Best Buys $10 And Under

Organic / Natural

Lightly smoky/cedarwood aroma, suggesting a touch of positive reduction. But also the stoniness that comes from granite soils. Underneath those complexing notes there's pure, piercing citrus and green fruits. There's marked tension and slight chalky effect in the dry texture. Seems austere – in a good way – and there's no lack of fruit at the core. Bone dry and a touch salty on the finish. Just so salivating. And then an unexpected creaminess at the very end of the long finish. Piercing purity.

Bota de Vermouth Rojo 122 is, like all vermouths, an aromatized wine. In this case, the wine is a young Oloroso of noble Jerez origin that, thanks to the mastery of Eduardo Ojeda, has been transformed into a vermouth of sober sweetness and elegant bitterness in which the citrus notes stand out. Clean and complex, to be drunk in the traditional style with ice and, if you like, a slice of orange. Or to prepare the most delicious Manhattan you can imagine.

"The NV Palo Cortado Obispo Gascon, produced from Palomino grapes averaging 20 years old, and shows the telltale nose of Palo Cortado with its lactic touch and an off-dry nose of apricots, blond tobacco and spices. The palate is dominated by the salty notes (common to all Barbadillo wines), sharp, medium-bodied, with great length. Drink 2013-2019." 92pts WA

The Palo Cortado sherries are particularly special within the Jerez-Xèrés-Sherry Designation of Origin. This is because despite the fact that production follows the similar physical-chemical process of oxidative ageing as with the olorosos, the result is quite different with their organoleptic characteristics falling somewhere between those of an amontillado and an oloroso.

Barbadillo is, without a doubt, both the largest and the leading bodega of Sanlucar de Barrameda. Created in 1821 by Benigno Barbadillo, the company it’s still owned today by the seventh generation of the Barbadillo family, dozens of stockholders spread throughout Spain, although not necessarily involved in the operations. The business has also expanded, not only within the Sherry district, where they sell an impressive 12 million bottles of wine annually (a lot of it is the young and fruity Castillo de San Diego, which at one point was the biggest selling white wine in Spain), 40% of which are exported, but also in Ribera del Duero and Somontano. They employ 300 people and their wines are available in 39 different countries. In Sherry they own 500 hectares of vineyards, stock around 60% of the total production of Manzanilla which ages in 12,500 botas in their great cellars in Sanlucar, mainly in La Arboledilla winery, the tallest bodega in the Marco de Jerez, an impressive 16 meters high, and in a network of 16 other large and small bodegas in the Barrio Alto, the High Quarter of Sanlucar de Barrameda. They are constantly innovating and experimenting, be it with red or sparkling wines or within the Manzanilla world, as they were the first to bottle Manzanilla en rama (unfiltered) back in 1999, doing four sacas (bottlings) per year, one during each season, which they sell in half bottles with labels that clearly identify the saca and year. Other than that, their range is pretty exhaustive, from entry level wines, through VORS and an exclusive Reliquia range from the oldest, family-owned botas, some of them containing wines averaging 80 to 100 years old. As a curiosity, they probably stock more Palo Cortado than any other winery (on earth),120 casks, as the famous Toto Barbadillo had an obsession with that category and purchased all he could get his hands on. I had a great visit there with winemaker Montse Molina who arrived in Sanlucar from her native Cataluna 15 years ago and she has not looked back since. Tasting wines from the bota, listening to a knowledgeable winemaker and realizing how different and how complex the wines are is one of the pleasures one should experience at least once in a lifetime.

Organic / Natural

A vineyard selection of Otskhanuri Sapere (oh-sah-kh-ah-noo-ree sah-pear-eh) made by the young woman winemaker Gvantsa Abuladze, sister of Baia Abuladze and brother Giorgi Abuladze. This rare and difficult to say variety is sourced from their estate in the village of Obcha. All red varietals grown in Imereti are higher acid, lower sugar grapes due to the humidity of the region. Otskhanuri Sapere is especially known for its ridiculously dark color. The grape is notoriously hard to work with since it is difficult to get the necessary sugar levels. 2019 was a typical year so this was the last grape they picked in the second week of November. All the fruit is estate grown, hand picked and hand sorted. After destemming the wine is pressed and put into qvevri with skins and fermentation starts spontaneously. Once fermentation is completed the skins are removed and the wine is aged in qvevri.

