Best and Worst Cabernet Sauvignon Wines Under $25 | Value Wines

[@r.s.5431]

Totally agree with what you said about Freakshow and 19 Crimes. A couple of my favorites Cabs under $25 would be Justin and Kirkland Oakville.

[@DrinkinItIn]

Thanks so much for the thoughts. You are the second person that mentioned Justin here so I feel like I may have to get a bottle and do an episode. Kirkland is now on the list should I see it.

[@Matt_Bykowski]

​@@DrinkinItIn I'd love to get your reviews on any and all Kirkland/Costco wine. They are constantly a great value and always of good quality IMO. Being fairly wine ignorant, it's a brand I go to knowing I'm not going to get burned. Thanks for the video.

[@DrinkinItIn]

@@Matt_Bykowski Thanks for the note Matthew. I have heard good things about the Kirkland wine brand but don't have any Costco locations close to me. If I can secure a couple of bottles I'll post a video.

[@Matt_Bykowski]

@@DrinkinItIn Cool, thanks. And thanks for the response.

[@jeffgraham9210]

How do you rate Chateau Ste Michelle Cab from Colombia Valley?

[@DrinkinItIn]

Thanks for the questions Jeff. I haven't had that wine in a long time but overall I think Chateau St. Michelle puts out wines of good quality for such a huge brand. Maybe I'll have to check in on that soon.

[@rockotwo2]

the Indian Vally

[@DrinkinItIn]

@@rockotwo2 Am not familiar with that area.

[@ToccataLuna]

Hell yeah, Their indian wells cab annihilates most Napa cabs

[@MrCarlyMS]

Enjoyed it. I currently appreciate cabs from Chile.

[@DrinkinItIn]

Thanks for the note. Chile has come on strong for me lately.

[@marknelson8724]

I've had all the Cabs you talk about and mostly agree with you. I put the Educated Guess and the Oberon side by side in a tasting and the Oberon was clearly better. I'm not saying anything bad about the Educated Guess, but that day, the Oberon was better. This was a surprise for me as I expected the wines to be roughly equal but different in their details. Never know until we get some glasses and pull some corks.

[@DrinkinItIn]

I love the idea of the side by side and it doesn't surprise me that the Oberon won out, it is a delicious wine, time and time again. Thanks for watching and for all of the details in your comment, welcome aboard!

[@TobyRaven]

I agree with your assessment, you pointed out some great value cabs that were my on my “go-to” list many years ago. Now I seem to rarely drink cab unless it’s with a meal. Do people still drink cab for the love of it over say Malbec, Zinfandel, Chianti, Sangiovese…and other lighter and medium bodied reds that seem to be more suitable for casual consumption? Don’t hate on me- you are spot on but there are sooooo many reds that are well made and under $25 but they require a little curiosity and exploration. Wish good Pinot still existed at that price point- there are a few, but fleeting…cheers

[@DrinkinItIn]

Thanks for all of the thoughts Toby. I am still a sucker for cabs but definitely drink more Italian Red wines than anything else. The Pinot Noir under $25 riddle is one I continue to try to solve but it is a tough one.

[@maryverzella9841]

Havent tried the Zuccardi Q Cabernet Sauvignon but their Malbec 2021 is a definite hit. Louis Martini , Liberty School and CS, nice picks.

[@DrinkinItIn]

Thanks for the note, glad you agree on a few. Achaval Ferrer's Malbec is a fave of mine, will have to try Zuccardi Q. I have seen it on shelves but yet to pull the trigger.

[@jimrusch22]

Definitely agree, the Zuccardi Malbec 21 is a well made Malbec. Better in my opinion than the popular Alamos.

[@markhenderson558]

My wife really likes Casa Lapostolle from Chile and it is only $15 at my locale store. Seemed to be in that crowd pleaser category.

[@DrinkinItIn]

Thanks for the note. I am incorporating more wines from Chile into my rotation so will keep an eye out for this one.

[@Pseudopimelodidae]

Good that you also called out the producers one should avoid. Here in Finland finding good US Cabernet you might have to pay a bit more then 25 USD. Black Stallion Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is one I like.

[@DrinkinItIn]

Thanks so much for the note. Have never tried Black Stallion but I'll keep an eye out for it since you are trustworthy!

[@jimrusch22]

Although not to my taste, the Josh cab seems to be a crowd pleaser in my circles. Definitely recipe wine. Justin Cab in this price range has my vote. And for a lower price point, the Double Black is not bad.

[@DrinkinItIn]

Thanks for all of the thoughts Jim. I dont think I have ever tried the Justin Cab but may do so soon.

[@ronschmucker504]

Agree 100% with the 3 to avoid. I hate Josh - too sweet. I also have not enjoyed the Charlers Smith Substance - too thin for me. One that you didn't mention that I would say is a crowd pleaser for me is Juggernaugt Hillside Cab from Bogle. Black Stallion used to be my favorite in this category but I can't buy it for under 25 anymore. Thanks for the video

[@DrinkinItIn]

Thanks for all of the thoughts Ron. Am not familiar with that Bogle offering but generally like their wines so will look for it.

