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Napa Cabs for $40 suggestions - 9/15/2015 5:16:00 AM   
bmuir40

 

Posts: 86
Joined: 5/8/2015
Status: offline 		Hello,

I am looking for some California Cabs to try in the $40 range. That seems to be my enjoyable price point.
Here is what I had had/enjoyed so far.

Stag's Leap Winery Cab ($40 Costco) - I enjoy this wine, but I already have enough
Stag's Leap Cellar's Artemis ($50) - I enjoyed it, but not enough to justify paying $10 more.
Sequoia Grove Cab ($30 Costco) - Enjoyable, but I already have some of these.
Mauritson (Dry Creek) - - Enjoyable, but I already have some of these.

I was looking at Silver Oak Alexander Valley, but those are like $60. I'd like to stay in the $40 range.

Let me know what I can try in the $35 to $45 range.
Thanks for your help.


< Message edited by bmuir40 -- 9/15/2015 5:18:27 AM >
Post #: 1
RE: Napa Cabs for $40 suggestions - 9/15/2015 5:34:24 AM   
Eddie

 

Posts: 6242
Joined: 12/17/2012
From: central Kentucky
Status: offline 		2011 Hall.

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Post #: 2
RE: Napa Cabs for $40 suggestions - 9/15/2015 5:45:26 AM   
BornToRhone

 

Posts: 3131
Joined: 2/14/2012
From: The Big D, Texas
Status: offline 		Chappellet Signature Cabernet
Domaine Eden Cabernet
Myriad Napa Cab
quivet Napa cab

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RE: Napa Cabs for $40 suggestions - 9/15/2015 5:53:18 AM   
champagneinhand

 

Posts: 10282
Joined: 5/30/2011
From: Upstate New York, California born.
Status: offline 		Maybe more near $50, but Cakebread Cellars never fails to disappoint. A crowd pleaser as well.
Jordan from the Alexander Valley is usually good to drink. It used to be much better but it's still good.
Chappellet has gone up but good stuff. Ramey even Heitz Napa Valley but it's heavily oaked.

Not Napa but Santa Crux, you have Stephania and Ridge Estate. I think both are excellent.


Wow... Autocorrect turned Heitz into audits the first time. Never ceases to amaze me this smart phone of mine.

< Message edited by champagneinhand -- 9/15/2015 5:39:59 PM >

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RE: Napa Cabs for $40 suggestions - 9/15/2015 6:34:30 AM   
mc2 wines

 

Posts: 3873
Joined: 8/31/2012
From: NYC
Status: offline 		We had an older Grgich (I think an '06 or an '05) a few months ago and which I think retails for somewhere in that range. I recommend looking for some of the older Napa cabs (e.g. Benchmark has a '98 David Arthur for $45 that I bet is pretty good).

Else - would look to Washington where I think you get a better bang for your buck at that price point (and prob most price points).

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Post #: 5
RE: Napa Cabs for $40 suggestions - 9/15/2015 9:26:09 AM   
Blue Shorts

 

Posts: 2779
Joined: 2/5/2008
From: Santa Cruz
Status: offline 		Myriad is $55 and up and Quivet is $50 and above.

They are good, though.

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Post #: 6
RE: Napa Cabs for $40 suggestions - 9/15/2015 12:12:23 PM   
bmuir40

 

Posts: 86
Joined: 5/8/2015
Status: offline 		My wife sent me to Costco today (unsupervised) and I picked up a 55 Degree Slope Cab for $37.99
http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=2004217&searchId=46523A8B%23selected%253DW2004217_1_K21520560e74cb07f7f890c91796933f0

This may fit the bill I was looking for. But I will check out the others too.

Oh, and I have been looking in to Washington Cabs. I got some Sleight of Hand Illusionist 2012, and
it was awesome. I have some Force Majeure on Pre-Order too.


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Post #: 7
RE: Napa Cabs for $40 suggestions - 9/15/2015 12:32:27 PM   
BobMilton

 

Posts: 2877
Joined: 1/29/2010
From: Newbury Park, CA
Status: offline 		I usually see the Heitz regular Napa cab for mid 40s, and I quite enjoy these.

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Post #: 8
RE: Napa Cabs for $40 suggestions - 9/15/2015 5:30:28 PM   
BornToRhone

 

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From: The Big D, Texas
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Blue Shorts

Myriad is $55 and up and Quivet is $50 and above.

