What Is the Best Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley?
Cabernet Sauvignon thrives in Napa Valley, California. It might be native to Bordeaux, France, but it has found a paradise on the US West Coast. The Napa Valley appellation is home to sixteen AVAs (American Viticultural Areas) and over 400 wineries, producing some of the world’s best Cabernets. In fact, most Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys almost cult status, and you might need to get on a waiting list in order to purchase some of the best bottles.
Yet, whether your budget is limited or unlimited, it doesn’t matter, since there are options for everyone. The same goes for tastes. Whether you’re into rich, fruit-forward wines or rustic, age-worthy wines, Napa Valley has something for everyone. Read on to find out the best Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon:
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Best Overall
- Name — Stag’s Leap Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon
- Winery — Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars
- Country/Region — United States, California, North Coast, Napa County, Napa Valley
- Type — Californian Cabernet Sauvignon
- Aroma — Blackberry, blackcurrant, blueberry, tobacco, mocha, lead pencil, chocolate
- Grapes — Cabernet Sauvignon
- Taste — Prune, Bramble, Fig, Dried Herb, Lavender, Leather, Mushrooms, Gouda
- Alcohol Content — 13.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Steak Salad, Eggplant Parmesan, Indian Food, Steaks of All Kind
Tasting Notes
A chewy red from Stag’s Leap, packed with notes of black fruits, chocolate, tobacco, and mocha. Full-bodied with a savory finish, and fine-grained tannins. One of the best-selling Cabernet Sauvignon wines in Napa Valley. This is a Cabernet Sauvignon of solid value. The wine starts with a nose of dark fruits, like blackberries, blackcurrants, and blueberries.
These are followed by notes of tobacco, mocha, lead pencil, and chocolate. The body is structured. It has tastes of prunes, brambles, figs, dried herbs, and lavenders. Hints of leather are present, too. The tannins are fine-grained and elegant, while the finish has plenty of lengths.
A Fine Napa Valley Winery
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars was established in 1970, after the purchase of a 40-acre property in Napa Valley. Since then, the winery has brought recognition to Napa with its high-end winemaking. Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars is known for its Cabernet wines that are rich and expressive, described as “an iron fist in a velvet glove.”
Best Value
- Name — Black Stallion Cabernet Sauvignon
- Winery — Black Stallion
- Country/Region — United States, California, North Coast, Napa County, Napa Valley
- Type — Californian Cabernet Sauvignon
- Aroma — Blackcurrant, Clove, Cedar, Smoke, Nut
- Grapes — Cabernet Sauvignon
- Taste — Blackberry, Blueberry, Prune, Bramble, Oak, Dried Herb
- Alcohol Content — 14.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Rib Eye Steak, Lamb Steak With Rosemary, Grilled Snapper, Burgers, Barbecue
Tasting Notes
A fruit-forward Cabernet that accompanies flavorful grilled dishes, like tenderloin, shallots, or pork chops perfectly. The aromas are intense, including blackcurrants, cloves, walnuts, tobacco, and smoke. Medium-to-full-bodied, with fine-grained tannins and tastes of black fruits and dried herbs. The wine begins with a nose of blackcurrants, cloves, cedar, smoke, and nuts. In fact, for a Cabernet Sauvignon, this one from Black Stallion has a very enticing nose.
On the palate, you will find blackberries, blueberries, prunes, and brambles. Hints of oak exist, as well, and blend with notes of dried herbs. The tannins are smooth, while the finish is long and spicy. The Black Stallion Winery was named in honor of the Silverado Horseman’s equestrian center that was the estate’s centerpiece. The winery shows Napa Valley’s diverse growing conditions and wine regions by selecting grapes that reflect the different terroirs.
Best Cheap Under $15
- Name — Castle Rock Napa Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
- Winery — Castle Rock
- Country/Region — United States, California, North Coast, Napa County, Napa Valley
- Type — Californian Cabernet Sauvignon
- Aroma — Cherry, Blackberry, Boysenberry, Cassis, Fig, Pie, Cedar, Lavender
- Grapes — Cabernet Sauvignon
- Taste — Raspberry, Fig, Bramble, Tobacco, Leather, Blueberry, Prune, Barnyard
- Alcohol Content — 14.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Short Ribs, Grilled Rib Eye, Portobello Mushrooms, Black Bean Burger, Stewed Lentils
Tasting Notes
Loaded with nuance and flavor, this Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley has a deep garnet color and aromas of cherries, blackberries, and cassis. The palate has fine-grained tannins and tastes of plums and other dark fruits. A wonderful Cabernet Sauvignon, full of aromas and flavors. On the nose, one can find nuances of cherries, blackberries, boysenberries, cassis, figs, and pie.