[@1remjr]

Yeah, I've seen the three you dislike often. Glad I didn't buy them, I just had an gut feeling about them. I intend to try the good ones you've mentioned. Thank you. You do realize of course that the cat is trying to take a nap. I wonder what its opinion about all this is.

[@DrinkinItIn]

Thanks for the note. You'll have to report back with your thoughts on any of the wines you try. Cooper was probably annoyed that I decided to film during nap time. But he naps a lot!

[@paulninan7580]

Louis Martini cabs are solid, but Decoy is meh. Other suggestions for great cabs under $25 are Bonterra and Hess.

[@DrinkinItIn]

Thanks for the notes Paul. I do prefer the Decoy Merlot over its Cab. I've never tried Bonterra so may have to!

[@crazy2chee189]

As soon as you said freak show I liked the video

[@DrinkinItIn]

Hooray! Thanks for watching and for the note.

[@rockotwo2]

Petite Sirah from Bogle !! a winner ever time!!

[@DrinkinItIn]

Thanks for the recommendation!

[@itsmederek1]

For me the higher quality Argentinian Cabernet can be a bit fruit forward and not may not stand up to oak that well. Zuccardi never uses oak so thats not really an issue but Michel Rolland for example makes a Cab that is just super vanilla heavy with ripe fruit flavors. To me it is very uninteresting if there is no herbaceous character and that much oak, I believe MR does 18 months in new barrels. Bordeaux is honestly still just awesome value if you find the right producers

[@DrinkinItIn]

Thanks so much for all of the thoughts. I have to agree on Bordeaux, it just takes time and effort to sift through the massive amount of possibilities.

[@itsmederek1]

@@DrinkinItIn Nail on the head there honestly, the amount of choice and variance in price quality is bonkers. Once you find the right producers though it is worth it imo. I find consistently fantastic stuff between 17 and 45 euros and I often find it hard to get better quality elsewhere for even double the amount. Being in Amsterdam helps though as I'm sure many options in the US would start a fair bit higher.

[@DrinkinItIn]

@@itsmederek1 An Amsterdam subscriber, I love it! I would imagine you do have better Bordeaux access.

[@rnjbond]

Scattered Peaks is great for under $30

[@DrinkinItIn]

Thanks for the suggestion - I am not familiar with that brand but will keep an eye out for it.

[@daver8521]

Totally agree about 19 Crimes! Just awful stuff.

[@DrinkinItIn]

Thanks for concurring. I might buy a bottle to feature just to experience the awful-ness again.

[@Vankel83]

19 Crimes was for sure horrible. Decoy isn't bad, it needs air. I let sit for like 10-15 minutes my first glass and it very drinkable.

[@DrinkinItIn]

Thanks for all of the thoughts. Good tip on the Decoy - probably could apply that advice to all Cabernet Sauvignon.

[@hacksawbob3310]

A friend and I tried the Michael David Petite Petit and actually enjoyed it. We decided to sample their other wines in the series and bought the three Freakshow red wines (didn't try the Chardonnay). BIG mistake! I don't know how these wines score well. They were not good at all. It gets worse. WAY worse! The Michael David Sixth Sense Syrah was a completely undrinkable mess. I was afraid my sink might puke it back up when I was pouring the rest down the drain. I am now afraid to go back and try the Petite Petit again, thinking it may have been a fluke that we liked it. I also don't see the need to give more money to a winery that has hurt me this badly.

[@DrinkinItIn]

Thanks for all of the notes, they are clearly not a winery for you. That being said, if I see the Petite Petit, I might just have to grab it and do an episode.

[@colleenmcentee6944]

Right there with you with Freakshow! Worst wine I ever tasted

[@DrinkinItIn]

Good to hear that we are aligned Colleen!

[@vrm86gt]

what's funny is your 3 to avoid are the 3 consumers will see most in the market! marketing budgets over quality wine in the bottle and we wonder why wine sales are down!

[@DrinkinItIn]

Thanks for the note - it is funny how that seems to work :)

[@TonyS-cm9xk]

Very Nice

[@DrinkinItIn]

Thanks for the note Tony

[@jaysonnadelson2188]

My first time watching a video of yours. Not impressed, you never mentioned why you like the wines or why you didn’t like the wines. You also didn’t mention that a lot of cabs from California can be blends. Also when you go to an Italian restaurant and ask for a cab. If it’s a good restaurant with a good list, ask for an Italian cab or an Italian wine that is blended with cab.

[@DrinkinItIn]

Thanks for watching and for the kind words, I hope you subscribed! I suppose I could have gone in depth on the wines and made this a 25 minute video but the intent was for this to be a list for you to try based on my experience. Hopefully you'll watch some of my other videos and change your opinion. Or don't come back, I really don't care either way. I do agree on the Italian restaurant ordering suggestion. This is a very casual place and I knew my mistake immediately!

[@heroldboertjens4227]

Cabernet Sauvignon in an Italian restaurant is a crime in itself. Pronouncing it as sauvingoan is another one.

[@DrinkinItIn]

ordering the Cab in the Italian restaurant wasn't a good decision, can't disagree with your sentiment there Herold. Not sure about the pronunciation comment, but OK.