Dark Horse Cabernet Sauvignon California Red Wine

Can a Cabernet this inexpensive be any good? A low price raises that question fairly. As of August 12, 2026, 24 shoppers have rated it, averaging 4.46 out of five.

The name suggests an underdog, though that is branding rather than anything about the wine. Gallo lists Dark Horse in its brand portfolio. Official grape guides note that ripeness, climate and winemaking together shape how any Cabernet turns out, moving it between leaner and fuller styles. This label names only California, so it does not tell you the growing conditions behind this bottle.

What recommends it is the price: among the reds we track, it sits in the lowest-priced tenth. Across ten stores in September 2026, our checks put it between $8.99 and $14.99.

Dark Horse's own page for the current 2022 vintage names Lodi, California as the fruit's source, and describes a lower-yielding harvest after temperature swings that the producer says gave the grapes deeper color and structure. The winemaking notes describe extended time on the skins, up to 28 days for some lots, to build depth, and the producer's tasting notes list a "bouquet of dark berry, freshly ground coffee and toasted oak notes" with layers of cola, dark chocolate and cinnamon. Wine Enthusiast named the wine a Best Buy at 91 points in a December 2024 review. The producer's own tagline for the brand, "Tastes Like A $20 Wine At Half The Price," is the value story the price checks in this record already support.

Our call: it suits the shopper stocking an everyday Cabernet on price, since the bottle sits among the least expensive reds we track, comes from Gallo's documented portfolio, and Wine Enthusiast named the current vintage a 91-point Best Buy. Pass if shopper ratings drive your pick; the average sits below the middle of the rated wines we cover.

The Grocery Store Wine Desk · written Sep 16, 2026 from our research file for this wine. Numbers reflect our latest checks.