At the same time, hints of cedar and lavenders can be enjoyed, too. In the mouth, there’s dynamism. Flavors of raspberries, plums, figs, and brambles dominate, followed by tastes of tobacco and leather. The tannins are supple and welcoming, while the acidity is moderate. Long finish.
High-Quality but Affordable Wines
Founded in 1994, Castle Rock Winery was built to produce high-quality wines at affordable prices. Castle Rock’s wines are made from grapes that grow in prestigious regions on the West Coast. The company also produces wines with specific appellation designations for connoisseurs.
Best Under $20
- Name — Banshee Wines Cabernet Sauvignon
- Winery — Banshee Wines
- Country/Region — United States, California, North Coast, Napa County, Napa Valley
- Type — Californian Cabernet Sauvignon
- Aroma — Plum, Fig, Wood, Smoke, Vanilla Spice, Peppercorn
- Grapes — Cabernet Sauvignon
- Taste — Blackberry, Blueberry, Fig, Prune, Forest Floor, Cinnamon Spice, Dried Flowers
- Alcohol Content — 14%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Rack Of Lamb, Black Angus, Sausages, Barbecue, Roast Chicken, Meatloaf
Tasting Notes
Purple-ruby in color, this Cabernet Sauvignon has aromas of figs, plums, cassis, vanilla spice, and peppercorn. As it flows into the mouth, plush tannins emerge together with flavors of dark fruits and rustic forest floor notes. Smooth finish.
The wine has fine aromas of plums, figs, wood, smoke, vanilla spice, and peppercorn, amongst others. The juiciness continues on the palate, where flavors of blackberries, blackberries, figs, and prunes dominate. Notes of forest floor, cinnamon spice, and dried flowers can be discerned too, adding complexity. The tannins are fine and plush with a velvety texture. A bright acidity drives to a smooth, dry finish.
An Exceptional Winery
Banshee is an exceptional winery that pursues winemaking excellence. For this reason, their wines brim with elegance and purity. Each vineyard combines incredible soil type, climatic influence, elevation, and sun exposure to produce grapes of high concentration. Some of their wines have a high price, indicating the dedication of the winemakers.
Best Under $25
- Name — RouteStock Cabernet Sauvignon (Route 29)
- Winery — RouteStock
- Country/Region — United States, California, North Coast, Napa County, Napa Valley
- Type — Californian Cabernet Sauvignon
- Aroma — Cherry Cola, Cherry, Cassis, Charred Wood, Tobacco, Roasted Coffee
- Grapes — Cabernet Sauvignon
- Taste — Blackberry, Prune, Fig, Bramble, Raspberry, Vanilla Spice, Coca, Sage, Violet
- Alcohol Content — 14.2%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Filet Mignon, Lamb, Ahi Tuna, Pasta With Cream Sauces, Pork Chops
Tasting Notes
A complex and classic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. It brims with aromas of cedar, cherries, dark fruits, and oak. The wine is mouthwatering and balanced, so no element is overpowering. Silky tannins and great finish. One of the best Cabernet Sauvignon on this list, this specific one from RouteStock has the aromas of cherry cola, cherries, cassis, charred wood, tobacco, and roasted coffee.
The wine is fulfilling and has substance, as the flavors are diverse. Expect to taste blackberries, prunes, figs, brambles, raspberries, vanilla spice, cocoa, and sage. Additionally, violets and other Italian herbs are present, too, giving a wonderful result.
Appealing Wines
Through their bottling, RouteStock invites wine enthusiasts to discover the roots of winemaking in Napa Valley and Sonoma. At its core, RouteStock stays true to its commitment to sourcing high-quality fruit from some of the best vineyards of the West Coast. To do this, they partner with a group of dedicated grape growers known for their exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Noir vines.
What’s more, the winery practices minimal intervention during winemaking to help the grapes retain their true, varietal character. No chemical additions and 100%-barrel aging lead to the creation of exemplary wines.
