A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about Kendall-Jackson’s $15 Chardonnay from the Grand Reserve series.  Judging by the 33 Facebook “Likes” bestowed upon that post, I’m not the only one who is a big fan of that wine.  I actually saw that Chard on the wine list at Capital Grille in Chicago for $45 and was tempted to order it, even knowing I can buy it for $15.  That’s how good the wine is.  Kendall-Jackson really came out swinging this year, with their 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Reserve rivaling the Chardonnay in terms of value and quality.

Coming mostly from Kendall-Jackson’s estate vineyards in Sonoma County, this wine is more Bordeaux-like than many from warmer Napa county.  Rich chocolate and coffee notes define the palate and the finish is firm and long (that’s what she said).  This $20 wine gives many wines triple that price a run for their money, and flat-out beats many of them easily.    Case in point, I recently drank a bottle of 2002 Chateau St. Jean ‘Cenq Cepages’, also a Sonoma Cabernet, and the K-J was easily better.  Impressive, considering you can buy three bottles of the K-J for the price of one Cenq Cepages.

Robert Parker rated this wine 90-93 points out of the barrel and said it’s capable of lasting 15 years.  I would put it at 90 and have every reason to believe it will be drinking great in a decade and a half.  This is one heck of a value.

Buy Here: Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon $19.95

Robert Parker 90-93 points

“The 2007 Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is superb. Dense creme de cassis notes intermixed with fruitcake, coffee bean, and tobacco leaf are found in this fat, fleshy wine, which displays excellent purity, density, and richness. It should drink well for 15 or more years.

The lowest level of the Kendall-Jackson empire, the Vintner’s Reserve series, goes from strength to strength. For consumers hoping to maximize their dollar value, these serious wines are consistent choices. Their Chardonnay has always been good, but dramatic increases in quality have taken place in the Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon programs.”

Our three day tour through Stags Leap began at Steltzner, a small operation on the east side of the Silverado Trail.  Allison Steltzner, daughter of founder Dick, was our host as we enjoyed the ambiance of the warm tasting room on a foggy February afternoon.  Dick was one of the first to plant in the valley in 1965 when he recognized what few had: the Stags Leap micro climate is uniquely suited to grow distinctive, long lived Cabernet.

At Steltzner, we tasted through a lineup of impressive wines starting with a nice rosé of Syrah that is very well priced at $10.50.  The Allison Rosé is named after the host herself who wanted to produce a Rose despite her dad telling her “I won’t drink any pink s!#@”.  Dick has changed his Rosé hating ways and now enjoys a glass of his daughter’s wine next to the pool in the summer.

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As our guide at Hartwell Estate Winery said, “This is Cabernet country”.  The Stags Leap AVA is indeed Cabernet country ever since Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars put California Cabernet Sauvignon on the map when it won the famous 1976 Paris tasting.  Since then, wine production in Napa Valley has grown exponentially, but Cabernet from the Stags Leap District remains arguably the most sought after in the country.  This is the first in a series of posts where we will take a tour through this historical district of the Napa Valley.

A little known property on the west side of the Silverado Trial, Hartwell Estate should start to make it on the wine loving public’s radar if the quality of their product is any indication.  The winery is perched near the top of a dormant volcano, offering sweeping views of the surrounding valley.  The Tuscan inspired look was inspired by Bob Hartwell’s wife Blanca.  As is a common theme in the Napa Valley wine scene, Bob Hartwell didn’t make his money selling wine, but rather in another industry, in his case aerospace.  It turns out Velcro might actually be a key ingredient to good wine, along with a great site and a talented winemaker.

That talented winemaker is Benoit Touquette assisted by consultant (and his mentor) the famed Michel Rolland.  As expected, no expense was spared at Hartwell.  From the $35,000 cement fermenting tanks (imported from France), to the 100% new French oak all of their Cabernet calls home, everything is top notch, and it shows!  In fact, I would say the Hartwell wines were the some of the best we tasted during our three days in the Stags Leap District.

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I wrote about what makes L’Aventure Winery’s wines so unique last May, but since barely anyone read this blog back then, I think I’ll revisit.  My hope is that our thousands of weekly readers can get to know these wines and will come to enjoy them as much as I do.

