Nobody wants to go to the trouble of selecting a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon and then finding that it does not meet their expectations – even if you have spent under $30. We all have different preferences and different palates, and there are so many bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon to choose from. So, relax, keep calm and take a look at this list of the 10 best Cabernet Sauvignon wines I have sampled for under $30.
Your Search for the Best Cabernet Sauvignon Wines Under $30 Ends Here!
Cabernet Sauvignon is recognized as one of the most popular red wines in the world. However, some folk thinks that it has to be expensive to be good. Well, I have some good news for you. Some fabulous Cabernet Sauvignon wines come from different countries around the world, and they do not cost the earth. Take a look at this list of best value cabernet sauvignon under $30.
Best Cabernet Sauvignon Wines Under $30
Best Overall
- Name — Treana Cabernet Sauvignon
- Winery — Treana
- Country/Region — United States, California, Central Coast, San Luis Obispo County, Paso Robles
- Type — Californian Cabernet Sauvignon
- Aroma — Plum, Vanilla, Chocolate, Cocoa, Oak
- Grapes — Cabernet Sauvignon
- Taste — Plum, Black Cherry, Blackberry, Vanilla, Nutmeg, Oak
- Alcohol Content — 14.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Bolognese Pasta, T-Bone Steak, Beef Roast, Pork Chops
Sunshine and Sea Breezes for the Perfect Cabernet Sauvignon
Paso Robles is the perfect region for growing the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes to create this superb red wine. Plenty of sunshine, rich soil, and sea breezes during the growing season ensure the success of the Treana winery’s winemaking skills. They take pride in the production of this smooth, bold red wine with grippy tannins.
Easy Drinking, Easy Pairing
The rich chocolatey flavors are enhanced by the oakiness that comes from the time spent in barrels. This top-rated cabernet sauvignon can be enjoyed in solitude, with friends, or you will find that it pairs beautifully with robust, earthy, flavourful food.
Best Value
- Name — The Prisoner Unshackled Cabernet Sauvignon
- Winery — The Prisoner
- Country/Region — United States, California
- Type — Californian Cabernet Sauvignon
- Aroma — Blackberry, Vanilla, Oak, Tobacco, Earthy Notes
- Grapes — Cabernet Sauvignon
- Taste — Cherry, Plum, Vanilla, Chocolate, Cinnamon, Licorice
- Alcohol Content — 14.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Lamb Porterhouse, Spicy Food, Argentinian Steak, Meatloaf
Feel Unshackled From Your Demanding Life
The Prisoner Unshackled is a hearty blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, and Merlot. The focal point of this wine is its vibrant fruitiness derived from the aromas of dark fruits such as plums and blackberries. There is also an underlying bitterness from the hint of olive. The rich palate is jam-packed with black stone fruit, cloves, earthy herbs which are all supported on a strong tannin backbone. Balanced and smooth, the finish is long and satisfying. If you are new to drinking red wine or a veteran, you cannot go wrong with a glass of this warming red wine on a cold winter evening.
Best Under $25
- Name — Stave & Steel Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon
- Winery — Stave & Steel
- Country/Region — United States, California, Central Coast, San Luis Obispo County, Paso Robles
- Type — Californian Cabernet Sauvignon
- Aroma — Dark Cherry, Plum Jam, Green Pepper, Tobacco, Oak
- Grapes — Cabernet Sauvignon
- Taste — Blackberry, Plum, Honey, Cocoa, Vanilla, Spice Notes
- Alcohol Content — 13.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Roasted Lamb, Heavy Cheeses, Dark Chocolate Desserts, Anything Mushroom
Bourbon Flavor in Your Cabernet Sauvignon?
This bold and structured Cabernet Sauvignon is undoubtedly a prize-winning wine. Four months of Bourbon barrel aging is the key to their success as it brings forth layers of complexity and depth of flavor.
Unexpectedly Perfect
The rich dark fruit on the palate is enhanced by the robust structure of the bountiful tannins. The sweet bourbon touches of vanilla, spices, and caramel are unique and altogether delightful. You will not be surprised to find that the lingering finish is so smooth and satisfying that you will be looking forward to the next sip.
