Top Picks for Cabernet Sauvignon

Black violet color. Perfumed aromas of rose petals, marinated mushrooms, crystalized blueberry, fine leather furniture, salumi, pickling spices, and dark chocolate with a round, lively, dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and a warming, massive, very long anise, espresso, and pomegranate molasses finish with heavy oak. An exceptionally dense cabernet that shows elegance over muscle; this wine will age well for decades.

Black violet color. Perfumed aromas and flavors of dried rose petals, asian pear, black olive, vanilla shortbread, strawberry preserves, and lime leaf with a slightly chewy, vibrant, fruity medium-full body and a smooth, nuanced, long gardenia, mocha, cocoa powder, and leather billfold finish with firm tannins and moderate oak. An excellent Napa cab that will develop into show-stopper.

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.

Bright black garnet color. Fruity aromas of baked chocolate, dried blueberry, latte, and dried herbs with a satiny, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and a warming, involved, very long roasted yams, black licorice, tar, and black olives finish with moderate oak. A brooding cabernet with heady fruit, dark mystery, and velvety tannins.

Dusty dark black garnet color. Complex aromas and flavors of prune, candied bacon, black olives, black licorice, and boysenberry cordial with an dryish full body and a warming, subtle, long cinnamon, allspice, violet liqueur, and incense finish with chewy tannins and heavy oak. A rich, well-structured Cabernet that will delight fine diners.

Murky indigo color. Aromas of lavender scone, sandalwood, and toasted marshmallow with a velvety, bright, bone-dry full body and a sleek, complex, long bacon wrapped dates, chocolate dipped cedar, and maitake mushroom finish with earthy, well-integrated, silky tannins and moderate oak. A beautiful layered Alexander Valley Cab expression teeming with flavors to be explored.

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.