These are the top 17 U.S. wine value brands as determined by Wine & Spirits in 2010. The hotlinks are to retail pricing and availability for a selection of wines from each winemaker:
Blackstone
Bogle
Castle Rock
Charles & Charles
Chateau Ste. Michelle
Columbia Crest
Fleur de California
Geyser Peak
Hazlitt 1852
Kendall Jackson
King Estate
McManis
Napa Ridge
Next
Rodney Strong
Sebastiani
Sheldrake Point
Monday, July 5, 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
The 79 Best Value Wines from First Half of 2010
Below are the 79 best value wines from the first half of 2010, based on Spirit of Wines specific criteria for determining "Best Value". Stars represent rating; dollar signs represent price. Hotlinks are to wine pricing and retail availability via WineZap:
*** $ Paso Station Zinfandel, Paso Robles, CA, 2008
*** $ Veramonte Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva, Colchagua Valley, Chile, 2006
**** $ Alice White Chardonnay, 2007, South Eastern Australia
*** $ Trumpeter Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, Argentina, 2006
*** $ Colonia Las Liebres Hormigas Bonarda, 2007, Mendoza, Argentina
*** $ Yellow Tail Shiraz, SE Australia, 2006
*** $ Opici Marsala, CA
***+ $ Korta Estate Bottled Barrel Selection Merlot, Lontue Valley, Chile, 2004
****+ $$ The Black Chook, Shiraz/Viognier, 2005, McLaren Vale, Australia
**** $$ Step Rd Black Wing Shiraz 2005, Australia
*** $ VI De Nulles Blanc, 2006, Tarragona, Spain
**** $$ Four Vines Old Vine Cuvee Zinfandel, 2005, CA
****+ $$ The Winner's Tank Shiraz, Eskadale Vineyards, 2006, Langhorne Creek, Australia
**** $ Indomita Cantus Merlot, 2007, Maipo Valley, Chile
*** $ Bridlewood Estate Winery Syrah, Central Coast, CA, 2006
***** $$ SUXX Shiraz, 2006, South Australia
**** $ Luis Felipe Edwards Sauvignon Blanc Reserva, 2007, Central Valley, Chile
*** $ Navarro Correas Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, Argentina, 2005
**** $ Coeur d'Alene Cellars Viognier, 2005, Columbia Valley, WA
*** $ Almaden Mountain Chablis, CA
**** $ Cameron Hughes (CH) Lot 118 Viognier, Santa Barbara County, CA, 2007
****+ $$ Chad Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands, CA, 2008
*** $ Ravenswood Vintner's Blend Cabernet Sauvignon, CA, 2006
***+ $ The Yellow Cellar Shiraz, 2006, Coastal Region, South Africa
*** $ Walter Stamp Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma, CA, 2002
*** $ Heritage du Chateau Touraine Sauvignon Blanc, 2005, Loire, France
**** $$ San Sole Moscato Dolce Sparkling Wine, Italy
*** $ Gnarly Head Old Vine Zin, Lodi, CA, 2008
***+ $ Mirassou Riesling, Monterey County, CA, 2006
*** $ Keeler Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Coast CA, 2001
****+ $$ Chateau Rollan de By, Medoc, Bordeaux, France
**** $ Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot, 2005, Columbia Valley, WA
*** $ Mirassou Pinot Noir, 2007, CA
*** $ Clos du Bois Shiraz, Sonoma County, CA, 2002
**** $$ Formula Small Gully Robert's Shiraz, South Australia, 2005
**** $$ Villa Mt. Eden Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa CA, 2003
*** $ Urban Uco Malbec Tempranillo, Valle de Uco, Argentina, 2008
***+ $ Juan Benegas Estate Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina, 2007
*** $ Villa des Anges Cabernet Sauvignon, Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, France, 2008
***+ $ Castillo Real Monastrell, 2006, Bullas, Spain
**** $ Millaman Condor Shiraz, Central Valley, Chile, 2005
***+ $ 2006 Ruca Malen Yauquen, Cabernet/Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina
**** $ Cameron Hughes Lot 49 (Les Sentius) Priorat DOQ, Spain, 2004
**** $ Cameron Hughes Lot 78 Shiraz, Barossa Valley, Australia, 2006
***+ $ Grayson Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, California, 2006
**** $$ Innocent Bystander Pinot