Best Cabernet Sauvignon under $15

[Adair]

My quick input and confirming a few other opinions, I recently tried the 2006 Peter Lehmann "Barossa" Cabernet Merlot (not the straight Cabernet Sauvignon, which is more expensive). I have seen it for $8.99 by the 6 pack. If you get it for anywhere less than $13, you have a bargain. It differentiates itself from others in this price range by: purple floral perfume, dry mouthfeel - not the standard juicy/overripe/"smooth" fruit and feel that typically make up Barossa Cabernet, and grainy/dusty/earthy texture. In essence, this is a varietal Cabernet as opposed to an indefined great quaffer.

This is Jeremy Oliver’s tasting note, which is relatively excellent from him for a wine of this price: “A very competent wine with true depth of ripe and earthy regional fruit, balance and charm. A cedary, slightly leathery bouquet of dark plums, black and red berries and marginally raw-edged vanilla oak reveals a hint of smokiness. It’s long, round and approachable, with ripe plum and blackberry cabernet flavours given mid-palate presence and suppleness through some rather soft and succulent cherry-like merlot. Underpinned by dusty tannins, it finishes with pleasing length and a lingering fine-grained firmness. Exceptional value. Score: 16.8/20. Drink: 2011-2014."

Adair

[Rawshack]

The 07 Angoves Long Row Cabernet for less than $10 is a good wine with strong varietal character. Good buy

[TonyDC]

1st release 2010 Longhop Cabernet Sauvignon - early 2011..its a ripper!

Dom

Shameless self promotion!

[ChrisV]

What percentage of Jeremy Oliver's notes contain the word "lingering"? It would have to be upwards of 50%. It's very annoying once you notice it, well it is to me anyway.

[Rawshack]

What percentage of Jeremy Oliver's notes contain the word "lingering"? It would have to be upwards of 50%. It's very annoying once you notice it, well it is to me anyway.

Ralph Kyte Powell in the Age Epicur always uses 'Tangy'. At least once a week. 'A lip smacking tang'

[Rawshack]

An honourable mention to Plunkett Folwes 490m Cabernet Merlot at around $14. Mattison (if I recall correctly) went nuts for this and I can see why. Simple blackcurrant and plum character with a touch of eucalypt and there's not much else going on, but it's got great structure and a decent length. I was impressed.

[Adair]

An honourable mention to Plunkett Folwes 490m Cabernet Merlot at around $14. Mattison (if I recall correctly) went nuts for this and I can see why. Simple blackcurrant and plum character with a touch of eucalypt and there's not much else going on, but it's got great structure and a decent length. I was impressed.

FWIW...

Plunkett Fowles 490m Cabernet Merlot 2008: Thursday, Sep 17 2009
By Campbell Mattinson
The Plunkett Fowles team tries to make this in a soft, modestly sweet, easy-drinking style. You can’t keep good grapes down though - because it’s better than that.
Yes it’s curranty and dusty with notes of bay leaves and sundry berries, and combined these flavours do present as a fruity mouthful of satisfying flavour. But there’s tannin grip here and pretty good length, and the in-built aristocratic nature of cabernet far out-weighs the fruity sweetness that the wine is meant to be characterised by. There’s some seriousness to this quaffer. And quite a bit of flavour. The quality of it is self-evident. Barring the odd exception, I’d jump at this before I’d jump at most recent releases of, say, Koonunga Hill.

Rated : 90 Points
Alcohol : 15%
Price : $14.95
Closure : Screwcap
Drink : 2009 - 2012

[JG]

Barwang is consistently good. And Tahbilk.
Both cellarable too.

[Rawshack]

Barwang is consistently good. And Tahbilk.
Both cellarable too.

Tahbilk isn't (usually) under $15. However, certain retailers are offering it below $14. I think Halliday gave the current vintage 95 points (I stand to be corrected however)

[Gary W]

08 McWilliams Handwood Cab Merlot is a very tidy wine. $RRP is $12..would be had for less. Well worth a look.
GW

[Michael McNally]

08 McWilliams Handwood Cab Merlot is a very tidy wine. $RRP is $12..would be had for less. Well worth a look.
GW

I think GW means "Hanwood" and I thought it was a straight Cabernet, but yes it is great value!

Cheers

Michael

[Gary W]

Hanwood, Handwood...what's a D here and there. There's a Cabernet Merlot and a Cabernet Sauvignon. I think the CM is slightly better (a point).
GW

[Neville K]

Tahbilk Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

I agree with the critics. My cheap wine of the year.

It tastes of Cabernet, it tastes of the Nagambie Lakes region, and it tastes of Tahbilk – it’s instantly recognisable as all three. Tahbilk Cabernet has been on a roll of late but this release is fabulous. The Tahbilk Estate is now 150years old – and stronger than ever." CAMPBELL MATTINSON & GARY WALSH, The Big Red Wine Book 2010/11

Built to last, black current fruit interwoven through, firm but balanced tannins, oak in the background; the finish is the strongpoint of a very good wine. 95 Points JAMES HALLIDAY, The Weekend Australian, March 2010 2006

Similarly Huon Hooke SMH 9/3/2010 and Philip Rich AFR Monthly

[Rawshack]

08 McWilliams Handwood Cab Merlot is a very tidy wine. $RRP is $12..would be had for less. Well worth a look.
GW

I purchased a couple of bottles on this recommendation and surprisingly they were good. Both better the following night. Tidy indeed

[robwolters_nl]

Not found a straight cab sav that does it for me under $15. Shiraz is a lot easier to find a good wine at a cheaper price. Cab Sav is not so easy.

Cab/Merl

If on a good special,
Cullen’s Ellen Bussell
Annie’s Lane
Jameson’s Run (on good vintage)

Woodlands Cabernet Merlot is around the $19-20 mark and pretty good value for money too.