We asked members of our panel to taste and evaluate CABERNET SAUVIGNON . As always , these selections include brief tasting notes , a rating and the wine ’ s retail price ( which can vary from store to store and market to market ). If you ’ re a beverage professional with a specialty in wine and you ’ re interested in participating in the panel , please contact associate editor Kyle Swartz at kswartz @ epgmediallc . com or 203-855-8499 x2225 .

RANKING SYSTEM

★★★★★ FIVE STARS ( 92-100 ) A top-flight wine . Superior in taste and character and providing an outstanding price / value relationship .

★★★★ FOUR STARS ( 86-91 ) A very good wine and an excellent value . A wine for which customers will keep coming back .

( 97 ) 2014 Snowden “ The Ranch ” Cabernet Sauvignon ( California ). The style is reminiscent of a good Saint-Julien , with a bouquet of wildfl owers , black fruit and terroir with a hint of “ cigar box .” Flavors of not-quite-ripe blueberry , currant and plum meld with lightly toasty oak notes and fi rm tannins . The richly textured mouth-feel is expressive of Napa , while adding to the complexity of this very structured wine . It ’ s a baby yet , just beginning to develop and loaded with promise . Lay it in your cellar for 5-7 years , at least . ($ 49.99 )

( 95 ) Chateau Ksara Cabernet 2013 ( Lebanon ). The 2013 vintage of Chateau Ksara Cabernet was even riper than it normally is , which lends perfectly to this Bekka Valley wine . You would

( 95 ) Duckhorn Cabernet 2014 ( California ). Another classic cab from a Napa pioneer . Sourced from their estate fruit and eight select parcels . Bordeaux-style blend based on 83 % cab . Very structured with old-world hints of graphite , dried herbs and black / red fruit . 16 months in French oak helps integrate the fruit into a long smooth lingering fi nish . ($ 74.99 )

believe we were in the Napa Valley if we were doing a blind tasting of this borderline-perfect cabernet . When the bottle was revealed to be

★★★ THREE STARS ( 80-85 ) An above-average wine , at a reasonable price point , which many customers will enjoy .

from Lebanon you would spend all night having to hear the amazing story of Chateau Ksara . The disbelief that this wine was that good , and not from a wine region you would expect , makes the experience all the better . ($ 24.99 )

( 95 ) 2013 Miner Emily ’ s Cuvee ’ Cabernet Sauvignon ( California ). The bouquet is full of lilac , black currant , lavender and sweet spices . A nice hint of coffee / mocha shows on the second sniff .

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