Best Buys $10 And Under

Organic / Biodynamic

This historic estate was established in 1834. Claude de Nicolay took over from her mother as winemaker in 1988 and crafts traditionally styled wines from one of the Cote d'Or's great terroirs, the hill of Corton and its surrounding villages.  The vineyard management has been fully biodynamic since 2005 and organic since 1998. Claude's brother, Francois de Nicolay joined the domaine in 2001.

Organic / Biodynamic

93 points Decanter
There is an alluring blackberry fruit with an edge of violets and a hint of liquorice. The grapes were picked very ripe and then allowed a five-day maceration before fermenting entirely as whole bunches, mainly pumping over and punching down lightly at the end. The grapes come from two parcels, one at the base of the slope replanted 10 years ago, the other at mid-slope. The soils here are compact clay and yellow marl that give a very lush result.

This historic estate was established in 1834. Claude de Nicolay took over from her mother as winemaker in 1988 and crafts traditionally styled wines from one of the Cote d'Or's great terroirs, the hill of Corton and its surrounding villages.  The vineyard management has been fully biodynamic since 2005 and organic since 1998. Claude's brother, Francois de Nicolay joined the domaine in 2001.

95 points Vinous
The 2021 Zinfandel Monte Rosso, a blend from two blocks, is an elegant, understated wine that shows the more floral, savory side of this historic site. A wine more of nuance than power, the Monte Rosso Zinfandel is all pedigree. Sweet red-toned fruit, chalk, dried herbs, mint and blood orange add to a feeling of brightness. This is very nicely done, and yet I feel like there is more to this wine than it is showing today.

95 points Jeb Dunnuck
Pouring a richer purple with a ruby tinge, the 2021 Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard has classic benchmark aromas of raspberry liqueur, fresh peach, and five spice. This medium to full-bodied red is fully dry, with more serious structure and ripe tannins, and what feels like more mountain fruit character, but it retains freshness throughout. Drink 2025-2040

94 points Wine Advocate
Made with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, the Tenuta San Guido 2022 Guidalberto gives you a good taste of the same DNA that brings us one of Italy's greatest wines, Sassicaia, but it's offered in a more immediate style here (thanks to the addition of the Merlot). This warm vintage opens to medium-dark concentration and very plump aromas that take you immediately to blackberry and blackcurrant sitting out in the sun at your local farmers market. The wine shows a soft and gentle side with a pretty level of elegance transmitted through the fruit freshness and the light oak spice that is discernible here but delivered with grace…” Monica Larner,

Organic

98 points James Suckling
This starts very quietly and gently with a wafting cloud of floral aromas, but then your gaze is pulled into the base of this Gothic cathedral window, pulling you ever further upward until you are staring at the heavens. Supernatural energy and vitality, the wet stone character cascading over your palate at the super-long finish. Doesnt want to stop! From organically grown grapes with Fair'n Green certification. Drink or hold. 8% abv

A perfect, steep southern slope with soils consisting of blackish grey slate and volcanic elements, extremely rich in minerals. The stuff of legends, for over 100 years this has been the most lauded site in the entire Nahe wine growing region

The iconic Don Julio 1942 Tequila is the choice of connoisseurs around the globe. Produced in small batches and aged for a minimum of two and a half years, Don Julio 1942 Tequila is handcrafted in tribute to the year that Don Julio Gonzalez began his tequila-making journey. An elegant and luxurious Tequila, best served in a snifter.

94 points Vinous
The 2019 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello is powerful, savory and intensely linear, in classico Ovello style, and yet it appears to have enough fruit behind its imposing tannins to develop well over the coming years. In this tasting, the Ovello feels pretty closed post bottling, but its inherent balance and qualities are there. Clean saline notes extend the finish in promising fashion.