Stephan Asseo, the French winemaker and owner of L’Aventure, is leading the Paso Robles charge as the Rhone style capital of the United States.  Though some of Asseo’s wines feature Cabernet, Rhone varietals are his focus – the “special sauce” for his wines and the Paso Robles AVA as a whole.  A Paso wine earned Wine Spectator’s Wine of the Year honor, with Justin Smith’s 2007 Saxum James Berry Vineyard, but luckily for those of us who aren’t on their mailing list, Saxum isn’t the only game in town.

How L’Aventure is still available in retail stores (vs. mailing list only) is somewhat beyond me, considering that they are favorites of Parker and Tanzer.  Not only are they still available, but the prices of their top wines have actually dropped below the $60 mark this year, having been as high as $80.  I wouldn’t expect that trend to continue, but plan to get while the gettin’s good as this is by far the lowest price I can find anywhere.

L’Aventure makes two top tier wines, the Estate Cuvee and the Cote a Cote.  If you are just getting in to Paso Rhone blends I would recommend the Estate Cuvee, which is 50% Bordeaux varietals and 50% Syrah.  It’s a spectacular and unique blend that usually tastes more Cabernet than Rhone.  For those that are already sold on the Rhone blends, the Cote a Cote is 40% each of Syrah and Grenache, with 20% Mourvedre, and more indicative of what is making Paso such a hot wine region.  Even within Paso, L’Aventure has found a totally unique piece of land (pictured above), which has enabled Stephen Asseo and his team to grow some of the region’s premier wines.

Buy Here: 2008 L’Aventure Estate Cuvee $59.95

2008 L’Aventure Cote a Cote $59.95

Estate Cuvee: International Wine Cellars 94 points

“($85; 50% syrah, 36% cabernet sauvignon and 14% petit verdot; 15.9% alcohol) Inky purple. Cassis, blueberry and smoky Indian spices on the expansive, heady nose, with a sexy floral quality that gains strength with air. Deep, sappy and palate-coating dark fruit compote flavors show unlikely energy and become spicier with air. Strikingly expressive, potent and compellingly fragrant wine that finishes with remarkable clarity and sweet persistence. This was raised in 100% new French oak, but I’d never have guessed it.”

Cote a Cote: International Wine Cellar 94 points

“($85; 40% each of syrah and grenache, with 20% mourvedre; 15.9% alcohol) Opaque ruby. Very sexy aromas of black raspberry, blueberry, apricot pit, licorice and violet. Wonderfully precise and vibrant, with terrific cut to its creamy flavors of dark berry compote and candied violet. Round and sweet on the back end, finishing with excellent clarity, length and a lingering note of floral pastilles. Asseo called this wine “a bit of a prostitute, but a very nice one.”

I’ve never seen Caymus at this price before.  This is usually one of those wines that sells for $59.95 at the lowest and you will not find it for anything less.  LA Wine Co. has once again (somehow) come out with the lowest price in the country and, having enjoyed this wine on a few occasions, I can confidently say it’s my favorite California Cabernet in this price range.  You can read my full write-up on the 2008 here, from back when the wine was selling for $5 more.  To summarize what makes Caymus special: it’s unique.  I’m pretty sure I could pick it out of a lineup of other California Cabernet every time.  This signature taste is what many wines are lacking and what makes Caymus a screaming value every year.

Buy Here: 2008 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa $54.95

Wine Spectator 93 points

“Open fruit, rich, lush and layered, serving up a complex mix of plum, blackberry, black licorice and spices. Full-bodied and supple-textured, ending with a long, persistent finish that keeps repeating the core flavor themes. Drink now through 2018.”

One way I like to gut check a wine purchase, if I haven’t tasted it before, is to look at the consistency of the ratings.  David Ramey’s 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon was rated 92 points by both Tanzer and Parker and 91 points by Wine Spectator.  That’s great consistency and big scores for a $32 Napa Cabernet.  Technically, this is a $50 wine, and although it only sells at that price at the winery and some price gouging retail outlets, LA Wine Co. has this one for $3 lower than the next lowest price I can find on Wine Search or Google Shopping.

David Ramey’s winemaking credentials are legendary, having trained at Chateau Pétrus, and led the ascension of names like Chalk Hill, Dominus and Rudd.  He’s taken those skills to the next level with his own project where he makes a wide variety of wines from top vineyards in Sonoma and Napa counties.  This Cabernet is a blend of multiple vineyards including 37% from the famous Larkmead Vineyard and 15% from Snowden.  Though it’s aged in 50% new oak, it really shows very little influence, having only gained the texture with just hints of the typical vanilla scents.

