New in This Edition
• A Total of 723 Wines That Medaled in at Least Two Competitions and Cost $12 or less
• Separate List of Best Bang for the Buck
• New Listing Showing All 90+ Point Wines No Matter What Their Price
• A Consistency Indicator to Help Find Reliable Choices, If the Tested Vintage Is Not Available
• Aids to Determine the Sweetness/Dryness Level of Varietals
Recommendations
“This is not just a list of wines, but rather an education of how and when to enjoy wine and what to expect from each varietal. For less than the price of most wines, you will gain this experience and will enjoy wine more than ever before.”
-- Terry Schager
“Now I have confidence to choose the best wine at the most affordable price. When I take the book with me to the wine shop, I know what I’m looking for and what price to expect to pay. I’ve been very pleased with each recommended bottle from the book. Life is now simplified...what a deal for $9.95!”
-- Catherine McCrary
“A great list of affordable wines to keep with me for shopping day! In this economy, every penny helps. Now we can enjoy two bottles for what we used to spend on one!”
-- Cassandra Kennedy
“A simple, easy-to-understand, easy-to-follow guide to drinking and appreciating the best wines priced under $12. Just like a cheat sheet, all information is at your fingertips — from what to look for in taste, to tips on how best to serve it. This is a book I'll be using again and again.”
-- Monica Jones
ALSO BY MARY HELEN AND SHUFORD SMITH
Fiction
Endangered
Nonfiction
Winning Wines: Medal Winners for $12 or Less (2010 - 2011 Edition)
Winning Wines: Medal Winners for $10 or Less (2009 - 2010 Edition)
101 Secrets for a Great Retirement
The Retirement Sourcebook
Camp the U.S. for $5 or Less: Eastern and Midwestern States
Camp the U.S. for $5 or Less: Western States
Photography
Focus on the Foothills
Children’s Literature
ABC All-American Riddles
(Children’s Choice Award)
----------------------------------------------------------
Winning Wines
Medal Winners
for $12 or Less
2011 – 2012 Edition
Smithwrights
Tryon, NC
Published by Smithwrights at Smashwords
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of the authors.
©2011 by Smithwrights
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of Smithwrights.
Smithwrights
253 Judge Road
Tryon, NC 28782
828-859-9504
info@winning-wines.com
How Sweet Or Dry Is This Wine?
Other Lesser-Known White Wines
Alphabetical List By Wine Varietal
90+ Score By Wine Varietal (Any Price)
How do you pick a new wine to try? Do you ask friends and wine clerks, look in a periodical, or go to a website? How can you find information from reputable sources that do not have a financial connection to the wine producer? Years ago, we faced these questions and decided we would research unbiased wine ratings. We desired quality wine at an affordable price.
A very good bottle of wine does not have to be expensive. Over the years, our experiences as avid wine consumers reinforced that view. When we volunteered at a major wine competition with more than 1,800 entries, we were thrilled to see that panels of judges with trained palates could distinguish and grade individual wines with no idea of the retail price. At last, we saw that quasi-objective information was available.
Today, glossy magazines, fancy restaurants, retail salespeople, and other self-proclaimed “experts” do their best to make wine choices complicated. The snob appeal, rampant through 6,500 years of wine history, can be difficult to overcome. It’s hard to accept there are $8 wines that outscore $50 wines in fair competitions. But, they do!
Each year, there are countless wine competitions at county and state fairs, special festivals, even, a few sponsored by various media outlets. The most reputable of these employ carefully orchestrated blind tastings. Often, thousands of bottles are entered to compete for medals. Large panels of trained judges wait in the tasting arena, while scores of backroom workers label the glasses, pour them in flights, and serve. While sampling the flight, usually, the judge spits out the wine and uses bread or a cracker to clear residual flavors from the palate. The wines are served in groups such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, et cetera. Often, it takes several days to finish the judging.
