12 Stellar Cabernet Sauvignons for Every Budget  | Wine Enthusiast
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12 Stellar Cabernet Sauvignons for Every Budget 

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Cabernet Sauvignon is the grape behind some of the most famous wines from Bordeaux, Stellenbosch, Napa Valley and more. In fact, it is quite possibly one of the most famous red grapes in the world. Boasting outstanding flavors of black fruits, spice and herbs, with good acidity and noticeable tannins, this grape is one to be cherished.

But just because you can find bottles with a price tag well over $100 doesn’t mean you have to empty your pockets every time you want to indulge. We broke down some of our favorite bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon at every price point, whether you’re looking for a budget bottle under $20, perfect for weeknight dinners, or a splurgy bottle around $100 for special occasions.

What Is Cabernet Sauvignon?  

This red grape variety is used to produce dry wines with moderate acidity and firm tannins. The grapes are small, thick-skinned and almost blue-colored. Flavors vary but tend to include oak, black fruits like black currant and blackberry, tobacco, cigar and coffee.

It is often aged and blended with other red grapes to make exquisite wines, like Merlot, to create a Bordeaux blend. Cabernet Sauvignon was originally created by crossing Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc grape varieties.  

Whether you’re looking for a thrifty pick or hoping to splurge, the Wine Enthusiast tasting department shared their recent favorite Cabernet Sauvignon bottles for every budget.  

Best Cabernet Sauvignon by Price  


Best Bottles Under $2

Kilikanoon 2019 Killerman’s Run Cabernet Sauvignon (Clare Valley)

92 Points Wine Enthusiast

Clare Valley’s unique climate produces its own breed of Cabernet, and this is an excellent, affordable example of the style. Highly perfumed, with heady notes of savory herbs and spices (think mint, ground pepper and oregano), there’s luscious-yet-fresh blueberry and plum fruit, chocolate, violets and a little tomato stem. There’s power to the palate but a constant lift of cool climate acidity, wound tightly with spicy, talc-like tannins, with length and balance. Drink now with grill fare, until around 2027. Best Buy —Christina Pickard

$ Varies Wine-Searcher

Freelander 2021 District One Cabernet Sauvignon (California)

92 Points Wine Enthusiast

A fun, friendly expression of Cabernet Sauvignon that still provides the depth and complexity that has become expected from the variety. Enjoy notes of red and black cherry, blackberry, crushed red roses and violets, freshly turned earth, black pepper, toasted wood, nutmeg, cardamom and star anise. Fine-grained tannins add a smooth, silky texture; elevated acidity provides a freshness that rides right down the center of the palate, pointing toward the long, lingering finish. Best Buy —Stacy Briscoe

$11.99 Wine Library

Charles & Charles 2020 Bolt Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley)

92 Points Wine Enthusiast

The Bolt is made predominantly with fruit from own-rooted vines growing at approximately 1,200 feet above sea level in the Goose Mountain block of Goose Ridge Ranch. It is graceful and balanced, with juicy acidity, sturdy tannic structure and restrained alcohol. With its aromas and flavors of Bing cherries, salted black licorice, orange blossoms, freshly cut grass and a savory note of pan-seared steak with fresh rosemary, this is a stunning value. Best Buy —Michael Alberty

$ Varies Wine-Searcher

Rodney Strong 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley)

93 Points Wine Enthusiast

A rich, creamy texture floats lush black fruits and intricate oak spices in this full-bodied, palate-saturating wine. Cooked blueberries, blackberry jam and espresso crema come to mind when sipping this elegant, velvety wine. Best from 2024-2034. Editor’s Choice —Jim Gordon

$17.99 Wine.com

Best Bottles Under $40 

Aslina by Ntsiki Biyela 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon (Stellenbosch)

91 Points Wine Enthusiast

This wine offers a classic Cabernet Sauvignon expression, starting off with aromas of cassis, blackberry and plum that are hit by notes of sweet tobacco, toasted cedar and singed currant leaf. The palate is well balanced between the ripe black-fruit characteristics and a strong framework of structured tannins, with just enough acidity to complete the package. It’s enduring and evolving on the finish, and while it’s hard to resist now, should mature well through 2026. Editor’s Choice —Lauren Buzzeo

