Best Buys $10 And Under

92 points Vinous
A translucent ruby in color, the 2023 Cerasuolo d?€?Abruzzo is lifted and finessed with a gorgeous bouquet of rose petals, cedar shavings, wild blueberries and crushed stones. This washes across the palate with ease, juicy and vividly fresh, as ripe wild berry fruits cascade across a core of tactile minerals. Hints of savory spice emerge toward the close. It leaves a pleasantly bitter tinge to linger on, tapering off with hints of sour cranberry and violet inner florals. I love the crunchy nature and filigree feel of the 2023

Organic / Natural / No Sulphites Added

"Medium bodied and robust with rich, ripe fruit on the nose and an elegant palate." Winemaker notes

Michele Chiarlo sources grapes from strictly selected Barbera vineyards with excellent exposure to produce a superb, balanced wine. The choice vineyards are in the southern area of Asti province, especially the hills around Nizza Monferrato. Temperature controlled maceration and fermentation on the skins yields the dark, rich color that is typical of great Barberas. The wine is aged in large French oak casks for 8 months before release.

Winemaker Notes:
Aromatic blue fruits and brown spices delight the nose, yielding fresh plum and blackberry fruit. The wine is juicy with the plum and blackberry flavors prominent, layered with smoky roasted almonds and hazelnuts, finishing long with fine, elegant tannins and white stone fruits that linger, finishing with a fresh and clean acidity. A rich, red wine crafted in honor of Josh. Pairs well with his favorite meal: a thick, juicy steak and potatoes. 45% Merlot, 45% Zinfandel, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petite Sirah.

93pts Wine Advocate:
"The much sweeter, honeyed, syrupy 2008 Pedro Ximenez de Anada exhibits a dark amber color along with notes of roasted nuts, molassas, Chinese black tea and honeysuckle. Rich, unctuous and full, it is best served slightly chilled after dinner."

Alvear was founded in 1729 and remains under the control of the same family. They own 307 acres of vineyards in the Montilla-Moriles appellation. Anyone who visits the area recognizes the incredible white soils "albariza or albero", which are dominated by chalk/limestone and the key to the great acids these products possess.

Organic

Yes, serious Prosecco does exist! Soft pressing of grapes, static decanting of must, fermentation at controlled temperature (15-18??C). Fining and rest in contact with the feccia nobile (characteristic fine sediment) for 3 months. Charmat method in pressure tanks

A bright ruby color and unencumbered aromas of cherry, red plum and light oak are inviting and easy to process. This is Uruguayan Tannat in its cleanest, most modern form. The palate feels juicy and medium in body. Light spice notes accent popping plum and raspberry flavors, while the finish is easygoing.

Winemaker Notes:
The aroma brings a fragrance of spring flowers, pear and apple, while on the palate, a fine string of bubbles is your first indication of the quality of this Prosecco. The flavor is soft, with a creamy fruitiness that hints of almond. This wine is great as an aperitif or with dry sweets and soft cheeses. Serve well chilled.

"Conundrum Red is both bold and mysterious, opening up with aromas of dark fruit, plums, and rich berries that are layered with a subtle smokiness and the whiff of BBQ. The wine has a round, full-bodied entry on the palate, delivering an extravagance of fruit that leads into a lingering finish. An evocative quality of brown spice combines with a serious red wine texture to leave a strong yet nuanced final impression, one that entices rather than reveals the mystery." Winemaker notes

A silky, lilac and red berry scented bouquet with flavorful layers of raspberry, dark chocolate, and hints of vanilla and toasted oak.

90pts- Wine Enthusiast:
Dry fino sherry imported from Spain. From the eighth largest sherry producer in the world, the Barbadillo family has been producing sherry since 1821. Pale straw color. Fresh, yeasty aroma. Light-bodied, clean and crisp with a zippy acidity. Dry, nutty, yeasty flavors. Serve well chilled as an aperitif or during the meal.

Organic / Natural

This is an incredible find in Loire Valley Cabernet Franc. This has everything you could want in a classically styled Chinon but with a “new-age” touch of freshness (no oak used, only concrete). The bouquet wafts out of the glass displaying notes of wildflowers, blackberries and bell peppers. This medium-bodied Cabernet Franc has the classic spice and pyrazine (green notes) Chinon is known for but not in a stemmy or unripe fruit way. It is subtle and adds a desired complexity. This is bright and joyful and should not be missed by Loire Valley wine enthusiasts. Lower its temperature for maximum enjoyment! Organic / Natural. 12% abv.