The sheer enormity of these projects can introduce some bias. Variables such as what time of the day a particular wine is served, the feelings of the various judges, the atmosphere of the tasting, as well as other factors can influence the results.
The best way to smooth out individual competition tallies is to analyze how specific wines fare in several different contests. Thus, a few years ago, we began to compile what became this Winning Wines list. The amount of information is enormous. This year 8,760 wines won a medal at one of the major competitions! Combing the results, we found 2,000 wines won a medal in at least two of the competitions. Several hundred hours later, we refined this list to 723 wines that not only won at least two medals, but also cost $12 or Less.
In order to make Winning Wines, wines must meet the following stringent criteria:
• Wines must win multiple medals (Gold, Silver, or Bronze) in major competitions.
• Wines are judged by a variety of professional experts who do not know the wine’s label or price (blind tasting).
• Wines are produced in adequate quantity to be generally available or can be ordered on-line (unless you live in one of the sixteen states that prohibit interstate orders).
• Retail prices are $12 or less.
We take the highest scores and list several wines of each type. In addition, we occasionally will mark a high-scoring wine but low-cost offering as BBB — "Best Bang for the Buck." You may prefer to use the more hip phrase, “quality to value ratio.” Whatever term you use, when wines compete in blind tastings, it’s enlightening to discover certain entries outscore others that are far more expensive.
All of the wines in Winning Wines can be educational — the selections in the Chardonnay category, for example, will illustrate how the "experts" think a good Chardonnay should taste. Naturally, you and your friends may and will have other ideas, including favorite taste sensations. Perhaps, you’ll be inspired to hold your own blind tasting.
We update Winning Wines each year — so check the website, http://www.winning-wines.com, to obtain the latest version. For some of the wines, their newest vintage may have been released in time for an initial score. These in-progress results are noted.
High marks in several competitions are still no guarantee that you'll love a particular wine. Often, characteristics that judges feel place a wine higher than its rivals are subtleties that may not be appreciated by the average consumer. Selecting wines that achieve solid scores, however, is still one of the most cost-effective ways to help build your personal list of best wines.
Each wine that earns a medal in one of the top wine competitions gains a place in our database. We put a value on each medal, then create a composite quotient score for the wine. To be included in Winning Wines requires multiple medals and, of course, a reasonable price.
85–87 - Drinkable, very balanced taste
88–90 - Several qualities lift this wine above the pack
91–94 - Excellent example of this type of wine
95 - Best of Show, all judges concur
We offer a couple of shopping shortcuts like BBB - Best Bang for the Buck, a wine that offers a lot for a little.
We also include an in-progress report if two vintages of the same wine overlap in the competitions. And, we underline the wine type as a mark of consistency to assist if you cannot find a listed vintage. For example, if a specific 2009 Merlot that scored well is not available in your area (perhaps it’s been replaced with 2010 bottles), the consistency mark shows that particular winery has placed Merlots on the list for three years in a row! We can’t predict the judges’ reaction to that 2010, but history points to a medal.
We are also adding another index of wines that scored 90 points or better, no matter what their cost. This addendum might be useful on special occasions.
If you would like an electronic version of this list to supplement the book, visit our website, www.winning-wines.com. Almost all devices (smartphones, e-readers, tablets,) are supported.
How Sweet or Dry Is This Wine?
Wine lovers’ tastes vary — some favor sweet wines while others prefer dry. To find that the bottle you purchased is too sweet or too dry is disheartening. Unlike looking at the nutrition label on a food product, there is no readily available method to give you the sugar content of a specific wine. There are label clues, if you know how to decode them. And, there’s one scientific ratio.
The alcohol in wine is created during a fermentation process where yeast reacts with sugar in the fruit juice to yield alcohol and carbon dioxide. If all the sugar is consumed in this process, a dry wine will result. If fermentation stops before all the sugar is converted, a sweeter wine is created due to the residual sugar (RS). The amount of residual sugar can be measured and reported as a percentage. Only two of the five major competitions report this number and, then, only if the wineries have provided it.
