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My favorite Wall Street Journal wine couple recently wrote a http://online.wsj.com/article/tastings.html

 on finding great value Cabernets in the Napa Valley. They targeted Napa Valley Cabs in the $50 to $70 range. While I enjoyed their insight and perspective, I also realized how lucky I was to live in the heart of the valley, where I have the ability to taste through hundreds of Napa reds at all price points. A lot of these don't get national distribution, although most are sold directly from the winery to almost every state in the country. 

So, I thought I'd share a few of my favorite "value Cabernets" from the Napa Valley, although, frankly, when I want true value, I tend to go for the off the radar and under $30 finds in places like France's Languedoc and Italy's Campania. But then, I've never really fit in here...Still, these are Napa Cabernets - from single vineyards, no less - for under $50 (By the skin of their very fine teeth):

1. Waypoint "Weiss" Cabernet Sauvignon. 2005 vintage. The Weiss Vineyard is more or less the spine of Mt. Veeder, a strange pocket that is accessible only by driving in through Sonoma and then doubling back around to Napa Valley. It's cooler climate Cabernet (Carneros-sea influence) that's graceful and strong on the finish. And it's $49.95. 

2. Bacchanal Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon. 2005 vintage. Although it can be a bit green, it's green in that fresh, often coveted menthol-scented sort of way. Yes, I work part time at this small, family-owned Rutherford estate. So perhaps I'm pimping it out a bit. Or perhaps I'm introducing you to a super small production wine you wouldn't know about otherwise. A single vineyard Cabernet from the heart of Rutherford (Caymus is only footsteps away) that retails for $48. Like the ivory-billed woodpecker, it's a rare bird.

3. Quixote's Panza Cabernet. 2003 vintage. Carl Doumani's made real fame as a cult Petite Syrah producer in the Napa Valley. But this is elegant, violet and herb-scented Cabernet from every corner of Stags' Leap Ranch Vineyard. The shallow loam soils atop ancient terraces produce darn fine juice. For $40.

The links above take you to the ordering pages, by the way. Quick, easy and delicious. If that doesn't make for happy feet, then I don't know what does. Perhaps a summertime picnic at Robert Mondavi Winery with Ozomatli in the background? Hap. Py. Feet.