10 Best Value Cabernet Sauvignon from the U.S.

(See all my wine posts here and scroll down to see my #1 best value Cabernet Sauvignon!) If I had to choose only one type of wine to drink, it would probably be Cabernet Sauvignon. I’ve always been a red wine drinker, and I’m one of those weird people that drinks reds even in the heat of summer.

While I love the aromatics of a good Pinot Noir or zing of an old vine Zinfandel, it’s the full body and complex variety of flavors of a Cabernet Sauvignon that make it a consistent favorite. Yet because it’s also a wildly popular wine (and the most planted grape in the world), the choices may seem endless.

I’ve picked a few of my favorite inexpensive Cabernet Sauvignon wines — they all provide strong quality for the price, so I’ve got you covered next time you look for the best value Cabernet Sauvignons or a cheap Cabernet Sauvignon from the U.S. 

And if you’d like to learn more about wine, check out this handy guide to wine:

Best Value Cabernet Sauvignon from California:

J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet: 

This is a recent find thanks to the wine selection at Costco. I love trying wines from lesser-known wine regions in California, and Paso Robles seems to produce great wines at a better price point than the more famous Napa and Sonoma regions. This is a very drinkable Cabernet with enough body and flavor to be paired with food but smooth enough to be enjoyed on its own. It recently received the “Editor’s Pick” and 91 points from Wine Enthusiast. About $12.

McManis Cabernet Sauvignon

A reliable but affordable Cab comes from McManis Family Vineyards in California’s Central Valley. The winery uses sustainable growing practices, which earns bonus points from me! This wine is an easy-drinking, medium-bodied Cabernet with the expected flavors of dark fruits with a hint of mocha and subtle tannins on the finish. I like the 2017, but the 2016 also received 89 points on Wine Spectator. Approx. $10-12.

Leese-Fitch Cabernet Sauvignon

Every time I buy this wine, I remember why I like it so much. It’s an easy drinking, medium-bodied Cab with plenty of fruit flavors like blackberry, cherry and plum and a touch of chocolate and baking spices. The soft tannins add just the right structure. Approx. $12.

Matchbook Wines Cabernet Sauvignon

Matchbook is one of my favorite wineries for good value wines from Northern California, and they make a best value Cabernet Sauvignon. I like everything of theirs that I’ve tried — the Tinto Rey and Arsonist blends, the Tempranillo, the Mossback Pinot Noir, and of course, their Cabernet. This wine bursts with the flavor of cherries in the glass but also has nice hints of chocolate and blueberry. Total yum. Approx. $13.

Noble Vines 337 Cabernet Sauvignon

I’m not usually a fan of Cabernet Sauvignon from California’s central valley (I love Lodi, just not the Cabs from there), but this one is a stand out. The mission at Noble Vines is to use exceptional vine stocks originating at the old chateaux of Bordeaux, France. (Hence the name 337, as in the vine stock #337). In France, these grapes grow beautifully in rocky clay soil, so they were planted in the same type of soil in the Clay Station vineyard in Lodi and have done very well there.

This is a complex, full-bodied wine with balanced flavors of blackberry, cranberry, baking spices, and a hint of herbs. It finishes with plenty of tannins and a lush mouthfeel that make it a wine to chew on. A winner for true Cab lovers like my dad! And by the way, it got 90 points from Wine Enthusiast. Approx. $12.

Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon

Josh Cellars is one of my go-to wineries for Merlot and Cab. This is a nice big Cabernet with typical notes of dark berries, vanilla, and spice like cinnamon and cloves. It’s a full-bodied yet easy to drink wine with a long finish and soft tannins. Approx. $13.

Kunde Sonoma Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

At $20-25, this Cab from Kunde Family Winery in Sonoma Valley is priced a little higher than the others but is worth the splurge. This is a wine that definitely starts off shy but wows you after it’s had time to open up. I grew to love the flavor of berry with a hint of chocolate in this rich, balanced wine. I’m unsure of its national distribution, but it’s available at supermarkets and local restaurants around Northern California as well as on Total Wine online. Approx. $22.

Best Value Cabernet Sauvignon from Washington:

My dad lives in Washington and is a big fan of their wine, so I try them from time to time. I’m always interested to see how the same varietal can taste so different between Washington and California. These three are best value Cabernet Sauvignons from Washington, but I’ll admit I have many more to try!

Substance Cabernet Sauvignon

This is another excellent find available at Costco and one of my personal favorites. Named one of the top 100 wines of the year by Wine Spectator, it received this review: “Depth and layer upon layer, black cassis, dark cherry, tobacco leaf, and morels. Then, pushes on to a full palate, that is savory, mineral-driven and earthbound. Smooth, long, compelling… in a word: harmonious.” Read more acclaim for this Washington Cabernet. Approx. $12.

Columbia Crest Cabernet Sauvignon

A nice juicy wine with plenty of dark fruits and subtle tannins, this is an easy-drinking Cab that I think is also a crowd pleaser. And just in case you see the Columbia Crest 2014 instead, buy it! It received a 91 from Wine Spectator and 90 from Wine Enthusiast. Approx. $10.

Columbia Cabernet Sauvignon

My favorite best value Cabernet Sauvignon! This full-bodied Cab (81% Cab, 13% Syrah, 3% Malbec) from Columbia Winery is full of blackberry and dark fruit flavors. It’s rich yet balanced. Wine Spectator liked it, too, and gave it 90 points. Approx. $15.

What are your best value Cabernet Sauvignons? Do you have any favorite good Cabernets under $15 or $20? 

More about wine here:

10 good value wines under $10-15

7 Tips for Wine Tasting

And for the wine curious