If we know the RS score of a Winning Wine is over 1%, it’s listed so you’ll know it’s sweeter than a dry wine.
If the RS is unknown, there are other clues to the sweetness/dryness of a wine. For example, almost all of the wine types listed below will be dry:
Reds: Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Chambourcin, Malbec, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese/Chianti, Shiraz/Syrah, Tempranillo, and Zinfandel
Whites: Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc
All other wine types can be made from dry to sweet. So, here are some of the label clues that may assist in determining the wine’s sweetness:
Residual Sugar
(RS) - Possible Label Terms
0-1% - Dry, Brut, Extra Dry
1-2% - Off Dry, Semi-Dry, Medium Dry, Dry (Sparkling), Sec, Seco
2-5% - Demi-Sec, Semi-Seco, Medium, Medium Sweet
>5% - Sweet, Late Harvest, Doux, Dulce
Countries have introduced names for various areas that grow specific grapes and produce certain types of wine. These vitacultural areas serve to identify a “pure” type rather than a blend of juices from various sources. Below are the areas found in this list and where they are located.
Alexander Valley - California
Amador County - California
Arroyo Seco - California
Central Coast - California
Cienega Valley - California
Clarksburg - California
Columbia Valley - Oregon/Washington
Dry Creek Valley - California
Finger Lakes - New York
Grand River Valley - Ohio
High Valley - California
Lake County - California
Lake Erie - New York/Ohio/Pennsylvania
Lake Michigan Shore - Michigan
Livermore Valley - California
Lodi - California
Mendocino - California
Mendosa - California
Monterey - California
Napa Valley - California
Niagara Peninsula VQA - Canada
North Coast - California
Old Mission Peninsula - Michigan
Ozark Highlands - Missouri
Ozark Mountain - Arkansas/Missouri/Oklahoma
Paso Robles - California
Rattlesnake Hills - California
Santa Barbara - California
Santa Lucia Highlands - California
Santa Ynez Valley - California
Sonoma County - California
Temecula Valley - California
Valle De Guadalupe - Mexico
Wahluke Slope - Washington
Western Cape - South Africa
Willamette Valley - Oregon
In the U.S., the most recognized red wine is Cabernet Sauvignon. Over a hundred years ago, it was brought to America from the Medoc region of France.
Tasting notes generally characterize the grape as having a medium- to full-body, being rich in berries, finishing with astringency. Most Cabs are aged in wooden barrels, usually oak, that create added bouquets and flavors from smoke to vanilla.
A good Cab might elicit such flavors as berries (blackberry or black currant), plum, wood, even, leather. Bad flavors would include cabbage or bell peppers.
In order of their scores, here are Winning Wines for $12 or less (BBB=Best Bang for the Buck):
193.0, Cycles Gladiator, 2008, Cabernet Sauvignon, Central California, California, $10.00
91.5, Dancing Bull, 2009, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $12.00
91.0, Rebel Wine Company, NV, Cabernet Sauvignon, Bandit, California, $8.99
90.3, Little Black Dress, 2008, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $9.99
90.1, HRM Rex Goliath, NV, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $9.00
90.0, Matuco, 2010, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, Argentina, $8.00
89.5, Bogle, 2008, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $11.00
89.5, Cycles Gladiator, 2009, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $9.99
89.5, Hilltown Vineyards (BBB) 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, Monterey, $6.99
89.5, Wyndham Estate, 2008, Cabernet Sauvignon, 444, SE Austrailia, $10.00
89.3, Columbia Crest Winery 2008, Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $11.00
89.0, Montpellier Vineyards (BBB) 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $6.99
88.6, Turning Leaf Vineyards 2009, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $8.00
88.0, Barnard Griffin, 2009, Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $9.00
88.0, Castle Rock Winery, 2009, Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, $9.99
88.0, Concannon Vineyard, 2007, Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Coast, $10.00
88.0, Fat Cat Cellars, 2009, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $8.99
88.0, Gnarly Head, 2009, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $10.99
88.0, Pacific Coast Highway, 2009, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $11.00
88.0, Stanza, 2007, Cabernet Sauvignon, Lodi, $12.00
(2008 vintage has an early score of 85.0)
88.0, Wolf Blass, 2008, Cabernet Sauvignon, Yellow Label, South Australia, $12.00