They are good, though.

True - I misread it as $50, not $40. But those 3 of the 4 I listed are pretty darn good $50 wines and the Domaine Eden is a good $35 wine.

< Message edited by BornToRhone -- 9/15/2015 5:35:13 PM >

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RE: Napa Cabs for $40 suggestions - 9/15/2015 5:37:17 PM   
hankj

 

Posts: 4672
Joined: 6/26/2008
From: Seattle, WA
Status: offline 		Always enjoy Mt. Veeder Winery's Cab, fresh or aged, usually about 35 bucks.

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Post #: 10
RE: Napa Cabs for $40 suggestions - 9/15/2015 6:04:27 PM   
mtpisgah

 

Posts: 3570
Joined: 6/7/2012
From: South Carolina
Status: offline 		Smith Madrone is a great wine and can sometimes be found at $42-45. A great daily drinker is Conn Creek at around $25. Skip the Anthology and go for the regular release.

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RE: Napa Cabs for $40 suggestions - 9/15/2015 7:05:00 PM   
KPB

 

Posts: 4654
Joined: 11/25/2012
From: Ithaca, New York
Status: offline 		The Coppola Director's Cut Cabernet is quite good, and remarkable for the price ($30, but you can find it for $20 in online remainder sales). All the recent vintages have been strong.

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RE: Napa Cabs for $40 suggestions - 9/16/2015 6:28:18 AM   
junglejuice

 

Posts: 32
Joined: 12/11/2012
From: Washington D.C.
Status: offline 		$40 Napa Cab?

I say go with Washington State.

Here are some options -
Avennia (Gravura, Sestina)
Soos (Champoux, Ciel du Cheval, Artist Series)
Gramercy Cabernet Sauvignon
Two Vintners Legit
Betz Clos de Betz (Right bank blend, so only partially cab. But a KILLER wine that can be found for +-40)
Andrew Will (a number of options)
Cadence (Ciel du Cheval, Tapteil)

If you HAVE to stick with CA -
Ridge (Santa Cruz)
Chappellet
Turnbull

IMHO, Napa is not a place of value for those trying to stick to the $40 price point, which will buy you an entry level wine in the region. There are great wines to be had but they come at a hefty price. On the other hand, in other parts of CA and especially in WA state, you can great mid-tier to flagship wines in the $40-$50 range. Just my $0.02


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Post #: 13
RE: Napa Cabs for $40 suggestions - 9/16/2015 8:12:19 AM   
mrkmich

 

Posts: 183
Joined: 2/14/2010
From: Keller, TX
Status: offline 		+1 on Hall and Ridge as well as others mentioned.

I would add the Foley Johnson Meritage.

MM

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Post #: 14
RE: Napa Cabs for $40 suggestions - 9/16/2015 10:07:15 AM   
dontime

 

Posts: 9515
Joined: 8/11/2009
From: Orlando, FL
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: junglejuice
MHO, Napa is not a place of value for those trying to stick to the $40 price point, which will buy you an entry level wine in the region. There are great wines to be had but they come at a hefty price. On the other hand, in other parts of CA and especially in WA state, you can great mid-tier to flagship wines in the $40-$50 range. Just my $0.02


Agree with this 100%. Especially with respect to the fruit from Ciel du Cheval.

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RE: Napa Cabs for $40 suggestions - 9/16/2015 11:28:56 AM   
Margaux Bro

 

Posts: 119
Joined: 3/16/2014
From: Lake Keowee, South Carolina
Status: offline 		Hall, Heitz, and Trefethen

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Post #: 16
RE: Napa Cabs for $40 suggestions - 9/16/2015 6:56:02 PM   
mc2 wines

 

Posts: 3873
Joined: 8/31/2012
From: NYC
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: mtpisgah

Smith Madrone is a great wine and can sometimes be found at $42-45. A great daily drinker is Conn Creek at around $25. Skip the Anthology and go for the regular release.


+1 on the SM although they've raised prices a bit lately so it more often closer to $50 these days it seems. Still - I'd put it as one of the best values in Napa.

