Cabernet will be celebrated twice this week, with International Cabernet Day on Aug. 29 and International Cabernet Sauvignon Day on Aug. 30.
Fine Wine & Good Spirits wine specialist Russ Johnson responded to a couple of questions from PennLive and then offered several recommendations available at the FW&GS shops around the state. Q, What is it about Cab that you are most fond of? A, I think that Cabernet is a very difficult grape to make single-varietal wine from, but the complex aromas are what I enjoy most when it’s done right. You will often find layered aromas such as graphite or pencil shavings, black licorice, green bell pepper, and dark fruit notes such as black cherry, all coming together to make a very complex bouquet.
I think that finding all of these notes together in one wine is unique in and of itself, but it’s how they somehow work together that’s most interesting to me. Q, Is it strictly a “meat” wine or are there other foods that you like to pair your Cabs with? A, Although Cabernets are most associated with steak (“a slab and a Cab,” as they say in steakhouses), they are also great wines to pair with umami-centric ingredients like mushrooms, which gives you a ton of options as far as dishes to make. A mushroom-based dish is a great way for vegetarians to pair with Cabernet as well, since it’s able to stand up to the power of the wine.
I also enjoy heartier cheeses with Cabs, such as Gouda or cheddar, although my personal favorite would be blue cheese since the natural saltiness seems to pair well with the dark fruit notes found in the wine. As far as recommendations, Johnson suggested these five to consider ahead of the “holidays.” International Cabernet Day Selections: Ventisquero Grey Glacier Single Block Cabernet Sauvignon Trinidad Vineyard Maipo Valley 2022 Maipo Valley, Chile - $12.
99 (Chairman’s Selection) “An amazing value for a single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon! Chile produces some of the world’s finest Cabernet and the price point is often much more friendly than you might find in locations such as California.” Provenance Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2019 Napa Valley, California - $31.99 (Chairman’s Selection) “Napa Valley is California’s classic region for rich and powerful Cabernets.
This wine is full of dark fruit flavors such as cassis and black cherry and finishes with polished silky tannins.” This is one of the best Cabernets in the under $30 price range, a retail wine specialist says. Provided Greenwing Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley Columbia Valley, Washington - $29.
99 “Greenwing is a Cabernet made by Duckhorn which sources grapes from Washington’s Columbia Valley region. This is one of the best Cabernets in the under $30 price range made by a producer who helped make American Cabernet Sauvignon world famous.” William Hill Estate Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Napa Valley, California - $49.
99 on sale this month for $44.99 “William Hill consistently delivers great wines at prices which are often more competitive than top-rated producers. This vintage of their Napa Valley Cabernet displays a balanced use of oak while retaining the power that California wine drinkers are looking for.
” International Cabernet Sauvignon Day Selections: Acumen Mountainside Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2021 Napa Valley, California - $39.99 (Chairman’s Selection) “A serious Cabernet with brooding dark fruit backed up by toasted oak and finishing with notes of vanilla and black licorice. This is a great opportunity to try a top-tier Napa Valley Cabernet at a comparatively approachable price point.
” J Bookwalter Protagonist Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 202 Columbia Valley, Washington - $37.99 (Chairman’s Selection) “Another Columbia Valley producer that is quickly making a name for itself, this Cabernet blends in a touch of Syrah and Petit Verdot to add complexity and richness to the texture of the wine.” This year’s vintage is aged in 30% new American oak.
Provided The Hess Collection Cabernet Sauvignon Allomi Napa Valley Napa Valley, California - $44.99 “Hess is a tried and true California producer and the Allomi Cabernet is one of their upgraded offerings which consistently delivers both high scores and quality. This year’s vintage is aged in 30% new American oak, which adds subtle notes of toasted coconut, mocha and dark chocolate.
” J Lohr Cabernet Sauvignon Hilltop Paso Robles Paso Robles, California - $38.49 “Located in California’s Central Coast, Paso Robles is one of the state’s top regions for quality Cabernet at price points which are usually more friendly than Napa Valley or Sonoma County. Notes of chocolate and blueberry are framed by resolved tannins giving the wine a silky smooth finish.
” Two Hands Sexy Beast Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale 2020 McLaren Vale, Australia - $35.99 (Luxury) “One of my absolute favorite Cabernets to taste every year, Sexy Beast is a pure Cabernet made by one of Australia’s top producers. Rich black cherry and cassis really coat the palate delivering a long finish with incredible balance.
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