88.0, Woodbridge -Robert Mondavi, 2009, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $8.00
87.6, Motos Liberty Cellars, 2008, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $9.00
87.4, Redwood Creek, 2009, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $8.00
87.3, Cellar No. 8, 2008, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $10.00
87.3, Lockwood Vineyard, 2007, Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate, Monterey, $11.99
87.3, The Little Penguin (BBB) 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, SE Australia, $7.00
87.0, Big House Wines, 2009, Cabernet Sauvignon, Usual Suspect, California, $10.00
87.0, Black Swan, 2010, Cabernet Sauvignon, SE Australia, $8.00
87.0, Hahn Winery, 2009, Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Coast, $12.00
87.0, Harlow Ridge (BBB), 2009, Cabernet Sauvignon, Lodi, $6.99
87.0, Laurier Vineyards, 2009, Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, $11.00
87.0, Red Truck Winery, 2009, Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Coast, $10.00
87.0, Sutter Home (BBB), 2009, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $5.00
86.8, Five Rivers Winery, 2007, Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Coast, $10.99
86.7, Barefoot Cellars, NV, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $6.99
86.5, Alamos, 2009, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, Argentina, $12.00
86.5, Alice White, 2009, Cabernet Sauvignon, SE Australia, $8.00
86.5, Bad Dog Ranch, 2007, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $8.99
86.5, Beringer Founders Estate, 2008, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $10.00
86.5, Eye Candy, 2009, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $8.99
86.5, Fetzer Vineyards, 2008, Cabernet Sauvignon, Valley Oaks, California, $8.99
86.5, flipflop, 2009, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $7.00
86.5, Happy Camper, 2009, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $8.99
86.5, Jacob's Creek, 2009, Cabernet Sauvignon, SE Australia, $8.00
86.5, Masked Rider, 2008, Cabernet Sauvignon, Six Gun, California, $10.00
86.5, Muirwood, 2008, Cabernet Sauvignon, Monterey, $12.00
86.5, Oak Grove Vineyards, 2009, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $7.99
86.5, Sawbuck, 2008, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendocino County, $10.00
(2009 vintage has an early score of 88.0)
86.5, Trader Moon, 2009, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $6.00
86.5, Twisted, 2009, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $7.99
86.5, Wild Hare Winery, NV, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $5.99
86.2, Night Harvest, NV, Cabernet Sauvignon, RH Phillips, California, $7.00
86.0, Bliss Family Vineyards, 2009, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendocino, $9.99
86.0, Carlo Rossi, NV, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $6.99
86.0, Coastline Cellars, 2008, Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, $10.00
(2009 vintage has an early score of 88.0)
86.0, Concannon Vineyard, 2009, Cabernet Sauvignon, Selected Vineyards, Livermore Valley, $10.00
86.0, I [Heart] California, NV, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $8.00
86.0, Magnotta Winery, 2008, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riserva, Ontario, $9.00
86.0, Robert Mondavi Private Selection, 2009, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $9.99
86.0, Silver Ridge Vineyards, 2009, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $10.00
85.8, Oak Leaf Vineyards, NV, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $3.00
85.0, Bota Box, 2009, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $4.75
(2010 vintage has an early score of 85.0)
85.0, Campus Oaks, 2009, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $10.00
85.0, Cloud Valley, 2009, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $9.00
85.0, Liberty Creek, NV, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $5.99
85.0, Meridian, 2008, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $9.00
(2009 vintage has an early score of 85.0)
85.0, Silver Lake Winery, 2008, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rattlesnake Hills, $11.00
85.0, Terra Robles, 2009, Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, $12.00
85.0, The Naked Grape, NV, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $8.00
Merlot is the most popular grape grown in Bordeaux. Though it often plays second-fiddle to Cabernet, more acres in the U.S. are being planted with Merlot as it responds well to cooler climates. Its fruity taste has become popular among many gourmands.
