran莽ois 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.聽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聽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聽
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