96 points Kerin O'Keefe
The 2019 Ovello Riserva is succulent and enveloping, offering scents of dark-skinned berry, forest floor, violet and new leather. Full-bodied with impressive structure and fruit, it boasts ripe raspberry, black cherry and licorice supported by firm, close-grained tannins that provide the backbone. Fresh acidity keeps it well balanced. Drink 2029?????2044. Abv: 14.5%

94 points Vinous
The 2022 Riesling Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spatlese #11 just shyly speaks of white peach compote on the nose, nothing more. The palate is clear-cut. It flashes a steely slate tone before mollifying it with riper fruit and aromatic citrus, so you are undoubtedly aware of its natural colors. This is stone and poise, depth and salty slate, adorning its essential, stony nature with white peach, ripe, expressive tangerine and a fillip of zesty spice on the finish. Light, restrained and elegant. (Medium)

The Singleton 18 is complex and rich with aromas of pear, banana, tobacco and maple syrup. There is honey, apricot and butterscotch on the palate, and the finish is creamy, long and warming. Best with a touch of water added. An excellent 18 year old. 40% abv - Malt and Honey -

Nose: Fresh sherry embraces the maltier, more honeyed aspects of Dalwhinnie. Peaty and surprisingly, still heathery. Spicy yet grapy. Palate: A big, spicy buzz followed by an impressive build-up of very clear, well defined Scotch. After a quick burst of sweetness, a rich, grape effect moves in towards the middle. Finish: Tons of oak. Very, very dry with vanilla dominating. The perfect dram for those in search of a very dry malt finish. (Producer's Note) - Malt and Honey -

Elegant but full bodied this whisky has spent ten years maturing in American white oak ex-bourbon casks before being extra-matured for a further two years in Oloroso and PX Sherry casks from Jerez in Spain. Lasanta is Gaelic for warmth and passion, a reminder not just of the Spanish provenance of these Oloroso sherry butts, but also a reflection of this expression's lusciously soft texture and deep, enticingly sweet aroma.

Nose: Warm spices mix with smooth chocolate-covered raisins, honeycomb and caramel toffee. Palate: Deliciously sweet sherry flavoured sultanas, orange segments, walnuts and butterscotch combine to create complex warm spices. Finish: Long and satisfying finish with spiced orange and chocolate covered hazelnuts. (Producer's Notes) - Rich Fruit and Spice -

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Organic

Smoky and earthy, with copious jammy cassis fruit and sweet tannin, this is an excellent, full-bodied Saint-Pierre. The saturated deep purple color is followed by a persistent, concentrated wine with copious sweet tannin. - Robert Parker (4/03)

A Tequila from the Baja, the Platinum is aged in bourbon barrels for 15 months. Although an Anejo, its filtering process gives it a crystal clear appearance. It is hand-bottled in clay jugs and cork-sealed to reflect the spirit of the Baja California Peninsula. In company lore, a Hussong employee invented the Margarita in the 1890s.

93 points Wine Enthusiast
Barrel sample. A big, firm and hard wine, with solid fruits, layers of dry tannin and great power. There's an intensity to this wine with acidity adding to the complexity and structure.

Banhez Mezcal is produced by a co-op comprised of families from various villages in the Ejutla district of Oaxaca. They produce mezcal the same way it's been done by their ancestors for nearly two centuries.

Comprised of 90% Espadin and 10% Barril agaves, this mezcal is pleasingly mild, floral and fruity with notes of pineapple and banana. 47%abv

The Glenlivet Spectra is a selection of three mysterious single malts, each a reinterpretation of our smooth & fruity house style.

The nose has sandalwood, floral aromas, spice, green tea, and vanilla. On the palate, there's a lot of aromatic wood, cedar, cloves, tea, citrus zest, spice, and a touch of smoke. The spice, smoke, green tea, and wood linger through the finish.

The nose has sandalwood, floral aromas, spice, green tea, and vanilla. On the palate, there's a lot of aromatic wood, cedar, cloves, tea, citrus zest, spice, and a touch of smoke. The spice, smoke, green tea, and wood linger through the finish.

This award-winning Scorpion Silver Mezcal is made in small batches in Oaxaca, Mexico, with a scorpion in every bottle. It is freshly distilled and bottled without aging. The nose is complex with notes of fruit and smoke. A soft, round entry leads to a smooth medium body with lemon grass, dried fruit, and spice flavors. The finish is long, silky, sweet and spicy. Silver Medal, SF World Spirits. 40%abv

Scorpion Mezcal Anejo is made in small batches in Oaxaca, Mexico, with a scorpion in every bottle. The 1 and 2 year Anejos age in oak barrels of less than 200 liters. The process creates a smooth, mellow and complex mezcal comparable to fine cognac. Notes of lime, cucumber, mint leather and smoke on the nose and palate. Best Mezcal Spirit of the Year, Food & Wine Magazine. 40%abv