The taste range is wide with Merlot from a full, soft body (as from California and Bordeaux) to a more lean taste (from Northern Italy and Long Island). Tasting notes use such comparisons as blackberries, cherries, plums, licorice, and mocha flavors. In blind tastings, even experts can confuse certain Merlots and Cabernet Sauvignons.
In order of scores, here are the best Merlots for $12 or less (BBB=Best Bang for the Buck):
91.3, Turning Leaf Vineyards, 2009, Merlot, California, $8.00
90.0, Fetzer Vineyards, 2008, Merlot, Valley Oaks, California, $8.99
90.0, Rebel Wine Company, 2008, Merlot, Bandit, California, $8.99
89.5, Muirwood, 2009, Merlot, Arroyo Seco, $12.00
89.5, Red Rock Winery, 2008, Merlot, Reserve, California, $12.00
89.3, Beringer Founders Estate, 2008, Merlot, California, $10.00
89.0, Dancing Bull, 2007, Merlot, California, $12.00
89.0, Sutter Home (BBB), 2009, Merlot, California, $5.00
88.7, Barefoot Cellars, NV, Merlot, California, $6.99
88.7, Carlo Rossi, NV, Merlot, California, $6.99
88.3, Night Harvest, NV, Merlot, California, $7.00
88.2, Columbia Crest Winery, 2007, Merlot, Grand Estates, Columbia Valley, $11.00
88.0, Black Box Wines (BBB), 2009, Merlot, California, $5.50
88.0, Blackstone Winery, 2009, Merlot, California, $9.99
88.0, Bogle, 2009, Merlot, California, $9.00
88.0, Domaine Laurier Winery, 2007, Merlot, Reserve, Sonoma County, $10.00
88.0, Fat Cat Cellars, 2009, Merlot, California, $8.99
88.0, Gallo Family Vineyards (BBB), NV, Merlot, Twin Valley, California, $4.99
88.0, Montoya, 2008, Merlot, Monterey, $12.00
88.0, Oak Grove Vineyards, 2009, Merlot, California, $7.99
87.5, Motos Liberty Cellars, 2008, Merlot, California, $8.99
87.3, Fat Monk, 2009, Merlot, Central Coast, $10.00
87.0, 31st State, 2009, Merlot, California, $10.00
87.0, Black Swan, 2010, Merlot, SE Australia, $8.00
87.0, Bogle, 2008, Merlot, California, $9.00
87.0, Coastline Cellars, 2008, Merlot, Paso Robles, $9.99
(2009 vintage has an early score of 91.0)
87.0, Forest Glen, 2009, Merlot, California, $10.99
87.0, Glen Ellen, 2008, Merlot, California, $10.00
(2009 vintage has an early score of 88.0)
87.0, Target Wine Cube, 2009, Merlot, 3-Liter Box, California, $4.50
86.8, Concannon Vineyard, 2008, Merlot, Selected Vineyards, Central Coast, $10.00
86.5, Bota Box, 2009, Merlot, California, $4.50
(2010 vintage has an early score of 85.0)
86.5, Estancia Estates, 2009, Merlot, Keyes Canyon, Central Coast, $12.00
86.5, Fish Eye, 2010, Merlot, SE Australia, $5.99
86.5, G. Marquis, 2009, Merlot, Red Line VQA, Niagara Peninsula, $10.00
86.5, G. Marquis, 2010, Merlot, Blue Line, Canada, $9.00
86.5, Gnarly Head, 2009, Merlot, California, $10.99
86.5, Little Black Dress, 2008, Merlot, California, $11.00
86.5, Magnotta Winery, 2009, Merlot, Equus Series, Niagara Peninsula, $10.00
86.5, McManis Family Vineyards, 2009, Merlot, California, $9.99