This wine is dark opaque purple and somewhat reticent on the nose today.  Judging by the flavor, the nose will develop significantly in the next five years.  It’s broad and rich on the palate with primary fruit gaining complexity on the lengthy finish.   I believe this wine will continue to grow for the next 5 years and drink well for at least the following 10.

For readers looking for a solid, high-end Cabernet for the lowest price in the country, this is your wine.

Buy Here: 2007 Ramey Cabernet Sauvignon $31.95

Robert Parker 92 points

“A stunning yet reasonably priced, high end Napa Cabernet Sauvignon is the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa. The final bottling from the extraordinary Larkmead Vineyard, it boasts a dense purple color as well as a big, sweet bouquet of blueberry and black currant fruit intertwined with licorice, bay leaf, cedar and fruitcake notes. Full-bodied and opulent, this precocious 2007 is drinkable now and should evolve for another 15+ years.

David Ramey also produces Syrah and Chardonnay from the Sonoma Coast, Russian River and Carneros, which will be reviewed in the February, 2011 issue. Another look at his 2007 Napa offerings essentially confirm my comments of last year. I tasted through David Ramey’s 2009 barrel samples and they all displayed the friendly, charming, upfront fruit of this vintage. In many ways, they will be even more drinkable than the 2007s and 2008s upon release, but due to the style of the vintage, they do not have quite the power, punch or concentration of those two years. However, they are charming efforts and those who sometimes find California wines too rich may want to take a serious look at this vintage.”

Of note, this wine also received 91 points from Wine Spectator and 92 points from International Wine Cellar.

Louis M. Martini made big waves with this wine in the 2006 vintage when it received a 90 point rating from Robert Parker, an impressive feat indeed from a wine in this price range and made in this volume (66,000 cases!!).  As is the case with many ’07s, the current vintage is a little better than the ’06, so naturally it scored better.  But the price didn’t change and neither did the production, making this one of the best values on the planet for Napa Cabs.

Martini is one of those rare California wineries (along with Beringer and Mondavi), that despite production of gargantuan proportions and ownership by huge conglomerates, their focus on value and quality has never changed.  From the $80 dollar “Lot 1″ to the $12 Sonoma Cabernet, quality is high and price is reasonable.

Those looking for the vanilla and smoke flavors of significant new oak influence should look elsewhere, but those looking for broad ripe fruit and a very impressive, silky texture are in luck with this one.  Parker calls it “one of the great values in Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon”, and I would have to agree.  As stylish as it is to take pride in drinking small production, rare or otherwise hard to find wines, I appreciate producers like Louis M. Martini who are bringing quality wine to the masses.  Buy it at the grocery store for $25 or at LA Wine Co. for $18.95.

Buy Here: Louis M. Martini Napa Cabernet Sauvignon $18.95

Robert Parker 91 points

“However, this estate does some stunning work in Napa as evidenced by one of the great values in Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa. Made from 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and the rest Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot, this stunning wine can undoubtedly be found discounted to under $25 a bottle. Moreover, there are nearly 66,000 cases produced, so it one of the few outstanding Napa Cabernets that also has tremendous availability. Its dense plum/garnet color is followed by a stunning perfume of black currants, loamy soil, blackberries and smoke. The wine cuts a full-bodied swath across the palate and possesses silky tannins, layers of fruit and a beautiful, opulent, round mouthfeel. It should drink nicely for 10-15 years. Readers may remember that I gave the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 90 points, and the 2007 is even better!”

Have you discovered Washington wine yet?  If not, you are missing out on the United States’ second largest and, arguably highest value wine region.  Cabernet seems to be firmly planted as the premier grape but Syrah is not far behind in terms of quality, if not popularity.  Doyenne, the Rhone blend label of Delille Cellars, has created a wine that’s the best of both worlds, blending 35% Cabernet with 61% Syrah and a splash of Mourvèdre.

Vineyards rule in Washington as winegrowers have chosen to focus on building the reputation of the places the grapes are grown almost more than the brand of the wine.  Over half of the grapes in Doyenne’s Aix Proprietary Red come from the famed Ciel du Cheval vineyard in Washington’s Red Mountain AVA.  That pedigree certainly comes through as this wine pours a dense deep red, almost black color in the glass.  Syrah and Cabernet lovers alike will enjoy this one, with the Cabernet contributing elegance and focus and the Syrah, broad, rich textures and flavors.  Alluring aromas of mocha and smoky beef come through on the nose with the  plush palate featuring dark fruit and nice mineral flavors, so often a trait of Washington wines.