Best Under $30
- Name — Beaulieu Vineyard (BV) Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
- Winery — Beaulieu Vineyard (BV)
- Country/Region — United States, California, North Coast, Napa County, Napa Valley
- Type — Californian Cabernet Sauvignon
- Aroma — Blackberry, Cherry, Currant, Iodine, Redwood, Plum, Mocha, Nut
- Grapes — Cabernet Sauvignon
- Taste — Bramble, Prune, Fig, Herb, Cinnamon, Nutmeg
- Alcohol Content — 15%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Leg Of Lamb, Braised Beef Short Ribs, Bacon, Roasted Vegetables, Cheddar
Tasting Notes
A delightful offering from Beaulieu Vineyard, this Cabernet Sauvignon opens with aromatic layers of blackberries, cherries, plums, and mocha coffee. The tannins are tight and focused and provide a rich texture and mouth feel. Dark fruit flavors join notes of cinnamon spice and nutmeg and conclude in a creamy aftertaste.
A silky red with aromas of blackberries, cherries, currants, iodine, and redwood. Yet, what I really liked was the subsequent nuances of plums, mocha, and nuts. In the mouth, you can find creaminess that adds to the flavor profile, and flavors of prunes, brambles, figs, herbs, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The tannins are velvety. The finish is medium and a bit oak-influenced, showing the Napa character.
Wines of Great Expression
For over 100 years, Beaulieu Vineyard has produced classic Napa Valley wines. The winery combines state-of-the-art technology with traditional winemaking techniques, leading to wines of great expression of the terroir.
Best Under $40
- Name — Buena Vista Chateau Buena Vista Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
- Winery — Buena Vista
- Country/Region — United States, California, North Coast, Napa County, Napa Valley
- Type — Californian Cabernet Sauvignon
- Aroma — Blackberry, Vanilla Spice, Mint, Crushed Stones, Cinnamon Spice, Fig, Raspberry
- Grapes — Cabernet Sauvignon
- Taste — Cedar, Tobacco, Blueberry, Blackcurrant, Blackberry, Eucalyptus, Tomato Leaf
- Alcohol Content — 13.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Beef Steak, Venison, Chili Con Carne, Dried Porcini Mushrooms
Tasting Notes
With an enticing nose of dark fruits and notes of bay, sage, and thyme, this Cabernet opens up nicely. The palate has flavors of blueberries and blackberries, and tastes of blackcurrants and cedar. Smooth, unobtrusive tannins lead to a long finish. One of the best examples of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
The wine shows balance and depth, presenting a nose of dark fruits, vanilla spice, and mint. In addition, there’s some crushed-stone minerality, too, which adds a certain level of complexity. The palate has flavors of cedar, tobacco, blueberries, and blackcurrants, as well as hints of blackberries, eucalyptus, and tomato leaf. Silky tannins and bright acidity. The aftertaste is juicy and oak-driven.
A Historic Winery
Established in 1857, Buena Vista is considered California’s first premium winery. It’s the second oldest winery in California and is still located on its original grounds, which is impressive considering its age. Buena Vista is listed as a California Historical Landmark, so that is another reason to visit it, apart from its exceptional wines.
Best Under $50
- Name — The Prisoner Cabernet Sauvignon
- Winery — The Prisoner
- Country/Region — United States, California, North Coast, Napa County, Napa Valley
- Type — Californian Cabernet Sauvignon
- Aroma — Blackberry, Plum, Fig, Vanilla Spice, Tobacco, Charred Wood, Mint, Cinnamon
- Grapes — Cabernet Sauvignon
- Taste — Black Fruits, Blueberry, Bramble, Prune, Herbs, Lavender, Oak, Crushed Stone
- Alcohol Content — 15%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Beef Short Ribs, Lamb Steak With Rosemary, Pork Chops, Grilled Mushrooms
Tasting Notes
Aromas of cherries, blackberries, and plums are layered with touches of vanilla spice, cinnamon, and tobacco. The mouth is concentrated with flavors of dark fruits that culminate in a full mouth feel. Supple tannins. Lengthy finish. As soon as you uncork the bottle, you encounter aromas of blackberries, plums, figs, and vanilla spice. These are quickly followed by nuances of tobacco, charred wood, mint, and cinnamon.
