One of the great things about Winter is that you get to indulge in all those rich, full-flavored dishes that help stave off the cold weather. Few wines enhance a robust, red meat dish more than a great Cabernet Sauvignon. This is why we present a selection of excellent California Cabernets primarily from Napa and Sonoma counties, where you will find most of California's best Cabernets.

2002 Conn Valley Vineyards Napa Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Estate $49.99
"The dense purple-colored 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve displays a classic bouquet of licorice, creme de cassis, smoke, white flowers, and crushed rocks. Medium to full-bodied with sweet tannin, a distinct earthiness, a voluptuous mid-palate, and a long, concentrated finish, it should be at its finest between 2008-2020+." —WA 95

2002 Chateau Montelena Napa Cabernet Sauvignon (Net) $29.97
"The sweet, flamboyant, charming 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley (79.8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc) offers sweet red and black currant fruit, along with notions of licorice, earth, and underbrush." —WA 90

2002 Arnold Palmer California Cabernet Sauvignon (Net) $11.97
A custom cuvée made by Luna Vineyards for golf legend Arnold Palmer's own label, this Cab offers aromas of smoky black cherry and Bing cherry with underlying notes of toasted warm coffee and cassis. A touch of cedar folds seamlessly into a rich opulent black fruit core. Layers of oak build texture and offer a firm mid-palate. The velvety, long finish is filled with milk chocolate and toasty notes. A great value in "big toasty" California Cabernet.

2002 Simi Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Net) $14.97
For those who like their Cabs on the ripe side, this wine features wild berry and blackberry fruit scents and flavors. It is elegantly styled with spice notes adding complexity. A very solid Cabernet value from Sonoma County.

2002 Simi Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon "Landslide" (Net) $26.97
This medium-bodied red has rich, perfumed aromas of red berries, sweet tobacco and truffles. The palate offers an intense rich texture with notes of strawberry and earth. This Cab offers a great level of quality for the price.

2002 Truth Cabernet / Syrah Blend "Lindsey's Cuvée" (Net) $15.97
The 2002 Truth "Lindsey's Cuvee" has beautiful, ripe, spicy dark currant and berry aromas, with a trace of pepper. On the palate, the wine's focused acidity conveys an overall impression of silky, sweet, ripe fruit. There is some size here, but the wine's fruit is an excellent framework off of which everything else is supported. The tannins are substantial but soft, and there's quality evident of a wine costing two or three times the price. Pair this mouthful of ripe Cab and Syrah fruit with burgers, grilled red meats and other full-flavored fare.