86.5, The Little Penguin, 2009, Merlot, SE Australia, $7.00
86.5, Three Wishes, NV, Merlot, California, $2.00
86.5, Twisted, 2009, Merlot, California, $7.99
86.5, Vendange, NV, Merlot, California, $4.99
86.2, Cellar No. 8, 2008, Merlot, California, $10.00
86.2, Forest Glen, 2008, Merlot, California, $10.99
86.2, Napa Landing Winery, 2007, Merlot, Napa Valley, Napa Valley, $10.99
86.0, Fetzer Vineyards, 2009, Merlot, California, $9.00
86.0, Pacific Coast Highway, 2009, Merlot, California, $11.00
86.0, Robert Mondavi Private Selection, 2009, Merlot, California, $9.99
85.8, Bliss Family Vineyards, 2009, Merlot, Mendocino, $9.99
85.6, Happy Camper, 2008, Merlot, California, $9.00
(2009 vintage has an early score of 95.0)
85.0, Berenda Road, NV, Merlot, Temecula Valley, $10.00
85.0, Cycles Gladiator, 2009, Merlot, California, $9.99
85.0, Hahn Winery, 2009, Merlot, Nicky Hahn, Central Coast, $12.00
85.0, Main Street, 2006, Merlot, Monterey, $12.00
85.0, Meridian, 2008, Merlot, California, $9.00
(2009 vintage has an early score of 85.0)
85.0, Oak Leaf Vineyards, NV, Merlot, California, $3.00
85.0, Red Truck Winery, 2008, Merlot, Central Coast, $10.00
85.0, Silver Lake Winery, 2008, Merlot, Rattlesnake Hills, $11.00
The origin of Petite Sirah is murky but recent DNA studies in California suggest it may be durif — a cross of peloursin and syrah. Whatever its pedigree, Petite Sirah has avid supporters (including the authors). Tasting notes and flavors, however, are practically identical to Shriaz/Syrah. In blind tastings, experts rarely can separate these two categories.
Here are the best Petite Sirah wines for $12 or less (BBB=Best Bang for the Buck):
89.3, McManis Family Vineyards, 2009, Petite Sirah, California, $10.99
88.0, Bogle, 2008, Petite Sirah, California, $11.00
88.0, Concannon Vineyard, 2008, Petite Sirah, Central Coast, $10.00
88.0, Glen Ellen (BBB), 2009, Petite Sirah, Proprietor’s Reserve, California, $5.99
88.0, Maggio Family Vineyards, 2008, Petite Sirah, Lodi, $10.00
88.0, Oak Grove Vineyards, 2009, Petite Sirah, California, $7.99
87.4, Parducci Wine Cellars, 2007, Petite Sirah, Mendocino County, $11.00
87.0, Ravenswood, 2008, Petite Sirah, California, $10.00
86.8, Masked Rider, 2007, Petite Sirah, Outlaw, California, $9.99
86.5, Harlow Ridge, 2009, Petite Sirah, Lodi, $6.99
86.0, Maggio Family Vineyards, 2006, Petite Sirah, Lodi, $10.00
The Pinot Noir grape has been tried in most wine-producing regions from its native Burgundy to Australia to the U.S., especially in Washington and California. As grapes go, it is considered difficult — especially hard to achieve consistency in the wine.
Pinot is often described as the elegant red. Many descriptions use sensual terms. It is far lighter in body and tannin than the other big reds. The tasting notes use comparisons such as baked cherries, strawberries, chocolate, strawberries, even, damp earth and leather.