The bouquet gives way to an impressive palate of black fruits, such as blackberries, blueberries, brambles, and prunes. Subtle touches of minerals, herbs, lavender, and oak conclude the taste. The tannins are supple, while the finish is quite long and delicious. Moderate acidity.
Inspiring Wines
The Prisoner Wine Company is known for its high-quality wines inspired by the “mixed blacks” made by the Italian immigrants who were the original settlers in Napa Valley. So, the Prisoner has become one of the most recognized wine brands of Napa, and one of the most innovative, too. They helped to earn California a cult wine status. One of the top-rated Cabernet Sauvignon wines in Napa Valley.
Best Under $100
- Name — Orin Swift Papillon
- Winery — Orin Swift
- Country/Region — United States, California, North Coast, Napa County, Napa Valley
- Type — Californian Cabernet Sauvignon
- Aroma — Blackberry, Peppercorn, Blueberry, Chaparral, Oak, Tobacco, Nuts
- Grapes — Cabernet Sauvignon
- Taste — Raspberry, Plum, Kirsch, Chocolate, Boysenberry
- Alcohol Content — 15.1%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Rib Eye Steak, Leg Of Lamb, Turkey, Venison, Danish Blue
Tasting Notes
Dynamic aromas rise straight out of the glass, with notes of blackberries, blackcurrants, peppercorn, and chaparral dominating. A touch of sweet oak is discernible, too, adding to the nose. The palate is balanced with flavors of dark fruits and chocolate and has a weighty texture. Long finish. Perhaps, the best Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley. The wine begins with powerful aromas of blackberries, peppercorn, and chaparral, framed by nuances of oak, tobacco, and roasted nuts.
On the palate, this Cabernet Sauvignon has the rich tastes of black plums, raspberries, kirsch, chocolate, and boysenberries. The texture is weighty, and the tannins are soft. A lengthy aftertaste concludes the tasting journey, coupled with touches of fig leaf and currants. Medium-high acidity.
Wine From Flavorful Fruit
Orin Swift Cellars is a prized Napa Valley brand featuring a portfolio of wines that appeal to a wide range of taste preferences. Everything begins in the vineyard, with the winery sourcing high-end fruit from some of the best appellations of Saint Helena, Sonoma County, and Santa Barbara. This way, every crafted wine creates a “heart-skipping impression.”
Best With Unlimited Budget
- Name — Opus One Overture N.V.
- Winery — Opus One
- Country/Region — United States, California, North Coast, Napa County, Napa Valley
- Type — Californian Cabernet Sauvignon
- Aroma — Raspberry, Redcurrant, Cherry, Bramble, Cocoa, Chocolate, Coffee
- Grapes — Cabernet Sauvignon
- Taste — Charred Wood, Barrel Aging, Smoke, Blackberry, Blueberry, Fig, Herbs
- Alcohol Content — 14%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Any Pork Or Beef Steak, Barbecue, Smoked Salmon, Ahi Tuna, Roasted Brussel Sprouts
Tasting Notes
An exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon with a bold garnet color. The aromas are expressive and reminiscent of red fruits, such as raspberries and cherries. Nuances of currants and ground cocoa develop as the wine stays in the glass. The barrel aging gives smoky flavors, while the elegant texture meets round tannins. The wine has alluring aromas of raspberries, redcurrants, cherries, brambles, ground cocoa, chocolate, and coffee.
The palate is underpinned by the charred wood characteristics from the extended barrel aging and smoky notes. Flavors of blackberries, blueberries, figs, and herbs are present, too. On top of this, the flexibility of blending multiple vintages is intense, giving this Cabernet remarkable balance and elegance. The tannins are velvety and round, while the overall mouthfeel is soft. Long, lingering finish.
An Incredible Partnership
Opus One winery stands for winemaking perfection. It’s a partnership founded by Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Château Mouton Rothschild in Pauillac, France, and the renowned Napa Valley vintner, Robert Mondavi. The winery produces exclusively luxury wines from Napa Valley vineyards. It has become an iconic label.
Conclusion
We may be at the end of this list, but it’s also the beginning of your journey into the world of the most amazing and fulfilling Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons. So, brace yourself and enjoy the ride. Until next time, cheers!
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