If you are into red wines, or any wine, as a matter of fact, you will know the world famous Cabernet Sauvignon wines; with their classic full-bodied flavor, delicate acidity, and high tannins. Made from the variety of grapes with similar names, the Cabernet Sauvignon enjoyed the top spot in the most popularly planted grape varieties for a good part of the 20th Century. Almost every wine-producing country in the world; from southern Europe to South America, to even Australia, produces the wines from these grapes. And it is believed that the flavor of the wine is highly dependent on the climate of the place in which the grapes are grown from which the wine is made.
It is known to have different flavors ranging from oak flavor to the flavor of olives and bell peppers. The Australian variant is said to inspire a eucalyptus or menthol feeling to the palate. But, the wine-lovers all over the world will attest to the fact that nothing beats the firmness in the flavor and the texture of Napa Valley wines of Southern California!
With warmer day and colder night temperatures, the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes thrive in the lovely climate of the California wine region. Today, the Napa Valley is home to over 400 vineyards, all producing an exceptional quality of wine, and drawing in tourists in hoards. In fact, it was the Cabernet Sauvignon that put the Napa Valley on the map. In the famous Paris Tasting of 1976, French wine tasters were blindfolded, and made to taste variants of the exquisite wine from France and California; Bordeaux reds, white burgundies, Napa’s Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, the spread, was spectacular, and the competition was stiff. Napa’s Stag Leap Wine and Cellars’ Cabernet Sauvignon took the lead, and there has been no looking back for the valley since then.
Here is an expert compilation of a list of six of the best Cabernet Sauvignons from the valley that you must put on your bucket list if you’re a wine lover. Even if you aren’t, these wines are so flavourful and rich, that they have a hundred percent chance of turning you in their favor! Read on to pick your favorite from the lot.
1. Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon
Known as the real cult Cabernet Sauvignon of the Napa, Screaming Eagle bottles just a few hundred cases of wine every year. Rumour has it that its popularity has increased to an extent where the vineyard has even stopped taking applications for its waiting list! The elegance and fullness of a Screaming Eagles are often compared to that of Bordeaux Cabernet Sauvignons. It is a must try, at a release price of $750 a bottle.
2. Kukeri Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon
This brand of wines intends to be an embodiment of both, old tradition, and mystical symbolism. It is the brainchild of a well-known winemaker and founder of VinoEnology, Petar Kirilov, and is arguably the best wine on this list. With a dense and concentrated flavor, the Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon has just the right balance of dark and sweet, with herby overtones. Priced at $90, the Kukeri Cabernet Sauvignon is a steal! Also worth a mention is its sister-manufacture, the Kukeri Pinot Noir, which could put most of the French variants to shame!
3. Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon
Spottswoode is considered to be a reliable maker of classic wines and has a long and illustrious history of being the best in its class and a top producer. They have made themselves better with time over the past few years, and have been doing an excellent job producing delicious wines over these years. At a price of $110 a bottle, this fruitful wine could be enjoyed best on a warm summer afternoon in the Californian sun.
4. Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon
This line is a new kid on the block, and was started as late as 2003, but has come a long way since! It is considered to be wine with a touch of elegance and comes with an excellent packaging. But be it a good packaging or not, the wine is what ultimately steals the show! The price of Scarecrow’s wines lies anywhere between $245 to $4,500!
5. Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The Silver Oak Cellars, from the very start, set out to specialize in making the finest Cabernet Sauvignons. The best of their lot, the 2005 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon was barrel-aged for a little over two years, and for twenty months post that in a bottle, and can be bought for anywhere between $80 to $135. The extended barrel aging imparts the flavor of the oak to the wine, giving it a nutty flavor that beautifully complements the fruity wine.
6. Dalla Valle Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
Dalla Valle Cabernet Sauvignon and Dalla Valle Maya, two Cabernet Sauvignon/ Cabernet Franc blends but the Dalla Valle Vineyards on the map. They, too, have a waiting list for their premium wines. The price of Dalla Valle Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is between $110 and $240, with the Maya being slightly more on the expensive side.
If one were to judge a standoff between these six top-notch wines, the verdict would indicate the Screaming Eagle to be in the lead, closely followed by the Kukeri Mt. Veeder making it into a very close second. Silver Oak and Dalla Valle would tie in the third place, leaving Spottswoode and Scarecrow to take the fifth and sixth places respectively. But, irrespective of the grading, all six vineyards have made use of Mother Nature’s gift to humankind, and produced the wines that are most heavenly! Their very popularity speaks of the intense flavors and aromas that the wines possess are capable of bringing flocks of wine connoisseurs to the table, who are dying to try them out! As much effort as it takes to procure one of these bottles, they are completely worth it.
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