In order of their scores, here are a few of the best Pinots for $12 or less:
91.3, Forever Vineyards, 2009, Pinot Noir, California, $10.00
89.5, Turning Leaf Vineyards, 2009, Pinot Noir, California, $8.00
88.6, Fat Monk, 2009, Pinot Noir, Central Coast, $12.00
88.0, Barrel Ranch, 2009, Pinot Noir, California, $12.00
88.0, Cellar No. 8, 2009, Pinot Noir, California, $10.00
88.0, Fat Cat Cellars, 2009, Pinot Noir, California, $8.99
88.0, Jargon, 2009, Pinot Noir, California, $10.99
88.0, Stephen Vincent Wines, 2009, Pinot Noir, California, $11.99
88.0, The Naked Grape, NV, Pinot Noir, California, $8.00
87.5, Harlow Ridge, 2009, Pinot Noir, Lodi, $6.99
(2010 vintage has an early score of 88.0)
87.3, Motos Liberty Cellars, 2009, Pinot Noir, California, $6.99
87.0, Barefoot Cellars, NV, Pinot Noir, California, $6.99
87.0, Concannon Vineyard, 2009, Pinot Noir, Central Coast, $10.00
87.0, Main Street, 2009, Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara, $12.00
87.0, Montpellier Vineyards, 2009, Pinot Noir, California, $6.99
87.0, Redwood Creek, 2009, Pinot Noir, California, $8.00
87.0, Target Wine Cube (BBB), 2009, Pinot Noir, 3-Liter Box, California, $4.50
86.8, Forest Glen, 2009, Pinot Noir, California, $10.95
86.5, Bogle, 2009, Pinot Noir, California, $11.00
86.5, Cycles Gladiator, 2009, Pinot Noir, California, $10.99
86.5, Haute, 2009, Pinot Noir, Haute Red PW, California, $12.00
86.5, Livingston Cellars, NV, Pinot Noir, California, $6.00
86.5, Lucky Star, 2009, Pinot Noir, California, $8.99
86.5, Masked Rider, 2008, Pinot Noir, Sagebrush, California, $9.99
(2009 vintage has an early score of 91.0)
86.5, Robert Mondavi Private Selection, 2009, Pinot Noir, California, $11.00
86.5, Stanza, 2009, Pinot Noir, California, $12.00
86.0, Castle Rock Winery, 2009, Pinot Noir, California Cuvée, California, $10.99
86.0, Red Truck Winery, 2009, Pinot Noir, California, $10.00
85.6, Silver Ridge Vineyards, 2008, Pinot Noir, California, $10.00
(2009 vintage has an early score of 88.0)
85.0, Fish Eye, 2010, Pinot Noir, SE Australia, $7.99
85.0, Hahn Winery, 2009, Pinot Noir, Monterey, $12.00
85.0, Parducci Wine Cellars, 2009, Pinot Noir, California, $12.00
85.0, Redtree, 2009, Pinot Noir, California, $8.00
This grape was originally named Syrah in its French homeland. On the way to Australia by way of South Africa, it was renamed Shiraz.
The best wines made from this grape come from Australia and California. A softer, more fruity version hails from the Northern Rhone Valley in France. Tasting notes suggest comparisons to leather, damp earth, wild blackberries, roasted meat, pepper, and spices.