At the crossroads of traditional Chinon and modern, youthful winemaking you will find Domaine de la Mariniere. The depth and purity of the fruit they achieve ia terrific.

The Domaine de la Mariniere, situated in Panzoult on the eastern edge of Chinon, has been farmed by the Desbourdes family since 1965. The land here was initially used as a true, polyculture farm, raising animals and growing cereal grains in addition to grapes. Renaud Desbourdes returned to help his father in the 1980s, turning the focus to grape growing and winemaking and expanding the vineyard plantings, and eventually took full control of the domaine in 1999 when his father retired. Today, Renaud’s son, Boris, has joined his father full-time and is helping to take this traditional family domaine into the next generation.

Boris initially became passionate about organic farming after working with Vincent Laval in Champagne, and upon his return, he immediately transitioned his family’s vineyards to organics (certified in 2018). The 15 hectares of vines average 30 years old (with some old parcels having been planted in the ‘50s and ‘60s) and are planted on a mix of gravelly sand and limestone soils on the hillsides. In addition to the increased focus on farming, Boris has introduced hand-harvesting and the use of native yeast for fermentations. The result of all of this work is a set of wines that are at the forefront of a modern approach to classic Chinon, combining the best of old traditions with youthful energy.

Organic

Agust?? Torell?? Mata Xic 2023 is a white wine that radiates with a straw yellow hue and golden glimmers. On the nose, it unfurls a bouquet of aromas with highlights of green apples and pears, accompanied by a citrus hint reminiscent of zesty lemon. Upon tasting, it reveals itself to be light and invigorating, with a balanced acidity that accentuates its fruity character and renders it effortlessly enjoyable. Its crisp and distinct flavours make this wine an astute choice for those in search of vibrancy and uncomplicated pleasure.

In addition to bubbles, Agusti Torello Mata also makes a light and bright, 100% Xarel-lo from all organic, estate fruit. This playful wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged on the lees for six months before bottling. Light citrus and peach notes on the nose with a medium body and fresh, racy acidity. This is a wine that overdelivers for the price. Certified Organic. Only 11.5% alcohol

Gentle, creamy bubbles propel this soft crmant. Its rich with peach and Anjou pear flavor, and some nutty oxidative notes that bring to mind a match with aged cheese.

Organic / Natural / No Sulphur

Hand-harvested organic Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from twenty year old vines in Los Carneros California. Fourteen day spontaneous fermentation in neutral oak with indigenous yeasts then aged 24 months in neutral oak, 12 months in bottle. There is no fining nor filtration and zero sulfur is added. Their red blend from Carneros is a knock-out! A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that spent 24 months in neutral oak and 12 months in bottle before release. The wine is deep, but not brooding, with classic cassis, blackberry, tobacco leaf, and allspice notes. Although full-bodied the wine is lively and easy to drink. No gloppy late-harvest fruit put in 200% new oak barrels here, just a beautifully balanced well-made wine. Bravo Les Lunes!

Organic

90 Points James Suckling
Pleasant nose with peaches, sweet apricots and mild spices. Medium body with a flavorful, vibrant mid-palate and a succulent finish. Drink now. Screw cap

Organic / Natural

Located in the South of Chile, in the region of Bio-Bio, Tinto de Rulo is the project of three friends with the same dream, make artisanal, terroir driven wines. They work closely with small winegrowers, using only grapes from organic vineyards established at least a century ago. They aim to bring out the character of each place, emphasizing minimal intervention in order to showcase all of the vineyard??s characteristics to the bottle. The wine is electric with energy as red fruit seems to jump from the glass. Clean and precise.

Owned by footbal great Charles Woodson.

"Our Bone Dry is a throwback to the original American dry cider. In that spirit we make Bone Dry with a higher concentration of heirloom and bitter cider apples, age it on the lees for 10-12 months, and then lightly carbonate it. It walks a tightrope of finesse AND intensity. Its clean, crisp mouthfeel is balanced by bitter notes and, of course, a spine of acidity. Is it any wonder why this was our first cuvee to sell out!?" -Brooklyn cider House

Features juicy plum and black cherry flavors, with a weave of anise and earth details. Falters a bit on the finish, where the wood plays a more prominent role. A very appealing Pinot. Drink now.

