The Auswine Forum

Hi everyone - I'm a big fan of dry reds, usually Cab Sauv. For everyday drinking my wife lets me spend about $10-20 a bottle. I was about to order another case of my usual, but I thought I'd throw out the question to see what other people's favourites in that price range are. Personally, two that I have quite enjoyed are:

Kingston Estate Cabernet Sauvignon - $10.45 from Dan murphy's
Heartland Cabernet Sauvignon - $15 from nicks.com.au

Stock up on Wynn's Black Label which can sometimes be found on special for $20 a bottle. Might be a little less common thesedays though, since Wynns now have The Siding beneath the Black Label.

You could also give Mount Pleasant Jack a try.

Mount Pleasant Jack is a great dollar for dollar choice.

Tahbilk cab sav

Ringbolt is one of my fav's for under $20.
+1 for Tahbilk the sheer fact it will last 10+ years for $15ish.

rens wrote:Tahbilk cab sav

I second that.

I've heard about the new Black Label Shiraz but what's this about "The Siding"?

Mahmoud.

The Siding is the green label one. Been around since the 2009 vintage. Sits beneath the Black Label.

Some of my favourite cheap Cab Savs:

2006 Vinfera Cab Sav @ $10/bottle (drink now)
Bleasdale Mulberry Tree @ $14/bottle (haven't tried the current vintage, so try first)
2009 Wynns The Siding @ $15/bottle (cellar)
2009 Katnook Estate Cab Sav @ $20/bottle (on sale if you can, usually it's $30+)
2009 Wynns Black Label @ $25/bottle (cellar)

I'm a big fan of $10-$20 cab savs (& blends) with a good 5-6 years in the cellar

Mike Press is very hard to go past at $12.50/b from this very site. I don't think there is a better QPR straight cab in the country.
Tahbilk can be had for as little as $10, but is usually closer to $17, is excellent on release, and will cellar for the long haul (not a common trait at this price point).
I'm also quite partial to Vasse Felix Cab Merlot blend (which is considerably cheaper than the straight cab), as it is fun and juicy and shows all that is good about cheap, cheerful bordeaux blends from out west.

As for Coonawarra cabs... I'm personally just not a huge fan. Wynns "the Siding" is ok at the price point in question, but still tastes like ribena mixed with red dirt and blood - which is fine if you like that sort of thing.

Wow thanks for all the replies people - going to enjoy trying all these over the next month or two!

Don't forget Barwang.

+1 with Tahbilk's

Not sure where you stand with Cab Blends, highly recommend:

Balnaves of Coonawarra The Blend 2010 (under $20)
Thorn Clarke Shotfire Quartage 2010 (just $2-4 over $20, worth it)

Those through Gavin from this site, and you'll get discount!

+1 for Balnaves The Blend 2010, really is an excellent drop

Richard Hamilton Hutt Block is not bad, normally ~$15 but can be had for $12, so good value

Wynns The Siding - you should be able to get it for ~$13

Ringbolt (MR) if you can get it for <$20 is v good

Unfortunately you cant really get Wynns BL for <$20 any more

[quote="Thommo"]Mike Press is very hard to go past at $12.50/b from this very site. I don't think there is a better QPR straight cab in the country.

have to agree.
Mike Press Cab great value indeed.

How does the 2008 Wynn's Black Label compare to previous vintages? This just arrived in Canada. Thanks - Rick

miltonsufferer wrote:Don't forget Barwang.

+1

We have been drinking our way through a stash of 1994s and they are still drinking beautifully.

Also Sevenhill Inigo from the Clare Valley.

Cheers, Travis

manitobawino wrote:How does the 2008 Wynn's Black Label compare to previous vintages? This just arrived in Canada. Thanks - Rick

I loved it last time I tried it. It's a wine on the bigger, warmer end of the spectrum and needs some cellaring although quite wonderful with 8 hours decant time.

Had one last night.

2009 Yalumba 'Mawsons' Wrattonbully Cab Sav. Under a tenner at my local cutthroat. Quite complex blackberry, gravel and capsicum nose. Very good varietal expression for a sub-$20 cabernet, let alone a sub-$10. Good fruit on the medium-bodied palate and some gentle, green-tea tannin grip. Could go another year or two, but ready to drink. Rating: Very, Very Good. QPR: Excellent.

Cheers

Michael

Michael McNally wrote:Had one last night.

2009 Yalumba 'Mawsons' Wrattonbully Cab Sav. Under a tenner at my local cutthroat. Quite complex blackberry, gravel and capsicum nose. Very good varietal expression for a sub-$20 cabernet, let alone a sub-$10. Good fruit on the medium-bodied palate and some gentle, green-tea tannin grip. Could go another year or two, but ready to drink. Rating: Very, Very Good. QPR: Excellent.

Cheers

Michael

Sounds interesting Michael, Wrattonbully reds sometimes dismissed unfairly. There're always the navel-gazers who hope and pray that one or other of the cut-throat retailers will discount their personal holy grail of occasionally affordable Wynns Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon to around $20. I'll back Ringbolt at around this price level, Tahbilk is a given for its unique terroir, reasonably consistent style and proven ability to cellar for 10+ years. Barwang is another that can be great value, haven't had a Bleasdale Mulberry Tree for some years but have enjoyed it in the past. Tried a bottle of Houghton MR cab some weeks ago, it didn't impress much but it may appeal to some. Of the vintages I've had of Mike Press shiraz and cabernet I've preferred the cab that's become an almost automatic dozen buy for me most vintages. Judy Press is a gem, a lovely, engaging and entertaining person to correspond with. Mildara and Brands Blockers are worth considering as alternatives to Wynns Coonwarra from that region. Forest Hill Vineyard Estate cab is about $20 from some retail sources, the 2010 almost equalling Mount Langi Ghiran Cliff Edge Shiraz 2009 as my best value wine this year.