Best Buys $10 And Under

Winemaker Notes:
"Our prize offering, the ultra premium Claret, sports a label that honors the first Cabernet Sauvignon blended in a Bordeaux style by Gustave Niebaum in 1910. Claret is a term originally coined by the British to describe Cabernet-based wines. This Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc blend is alluring and sophisticated; it is memorably lush with a tapestry of smooth tannins and succulent flavors of wild berries, plum and anise. Borrowing tradition of European wineries, we add gold netting to bottle to signify outstanding quality of wine."

77% Cabernet Sauvignon 19% Petit Verdot 3% Cabernet Franc 1% Merlot. Aged 12 months in French oak.

90pts Wine Spectator
"The Laurent-Perrier NV Brut is a blend of 50% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir and 15% Meunier, and is based on 2009 plus 15-30% reserve wines from two or three vintages. Citrus colored, this signature LP has a refined, fresh and elegant nose with brioche and delicate citrus flavors. Lean, refined and elegant on the palate, this is a dry and silky textured, vivacious, and perfectly fresh and balanced aperitif Champagne. It does not have the opinion-dividing thrill and tension of the Ultra Brut, but will probably find more friends." 90pts WA

"A harmonious Champagne, with a vibrant backbone of acidity and a well-knit mix of poached pear, lemon preserves, smoke and toast. Very accessible. Drink now through 2018. 22,000 cases imported."

The NV Extra Brut Rose de Meunier is very similar to the Ultradition version (the blend of vintages changes slightly) but bottled with 2.5 grams per liter of dosage. The lower dosage seems to bring out an extra kick of savory intensity to play off the dried rose petal, cinnamon, orange peel and crushed red berry fruit. This release is done as a blend of lots that are pressed as white (Blanc de Noirs), saignee and still red wine. I loved it.

Winemaker Notes
"On the nose, delicate pear and floral notes are backed by toasty almond. On the palate, one finds lively citrus, toast and apple flavors overlaid with persistent effervescence, a creamy mid-palate and a toasty finish."

The Sonoma Brut has been carefully crafted entirely from hand-harvested Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. This brut is dominated by Pinot Noir, a stylistic decision enabling the complex aromatic and palate profile that this red-skinned grape contributes to brut cuvees. Sonoma Brut shows the quality and diversity of our vineyards that allow us to consistently produce cuvees with complexity and clear fruit expression. Aged for a minimum of 18 months, this wine shows delicate pear and floral notes with persistent effervescence and an effortless finish, making it a tremendously versatile sparkling wine.

90 points Wine Spectator
Fresh and stylish, with abundant cured tobacco, ground anise and white pepper accenting ripe black plum and currant fruit flavors. The finish shows a hint of tarry smoke alongside light, fine tannins. Drink now through 2025.

The name Redimore, or "king of blackberries," recalls the youthful aromas of its single varietal composition. 100% Aglianico grapes vinified with long maceration on the skins at a controlled temperature in stainless steel tanks. Aged in French oak barriques for 12 months.

95 points Wine Advocate
The 2021 Rom??n Zinfandel is juicy, alluring and easy to drink without sacrificing complexity, offering tremendous quality for its modest price. Blended with 4% Petite Sirah and 4% Barbera, the nose is bursting with kaleidoscopic yellow peaches, strawberries and raspberries plus nuances of sage, aniseed and Angostura bitters. The medium-bodied palate has a finely chalky frame, fireworks of fresh acidity and generous layers of spicy fruit that call you back for another sip.

92 points Vinous
The 2021 Rom??n is an absolute delight. Crushed flowers, sweet red cherry fruit, cinnamon, leather and dried herbs are nicely lifted in this translucent, weightless Zinfandel-based red. Dollops of Petite Sirah and Barbera round out the blend. This is grace personified

Colour: Full sparkling gold, Nose: Huge smoke, seaweedy, "medicinal", with a hint of sweetness, Body: Full bodied, Palate: Suprising sweetness with hints of salt and layers of peatiness, Finish: Lingering. (Producer's Note) - Rich and Peaty -

"Pungent and medicinal in personality, with gobs of peat, tar, iodine, brine, and seaweed. These are all good things.in case you were wondering. A gentle vanilla sweetness tries to tame this savage beast, but it is no match. One of the most challenging-yet rewarding-whiskies in the entire world. What Cantillion Lambic is to beer, Laphroaig Original Cask Strength is to whisky." Wine Advocate