Insane dark color, notes of pomegranate, sour cherry, this wine has crazy cool crispness, medium-plus body, super dry with firm fresh tannin on the finish.

Nose: Green juniper is front and center. Lemon zest and mandarin aromas highlight the strong citrus here as well. A hint of fennel seed and winter savory lend some depth. But overall, Citadelle Jardin d'Ete smells simply like a citrus-forward gin.

Flavor: The palate is where the melon shines. Yuzu, sour lemon and tangerine early. Mid-palate, pine juniper emerges as well as a pungent, rich hint of Canteloupe and stone fruit. The rich fruit is deepened by an evolving background note of juniper and the bevy of spices. Nutmeg, angelica, cubeb and licorice come to mind?but there is a lot of complexity here.

Finish: Moderately long. The heat is very light. Sipped, it almost seems too mild to be a full proof gin. On the back of the palate cubeb and licorice lead as notes of melon, tangerine and orange peel gently fade. - The Gin is In

41.5%abv

Dominican Republic- Crafted from raw sugarcane and aged in American oak casks, resulting in a deep mahogany color with aromas of earthy sugarcane and vanilla. Flavors of sweet nectar and honey open up notes of oak and toffee leading to a bold finish with a smooth vanilla kick.

This Bordeaux blanc is definitely past its prime but wine drinkers with an interest and enthusiasm for whites with age may find it enjoyable. The wine has turned golden in color and has a mild nose of burnt caramel. The palate coats and is textural with nuttiness and more caramel. It finishes like a dry sherry. It might be good with aged Gouda. With this forewarning we will only sell the bottle on a no return basis.

Indiana- A truly easy drinking whiskey distinguished by its subtle rye-forward flavor. Crafted in the mold of classic American Bourbons, it has a well-balanced sweetness highlighted by notes of vanilla and caramel. Enjoy on the rocks or use it to make a great cocktail.

A wonderful medley of freshly sun-ripened apples fills the nose and leads perfectly to the flavor, where freshness remains key, slightly sweet but ever so satisfying. Serve alone, with ice, mixed cocktails, or dry sparkling wine.

France- 2011 Gold Medal Winner of the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Lillet Rose has light aromas of berries, orange blossom, and grapefruit while the taste is fresh, lively, and fruity.

A blend of their own triple distilled malt whiskey with a lighter Irish grain whiskey. Making it an approachable whiskey with a rich, warming taste of fresh fruit and vanilla.

Light and fruity with spicy aroma. Vanilla note, developing into vanilla ice cream and creme brulee. Gently warming, mouth-coating texture. A touch of honey sweetness. Crisp, fresh finish, with a touch of spice.

Organic / Biodynamic

The review is on the previous vintage.
94 points Wine Advocate
The old Reto white has been renamed with the name of the family, as it was the first year they used the new family vineyards that represent close to 40% of the blend of the 2022 Ponce Blanco. It fermented in 600-liter barrels and 1,000-liter foudres, where it matured with lees for seven months. The Albilla grape from Manchuela, which is different from the Albillo from Gredos, Ribera del Duero or the Canary Islands, keeps low alcohol (12% this year) and high acidity and freshness (pH 3.1 and 6.2 grams of acidity), which give it a sharp, fresh and austere profile. The name can be a bit misleading, as it's not the top for whites as it is for the red. There's always a citrus touch with hints of grapefruit. It has a tasty palate with a combination of acid and bitter flavors that give it an austere profile. It's a serious white beyond the price point.

Organic

Although native to the Côte d’Or, Pinot Noir has been cultivated in the Val d’Aoste since both regions were under the Burgundian Dukes in the Middle Ages. While 70% of Grosjean’s vines are French clones, 30% are the rare Wadenzwil cultivar. Grosjean’s example blends varietal typicity with raciness and freshness. The vineyards are at a high altitude (600-750m) and steep incline, allowing for the distinct alpine characteristics to show through. Vinification in wood casks with daily punching down for three days, followed by 10-12 days of settling before aging partly in steel, part in oak.

