Great Wines Rated @ 90+ Points for Under $20!
REDS
Artezin 2007 Zinfandel: Rich and briary, with wild forest flavors of black and blue berries, Asian spices, tangerine zest and smoky sandalwood. Full-bodied and dry, it’s nice now and for the next few year. $19/ 90 (WE)
Alma Negra 2006 Bonarda Malbec:
Bright, yet deep purple colors lead to an intense bouquet of ripe berries combined with notes of fruit and vanilla. A sweet and harmonious palate of ripe berries and chocolate. $19/91 (WE)
D’Arry’s Original Shiraz/Grenache: Spicy cinnamon plum on the nose. A soft rich palate of coffee, mocha, chocolate & mocha. $19/90 (WS)
Educated Guess 2006 Napa Cabernet:
Rich, ripe and focused with juicy blackberry and boysenberry fruit, all tied together with a creamy smooth french vanilla middle. $19/ 93 (RP)
Louis Martini 2006 Cabernet: Aromas and flavors of red cherry, blackberry and fresh sage. Subtle herbal notes and layers of chocolate and vanilla. $17/90 (WE)
Monte Antico 2006 Toscana: Dark ruby in color. Bouquet of leather, earth, black cherries, licorice. Full-bodied palate. Spicy, elegant, fruity and extremely versatile. $17/91 (WS)
Owen Roe Sharecropper’s Cabernet: Smoky blackberry and dark cherry aromas that leap out. Packed with juicy black fruit flavors. A big mouthful of Cab, with dried herbs and earth on the slightly chewy finish. $19/90 (WE)
Pascual Toso 2008 Malbec: Black currant and plum sauce notes, with fruitcake and blueberry on toasty finish.Flavors of ripe cranberry and hint of black pepper. $19/91 (WS)
Pedroncelli 3 Vineyards Cabernet: "A pure, very clean and utterly delicious Cabernet that’s perfect for drinking now. Ripe blackberry, cherry, black currant and cocoa flavors. Well-balanced tannins and oak. $18/91 (WE)
Penfolds Koonunga Hills Shiraz/Cabernet: Good hue; bright and fresh, with black and red fruits in very good balance, and supported by gentle tannins, oak second fiddle. $15/90 (JH)
Root 1 2008 Cabernet: Rich ruby in color with dark cherry, black current, toffee and mocha notes. Silky tannins and good structure lead to a long and complex finish accented with vanilla notes. $17/90 (WA)
Sherwood 2008 Pinot Noir: Displays ripe, sweet dark fruit notes with an edge of subtle oak complexity on the nose. The palate is rich and round with fine grain tannins. $16/91 (WA)
Shoofly 2009 Shiraz: Big, bold and beautiful! The wine expresses oodles of spicy dark berry fruits, plums and earthy mint. On the palate, it’s a succulent thunderbolt of pure Shiraz, right down to the last gulp. $14/90 (RP)
The Stump Jump 2008 Shiraz: An aromatic nose of ripe fruits, white peppercorns and boiled rhubarb notes. The approachable palate is dominated by red berries, licorice and savory notes. $16/ 90 (WS)
Tres Picos 2008 Grenache: A compelling nose of black cherry fruit that jumps from the glass along with earth and mineral notes. Plush on the palate bordering on voluptuous.
$18/ 93 (WA)
Valley of the Moon 2007 Zinfandel: Very nicely focused blackberry fruit filled out by notes of sweet spice and hints of blueberry pie start this full-bodied, balanced offering out in the right direction, and its somewhat fleshy, full and rich flavors keep it going. $18/91 (CG)
Veramonte Primus: A blend of Carmenère, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot, Primus combines striking rich, ripe fruit, exotic spice and a round mouth feel with elegant tannins, leading to a long finish. $19/90 (WE)
Vina Zaco Tempranillo: Black cherry and blackberry flavors are framed by smoky chocolate oak in this modern red, which is taut and focused, with firm tannins and bright acidity.