The Hanging Vine pinot noir packs a lot of varietal purity for the price-tag. It's got lots of that special bright red cherry note that is almost always lacking in the budget category. There's a nice full-feeling to the finish and should pair well with lighter meats, salmon, and snacks. For the money, there is almost nothing else in this category with this much pinot character. - PJ

Deep, inky red in color, this wine offers up seductive scents of cassis, licorice, ripe plum and blackberry intermingled with hints of toasty oak and nutmeg spice. Concentrated fruit envelops the palate, with deep, luscious flavors that echo the nose. It has a rich, full-bodied structure, hints of sweet oak, and a long, pleasing finish. - PJ

Organic

93 points Wine Advocate
The young and tender 2022 Albari??o is the blend of the grapes from 165 plots in the Saln??s, fermented with a pied de cuve from the old vines, fermented in stainless steel and matured with lees. It has a balsamic nose with notes of grass and bay leaf, a round palate with pungent flavors and good acidity. It's clean and varietal, reflecting a warmer year.

#6 on Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2022

94 points Wine Spectator
This wine marks a comeback for the venerable Robert Mondavi Winery, with its first appearance in our Top 100 since 2011. Winemaker Nova Cadamatre helped oversee significant replanting in the famed To Kalon vineyard during her tenure (she left the winery in 2021). As young vine parcels came into production, she employed a strict selection for the winery?€?s The Reserve, instead feeding the new-parcel fruit into the middle-tier Oakville bottling (renamed The Estates starting with the 2018 vintage). Relying on organic farming practices, with native yeast fermentations and no filtration at bottling, this is very much a new and promising Mondavi.

Throws off some pretty gorgeous aromas of violet, anise and sweet bay leaf, with a core of ripe, streamlined boysenberry and blackberry p??te de fruit flavors following closely. The finish has a racy graphite edge, while the fruit and aromas just spill through. Approachable now, too. Drink now through 2034
.

An absolutely lip smacking Montelpuciano that shows none of the grapiness or downright ugliness of all too many cheap Abruzo table wines. Instead, the Pietrantonj shows outstanding cherry fruit, dried tobacco, and soft leather. But most importantly, it inspires you to keep returning to the glass. This is our kind of table wine, and for red-sauce-driven Italian food, we'd take this any day over many, many hundred-dollar plus wines that are all pomp and no soul. - PJ

Organic / Natural / Orange Wine

Owned by the Suriol family, Cellers de Can Suriol del Castell is known for making wines and vintage Cava with personality in the organic winemaking tradition. They make wines under the Suriol brand which are all estate bottled fruit and then they make the Azimut line from purchased grapes from their neighbors, all of whom work organically. The Can Suriol vineyards and winery are situated in Alt Penedes, Province of Barcelona, Catalunya. This region is justifiably famous for producing fine wines and cava. The cultivation of the Can Suriol vineyards is done by 100% organic methods as certified by the CCPAE (until 2007 NOP certification). - Jenny & Francois

95pts Wine Enthusiast:
A versatile must-have for mixing cocktails, look for pleasing vanilla, maple and a hint of dried cherry. The finish is long and drying, with plenty of baking spice notes

93pts Ultimate Beverage Challenge:
Ripe apricot, orange marmalade and toasted oats open up for a delightful bouquet. Rich, slightly honeyed, with a touch of grainy sweetness balanced by toasted earth and ripe apricot. Toasted finish which lingers nicely on the palate..April/2014

Chianti Castiglioni features a beautiful ruby-red color with elegant purple hues. Delightful fruity notes immediately emerge on the nose: cherry, blackcurrant and raspberry. Floral and fragrant notes such as violet make an appearance later on. On the palate, Chianti Castiglioni is lively, soft and enveloping. The finish is long and persistent, with the after-taste confirming the fruity aromas previously detected on the nose. Pairs well with full-flavored dishes such as pappardelle pasta in a meat sauce, as well as roast chicken, sauteed beef with vegetables, and medium-aged cheeses.