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Post #: 17
RE: Napa Cabs for $40 suggestions - 9/16/2015 8:03:39 PM   
dase13

 

Posts: 111
Joined: 1/15/2011
From: Florida
Status: offline 		the standard Joseph Phelps cab from Napa

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Post #: 18
RE: Napa Cabs for $40 suggestions - 9/22/2015 3:53:35 PM   
vintage1949

 

Posts: 47
Joined: 5/2/2010
Status: offline 		Just be aware of aging some Washington wines. Had luck with some-not so much luck with others. Dave

In fact when I was in Washington two years ago a distributor was discussing the problem of aging average Washington wines after traveling to another state.

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Post #: 19
RE: Napa Cabs for $40 suggestions - 9/22/2015 5:33:57 PM   
DoubleD1969

 

Posts: 3597
Joined: 8/19/2008
From: New Jersey
Status: offline 		Although not from Napa, my only list wine that I highly recommend: Stefania. They make a couple of cabs - Santa Cruz Mountains and Crimson Clover. Both are excellent, but if I were to pick one, I'd go with CC. They also make delicious Syrahs from Mendocino County. Most importantly, they are great people.

< Message edited by DoubleD1969 -- 9/22/2015 5:36:13 PM >

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Post #: 20
RE: Napa Cabs for $40 suggestions - 11/12/2015 7:07:30 AM   
Mr.Finn

 

Posts: 13
Joined: 11/12/2015
From: Massachusetts
Status: offline 		I am in the same boat as you price wise, maybe a tad under $40. I will second the Ladera cab, liked it a lot. Just picked up a Trefethen, St.Supery and Hunt and Harvest.

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Post #: 21
RE: Napa Cabs for $40 suggestions - 11/12/2015 1:31:36 PM   
PinotPhile

 

Posts: 3728
Joined: 3/16/2014
From: Southern CA
Status: offline 		"Napa Valley Cab" and "$40" can be tough. One reason I avoid that particular combo. I have found better value in Washington and Paso Robles. A few ideas:

Louis M. Martini
Clos du Val (often <$30)
Grgich Hills (sometimes on sale for $40 - $45 in my area)
Joseph Phelps
Buehler (often <$25)

Thanks to all who posted their value Cab ideas. I'm always looking....

Cheers!

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Post #: 22
RE: Napa Cabs for $40 suggestions - 11/12/2015 9:17:03 PM   
PinotPhile

 

Posts: 3728
Joined: 3/16/2014
From: Southern CA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: KPB

The Coppola Director's Cut Cabernet is quite good, and remarkable for the price ($30, but you can find it for $20 in online remainder sales). All the recent vintages have been strong.

Interesting, Ken. Coppola has both Director's Cut and Directors labels. Looking at the website, it appears "Cut" is distinct vineyards/appellations within Sonoma County. "Directors" seems to be all of Sonoma County.

Any experience/comments about one vs. the other? "Cut" seems to run a bit more expensive, both have several varietals.

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Post #: 23
RE: Napa Cabs for $40 suggestions - 11/12/2015 9:47:12 PM   
NurseDave

 

Posts: 71
Joined: 8/14/2015
From: Bay Area, California
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: BobMilton

I usually see the Heitz regular Napa cab for mid 40s, and I quite enjoy these.


Just had the 2012 Heitz tonight. I don't see this one aging very long, but it was yummy today.

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Post #: 24
RE: Napa Cabs for $40 suggestions - 11/13/2015 6:30:20 AM   
Ykwon

 

Posts: 16
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: bmuir40

Hello,

I am looking for some California Cabs to try in the $40 range. That seems to be my enjoyable price point.
Here is what I had had/enjoyed so far.

Stag's Leap Winery Cab ($40 Costco) - I enjoy this wine, but I already have enough
Stag's Leap Cellar's Artemis ($50) - I enjoyed it, but not enough to justify paying $10 more.
Sequoia Grove Cab ($30 Costco) - Enjoyable, but I already have some of these.
Mauritson (Dry Creek) - - Enjoyable, but I already have some of these.

I was looking at Silver Oak Alexander Valley, but those are like $60. I'd like to stay in the $40 range.

Let me know what I can try in the $35 to $45 range.
Thanks for your help.



You should be able to get the Artemis for around $41-42 at Costco if they have them. They seemed to be well stocked from the Costco's I've been to.

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Post #: 25
RE: Napa Cabs for $40 suggestions - 11/13/2015 9:48:27 AM   
lockestep

 

Posts: 1964
Joined: 2/12/2012
From: Unionville, PA
Status: offline 		Agree with the Washington suggestion.
If you want Napa try Snowden, should be in your price range.

