Thursday, March 2, 2017

California Cabernet Sauvignon, The Growing Divide!



  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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2 comments:

  1. 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.

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    1. VG: 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.
      I'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!

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