Winemaker Notes:
Line 39' fruit-driven Pinot Noir has fresh fruit and herbal with rich flavors of raspberries and black cherries on the palate and soft, supple tannins.
This Pinot Noir pairs well with lamb, pork and pasta dishes.

91pts Wine Enthusiast:
"A blend of 80% Pinot Noir with 20% Chardonnay, this rose sparkles in well-hewn acidity, a dry mix of white peach that's fruity and decadent in creamy waves of soft texture and yeasty bubbles. It finishes with length and breadth, an ideal match for the table."

Brut Rose grapes are harvested by hand during the cool morning hours to ensure they arrive at the winery in pristine condition. Fermentation is conducted at cool temperatures, mainly in stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness and fruit intensity. A few selected lots are aged in French oak barrels to add depth, complexity and spiciness to the final blend. A small amount of red Pinot Noir is added to the blend before bottling to create the beautiful pink coral color. An average of 18 months?€? yeast aging adds complexity, contributing subtle bread dough flavors and layers of creaminess. The wine is then disgorged and a dosage added back to balance the wine?€?s acidity. The dosage includes a Pinot Noir fermented in traditional Burgundian fashion, which contributes an extra measure of depth, color and robust fruitiness.

Expressive red berries, flowers, mint and crushed rocks burst from the glass as this energetic wine shows off its pure vibrancy and class. Coutier's NV Brut Rose is another clear winner. Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir are fermented in stainless steel.

Winemaker Notes
"A clear, bright pale yellow in color, with refreshing citrus aromas of grapefruit and lime that intermingle with subtle tropical fruit aromas, especially pineapple, and a touch of herbs. On the palate, it is a balanced, fresh and fruity wine, with velvety texture and a persistent, enjoyable finish."

Organic

Aged in French and American oak for 6 months and then 4 months in bottle.

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

91 points Wine Spectator
Elegant, with an appealing, creamy nappe to the texture as it carries notes of ripe pear, peach skin, blood orange peel, green almond and orchard blossoms. A tangy streak of salinity and lively acidity focus and refresh the finely woven flavors and nicely spicy finish. Drink now through 2029.

Crafted from 100% Montepulciano. Vibrant Cerasuolo cherry-like color. Watermelon rind, lemon zest, and bright juicy cherry with intensity and verve. A tremendous value!

Today?€?s wine was a surprise at our 2023 Vintage Ros?? Taste Off. It narrowly fell out of our top five wines of the day even though it was the least expensive wine in the tasting! That's right, not only did it contend with wines twice its price but was actually reviewed higher than most of them! The wine?€?. Cora Cerasuolo d' Abruzzo 2023.

Cerasuolo d?€? Abruzzo is the ros?? wine of Abruzzo ?€? the region east of Rome on the Adriatic coast ?€? and is made from the red Montepulciano grape. Cerasuolo translates as ?€?pale cherry red?€?, a distinctive deep hue from a short maceration of 24 hours or less. This is in contrast to the fashionable lighter style of ros??, which is typically made by running the juice off from the skins immediately after pressing. Cerasuolo d?€? Abruzzo is for wine lovers who are bored of the endless Provence-style ros??s or for those who enjoy lighter reds.

Cora is fresh, fun, uncomplicated, overdeliver, and satisfying. Cora comes from a single winery in Abruzzo. They use 100% estate-grown fruit, including some older vines, and are certified sustainable farming. No herbicides, pesticides, or irrigation is used in the vineyards. Certified carbon neutral--all electricity used at the winery comes from 100% solar and wind power. Certified Vegan--no animal-derived products are used in winemaking.

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Carnivor wine is a feast for the glass. Boldly blended Carnivor Cabernet is layered with notes of dark cherry, blackberry jam and perfectly toasted oak. - Winemaker Notes

93pts Wine Spectator:
(45% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir and 25% Pinot Meunier; 8 g/l dosage) "A lovely rose in an almost vinous style, with mouthwatering acidity and a fine, lacy mousse carrying appealing flavors of ripe raspberry, white cherry fruit, star anise, mandarin orange peel and honeysuckle. Lightly chalky on the lasting finish. Enjoy with food. Drink now through 2020."

The production secrets and the vinification method of this cuvee go back to the origins of the House of BILLECART-SALMON and have been handed down for seven generations. The Brut Rose is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir vinified as red wine.