In order of their scores, here are a few of the best Shiraz/Syrah for $12 or less (BBB=Best Bang for the Buck):
91.5, Bota Box (BBB), 2009, Shiraz/Syrah, Shiraz, California, $4.75
90.3, Black Opal, 2009, Shiraz/Syrah, SE Australia, $7.00
89.5, Duck Pond Cellars, 2009, Shiraz/Syrah, Syrah, Columbia Valley, $12.00
88.4, Barefoot Cellars, NV, Shiraz/Syrah, California, $6.99
88.0, Black Swan, 2010, Shiraz/Syrah, SE Australia, $8.00
88.0, Campus Oaks, 2009, Shiraz/Syrah, Old Vine Syrah, California, $7.99
88.0, Oak Grove Vineyards, 2009, Shiraz/Syrah, Shiraz, California, $7.99
87.3, Oak Leaf Vineyards, NV, Shiraz/Syrah, California, $3.00
86.5, Alice White, 2009, Shiraz/Syrah, Shiraz, SE Australia, $8.00
86.5, Black Box Wines, 2009, Shiraz/Syrah, Central Coast, $5.50
86.5, Challis Lane Cellars, 2008, Shiraz/Syrah, California, $7.99
86.5, Jacob's Creek, 2009, Shiraz/Syrah, SE Australia, $8.00
86.5, Painted Turtle Cellars, NV, Shiraz/Syrah, Canada, $10.00
86.5, Rosemount Estate, 2008, Shiraz/Syrah, Diamond Label, SE Australia, $10.00
86.5, Silver Lake Winery, 2007, Shiraz/Syrah, Reserve, Rattlesnake Hills, $11.00
86.5, Willandra Estate, 2009, Shiraz/Syrah, Leeton Selection, Australia, $12.00
85.9, Vendange, NV, Shiraz/Syrah, California, $9.00
85.5, Wyndham Estate, 2008, Shiraz/Syrah, Bin 555, SE Australia, $9.00
85.0, Big House Wines, 2008, Shiraz/Syrah, The Slammer, California, $10.00
85.0, Fetzer Vineyards, 2009, Shiraz/Syrah, California, $9.00
85.0, Firefly Ridge, 2008, Shiraz/Syrah, Syrah, Central Coast, $9.99
85.0, Lindemans, 2009, Shiraz/Syrah, Bin 50, SE Australia, $7.00
85.0, Magnotta Winery, 2009, Shiraz/Syrah, Equus Series VQA, Niagara Peninsula, $10.00
85.0, The Little Penguin, 2009, Shiraz/Syrah, SE Australia, $7.00
DNA research on Zinfandel suggests it is related to the Italian Primitivo varietal (both being clones of a Croation variety). It is the second-most-planted grape in California and has some of the oldest vines.
Tasting notes of this American contribution to the wine world include plummy, rich blackberry, and boysenberry.
In order of their scores, here are a few of the best Zins for $12 or less (BBB=Best Bang for the Buck):
93.0, Challis Lane Cellars, 2009, Zinfandel, California, $8.00
93.0, Dancing Bull, 2008, Zinfandel, California, $12.00
(2009 vintage has an early score of 85.0)
89.0, Sobon Estate, 2009, Zinfandel, Old Vine, Amador County, $12.00
88.0, Bogle, 2008, Zinfandel, California, $11.00
88.0, Cameron Hughes, 2009, Zinfandel, Lodi, $11.00
88.0, Flying Winemaker, 2009, Zinfandel, Ancient Vine, Lodi, $12.00
88.0, It’s A Zin (BBB), 2007, Zinfandel, Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi, $7.00
88.0, Leccino, 2008, Zinfandel, Lodi, $9.00
88.0, Ravenswood, 2008, Zinfandel, Vintner's Blend, California, $10.00
88.0, Zynthesis, 2009, Zinfandel, Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi, $10.99
87.4, Redwood Creek, 2008, Zinfandel, California, $8.00
87.3, Red Truck Winery, 2007, Zinfandel, Sonoma County, $10.00
87.0, OZV, 2008, Zinfandel, Old Vine, Lodi, $11.99
86.5, Barefoot Cellars, NV, Zinfandel, Lodi, California, $6.99
86.5, Bota Box, 2009, Zinfandel, Old Vine Zinfandel, California, $4.75
(2010 vintage has an early score of 85.0)
86.5, Cellar No. 8, 2008, Zinfandel, California, $10.00
86.5, Gnarly Head, 2009, Zinfandel, Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi, $10.99
86.5, Oak Grove Vineyards, 2009, Zinfandel, California, $7.99