Noir, Victoria, Australia, 2008
***+ $ Emilio Moro Finca Resalso Ribera Del Duero, Spain, 2007
**** $$ Terruno Hombre Valdehermoso Roble, Ribera Del Duero, Spain, 2005
**** $ Coopers Creek Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2008
*** $ Cantine Colosi Nero d'Avola, Sicilia, Italy, 2007
***+ $ Collision Point Cabernet Sauvignon, Lake County, California, 2007
*** $ Domaine Sainte Leocadie Leukadios, Minervois, France, 2006
***+ $ Trinchero Merlot, Monterey County, California, 2004
*** $ Indomita Cantus Sauvignon Blanc, Casablanca Valley, Chile, 2008
**** $ Turner & Cole Riesling Eden Valley, 2005, Australia
***+ $ Porca de Murca Red (Tinto), Douro, Portugal, 2007
*** $ Cline Zinfandel, California, 2005
*** $ d'Arenberg The Dry Dam Riesling, McLaren Vale, Australia, 2007
***+ $ Olivares Altos de la Hoya Monastrell, Jumilla, Spain, 2008
**** $ Hahn Estates Meritage Red Table Wine, Central Coast, California
**** $$ Ironstone Reserve Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi, California, 2007
***+ $ Rosso da Morazzano, Montescudaio, Italy, NV
**** $ Cameron Hughes Lot 64 California Red Wine, 2005
**** $ Cerejeiras Tinto (Red Wine), 2007, Vinho Regional Estremadura, Portugal
**** $$ Jip Jip Rocks Shiraz, 2005, Limestone Coast, Australia
*** $ Roo Estates Merlot, 2006, South Eastern Australia
***+ $ Torremoron Tempranillo, Ribera del Duero, Spain
**** $$ 3 Rings Shiraz, Barossa, Australia, 2007
***+ $ Alvear Cream Sherry, Montilla, Spain, NV
*** $ Morenita Cream Sherry, Vino de Artesania, Hidalgo, Spain, NV
**** $$ Bleasdale Shiraz Bremerview, Langhorne Creek, Australia, 2004
***+ $ 2 Brothers Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva, Colchagua Valley, Chile, 2005
***+ $ Kaiken Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007, Mendoza, Argentina
*** $ Randall Harris Merlot, 2006, Columbia Valley, WA
**** $$ Errazuriz Wild Ferment Chardonnay, 2005, Casablanca Valley, Chile
*** $ Kanonkop Kadette, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2008
***+ $ Raymond Merlot R Collection, 2005, CA
***** $$$ Calistoga Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, CA, 2005
**** $$ Schild Estate Shiraz, Barossa, Australia, 2007
*** $ Paso Station Zinfandel, Paso Robles, CA, 2008
*** $ Veramonte Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva, Colchagua Valley, Chile, 2006
**** $ Alice White Chardonnay, 2007, South Eastern Australia
*** $ Trumpeter Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, Argentina, 2006
*** $ Colonia Las Liebres Hormigas Bonarda, 2007, Mendoza, Argentina
*** $ Yellow Tail Shiraz, SE Australia, 2006
*** $ Opici Marsala, CA
***+ $ Korta Estate Bottled Barrel Selection Merlot, Lontue Valley, Chile, 2004
****+ $$ The Black Chook, Shiraz/Viognier, 2005, McLaren Vale, Australia
**** $$ Step Rd Black Wing Shiraz 2005, Australia
*** $ VI De Nulles Blanc, 2006, Tarragona, Spain
**** $$ Four Vines Old Vine Cuvee Zinfandel, 2005, CA
****+ $$ The Winner's Tank Shiraz, Eskadale Vineyards, 2006, Langhorne Creek, Australia
**** $ Indomita Cantus Merlot, 2007, Maipo Valley, Chile
*** $ Bridlewood Estate Winery Syrah, Central Coast, CA, 2006
***** $$ SUXX Shiraz, 2006, South Australia
**** $ Luis Felipe Edwards Sauvignon Blanc Reserva, 2007, Central Valley, Chile
*** $ Navarro Correas Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, Argentina, 2005
**** $ Coeur d'Alene Cellars Viognier, 2005, Columbia Valley, WA
*** $ Almaden Mountain Chablis, CA
**** $ Cameron Hughes (CH) Lot 118 Viognier, Santa Barbara County, CA, 2007
****+ $$ Chad Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands, CA, 2008
*** $ Ravenswood Vintner's Blend Cabernet Sauvignon, CA, 2006
***+ $ The Yellow Cellar Shiraz, 2006, Coastal Region, South Africa
*** $ Walter Stamp Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma, CA, 