$ Varies Wine-Searcher

Daou 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles)

91 Points Wine Enthusiast

The nose on this wine is herbal with anise, oregano and pencil-shaving aromas, while blackberry and cocoa provide depth. Fennel pollen and roasted nut flavors meet with rich berry on the palate, where tannins are light but present. —Matt Kettmann

$30 Wine.com

Best Bottles Under $60 

Rocca delle Macìe 2019 Roccato Cabernet Sauvignon (Toscana)

92 Points Wine Enthusiast

With a nose that’s intensely woodsy, this Cabernet Sauvignon feels like a stroll through the woods on a winter’s afternoon. Aromas start with roots, underbrush and soil and then pass into dark berries and bramble. The palate turns chocolaty and dense with blackberries and currants. —Danielle Callegari

$57.99 Wine.com

Gundlach Bundschu 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma Valley)

93 Points Wine Enthusiast

This chunky, chocolaty wine from one of California’s oldest wineries is saturated with black fruits, oak spices and fine-grained tannins that give it power and concentration. Excellent ripeness, depth and length bode well for continued aging. Best from 2025. Editor’s Choice —Jim Gordon

$41.49 Total Wine & More

Gallo Signature Series 2019 Gina Gallo Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)

95 Points Wine Enthusiast

Plush and powerful, this gentle giant of a wine offers complexity, depth and concentration. Tempting, spicy oak accents are intimately woven with deep blueberries, dark plums and black currants on a velvety texture of soft tannins for a layered expression. Best from 2025–2035. Editor’s Choice —Jim Gordon

$49.99 Vivino

Best Bottles Under $100 

Howard Park 2018 Abercrombie Cabernet Sauvignon (Western Australia)

95 Points Wine Enthusiast

Aroma and flavor: dark berry fruit, chocolate, mint, tobacco leaf, seaweed and earthy spice. Toasty oak is present, too. The tannins are powerful with a lovely talc-like texture, but the juicy fruit remains in the spotlight. Drinking well now but with potential to age gracefully for several decades. Cellar Selection —Christina Pickard

$89.99 Wine.com

Justin 2018 Isosceles Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles)

95 Points Wine Enthusiast

Roasted meat, preserved plum and smoke aromas make for a pleasantly rugged nose on this bottling, which includes 9% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc. The palate is rugged and rich as well, with teriyaki, baked black plum and smoked meat flavors, with acid washing into the finish. —Matt Kettmann

$74.99 Wine.com

Best Bottle Under $200

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 2019 Fay Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon (Stags Leap District)

FAQ 

Where Is Cabernet Sauvignon From? 

This grape variety is possibly best known for its wines produced in Bordeaux, France (in the Médoc and Pessac-Léognan regions), and Napa Valley, California, but exceptional bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon can be found all over the world including Chile, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Each region produces a slightly different style, but all share similar qualities characteristic of the grape. For more information about different Cabernet Sauvignon regions, check out our global guide to the grape.  

Is Cabernet Sauvignon Sweet?  

Cabernet Sauvignon is almost always a dry, deeply colored red wine. There are some exceptions to this, and the bottle will likely be labeled semi-sweet when the wine has sweeter notes.   

What Should You Pair with Cabernet Sauvignon?  

Common food pairings for Cabernet Sauvignon include fatty meats, like grilled steak or simple meatballs. This is because the juicy, fatty and decadent dishes are balanced by the texture of Cabernet Sauvignon.  

Why Trust Us

All products featured here are independently selected by our team, which is comprised of experienced writers and wine tasters and overseen by editorial professionals at Wine Enthusiast headquarters. All ratings and reviews are performed blind in a controlled setting and reflect the parameters of our 100-point scale. Wine Enthusiast does not accept payment to conduct any product review, though we may earn a commission on purchases made through links on this site. Prices were accurate at the time of publication.