Cabernet Sauvignons are the reason I like red wine these days. It’s taken me a long time to get into reds, they are robust and pair well with meats and bold flavors, but I just wasn’t quite in a space to really fall for them. In 2019 I attended a wine tasting and dinner with Borne of Fire and that was my first time really having a variety of meals and flavors that pair well, very well might I add, with a cabernet sauvignon.
Since that lovely experience I didn’t really get back into reds because I just wasn’t sure where to start. After being gifted enough red wine to host a dinner, I decided I would start tasting it. I didn’t realize until a few bottles in that everything I had been given or gifted was a cabernet sauvignon. The reason cabernet sauvignons have grown on me is they are incredibly easy to drink. I’ll be honest, wine isn’t for everyone, I didn’t consider myself a huge wine drinker, but as I expand my palette and as I eat different things, I’m more inclined to have a glass of wine.
Wine subscriptions are super popular these days and my brother sent us a boxes which is how I have had the opportunity to try so many reds at once. 10/10 would recommend if you’re wanting to try a variety. Thanksgiving is here and depending on what you plan on having, a cabernet sauvignon could be a great paired with just about all of your holiday favorites. Cabernets pair well with game, beef and hard cheese, so all of you mac and cheese lovers, you get a glass too. Companion ingredients include butter, cream, mushrooms and mustard. I’ve paired cabs with salmon, octopus and a good old fashioned turkey burger when I’m feeling casual; tasted wonderful. All of that said, lets get into the 5 best cabernet sauvignons to try for Thanksgiving.
Charles Woodson’s Intercept
Yes the football player Charles Woodson, has his own wine and in an effort to make sure I highlighted black owned business, I was excited to see he had a cabernet, not only a red blend. I drove to Redondo Beach to get this because it has hints of spice, cocoa and cedar. It has notes of black currant which makes it perfect for the bold flavored cooks out there. He has a full product line so I was really impressed. Need a gift to add to your husbands gift basket? Intercept is the perfect option. Thanksgiving makes me think of football and all of the time spent watching our favorite teams play.
Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon
Josh Cellars is a California brand and I always see them at Sprouts or Trader Joe’s but before I was really into cab’s I hadn’t had a reason to try to it. Josh Cellars is pretty well received and I have since tried it and true to its description, it’s juicy with notes of toasted hazelnut and cinnamon, blackberry and hints of vanilla. I had it with chili and I like my chili spicy so all of the flavors were amazing. The flavors remind me of the holidays and are perfect for Thanksgiving or cozy meals during this time of year. Cabernets are sexy sippers in my opinion. It’s not something you guzzle, you really want to sip it behind and/or with your food, it really brings out the notes.
Apothic Cabernet Sauvignon
Speaking of sexy sippers Apothic has a delicious and silky cabernet sauvignon. I tried Apothic for the first time when I was in North Carolina, the bottle really intrigued me. I’ve since gone on to try their rose that came out, added it to my must try rose list and their cabernet is great. It has notes of black currant and blackberry and scents of Vanilla.
Givon Galil Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Givon is a kosher cabernet. It’s produced in Galilee which is in Israel and because I want to go to Israel I was happy to be gifted the bottle. Givon is produced with 100% cabernet sauvignon grapes, it has 13.5% alcohol, is bold, smooth and a bit dry, but not acidic. It has notes of red fruit, cherry to be particular. Others mentioned raspberry and strawberry, but cherry stood out most to me personally. I think this is just a unique cabernet and it felt special for me to drink.
Borne of Fire
Borne of Fire is a Washington based Cabernet Sauvignon created by Chateau St. Michelle. Borne of Fire is unique because the 10% Malbec that they use in the blend is from a new AVA in South Central Washington. The term AVA refers to when early settlers would burn the fields to essentially restart the soil for the Fall. That little nugget right there makes it perfect for Thanksgiving and similar to the others on this list the cab is very silky and smooth to drink. The reason why Borne of Fire wine is so special is because it is the only wine on the retail market from the Washington AVA ‘The Burn’.
Needless to say that wine dinner opened my eyes to the red wine and cabernet sauvignon world.