Vibrant aromas of ripe peaches, pears and toasted bread with a hint of spice fill the nose. The palate is dry with a rich, creamy texture. Layers of flavor include orange rind and spice that persists through an elegant finish. - Winemaker's notes - PJ

Organic / Natural

The New York Times article on the 2020 vintage: 20 Under $20: Minimal Effort, Maximum Pleasure.
In most cases, wines with gimmicky names like Nat Cool are a turnoff. They reek of marketing, more than careful winemaking. But Dirk Niepoort is a visionary producer, so don’t look at the label, just drink. This is a delicious thirst quencher made of the baga grape, not complex. It’s easygoing and low in alcohol at 12 percent, with aromas and flavors of flowers and earthy red fruit. And it comes in a liter bottle.

Very light in color, the 2021 vintage of this wine offers a frank and expressive aromatic profile full of freshness and floral notes. It showcases the character of the Baga grape variety and Bairrada region superbly, with beautiful aromas of strawberries, dried roses and some spice. The wines minerality is reminiscent of the vines calcareous soils and unmistakable Atlantic climate. Fresh, direct and very seductive, this wine is light on its feet and so easy to drink, it will entice you to have another glass. It makes a very versatile food wine just add a good meal and good friends! Serve chilled. All work is done by hand implementing organic and biodynamic principles, utilizing natural fermentation with wild yeast. No sulfur is added. Nat Cool is naturally cool and funky. It represents an innovative concept initiated by Niepoort, in which various producers came together to create light and easy-to-drink wines. In the Bairrada region we have produced the DrinkMe, the first Nat Cool, where we try to showcase a different and elegant side of the Baga grape variety. An incredibly light and accessible wine which just begs to be enjoyed. Welcome to the Nat Cool world! -Winery

The baga vineyards are farmed organically and are located in Bairrada. All work is done by hand. Soil is calcareous clay. They utilize natural fermentation with wild yeast. No sulphur is added. 11% abv

A direct and considerable freshness - the density and richness of the fruit mingle with the superb acid vitality giving a wine with a frisson and a magnificent persistency. Stunningly balanced, this is an extremely appetent wine! Ideal as an aperitif.

Organic

Ameztoi?€?s Txakolina is the wine that has come to define the traditional style of Txakolina from Getaria. Light, crisp, refreshing, and low in alcohol, Ameztoi Txakolina is bottled with a touch of residual carbon dioxide gas to give it its natural, signature, spritzy style. It is produced exclusively from indigenous Hondarrabi Zuri grapes from the Ameztoi estate, grown on traditional trellises high on the slopes rising above Getaria, an ancient Basque fishing village on Spain?€?s rugged northern coast. A joyful wine with signature salty and briny notes, crisp acidity, low alcohol, and refreshing spritz naturally complements the region?€?s exquisite seafood. The vines were planted from 1918 to 1989.

Ameztoi is one of the top producers of Getariako Txakolina. They own 20 hectares of vines in the best location. From the vineyards one can see the town of St. Sebastian and understand the influence of the Atlantic Ocean on local viticulture. Made from the indigenous grape varieties of Hondarribi Zuri and its red companion Hondarribi Beltza. The wine is fermented in stainless steel and bottled with residual carbonic acid that gives the wine its natural spritz. 10.5% abv

Organic

Stadlmann produces a singular riesling that takes advantage of the calcareous soils and temperate climate of the Thermenregion, rendering a classic, flinty expression of the varietal, leading with crisp, ripe green apple and notes of alpine flowers. Fermentation lasts 12 days in stainless steel tanks, with lees ageing for two months. As with all of the wines here, it is produced organically and biodynamically. 12.5% abv (Rosenthal Wine Merchant Import)

Organic

The delightful one liter bottle has only 12% abv. There is no malolactic fermentation. This is a crisp, refreshing Gruner Veltliner with notes of herbs, minerals, citrus, stone fruits, and excellent acidity.

94 points James Suckling
Medium ruby hue, with a bright and racy nose thats full of pretty berries, redcurrants, fresh strawberries and potpourri. Medium-bodied and naturally juicy on the palate, showing lots of crunch and drinkability. Fresh, transparent and silky. Drink or hold.

93 points Wine Advocate
They are going for lower yields and less bottles of the 2020 La Montesa and slowly putting prices up, as they feel the wine is more serious than what the perception of the affordable price makes it. 2020 is a powerful vintage; it's structured and textured, the oak is very nicely integrated (12 months in barrel, but the powerful wine absorbed it completely), and it's powerful with 14% alcohol and a pH of 3.55, a little darker than in previous years. The tannins are very fine with a subtle chalky texture. There were 2,319 barrels that resulted in 672,000 bottles, 10,000 magnums and some larger and smaller formats. It was bottled from April 2022.