Top Picks for Cabernet Sauvignon

Brown brick red color. Earthy aromas and flavors of cassis and pomegranate, spiced nuts, cocoa, and sandalwood with a supple, bright, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a tingling, intricate, long cedar, earth, and olives finish with earthy, medium tannins and moderate oak. A stately red with treasure chest of flavor and terroir.

Awards: 2017 Best Bordeaux Wine, 2017 Best French Red Wine

Dark dusty garnet color. Aromas of cumin, toasted walnut, marinated beef, and cedar with an fat body and an intricate, medium-long blackberry thicket, pink peppercorns, smoked tea, and minerals finish with leafy, woody, chewy tannins and moderate oak. A complex and substantial Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon with surprising depth, terroir and nuance; this could easily pass for a second growth Bordeaux.

Dusty ruby black color. Curious aromas and flavors of dried stone fruits and potpourri flowers, tomato beet-pickle relish, spicy pomegranate pastry, and beef stock with a satiny, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity fat body and a graceful, interesting, medium-long marinated root vegetables, honeyed nuts and herbs, and earth finish with fine, chewy tannins and light oak. A rich meaty, herbal red that will shine at the table.

Black garnet color. Elegant aromas of ripe cassis, dark chocolate coated coconut, rose petals, caramel, and roasted nuts with a round, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity full body and a warming, complex, very long ripe blueberries, hibiscus, pomegranate, and leather patina finish with chewy tannins and heavy oak. A knockout, endless Coombsville cab that is ready to drink or for a slumber in the cellar.

Garnet black color. Aromas and flavors of chocolate espresso bean, toasted sandalwood and pencil shavings, berry pie crust, and hint of lilac water with a bright, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a distinctive, very long cinnamon roll, craisin and dried tomato, cedar, and earth finish with well-integrated, chewy, dusty tannins and moderate oak. A remarkably complex, spicy, and satisfying young Saint Emilion with an even brighter future ahead of it.

Deep purple color. Aromas of cedar, black cassis, plum, sweet violet, and anise with a chewy, lively, dryish full body and an effortless, layered, very long bramble, leather, grilled meats, and black pepper finish with firm tannins and moderate oak. A brooding wine with a breathtaking finish that will continue to improve with time.

Dark garnet color. Aromas of blackberry, black currant, mint, and coffee with a soft, dry medium-to-full body and a warming, captivating, medium-long , bittersweet chocolate, and cedar finish with well-integrated tannins. An elegant, refined yet complex and powerful Paso Cabernet.

Awards: 2017 Top 3 Best Cabernet Sauvignon

Dark deep purple color. Elegant, complex aromas of expensive cigar wrapper and sweet spearmint with a round, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and an involved, medium-long fine leather, dried red fruit, smoky earth and peppered vanilla, and cinnamon candy finish with well-integrated, fine tannins. A wingback leather chair of a wine.

Black ruby color. Spicy aromas and flavors of wooden chest, tomato chutney, wood shavings, dusty violets, and tamarind with a velvety, lively, fruity medium-full body and a warming, complex, long charred meats, spiced berry fruit leather, toasty blueberry scone, and cinnamon danish finish with moderate oak. An elegantly fruity Sonoma red; finely integrated and ready to drink.

Murky black ruby color. Aromas of smoked meat, bacon balsamic, and pencil lead with a satiny, vibrant, bone-dry full body and a warming, interesting, long pan seared dates, stewed cremini mushroom, pumice stone, and grenache finish with chewy, earthy tannins and moderate oak. A bold Rutherford Cab with dimensions left to explore; will benefit from time in either the decanter or the cellar but is highly hedonic now.