Here are a few Cabs in the $25-ish range that I’ve enjoyed lately. Try pairing any of these with your favorite steak preparation, or this Pepper-Crusted Roast Beef.

ForeFront by Pine Ridge Vineyards 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa-El Dorado-San Luis Obispo ($24). Excellent value on this new label from Pine Ridge. Offers intense, rich blueberry, blackberry, currant, sage, mint, coffee and toasted vanilla notes and a long, plush finish with some underlying grip. Just a baby now. Ready to drink now and over the next five or six years. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Hook & Ladder 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Russian River Valley ($25). Smooth and silky, with black currant and cherry flavors accented with touches of mint and chocolate that linger on the finish. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Kilikanoon 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Clare Valley Blocks Road ($30). Nice mouthfeel here, with chalky tannins supporting ripe black fruit — blackberry, blueberry, black plum — and accents that include tobacco and spice. Long, focused finish. Ready to drink now and over the next five or six years. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Murphy-Goode 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley ($20). All red cherry character — bright, lively, juicy. Picking up light vanilla, toast, and sweet herbal notes through the fruity finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Oberon 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley ($20). Nicely built at this price, offering dark currant and blackberry fruit aromas and flavors accented with caramel, baking spices and a touch of herbal character. Long, concentrated finish. Ready to drink now and over the next four or five years. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Reininger 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley Helix ($22). Loads of cigar box aromas introduce medium bodied black currant and berry fruit. Shows nice complexity on the smooth, bright finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Rodney Strong 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley Estate ($25). Deep and sensuous, with rich blackberry and plum fruit aromas and flavors laced with pretty spices and light toasty notes. Easy, smooth tannins make this ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Souverain 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley ($20). Herbal and black currant aromas and flavors offer nice concentration and length, picking up cocoa and baking spices through the finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Locate this wine online or in your area.