2002
*** $ Heritage du Chateau Touraine Sauvignon Blanc, 2005, Loire, France
**** $$ San Sole Moscato Dolce Sparkling Wine, Italy
*** $ Gnarly Head Old Vine Zin, Lodi, CA, 2008
***+ $ Mirassou Riesling, Monterey County, CA, 2006
*** $ Keeler Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Coast CA, 2001
****+ $$ Chateau Rollan de By, Medoc, Bordeaux, France
**** $ Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot, 2005, Columbia Valley, WA
*** $ Mirassou Pinot Noir, 2007, CA
*** $ Clos du Bois Shiraz, Sonoma County, CA, 2002
**** $$ Formula Small Gully Robert's Shiraz, South Australia, 2005
**** $$ Villa Mt. Eden Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa CA, 2003
*** $ Urban Uco Malbec Tempranillo, Valle de Uco, Argentina, 2008
***+ $ Juan Benegas Estate Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina, 2007
*** $ Villa des Anges Cabernet Sauvignon, Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, France, 2008
***+ $ Castillo Real Monastrell, 2006, Bullas, Spain
**** $ Millaman Condor Shiraz, Central Valley, Chile, 2005
***+ $ 2006 Ruca Malen Yauquen, Cabernet/Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina
**** $ Cameron Hughes Lot 49 (Les Sentius) Priorat DOQ, Spain, 2004
**** $ Cameron Hughes Lot 78 Shiraz, Barossa Valley, Australia, 2006
***+ $ Grayson Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, California, 2006
**** $$ Innocent Bystander Pinot Noir, Victoria, Australia, 2008
***+ $ Emilio Moro Finca Resalso Ribera Del Duero, Spain, 2007
**** $$ Terruno Hombre Valdehermoso Roble, Ribera Del Duero, Spain, 2005
**** $ Coopers Creek Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2008
*** $ Cantine Colosi Nero d'Avola, Sicilia, Italy, 2007
***+ $ Collision Point Cabernet Sauvignon, Lake County, California, 2007
*** $ Domaine Sainte Leocadie Leukadios, Minervois, France, 2006
***+ $ Trinchero Merlot, Monterey County, California, 2004
*** $ Indomita Cantus Sauvignon Blanc, Casablanca Valley, Chile, 2008
**** $ Turner & Cole Riesling Eden Valley, 2005, Australia
***+ $ Porca de Murca Red (Tinto), Douro, Portugal, 2007
*** $ Cline Zinfandel, California, 2005
*** $ d'Arenberg The Dry Dam Riesling, McLaren Vale, Australia, 2007
***+ $ Olivares Altos de la Hoya Monastrell, Jumilla, Spain, 2008
**** $ Hahn Estates Meritage Red Table Wine, Central Coast, California
**** $$ Ironstone Reserve Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi, California, 2007
***+ $ Rosso da Morazzano, Montescudaio, Italy, NV
**** $ Cameron Hughes Lot 64 California Red Wine, 2005
**** $ Cerejeiras Tinto (Red Wine), 2007, Vinho Regional Estremadura, Portugal
**** $$ Jip Jip Rocks Shiraz, 2005, Limestone Coast, Australia
*** $ Roo Estates Merlot, 2006, South Eastern Australia
***+ $ Torremoron Tempranillo, Ribera del Duero, Spain
**** $$ 3 Rings Shiraz, Barossa, Australia, 2007
***+ $ Alvear Cream Sherry, Montilla, Spain, NV
*** $ Morenita Cream Sherry, Vino de Artesania, Hidalgo, Spain, NV
**** $$ Bleasdale Shiraz Bremerview, Langhorne Creek, Australia, 2004
***+ $ 2 Brothers Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva, Colchagua Valley, Chile, 2005
***+ $ Kaiken Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007, Mendoza, Argentina
*** $ Randall Harris Merlot, 2006, Columbia Valley, WA
**** $$ Errazuriz Wild Ferment Chardonnay, 2005, Casablanca Valley, Chile
*** $ Kanonkop Kadette, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2008
***+ $ Raymond Merlot R Collection, 2005, CA
***** $$$ Calistoga Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, CA, 2005
**** $$ Schild Estate Shiraz, Barossa, Australia, 2007
Labels:
best value roundups
Highest-Rated Wines on CellarTracker
Here are the top rated (97+ points) wines based on average scores from CellarTracker's nearly 100,000 users as of the past year-end.