93 points Wine Advocate
I love the textbook nose of the 2016 Señorío de P. Peciña Reserva, as it is earthy, spicy and developed, with notes of leather and vanilla and a touch of smoke and brick dust. It has ripe fruit without excess and a medium-bodied palate with great balance and freshness. It has pungent flavors and is powerful and ripe without excess at 14.5% alcohol and with polished chalky tannins. This matured in American oak barrels for 36 months, during which time it was racked every six months. 42,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in September 2020

Organic / Biodynamic / Natural

A wine from and with a horizon. It has established itself as a profound and characterful representative of the variety in the fossil-rich limestone and mica slate soils on the eastern slopes of the Leitha Mountains. Full of power, incredibly complex, nervy and straightforward, wrapped in a fine tannin robe, it radiates with its vitality and stony, lingering length. The vineyards are cultivated according to biodynamic guidelines. Handpicked in mid-September to early October, spontaneous fermentation, left on the mash for three weeks in a wooden fermentation rack, gently pressed with a basket press, matured for 38 months in amphorae and used 500 l oak barrels. 13% abv

Organic / Biodynamic

50% Garnacha blanca 50% Tempranillo blanco

Near Sojuela, at an altitude of 800 metres, lies the Cañada Real Galiana, where sheep on transhumance stopped to drink at an ancient spring of crystal-clear water before beginning the ascent towards Soria and across the Moncalvillo mountain. Made with Trempranillo Blanco and Garnacha Blanca grapes, this is a clean and fresh wine, full of aromatic nuances with hints of the fruits and flowers that mark this shepherds' route. A white wine different from the typical Rioja ones.

Organic

60% Pinot Noir 40% Chardonnay
12 to 18 months Champagne method.
Long lees contact.
Minimal Dosage.

Organic

9% abv

The Bota de Vermouth Seco Blanco 123 “Dry Navazos” is, like all vermouths, an aromatized wine. In this case, the wine is a fine Jerez wine with four years of average age that, thanks to the mastery of Eduardo Ojeda, has become an extraordinary white vermouth without a drop of sweetness, with elegant bitterness and a delicious citrus profile in the that highlight the grapefruit notes. Clean and complex, to be enjoyed cold with nothing more than, perhaps, a slice of lemon or a lightly dressed green olive. Or to prepare the best Dry Cocktail in the world: “Dry Navazos”, especially if combined with La Bota de Gin.

El Silencio Espadin is made with agave Espadin and is handmade in small batches. It is crafted to express extra bold flavors with the intention of creating a mezcal ideal for mixology, able to stand up to creative cocktail ingredients.

Distiller Notes
Predominant aromas of sweet citrus fruit with hints of ginger, exotic flowers and spices are supported by a framework of cinchona bark and bitter root extracts. Adds refreshing fruit flavors and crisp bitterness to a variety of cocktails. Pairs especially well with sparkling wine and aged spirits.

Starting with a California white wine base, they fortify the wine using neutral grape spirits. Then they add grape concentrate and cane sugar for a rich mouth feel and a sweet finish.

Triple distilled and patiently aged in a combination of ex-bourbon and sherry casks, this original blended Irish whiskey is known the world over for its smooth and gentle complexity.

The early floral yet biscuit flavour reflects the grain whiskey, while the soft spicy notes can be attributed to the pot still whiskey in the blend. The citrus flavour is complemented by the malt. Finally notice the nutty or even marzipan note combined with distinctive vanilla in the finish – imparted by the sherry and bourbon casks used in maturation.

Milagro Reposado is an estate-grown, 100% blue agave tequila which is rested in American oak barrels for a minimum of 3 months and a maximum of 6 months. Color: natural golden straw Nose: clean, agave-forward, with notes of caramel Taste: clean, agave-forward, notes of caramel and toast, slight spice finish. Gold - 2014 The Spirits of Mexico Competition Silver - 2014 San Francisco World Spirits Competition

" Full-flavored with notes of anise and licorice that carry through a richly elegant texture, it is delicious alone, with espresso, or of course, with the traditional three toasted coffee beans in an after dinner snifter. " ~ Distillery notes

85-89 Points -The Wine Enthusiast

"Tropical fruit, citrusy and mango-like aromas. Light, acidic and very tart at palate entry; the midpalate is refreshing, intensely juicy and almost sour. Aftertaste leans heavily on the tartness."

Organic / Natural

Grapes: Gruner Veltliner, Welschriesling, Muller-Thurgau

"It's a wine made in a very classical way, with no maceration, just gentle press and then some time in tanks. The idea here is to have wine that you can drink with literally everyone, be they natural wine fans or haters." -Nestarec