Vina Santa Ema 89 points

Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo Valley 2007 $10



The Cabs from Chile keep getting better and what a great price; The palate opens with black cherry, blackberry, raspberry and burnished oak. Medium-bodied and jam packed full of flavor with balanced tannins. The finish is light with vanilla and earthy cedar coming thru.

2006 Yellow Tail The Reserve 88 points

Cabernet Sauvignon, South Eastern Australia, $11



The nose of this Cab is ripe black fruit and vanilla; With a concentrated palate of blackberry, black cherry raspberry and new french oak. For $11 bucks you get a great value with velvety tannins and cassis and spicy oak coming through on a long smooth finish.

2006 D'Arenberg The High Trellis 91 points

Cabernet Sauvignon, McLaren Vale, $15

This Cab is young but approachable; Black currant, black plum, cassis and leather fill the palate with flavor. This red is full-bodied with chewy tannins and will get better over the next 10 years. With an edgy finish of cedar and mocha that's long and balanced, drink now thru 2020.

2007 Bodegas Caro Amancaya 91 points

Malbec-Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, $20


I love a red blend that's big and approachable when you open it; Big dark fruit blasts onto the palate with flavors of black cherry, blackberry, cola and thick vanilla. Style wise, this red blend is superior because it offers both girth and elegance. With a long and balanced finish of earth and dark fruit, drink now thru 2010.

2006 Penley Estate Phoenix 92 points

Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra, $20


Beautiful with a bold fruit forward flavor profile; Blackberry, cassis, vanilla bean and cedar oak are velvety on the palate. This full bodied red has tight tannins and a lush texture that's properly balanced. The finish is smooth and long with hints of leather and caramel, drink now thru 2016.

2005 Novelty Hill Columbia Valley 91 points

Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley (WA), $19



This Bordeaux blend is balanced and ripe; with smokey flavors of dark cherry, currant, nutmeg and roasted coffee fill the palate with flavor. Balanced tannins and acidity this full-bodied red blend is a well rounded and seamless. With a finish that's ripe with smokey oak that's long and smooth.

2005 Bodega Norton Reserva 91 points

Cabernet Sauvignon, Luján de Cuyo, $14




Norton has produced a fabulous Cab at a great price. The blackberry, black cherry, toasty oak and vanilla melt on the palate. Full bodied with tight tannins and a creamy mouth-feel achieves a well rounded Cab. The finish is long and smooth with notes of mocha and vanilla, drink now thru 2014.

2006 Stephen Vincent Crimson Red Blend 87 points

Stephen Vincent 2006 Crimson Red Blend; $12 California

This is a red blend of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon that's easy to drink; Ripe black cherry, raspberry and earthy spice lushly fill the palate with flavor. This is a easy drinking red table wine suitable for everyday. The finish is light and uncomplicated but still pretty good, drink now.

2006 Glen Carlou 91 points

Cabernet Sauvignon, Paarl, $16

Fruit and spice and everything that's nice; The palate pops with black currant, cassis, nutmeg and pepper that are layered expertly. I like this Cab because of it's balance and tightly woven tannins. With a broad finish of Asian spices, fruit and oak that's smooth and long, drink now thru 2015.

Kedar's K'orus NV Cabernet Sauvignon 86 points

Kedar's K'orus NV Cabernet Sauvignon (Vin de Pays d'Oc); $12



This Cab is an excellent value wine for 12 bucks; Black plum, currant, black cherry and very light oak juice the palate with flavor. Uncomplicated with good structure and balanced acidity. The finish is juicy and long, drink now.

2006 Cameron Hughes Lot 73 91 points

Cabernet Sauvignon, Chalk Hill, $16



This is a classically styled Cab; rich fruit, balanced tannins; Black plum, black currant, pipe tobacco and chocolate fill out a rich palate of flavors. Well integrated fruit with notes of burnt vanilla and leather flesh out on a long, smooth finish, drink now thru 2014.

2005 The Yellow Cellar Cape Red 86 points

Cabernet Sauvignon-Shiraz, Coastal Region, $10



Big red blend with lot's of ripe fruit; Cassis, blackberry, leather and oak are lush on this broad palate. This uncomplicated red is very tasty for the price. With restrained tannins and a good balance of fruit with a oakey and spicy finish.

2006 MontGras Quatro 91 points

Red Blend, Central Valley, $16


Cabernet, Malbec, Carmenère and Syrah together are well integrated and very tasty; blueberry, blackberry, sloe berry and vanilla float across the palate with ease. This full-bodied red blend has a long finish with notes of chocolate and burnished wood.

2006 Casa Lapostolle Cuvée Alexandre Apalta Vineyard 90 points

Cabernet Sauvignon, Colchagua Valley, $19

I love a big, powerful Cab, but this one needs time to mellow out; Ripe raspberry, licorice, mocha and vanilla eek out on a narrow palate. Because this cab is so big a paring with hearty meats would be ideal, best to drink after 2010.

2006 Luis Felipe Edwards Family Selection 89 points

Cabernet Sauvignon, Colchagua Valley, $14

This red is not the typical big bodied Cab and that's why I like it. With a full palate of black currant, cassis, black cherry and chocolate. Balanced from start to finish with notes of vanilla and dark plum on a solid long finish, drink now thru 2010.

2006 Ruca Malen Yauquén 88 points

Malbec-Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, $9

The nose is big dark fruit and light spice; With a full palate of raspberry, currants, spice and oak. Medium-bodied and pure mid-palate with a earthy, light oak finish. Drink the value red blend now.

2005 MontGras Quatro Reserva 92 points

Red Blend, Colchagua Valley, $16

This red blend of Cabernet, Malbec, Merlot and Carmenère is a full-throttled, big with edgy ripe fruit. A full mouth-feel of black cherry, blueberry, earth and spice. The finish is a blend of chocolate and fresh ground coffee that's warm and long.

2006 Clos de la Siete Super Red Blend 93 points

2006 Red blend; Argentina, $19

A beautifully blended red wine with 50% Malbec, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Syrah. Big fruit nose of blueberry liqueur and spice leeding to a restrained palate of black cherry, blueberry, spice and oak. This well balanced red will get better with age, drink now thru 2015.

2006 Luchador Shiraz 93 points

2006 Shiraz; Australia $18

Velvety texture and rich aromas of cedar, spice and dark fruit. Full on fruit fruit on the palate, blueberry jam, blackberry, eucalyptus, and vanilla. It's big and rich in the mouth, with a medium body and a long finish that sings of more vanilla and eucalyptus. Drink this great beauty of a wine thru 2014. Bravo!

2005 Diamond River Cabernet Sauvignon 86 points

Diamond River 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon (Lutzville Valley); $10

This easy drinking Cab has a big fruit nose, but light on the palate. A nose of pepper, dark fruit, and coffee grounds and a less fruity palate makes this a likable but less complex red wine at a great price. Drink now