Best From Napa Valley
- Name — The Hess Collection Allomi Cabernet Sauvignon
- Winery — Allomi Vineyards
- Country/Region — United States, California, North Coast, Napa County, Napa Valley
- Type — Californian Cabernet Sauvignon
- Aroma — Blackberry, Black Cherry, Black Plum, Vanilla, Oak
- Grapes — Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Malbec, Merlot and Petit Verdot
- Taste — Plum, Blackberry, Raspberry, Chocolate, Tobacco
- Alcohol Content — 13.7%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Hearty Stews, Mature Cheese, Grilled Lamb, Filet Mignon
An Elegant, Luxurious Cabernet Sauvignon
A top cabernet sauvignon under $30 with a distinctive flavor is an unexpected treat when you take your first sip of Allomi. There is oodles of flavor as a result of being aged in American oak barrels, and all the delightful influences of the terroir and climate are allowed to mature to perfection.
There is elegance in the combined aromas of boysenberry, blackberry, and light expressions of lavender and vanilla. Allomi Cabernet Sauvignon greets your palate with concentrated, deep tannins that provide a rounded, luxurious mouthfeel. Black cherry and black plum evolve in layers, interspersed with espresso and subtle oak spice. For this reason, this Napa Valley cabernet sauvignon is frequently chosen for its distinctive personality.
Best From Washington
- Name — Chateau Ste. Michelle Cold Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
- Winery — Chateau Ste. Michelle
- Country/Region — United States, Washington, Columbia Valley
- Type — Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon
- Aroma — Blackberry, Blueberry, Strawberry, Coconut, Cocoa
- Grapes — Cabernet Sauvignon
- Taste — Strawberry, Blackberry, Blackcurrant, Coffee, White Pepper
- Alcohol Content — 15%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Slow Roasted Beef, Beef Burgers, Sichuan Food, Dark Chocolate
A Great Cabernet Sauvignon Available to All!
The raison dêtre for this great cabernet sauvignon is to showcase the wonderful Columbia Valley produce, and to make it accessible to everyone. The winemaking skills capture the complexity of the craft and deliver a Cabernet sauvignon that is good on the palate and a great mixer with a wide variety of food.
Just the act of uncorking the bottle will offer your nose the tempting aromas of ripe, purple berries of every description. Added to that is the homely smell of baking pastry, an herby roast leading to a rich and balanced palate. The tannins provide a firm structure, and the satin-smooth tannins ensure a lustful, lingering finish. You know that you are partaking in one of life’s greatest pleasures, so savor the moment.
Best From Sonoma
- Name — Daniel Cohn Bellacosa Cabernet Sauvignon
- Winery — Daniel Cohn
- Country/Region — United States, California, Sonoma
- Type — Californian Cabernet Sauvignon
- Aroma — Lively Aromas Of Oak, Smoke, And Currant
- Grapes — Cabernet Sauvignon
- Taste — Cherry, Plum, Blueberry, Vanilla, Oak
- Alcohol Content — 14.2%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Grilled Hamburger, Barbequed Steaks, Hearty Meat Dishes
Old Fashioned Flavor
Take a trip down memory lane with this good cabernet sauvignon under $30 which is produced in an old-fashioned way. Bellacosa Cabernet Sauvignon has been created to remind you of the days when winemaking was a family affair, and artisan wines were the rule, not the exception. Bellacosa is an experience displayed in a wine glass and offers more than aromas and taste. It is like the hand that gathered the grapes also managed to capture the soul and intentions of winemakers from the past.
Bellacosa is the bonding of skill, flavor, and elegance that almost forces you to take a moment and share the experience with loved ones. You will want to celebrate the unctuous flavors, satin smoothness, and purity of taste with others, and in doing so, you will create memorable moments of sharing.
Best From France
- Name — Château Calvimont Graves
- Winery — Chateau Calvimont
- Country/Region — France, Bordeaux, Graves
- Type — Bordeaux Graves Red
- Aroma — Black Fruits, Vanilla, Oak, Cedar
- Grapes — Cabernet Sauvignon
- Taste — Cherry, Raspberry, Blackcurrant, Cocoa, Hints of Smoke
- Alcohol Content — 12.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Barbequed Steaks, Grilled Ribs, Lasagna, Veal Chops
Can A Wine Be Sophisticated and Jammy? Try This One!
Calvimont Graves has probably produced the best cabernet under $30 that can be found on the shelves of most wine stores. Obviously, cultivating the grapes in the vineyards of a chateau in Bordeaux has an added advantage, but the age-old winemaking skills are superior as well.
This cabernet sauvignon has a nose that has captured the richness of ripe summer strawberries and redcurrants. The palate is infused with the mouthwatering jammy taste of cherries and raspberries, leading to a silky smooth finish. Well-balanced, perfectly structured, and enriched with tannins, this red wine is on another level altogether.