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Post #: 26
RE: Napa Cabs for $40 suggestions - 11/13/2015 10:33:56 AM   
ChrisinCowiche

 

Posts: 7845
Joined: 12/16/2009
From: Cowiche, WA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: vintage1949

Just be aware of aging some Washington wines. Had luck with some-not so much luck with others. Dave

In fact when I was in Washington two years ago a distributor was discussing the problem of aging average Washington wines after traveling to another state.

$40 is not an average WA Cab. $20 is probably average, but for $40 you get wines than can and do age.

Well made Washington Cabs, will age 25-30 years. I attended an event a few years ago where 25 year old Woodward Canyon, DeLille, Leonetti, and a Col Solare predecessor were poured and they were all excellent and showed no signs of being over the hill. The 54 year old Associated Vintners Cab Sauv Jason Green shared with our Yakima offline last fall was still drinkable, and in better shape than similarly aged Bordeaux and Burgundy I've tasted, if pretty faded.

The Woodward, DeLille, Leonetti wines are now mostly in the $75+ range due to market demand, but the fruit is the fruit is the fruit. From Champoux, Ceil du Cheval , Dubrul, etc.. in the right hands. And there are lots of producers using that fruit and still selling wines in the $40 range.

Of note here is I'm talking about Cabs, not Syrah, or Riesling. The comment from vintage1949 lumps in all Washington wines, but the original thread question is about Cabs.


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Post #: 27
RE: Napa Cabs for $40 suggestions - 11/13/2015 2:44:37 PM   
hankj

 

Posts: 4672
Joined: 6/26/2008
From: Seattle, WA
Status: offline 		Lone voice in the wilderness but I'm going to hedge just a little against the Washington suggestions. Though there are Washington wines I like, in general I far prefer Cali terroir in the BDX varietals. On average California BDX wines to me comes across as more clear-channeled and more closely aligned with the classic character of the given grape. So many WA reds hit me as hot, muddled and astringent, and continue down that road in their aging-arc (though to be fair definitely less of these now than ten years ago in WA). So if you like WA reds in general then buying them instead of Cali at the $40 price point makes sense; if you prefer CA then bargain hunting there is the better choice.

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Post #: 28
RE: Napa Cabs for $40 suggestions - 11/13/2015 3:23:02 PM   
ChrisinCowiche

 

Posts: 7845
Joined: 12/16/2009
From: Cowiche, WA
Status: offline 		I concur with hankj. If you prefer a region, buy it.

By coincidence, Seattle Times just published its Top 50 wines per Andy Perdue. One I mention above touting longevity is #1, and the critic notes its expected lifespan. Of course it is now $99 and likely non-obtanium, but I bet Wray's supermarket in Yakima has a few bottles.
quote:

1. Woodward Canyon Winery 2012 Old Vines cabernet sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $99: A couple of years ago, owner Rick Small and winemaker Kevin Mott chose not to make the 2010 version of this wine because it didn’t meet their standards. That’s integrity. My wine of the year is from one of the best vintages in Washington history. It is glorious, a wine to drink now or in 20 years. Buy it, cherish it.


Full list with some producers most have never heard of, some of which are making sub $40 Cab Sauv. I've really enjoyed Auclair the time or two I've tasted it and Tamarack's Vineyard designates are right there with best wines coming out of Walla Walla, imo.

http://www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nw-magazine/the-seattle-times-50-best-wines-of-2015/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=article_bottom

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RE: Napa Cabs for $40 suggestions - 11/13/2015 5:28:59 PM   
S1

 

Posts: 14826
Joined: 11/12/2011
From: Wandering between Coastal SC and South FL
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: hankj

Lone voice in the wilderness but I'm going to hedge just a little against the Washington suggestions. Though there are Washington wines I like, in general I far prefer Cali terroir in the BDX varietals. On average California BDX wines to me comes across as more clear-channeled and more closely aligned with the classic character of the given grape. So many WA reds hit me as hot, muddled and astringent, and continue down that road in their aging-arc (though to be fair definitely less of these now than ten years ago in WA). So if you like WA reds in general then buying them instead of Cali at the $40 price point makes sense; if you prefer CA then bargain hunting there is the better choice.

not lone
The OP is looking for Napa Cabs
WA is not located in Napa Valley (geographically or oenologicallly)

Snowden is a bit above 40 I think

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