By Aaron Gratch, Tasting Room Manager & Winemaker at Cellar Beast Winehouse
Introduction: What Makes the Best Cabernet Sauvignon?
Cabernet Sauvignon stands as a pillar in the world of red wines, celebrated for its deep dark fruit flavors, structure, and age-worthiness. Wine lovers across the globe gravitate toward this powerful varietal wine, derived from Sauvignon Blanc wine grapes and known for its rich fruit flavors, full-bodied profile, and strong tannic wines. Cellar Beast Winehouse's best Cabernet Sauvignon balances terroir, winemaking integrity, and natural acidity. Drawing from the cooler climates and hillside vineyards of Washington State, we focus on crafting expressive, single-varietal wine that captures the essence of our vineyards.
Meet Cellar Beast’s Best Cabernet Sauvignon Wines
Cabernet Sauvignon – Meek Vineyard, Yakima Valley AVA
Sourced from the Meek Vineyard nestled in the Columbia Valley, this wine opens with black cherry, notes of blueberry, and violet. Soft tannins meet bright acidity, making it both structured and elegant. Expect flecks of pepper and subtle earthy notes. Perfect with ribeye steak, portobello mushrooms, or aged cheese.
🍷 Ready to taste Washington’s best Cabernet? Shop Cellar Beast Cabernet →
Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve – Candy Mountain Vineyard, Candy Mountain AVA
This Reserve Cab delivers dark fruit notes and chewy tannins from one of Washington State’s smallest, newest, and most prestigious wine regions. Balanced and bold, it features black pepper, wild berry fruit, and a core of fruit intensity. Pair it with grilled lamb, mushroom pasta, or sharp cheddar.
Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve – Red Heaven Vineyard, Red Mountain AVA
From the esteemed Red Mountain District, this Cabernet Sauvignon embodies rich fruit flavors and powerful tannins. It has black fruit notes, dark chocolate undertones, and a smooth finish with silky tannins. It is an ideal companion for short ribs, duck confit, or blue cheese.
Best Cabernet Sauvignon Under $50
Finding an outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon that doesn't mean breaking the bank. Here are some top-rated Cabernet Sauvignons under $50 that offer exceptional quality, rich flavor, and true value—including Cellar Beast’s own celebrated Cabernet Sauvignon.
Why These Picks?
Each of these wines delivers a rich body, dark fruit flavors, and structure that Cabernet lovers crave, at a price point that’s perfect for both everyday sipping and special occasions.
Pro tip: Cellar Beast’s award-winning Cabernet showcases Washington’s unique terroir with a balance of boldness and elegance, making it a truestandout choice.
Top Cabernet Sauvignon Brands: How Cellar Beast Compares
When wine lovers search for the best Cabernet Sauvignon, several iconic producers come to mind. Each winery offers its own unique expression of this powerful grape.
Cellar Beast Winehouse
At Cellar Beast, our Cabernets showcase the elegance and structure of Washington’s AVAs, with dark fruit intensity, bright natural acidity, and restrained use of oak. Crafted in small lots with minimal intervention, our wines highlight terroir and balance—designed to age gracefully while remaining approachable in their youth.
Chateau Ste. Michelle (Washington, USA)
One of Washington’s most recognized wineries, Chateau Ste. Michelle produces Cabernets that are widely available and approachable. Known for ripe blackberry and cassis flavors with smooth tannins, their wines introduced many drinkers to the quality of Washington reds.
Beringer Vineyards (Napa Valley, California, USA)
As one of Napa’s historic estates, Beringer is synonymous with bold, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon. Their wines often carry rich black fruit flavors layered with toasty oak, making them a benchmark for the powerful Napa style.
Penfolds (South Australia)
From the vineyards of Coonawarra and Barossa, Penfolds creates Cabernets of deep concentration, firm tannins, and signature notes of eucalyptus and spice. Their famous “Bin” series has earned worldwide acclaim and showcases Australia’s unique take on Cabernet.
Why Choose Cellar Beast?
While Chateau Ste. Michelle offers accessibility, Beringer delivers Napa’s boldness, and Penfolds brings global prestige, Cellar Beast Winehouse represents a balance of Old World structure and New World fruit. By focusing on hillside vineyards and a restrained, artisanal winemaking approach, our Cabernets offer nuance, age-worthiness, and exceptional value.
What Sets Our Cabernet Sauvignon Apart?
Unlike high-alcohol, mass-market wines, Cellar Beast wines come from carefully selected sites in Washington State, including Yakima Valley and Red Mountain AVA. These hillside vineyards and valley floor micro-climates produce Cabernet Sauvignon with natural acidity and restrained alcohol levels. Our wines benefit from small-lot fermentation, French oak aging (rarely more than 30% new to avoid over-oaking, allowing the fruit to be highlighted), and a commitment to preserving varietal character. We embrace sustainable farming, minimal intervention, and techniques highlighting each wine’s sense of place.