Best From Argentina
- Name — Pulenta Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (III)
- Winery — Pulenta Estate
- Country/Region — Argentina, Mendoza
- Type — Argentinian Cabernet Sauvignon
- Aroma — Dried Plum, Dark Cherry, Cinnamon, Pepper, Tobacco
- Grapes — Cabernet Sauvignon
- Taste — Dark Berries, Almond, Chocolate, Vanilla, Green Peppers
- Alcohol Content — 14.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Lamb Chops, Mature Cheeses, Ribeye Steak, Blue Cheeseburgers
Time to Tango
If you like your Cabernet sauvignon smoky and soft like the lighting in an Argentinian tango club, then look no further! When poured in a glass, this wine epitomizes the sultry tango dancer in her dark red dress. It is flighty, yet grounded – bold and confident, then slow and mesmerizing just like the steps of the alluring Argentine tango. The nose is earthy and grounded with hints of green peppers and ripe fruits. It then wafts into plumes of rich tobacco smoke produced by the aging in oak barrels. The palate is strong and structured, placing flavors precisely where they can be optimized by the taste buds. Then, the tannins are gentle, sweet, and soft like the tiny steps that entwine the dancers. Sex on legs is the perfect way to describe this red wine!
Best From Australia
- Name — Two Hands Sexy Beast Cabernet Sauvignon
- Winery — Two Hands
- Country/Region — Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
- Type — Australian Cabernet Sauvignon
- Aroma — Black Fruits, Red Fruits, Floral And Earthy Notes
- Grapes — Cabernet Sauvignon
- Taste — Blackberry, Blackcurrant, White Pepper, Chocolate, Tobacco, Oak
- Alcohol Content — 14.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Indian Food, Lasagna, Pork Chops, Beef Wellington
Named after the classic film of 2000 called “Sexy Beast”, this Australian Cabernet Sauvignon is destined to become an outrageously cultish drink. The winemakers insist that it is the perfect Mediterranean-type climate in the McLaren Vale that is to be credited for the creation of this extraordinary, top-rated cabernet sauvignon under $30.
The Sexy Beast Emerges Like a Genie from the Bottle
Using the recipe for a classical Cabernet Sauvignon was the intention, but the terroir and the grapes conspired to become something much bigger, bolder, and boisterous. Sexy Beast Cabernet Sauvignon is not for the fainthearted or the tame drinker. Its brooding power is unleashed when poured into a glass, and the deep purple hues make eye contact. The bouquet is anything but delicate and restrained. It’s more like a flavorful punch on the nose with its explosion of black fruit, smoked hickory, pungent aniseed, golden currants, mint, and the Christmassy smell of cloves.
The palate packs a punch too, with the deep unapologetic flavors of ripe summer fruits. As is to be expected, the tannins carry the flavors through to the back of the palate in an unabated flow of flavor and you have to restrain yourself from gulping this wine down when drinking in refined company.
Best From Chile
- Name — Perez Cruz Cabernet Sauvignon Limited Edition
- Winery — Perez Cruz
- Country/Region — Chile, Central Valley, Maipo Valley
- Type — Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
- Aroma — Strawberry, Plum, Blackberry, Chocolate, Mint, Smoke
- Grapes — Cabernet Sauvignon
- Taste — Cherry, Plum, Chocolate, Oak, Leather
- Alcohol Content — 14%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Angus Steak, Spicy Food, Hearty Meat Dishes, Dark Chocolate Desserts
This wine has achieved critical acclaim due to its powerful fruity flavors and well-structured tannins. Chile is renowned for its winemaking traditions and this great cabernet sauvignon under $30 is a perfect example of what we have come to expect from South American countries.
A Cheeky Chilean Cabernet
What makes this Cabernet Sauvignon unusual is the unique Chilean spiciness that reminds one of paprika. This is a mature-natured wine with a strong structure and a touch of gravity to its personality. It offers just the right amount of ripeness to be fruity, and enough wisdom to be soft and kind on the palate. It is almost like your favorite grandfather in wine form. It does not demand attention, but you will feel nurtured after spending time with a glass of this fine wine in your hand.
Conclusion
This round-up of the 10 best Cabernet Sauvignon wine for under $30 has surely whet your appetite for a spin around the supermarket or online supplier to collect these bottles and sample them for yourself. Life can offer few better opportunities to indulge in pleasure for so little money. I hope that you find your favorite Cabernet Sauvignon amongst this selection, and I wish you many pleasant hours of sipping, sampling, and savoring. Spitting is optional!