This is a spectacular value at $27 and a wine I will seek out in subsequent vintages.  I’m already seeing the benefits of point one of my New Years Resolutions – more variety.  If you weren’t already drinking Washington wine, I would encourage you to do the same.

Buy Here: 2007 Delille Cellars Doyenne Aix Proprietary Red $26.95

Robert Parker 92 points

“The 2007 Aix is made up of 61% Syrah, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 4% Mourvedre sourced entirely from the Red Mountain AVA. It gives up a splendid, slightly exotic nose of smoke, spice box, lavender, grilled meat, black currant, and plum. Forward, plush, and spicy, this full-flavored, pleasure-bent offering can be enjoyed now and over the next 6-8 years.

Doyenne is the sister label of DeLille Cellars and is used for Rhone varieties. This year only 4 wines were presented (along with a repeat of the 2006 Grand Ciel Vineyard Syrah which was as good as I remembered it).”

I’m on a constant search for good California Cabernet under the magical $15 price point.  It’s easy to find Cabernet under $15 but really difficult to find good Cabernet for that price.  I find most of them to be one dimensional, with each tasting like the other.  Smith and Hook certainly breaks that mold.   My other top pick for the year was the 2007 Sean Minor Four Bears Cabernet from Napa.  The Smith & Hook is a tough rival in terms of quality, with a somewhat more restrained style than the sweet, super ripe Sean Minor.

This wine is from the Hahn Family who make fantastic Cabernet, Chardonnay and a Meritage every year.  Smith & Hook is meant to be a reserve blend from their Monterey County vineyards.  It sells for $30 at the winery; still a good value, but nothing close to the $12 LA Wine Co. is asking (the lowest I can find by $1).  Everything a reserve wine should have is present here: ripe flavors, rich oak, surprising complexity and notable length on the finish.  It’s also particularly well textured.

Put this wine up against any of the Chateau St. Jean “Cinq Cepages” (a cool climate Cabernet benchmark) from recent vintages and I think you would have a pretty tough fight on your hands.  That wine sells for over $60, putting this $12 daily drinker in some pretty good company.

Buy Here: 2007 Smith & Hook Cabernet Sauvignon $11.95

Connoisseurs’ Guide 88 points

“There are suggestions of complexity to be found in the midst of the sweet, well-ripened, oak-enriched aromas of this wine, and those same notes of black soils, minerals and root-beer spice are carried through to its fairly rich and slightly succulent flavors. No frontal simpleton despite being easy to taste now, its finish is both rich and lengthy. It may not be one for hiding away for a years to come, but it has the pieces in place to develop quite well for up to a half decade in the bottle.”

Argentina is known for Malbec but Cabernet comes in a close second, albeit from a different angle.  Argentinian Malbec is sweet, ripe and often syrupy- a very “new world” style.  Because of the cooler, high altitude climate, their Cabernet tends to be a more restrained style, somewhere between new and old world, which is why it’s featured in many of Mendoza’s high-end blends.  This wine is more Washington than Napa.

Winemaker Susana Balbo’s second wine “Crios”, or offspring, is a perfect daily drinking value at $10.95, which is the lowest price on my Interweb Machine.  Jay Miller of Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate gave it 90+ points, making it one of the lowest priced 90 point Cabernets in recent memory.  Firm and balanced with French roast coffee, this wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered giving it a broad rich mouthfeel.  It lingers particularly long on the finish, showing well beyond it’s $11 price point.

Susana Balbo has been making wine all over the world for almost 30 years, but as her first project as owner and winemaker, her passion shows through on the 2009 “Crios”.  For those looking for a balanced, focused Cabernet, I can think of no better value.

Buy Here: 2009 Crios de Susana Balbo Cabernet $10.95

Wine Advocate 90 points

“Susana Balbo is very high on Mendoza’s 2009 vintage, calling it a “fantastic year”. The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon spent 5 months in seasoned French and American oak. It is purple-colored with a classy nose of cigar box, cassis, black currant, and violets. Medium-to full bodied, it has excellent depth, savory flavors, ripe tannin for balance, and a lengthy, fruit-filled finish. It will evolve for 1-2 years but can be enjoyed now and over the next 4-5 years.”