Best Buys $10 And Under

Plump and briary, this is a zesty update on old-school Zin, offering wild berry, underbrush and licorice flavors that build richness and structure on the lively finish. Drink now through 2028.

The history of Seghesio dates back more than a century. The winery planted its first vineyard in Sonoma County in 1895 and endured both Prohibition and the Great Depression, staking its reputation on good value reds. The brand went upscale in the mid-1990s, transforming itself from a jug-wine factory into an elite Zinfandel specialist. The Seghesio family sold the winery in 2011, yet quality remains stellar. This bottling is not only a bargain, but also a tribute to old-school Zin-based field blends, with winemaker Andy Robinson culling from vineyards in Sonoma, Russian River, Alexander Valley and Dry Creek Valley, including juice that didn’t make it into single-vineyard wines like Home Ranch and Montafi. About 12% of the blend is Petite Sirah, Alicante Bouschet and other reds. Robinson aged the wine for 10 months in a mix of mostly neutral American and French oak. 100,685 cases made.—Tim Fish

Winemaker Notes:
"Chloe Sonoma County Chardonnay is crafted from grapes grown primarily in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley. Chloe winemaker Georgetta Dane has highlighted the structure and depth of this fruit by using new and used oak as a secondary presence, rather than the focus, to showcase ripe, clean flavors of fresh citrus, apple, pear with notes of creamy butter and a hint of vanilla. The resulting wine is exceptionally well-balanced with sophisticated intensity, a creamy mid-palate and long finish. The opulent, rich flavors coaxed from the grapes with soft oak integration is achieved through a combination of stainless steel and oak fermentation. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation and was aged on oak, resulting in an elegant California Chardonnay with a silky finish."

Winemakine Notes:
This Cabernet Sauvignon underwent a maceration period of 10 to 16 days,
which fostered the rich color, medium body, balanced mouthfeel and excellent
aging potential of the wine. Following a moderate fermentation temperature of
75°F, the wine was aged for 22 months in a combination of French, American
and Hungarian oak barrels, 27% of which was new, giving it a plush mouthfeel
and complex layers of flavor.

Tasting Notes:
The 2016 Folie à Deux Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a pure
expression of its region. Concentrated aromas of juicy blackberry, cassis, and
Earl Grey tea sit atop spicy oak notes. Rich, round and robust in structure, this
wine showcases ripe, concentrated flavors of strawberry jam, molasses and
anise notes complemented by chocolate, cherry tobacco and a hint of vanilla
on the balanced finish. Pair the 2016 Folie à Deux Alexander Valley Cabernet
Sauvignon with herb-crusted lamb or a juicy, seasoned burger topped with goat
cheese and carmelized onions.

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

#43 On The Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines Of 2024!

93 points Wine Spectator
This distinctive white features a lively, mouthwatering and energetic mix of pomelo, yuzu and lemon sherbet flavors, with hints of sweetgrass, apple blossoms and lime zest. There's also an appealing grip on the finish.

This has nice tension and tannic framing. Full-bodied, firm and lightly chewy with freshness, and spicy character to the ripe strawberry and cherry on the finish. Drink or hold.

Organic

"This Pinot Noir has aromas of strawberry, raspberry and cola accented with hints of oak spice and vanilla. In the mouth, this wine is rich with nice soft tannins and flavors of berries, vanilla and spice that fade into a lovely long finish." Winemaker notes

Sourced from Mendocino County appellation, this cool coastal region has a longer growing season, thus creating a bright, fruit forward Pinot Noir. After harvest, the fruit was gently de-stemmed and moved to small open-top fermenters for a three-day cold soak. It was then inoculated with select yeast strains for fermentation. The cap was punched down 2-3 times daily to reach the desired color and level of phenols. After a gentle pressing in a basket press, the wine was settled and transferred to French oak barrels where it underwent malolactic fermentation. The wine was aged in French oak for nine months and then fined with organic egg whites prior to bottling.

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