words: Keith Beavers
illustration: Srishti Bhawal
Published: May 6, 2026
Born in Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon became a household name in the United States after arriving in California, gaining significant traction by the 1930s. However, it was the 1970s that truly changed everything. During that era, winemakers famously put California Cabernet up against the best of France, proving to skeptics just how world-class American wine had become. The critics were stunned, and the variety has reigned supreme ever since.
Today, Cabernet Sauvignon remains one of the most popular varieties in the red grape category. While the market is crowded, the quality has never been higher. Through recent tastings, we’ve noticed some exciting new wines emerging across the world’s Cab regions, from Washington State and Northern California to the historic vineyards of Australia.
The profiles range from soft and juicy to structured and savory, and from inky and tannic to everything in between. It is an exciting time for this legendary grape. Here are the 30 best Cabernet Sauvignons to try in 2026.
Why You Should Trust VinePair
Every year, VinePair conducts dozens of tastings for our “Buy This Booze” product roundups, highlighting the best bottles across the world’s most popular wine and spirits categories.
Within this scope, VinePair’s tasting and editorial staff samples thousands of bottles every year. This ensures we have a close eye on what’s new and exciting. Crucially, it also provides us with the context needed to distinguish the simply good from the truly great, whether from a quality or value-for-money perspective — or both.
Ultimately, our mission is to offer a clear, reliable source of information for drinkers, providing an overview applicable to day-to-day buying and drinking. Learn more about VinePair’s tastings and reviews department here.
How We Taste
We believe in tasting all products as our readers typically would: with full knowledge of the producer and — importantly — price. Our tastings are therefore not conducted blind.
VinePair’s tasting panel evaluates every wine on its aromas, flavors, structure, balance, and quality. We also consider whether or not the wine showed typicity for its specific grape or region.
How We Compiled This List
To provide our readers with the most comprehensive and thoroughly tested list of the best Cabernet Sauvignons to buy, VinePair invited producers, distributors, and PR firms working on their behalf to send samples for consideration. These bottles were submitted free of charge — producers didn’t pay to submit, nor did VinePair pay for the products. All were requested with the clear understanding that submission does not guarantee inclusion in the final list.
For the Cabernet Sauvignon roundup, we assigned a score to each product on a 100-point scale based upon the quality and intensity of its aromas, flavors, texture, and finish. Then we reviewed all scores and compiled an editorially driven list that meets our criteria of best Cabernet Sauvignons to buy right now. Each wine was assessed on quality, price, and availability to compile the final list.
Best Cabernet Sauvignons Under $30
Cape Mentelle Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Australia is a Cabernet Sauvignon powerhouse, but not in the Napa way. The wines tend to be jammier and have more savory notes. This bottle from Margaret River on the country’s West Coast is a great example, with notes of roasted tomatoes, ripe berries, and black plum. It lands full-bodied on the palate, with plush fruit and great acidity.
Average Price: $25
Rating: 93
Best Cabernet Sauvignons Under $100
Pursued by Bear Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
We have watched this wine evolve year after year, and this vintage might be one of the best yet. It brings together grapes sourced from distinct sites across Washington’s Columbia Valley and is aged in 100 percent Taransaud French oak for 30 months. The result is a bold, powerful wine. It opens with aromas of roasted coffee beans, black cherries, and vanilla. The mouthfeel is rich with concentrated fruit and seamless tannins, weaving together to add depth.
Average Price: $75
Rating: 95
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