Comparing Our Cab with Napa and Bordeaux Styles
While Napa Valley Cabernets are celebrated for boldness and dark fruit, and Bordeaux reds lean into complexity and subtlety, our Washington Cabernet Sauvignon strikes a sweet spot in between. Our wines offer the black fruit power of Napa and the tannin structure and earthy notes of Bordeaux. Compared to popular wine estates like Silver Oak or Mayacamas Vineyards, Cellar Beast Cabernet Sauvignons deliver exceptional value with more nuanced expression—ideal for both classic wine styles and adventurous wine drinkers.
Best Food Pairings for Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is a champion of the dinner table. Here are our top pairings:
- Steak and Red Meat – Perfect Pairing with grilled ribeye, lamb, and beef tenderloin
- Pasta with Tomato Sauces – Pair with bolognese, lasagna, or spicy arrabbiata
- Sharp Cheeses and Charcuterie – Aged gouda, blue cheese, and salami
- Dark Chocolate Desserts – Especially with our Red Heaven Vineyard Cab
Ask our tasting room for pairing suggestions with seasonal menus or special events.
Awards, Accolades & Reviews
Under the expert guidance of Head Winemaker Matt Check, Cellar Beast Winehouse's Cabernet Sauvignon has garnered significant acclaim in esteemed international wine competitions. Notably, our Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve has achieved:
- Gold Medal at the 2022 Concours d’Vin by SommCon (see results)
- Gold Medal (92 points) at the 2025 Sommerliers Choice Awards (see results)
- Gold Medal (90 points) at the 2024 Sommeliers Challenge
- Silver Medals at the 2023 Concours d’Vin by SommCon, 2024 Texas International Wine Competition, 2024 Las Vegas Global Wine Competition, 2024 USA Wine Ratings, and the 2022 Las Vegas Global Wine Competition
These accolades reflect our unwavering commitment to crafting exceptional, terroir-driven wines that resonate with critics and enthusiasts alike. Matt Check's dedication to excellence ensures that each bottle of our Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve delivers a memorable and distinguished tasting experience.
Cabernet Sauvignon for Gifting & Cellaring
Our Cabernet Sauvignons make memorable gifts and age beautifully. Each bottle evolves, gaining layers of milk chocolate, dark fruit, and berry fruit over 3, 5, or 10 years. If you're gifting to a wine lover or building your cellar, these single-varietal wines from Washington State are collectible and incredibly food-friendly.
Shop the Best Cabernet Sauvignon at Cellar Beast
Whether you're looking for a varietal version that rivals Napa Valley or a Washington Cabernet Sauvignon that delivers on quality and complexity, Cellar Beast has the bottle.
- Shop online now and explore exclusive releases from top vineyards
- Join our Wine Club for early access and curated selections
- Give the gift of wine with Cellar Beast gift cards or holiday bundles
FAQs: Cabernet Sauvignon at a Glance
What food goes best with Cab Sauv?
Red meats, tomato-based pasta, aged cheeses, and dark chocolate.
Is Cellar Beast’s Cab dry or fruity?
Dry, with a balance of dark fruit flavors, bright acidity, and velvety tannins.
How long can I age it?
Our Reserve Cabernets, with evolving complexity, can be cellared for up to 10 years.
Conclusion: Elevate Your Wine Experience with Cellar Beast Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is a bold, age-worthy varietal with global acclaim—but the best Cabernet Sauvignon doesn't have to come from Napa Valley, Sonoma County, or Bordeaux. At Cellar Beast, we craft wines from Washington’s top AVAs with structure, elegance, and expressive fruit to stand out among the world's prestigious wines. Whether you’re gifting, collecting, or just enjoying a great bottle tonight, our wines offer something truly special. Taste the difference.
About the Author: Aaron Gratch
Aaron Gratch is the Andreas Tasting Room Manager and Winemaker at Cellar Beast Winehouse, where art and science converge in every bottle. A creative force behind the label design and the wine itself, Aaron brings a unique blend of visual artistry and winemaking skills to the Cellar Beast portfolio. With a hands-on approach to fermentation, blending, and vineyard sourcing, he ensures that each varietal wine reflects its terroir and vintage with honesty and elegance. His passion for Cabernet Sauvignon is rooted in years of exploring Washington State’s most expressive AVAs, including Red Mountain, Candy Mountain, and Yakima Valley. Known for the balance of fruit's bold dark fruit notes with restrained oak and vibrant acidity, Aaron crafts powerful and nuanced wines. Whether in the cellar or at the tasting bar, he is committed to making wine more personal, thoughtful, and unforgettable for every wine lover.