$16/90 #71 Top 100, 2009 (WS)
Vilosell 2006 Red Blend: This purple-colored wine reveals a fragrant array of scents including pepper, spice box, smoke, blackberry, black currant, and blueberry pie. Plush in texture, the wine is full-bodied, with layers of spicy fruit, and intense flavors. $19/91 (RP)
Zaca Mesa 2005 Syrah: This wine displays rich blackberry, cassis, espresso, mocha and the winemakers signature sage spice aromas and flavors. The silky finish lingers from the ripe tannins and smoky oak. $19 /92 / “Smart Buy” (WS)
WHITES
Artesa 2007 Carneros Chardonnay: Lemon blossoms, green apple, ripe pineapple and honeydew melon. This crisp fruitiness is combined with nuances of vanilla topped cream brulee, butter, and toasted oak making this wine both easy to enjoy. $19/90 (WS)
Big House 2008 White: Dry, crisp and delicious, with mineral-infused flavors of oranges, honeysuckle and buttered toast.
$12/90/ “Value Wine of the Year” (WE)
Brancott 2009 Sauvignon Blanc: This bright and refreshing white exhibits lime, pear and mineral flavors that keep singing on the lively finish. The wine is pale straw in color with green highlights. $15/90 (WS)
Fox Glove 2008 Chardonnay: Loads of tropical fruit, honeysuckle, and orange blossom notes. The wine is buttressed by crisp underlying acidity, and the result is a fresh, Chardonnay that is top-flight. $19/91 (RP)
Kendall Jackson 2006 Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay: Crisp orange marmalade and lemon oil notes, lush fruit, and zesty acidity in a fresh, lively style. $14/90 (RP)
Martin Codax 2007 Abarino: Full-bodied, with flavors of ripe apples, peach, apricot, melon, grapefruit and lemon zest melded perfectly together with a bright minerality.
$15/90 Pts (WE)
Mionetto Il Moscato D’Asti: This gentle-sparkling wine is fresh and crisp with a floral bouquet and fruity finish. Perfect for summer patio parties! Serve with spicy foods or after meals with dessert. $18/90 (WN)
Pacific Rim 2009 Organic Riesling: Displays aromas of jasmine and citrus. The subtly sweet profile is balanced by bright and refreshing acidity. A great complement to Asian cuisines, spicy fare and flavorful, fresh, local foods. $17/91 (WE)
Pacific Rim 2008 Gerwurztraminer: A burst of lychee and pear, aromatic, perfumed with rose petals, lush and forward. The mix of flower and fruit is perfect, substantial, and beautifully balanced. $17/91 (WE)
Nobilo 2008 Sauvignon Blanc: Supple, intense and streamlined, with a suave array of grapefruit, mineral, herb and guava tones. Spice tones add complexity, with generous fruit and minerals fleshing out the finish. $16/90 (WS)
R Wines 2008 Darby & Joan Chardonnay: Pale yellow hue. Complex scents of pineapple, mineral and lemon. Clean flavors of white peach and grapefruit. $12/90 (WN)
Souverain 2008 Alexander Valley Chardonnay: The estate’s most elegant, crisp, least wooded style to date, offers up notes of orange rind, lemon blossom, and apple skin in its medium-bodied, fresh, lively personality.
$19/91 (WE)
Tiefenbrunner 2007 Pinot Grigio: Light yellow to sandy-colored in appearance, with a bouquet that hints of pear and candied fruit. The strong harmonious structure emphasizes its dry, full bodied taste and round finish. $18/91 (WS)
Trevor Jones 2007 Virgin Chardonnay:
A complex style displaying rich ripe Chardonnay fruit with some fruit characters reminiscent of peach and lychee. The finish is soft with a hint of fruit sweetness balanced with an approachable acid level to leave a long , savory, flavorsome finish. $19/ 90 Pts. (RP)
Key:
$$ = Cost per bottle
90-100 = Points on a 100 Pt. Scale
Ratings and Awards by:
(WS) = Wine Spectator Magazine
(WE) = Wine Enthusiast Magazine
(RP) = Wine critic Robert Parker
(ST) = Steven Tanzer
(JH) = Wine Critic James Halliday
(W&S) = Wine & Spirits Magazine
(CG) = Connoisseur Guide