Best Cabernet Sauvignon - By United States Open Wine Competition

1. Heitz 2004 Martha's Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon - Napa Valley, CA
2. Midsummer Cellars 2006 Tomasson Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon - St. Helena, CA

   
The style of Cabernet Sauvignon is strongly influenced by the ripeness of the grapes at harvest. When more on the unripe side, the grapes are high in pyrazines and will exhibit pronounced green bell peppers and vegetal flavors. When harvested overripe the wines can taste jammy and may have aromas of stewed black currants. Some winemakers choose to harvest their grapes at different ripeness levels in order to incorporate these different elements and potentially add some layer of complexity to the wine. When Cabernet Sauvignon is young, the wines typically exhibit strong fruit flavors of black cherries and plum. The aroma of black currants is one of the most distinctive and characteristic element of Cabernet Sauvignon that is present in virtually every style of the wine across the globe. Styles from various regions and producers may also have aromas of eucalyptus, mint and tobacco. As the wines age they can sometimes develop aromas associated with cedar.
 
Winery and Wine Web Sites

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Wine & Spirits Magazine - Consumer magazine promoting the greater appreciation and enjoyment of wine and fine spirits. Features include articles on food and travel as well as results of the American Wine Competition, and restaurant and retail surveys.

Wine-Searcher.com - Wine-Searcher's daily updated database of 6521 wine merchants' price lists saves you money when buying wines. The site provides the fastest and easiest way to find who is selling a wine, to compare prices between wine stores, and to value wines.

USA Wines - Listing United States wines, wineries and shops. Also features regional maps, information on lodging, dining and events.

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Avalon of Oregon - Oregon, Washington and Idaho wines and gourmet foods along with articles and reviews.

California Wine - Providing a selection of premium California wines.

New York Wine Cork - A guide to New York vineyards, with a list of wineries, calendar of events, news, tasting notes, and recipes.

Los Olivos Wine and Spirits Emporium -  Santa Barbara County wines.

Winetasting.com - California wineries offering products and information. News, events, and clubs.

WinoWorld.com -  Wines from Washington and the Pacific Northwest including Syrahs from Glen Fiona and Seven Hills wineries.

The Wine Reserve - California and limited production wines.

Signature Wines - A selection of US produced wines with custom labeling.

Villa Toscano -  Wines by a "Tuscan" winery in the Sierra Foothills of California.

Wine Online - A tasting Panel of wine industry professionals and culinary advisors.
 

This listing of the
America's Best Cabernet Sauvignon was compiled with the help from a Wine Group called Wine Addiction. This list is constantly being revised as we experience and learn about more of America's Great Wine. So, if you feel you we have missed a great Chardonnay, please send us a bottle.