The Best Cabernet Sauvignon Under $20 Right Now
We’re never going to knock those pricey, prestige Napa Cabs that warrant cellaring for a special occasion (or even an especially indulgent night on the couch). Yet, one need not spend a small fortune to score an impressive bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon. Such became evident when we asked Wine Enthusiast’s reviewers to round up the best budget-friendly bottles of the ever-popular varietal.
“Just because a bottle of wine is less than $20 does not mean it can’t be great,” says Wine Enthusiast Tasting Manager Cody Wexler. “Usually these wines are very approachable and probably fun to drink without a ton of complexity. “
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The 11 bottles the team rounded up below represent a wide breadth of winemaking styles and terroir that showcase the varietal’s signature concentrated flavors and firm tannins. All of these picks “are drinking at a really high level for their price point,” adds Wexler, who chooses examples “from a wide variety of domestic and international regions to give people an idea of where to look for great Best Buy Cabs.”
Ready to scout some deals? From Margaret River, Australia and Mendoza, Argentina to Italy and Israel, follow this list to find the best Cabernet Sauvignon under $20 right now.
Tyrrell’s 2020 Rufus Stone Cabernet Sauvignon (Margaret River)
From a historic producer based in the Hunter Valley, on the other side of Australia, this expresses its origins in the west with a touch of east coast personality. Heady herb-and-spice aromas of green peppercorn, bay leaf, tobacco and eucalypt are bookended by seaweed and graphite notes. Somewhere in between lurks plump plum and currant fruit. There’s a silky succulence and cranberry tang to the mid-weight palate. The fruit flows to the finish where granular tannins creep up slowly. Best Buy. 92 Points — Christina Pickard
$ Varies
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Published: March 8, 2024
