You’ve been invited over to a friend’s house and you don’t quite know what to bring. Pretty labels and lots to choose from can appear overwhelming, so in reluctance, you just grab and go. This can be a biggggg mistake. Today’s list is all about finding a Cab which will not only be a crowd pleaser, but will also be the ideal choice for a late night rendezvous with friends. Open each of these 30 minutes before drinking to get optimum flavor, and just watch as the compliments roll in.

Mitolo Jester

Winery: Mitolo Winery
Website: www.mitolowines.com
Average Price: $14
Year: 2012

Bright, lush and juicy with a full-bodied palate and mouth-filling richness – that’s what Jester Cabernet Sauvignon is all about. Bold red fruits with soft juicy tannins prolonged over a long lasting velvety finish. You’d be a clown not to try it.

Oberon

Winery: Oberon Napa Valley Wines
Website: www.oberonwines.com
Average Price: $19
Year: 2012

As a blend of Cabs taken from all over Napa Valley, this treat truly showcases the best. A dry yet full-bodied delight, flourishing with blackberries, currants, licorice and a sweet oak that leads onto a long, smooth and silky finish.

Kendall Jackson Grand Reserve

Winery: Kendall-Jackson Winery
Website: www.kj.com
Average Price: $20
Year: 2011

Unmistakably, the perfect combination of everything I love in a cab. Deep fruity flavors of blackberry, blueberry, red and black currants accompanied by deep mocha and vanilla notes and finally sprinkled with a little cocoa and nutmeg. The finish on this bad boy will present you with notes of slate, tobacco, cedar and velvety tannins.

Clayhouse

Winery: Clayhouse Wines
Website: www.clayhousewines.com
Average Price: $11
Year: 2012

Deep violet and purple colors give you aromas of dark ripe cherries, black currants and hints of cinnamon and vanilla. Both rich and full bodied, you can expect juicy flavors of cherry and plum with undertones of licorice. Not only is this wine deliciously chewy, but its complimented by smooth well rounded tannins and a warm toasty oak finish.

Columbia Crest H3 Horse Heaven Hills

Winery: Columbia Crest
Website: www.columbiacrest.com
Average Price: $10
Year: NV

With a name like Horse Heaven Hills, you’ve got to expect something special, and special this is. Big, fruity and bold on the nose with elegant yet rich aromas of dark black cherries combined with earthy mineral tones. On taste, rich and inviting deep berry flavors that come together with supple tannins and a soft cocoa mocha finish.

Ghost Pines

Winery: Ghost Pines
Website: www.ghostpines.com
Average Price: $15
Year: 2012

I’m a big fan of Ghost Pines, especially their Zinfandel, and the Cab does not disappoint either. A blend crafted to perfection, left to age in two different types of French oak. The end result gives you deep red fruits bursting with jamminess and followed through by notes of mocha and dark toasty oak.

Leese-Fitch

Winery: Leese-Fitch Wines
Website: www.togwines.com
Average Price: $9
Year: 2012

Another triumph for Leese-Fitch. Their Cab presents a unique nose of bourbon soaked cherries, dark chocolate and cedar. It doesn’t just stop there though, your senses elate as you pick up the red currants, blackberry cobbler and subtle notes of walnuts, wild game and a rich butter French oak. It’s soft, yet brilliantly bold and for $9 I can’t get enough of it.

Justin

Winery: Justin Winery
Website: www.justinwine.com
Average Price: $20
Year: 2012

Oh Justin, you don’t half spoil us do you? A beautifully balanced Cabernet with attractive aromas of black fruit, spice and an oaky complexity like no other. Take a deep breath and your senses will excite you with notes of juicy currants, cherry and blackberry layered with anise, warm vanilla and a subtle oaky cedar. Upon taste you will experience blackcurrant, cherry and boysenberry mixed with licorice, cherry candy and completed with velvety smooth tannins.