California Cabernet Sauvignon, the growing divide, is my concern with the growing divide between established wineries of high or higher reputation, and price increases.
As I continue to explore Cabernet Sauvignon wines, I recently noticed that one of my favorites went from $30 to more than $50 in just one year.
Why would the 'average' wine drinker buy such wines? Why would, when with a little searching, an average Cabernet Sauvignon lover buy a $50 Cab when very good wines from $10-$20 are so available?
This is not to disparage highly regarded Cabernets nor would I stop buying more expensive and vaunted Cabs, but not all great wines will be 'cult' wines, and not all very good reputations will guarantee a reliable cliental.
Some very good California Cabernets tasted in the last year under $20.
Alexander Valley Vineyards (Wetzel Family Estates) 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, $13.59-$19.99, 90 points
Aviary Vineyards Napa Valley 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, $13.59-$19.99, 89 points
Concannon Paso Robles 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, $10.79-$12.99, 88 points
Folie à Deux Alexander Valley 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, $14.44-$19.99, 90 points
Girl and Dragon North Coast 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, $9.34-$13.99, 89 points
Hahn 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, $10.19-$14.99, 88 points
Hawk Crest Red Hills Lake County 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, $11,04-$15.99, 88 points
Hunt And Harvest Napa Valley 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, $16.14-$21.99, 89 points
Kunde Sonoma Valley 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, $18.99-$21.99, 90 points
Newton Napa County 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, $14.44-$16.99, 89 points
True Myth Paso Robles 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, $15.29-$19.99, 89 points
Index-of-reviewed-wines
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I generally find that 'cheaper' Cabs are just not that great...but maybe there is something to be learned from your scoring...drink Cabs form the Alexander Valley.
ReplyDeleteVG: Generally is the operative word, while 'great' leaves out the distinction between wine as proper 'food' and glory; all of these (two from Alexander Valley) where proper tables wines and better than typical Supermarket offerings under $20. The Hall just reviewed though substantially better, was not in what I would consider the 'great' category, yet the price was more than twice; the Kathryn Hall Napa Valley 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon was a 'great' wine, but is now eight times the price and not a reasonable issue for most wine lovers, nor for their dinner tables.
DeleteI'm a bit like you, but instead of Cabs it's Pinot Noir I'm much fussier about them; come to think about it, you're fussy about them too; I suppose that makes wines you describe as great always just that. Excellent!