This is a nice sweet spot, price wise, for Cabernet Sauvignon. You typically get a whole lot more wine for the money than at the $25 range — in complexity but also in terms of cellaring potential – so if you’re willing to up the ante by $15, it tends to pay off!

Here are a few I’ve enjoyed lately:

Freemark Abbey 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley ($38). Plush and fruity, offering ripe blackberry, blueberry and black cherry fruit laced with toasty vanilla, a touch of mint, cedar and baking spices. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Hidden Ridge 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County ($40). Appealing for its fragrant smoked spice and toast notes that accent pretty blackberry and black currant flavors and linger through the sleek finish, along with hints of bittersweet chocolate and sage. Ready to drink now and over the next 3-4 years. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Meyer Vineyards 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley ($45). Really good (and really well-priced!), offering waves of supple, rich blackberry, black cherry, cream, licorice and dark chocolate, with a lush finish supported by integrated tannins. Ready to drink now and over the next 5-7 years. Locate this wine online or in your area.  (2010-02-22)

Souverain 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley Winemaker’s Reserve ($40). Deep and aromatic, with blackberry and currant character laced with roasted coffee, fragrant fresh tobacco, dark chocolate and toast that linger on the smooth finish. Ready to drink now and over the next 3-4 years. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Terra Valentine 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain District Estate ($38). Appealingly dusty, with concentrated black currant and berry fruit laced with cocoa, earth, mineral, sage and baking spices, with a long, focused finish. Ready to drink now and over the next 5-7 years. Locate this wine online or in your area.