| Score | Vintage | Wine (hotlink to pricing and retail availability) |
| 99 | 1958 | Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour Private Reserve |
| 99 | 1997 | Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Masseto Toscana IGT |
| 98.3 | 1959 | Château Lafite Rothschild |
| 98.2 | 2004 | Sine Qua Non Grenache Ode to E |
| 98.2 | 2001 | Château d'Yquem |
| 98 | 2007 | Saxum James Berry Vineyard |
| 98 | 2004 | Sine Qua Non Sémillon Mr. K The Straw Man |
| 97.8 | 2007 | Château Boswell Cabernet Sauvignon Jacquelynn Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard |
| 97.8 | 1988 | E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Turque |
| 97.7 | 1982 | Château Latour Grand Vin |
| 97.7 | 1989 | Château La Mission Haut-Brion |
| 97.6 | 1999 | E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Mouline |
| 97.5 | 2005 | Joh. Jos. Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel |
| 97.5 | 1967 | Château d'Yquem |
| 97.4 | 2000 | Château Léoville Las Cases |
| 97.3 | 2005 | Alban Vineyards Syrah Lorraine |
| 97.3 | 1961 | Château Latour Grand Vin |
| 97.2 | 2001 | Harlan Estate |
| 97.1 | 1989 | Château d'Yquem |
| 97 | 2002 | Harlan Estate |
| 97 | 1997 | Sine Qua Non Imposter McCoy |
| 97 | 2003 | Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage |
Thursday, July 1, 2010
**** $ Alice White Chardonnay, 2007, South Eastern Australia - Wine Tasting & Review
Find retail prices and availability for Alice White Chardonnay.
Original Review, December, 2008: Sometimes taking one for the team works out surprisingly well. By "taking one for the team", I mean putting a wine to review that would usually be considered well below the price level of something to be seriously considered. Today we bring forward an Australian wine that not only meets popular standards, but seems to meet some critical standards as well.
Alice White has come on the scene rapidly as a low-cost Australian wine producer. Let's check out the quality of its South Eastern Australia chardonnay. In the glass, it shows as transparent clear, with just a glint of honey yellow.
Aromas seem almost more sauvignon blanc-ish than chardonnay-ish - there is grass and chrome steel and a hint of riesling-esque sweetness. It is a modest nose, but well-endowed and balanced. On the palate, the mineraled-steel brings just a nice, sharp edge to the sweeter chardonnay fruit. No oak to speak of, and the 13.6 percent alcohol is entirely lost among the crisp fruit and minerals. Finish is fairly quick, but clean and with a cleansing wisp of lemon.
The minerality suggests - heaven forbid! - it might even settle in nicely for a year or two in the basement. I'm on the fence whether I would even try another white in the same evening, so I will need to add a plus to the three stars out of five for the Alice White Chardonnay. Freaky good value at a "practically free" price.
---------------
Updated review, a year and a half later, July, 2010: In the glass, the glint of honey has become full-blown glistening honey. Now the nose is slick and lightly butterscotched, with hints of sweet hay. The mouthfeel is now plush and elegant, balanced between thick tropical fruits and lighter honeyed acids. Wonderful served slightly cool. The minerality, while Alice White Chardonnay was young, suggested the potential benefit of a year or two in the bottle, and this experiment a year-and-a-half hence has proven the potential. Now four stars as its balance makes it something to make exclusive for an evening. Awesome value.
Find retail prices and availability for Alice White Chardonnay.
Original Review, December, 2008: Sometimes taking one for the team works out surprisingly well. By "taking one for the team", I mean putting a wine to review that would usually be considered well below the price level of something to be seriously considered. Today we bring forward an Australian wine that not only meets popular standards, but seems to meet some critical standards as well.
Alice White has come on the scene rapidly as a low-cost Australian wine producer. Let's check out the quality of its South Eastern Australia chardonnay. In the glass, it shows as transparent clear, with just a glint of honey yellow.
Aromas seem almost more sauvignon blanc-ish than chardonnay-ish - there is grass and chrome steel and a hint of riesling-esque sweetness. It is a modest nose, but well-endowed and balanced. On the palate, the mineraled-steel brings just a nice, sharp edge to the sweeter chardonnay fruit. No oak to speak of, and the 13.6 percent alcohol is entirely lost among the crisp fruit and minerals. Finish is fairly quick, but clean and with a cleansing wisp of lemon.
The minerality suggests - heaven forbid! - it might even settle in nicely for a year or two in the basement. I'm on the fence whether I would even try another white in the same evening, so I will need to add a plus to the three stars out of five for the Alice White Chardonnay. Freaky good value at a "practically free" price.
---------------
Updated review, a year and a half later, July, 2010: In the glass, the glint of honey has become full-blown glistening honey. Now the nose is slick and lightly butterscotched, with hints of sweet hay. The mouthfeel is now plush and elegant, balanced between thick tropical fruits and lighter honeyed acids. Wonderful served slightly cool. The minerality, while Alice White Chardonnay was young, suggested the potential benefit of a year or two in the bottle, and this experiment a year-and-a-half hence has proven the potential. Now four stars as its balance makes it something to make exclusive for an evening. Awesome value.
Find retail prices and availability for Alice White Chardonnay.
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