As the “family wine guy,” it’s my responsibility to suggest a few wines to in laws that typically drink very expensive Napa Cabernet ($150-350-ish) for less expensive weeknight drinkers. They drink cab with everything from shellfish to pork to beef — and aren’t interested in being told otherwise. So they’re looking for a couple “go to’s.”
However … the ~$75 crowd pleaser cab is not what I’ve sought out before, so really don’t know much about where to point them. Any suggestions? Anything from Aussie Shiraz to Paso Cab to just cheaper Napa cabs kinda made in that style are what I’d be looking for. Only other qualification is that it should be widely available/distributed and not allocated.
On the lower end of that range, and you want something easily available at a Total Wine type store, I recently had to get a few “cheap Cabs” for my wife’s girls dinner party at our house, and I got just the regular Charles Krug bottling for like $32 or something and they all really liked it. I had a a glass myself and was rather pleasant.
In the middle/upper part of that range I’d look at Elyse. All but 1 Cab in their portfolio are sub $100 and if you get into their club you can get some of the AVA ones for $76. We have served Elyse to a lot of friends who all like it (wine and non wine people) and we took my Aunt/Uncle there while in Napa recently and they liked it so much they signed up on the spot for their wine club.
Lastly, if you want some Berserker Business recommendations - Calluna in Sonoma makes a nice Estate Cab for under $100 and Jean Edwards in Napa runs $85-$95 for their Cabs.
I haven’t had it recently, but I would put Lewelling in that category. Not sure how widely it’s distributed, but a lot of stores have the base cab at just under $60 on W-S.
Just had a 2018 Buehler- best one of those in some time. In the $50ish range, Amici NV and Caterwaul. DTC Anderson’s Conn Valley NV, some of the Beringers when on sale.
Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon is coming in at $42. Kenefick Ranch Chris’s Cuvee. Elyse Holbrook Mitchell Cabernet Sauvignon at $65, 2018 Elyse Winery Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is still available for $50ish.
Mentioned once above, but I’ll second the recommendation of the entry level Caterwaul cab at $50. Saunter’s “Swagger” is a nice cab blend for around that price. Neal’s Napa cab is solid for $60. Around $70-75, there are several more good options: Jones “The Sisters” cab, O’Shaughnessy Napa cab, Ruston “La Maestra” cab.
While quite a few of the above are definitely fine options, there have been several mentioned that are definitely NOT “widely available.” Additionally, if they typically drink high-end Napa Cab, they likely enjoy a decent amount of richness and fruit. With those two things in mind, I went straight to Pride Mountain’s Cabernet. It’s consistently delicious, isn’t overdone, and is usually around $50-$65 and can be found a lot of places.
Turnbull Napa on the lower end and Oakville reserve on the higher both do the trick. Second the mentions of Elyse and Caterwaul, and will add Berserker Business Jean Edwards to the mix.