Best Buys $10 And Under

A bright white, light on its feet and graceful yet still creamy and generous on the palate, with flavors of baked white peach, macadamia nut, grated ginger and a touch of lemon-infused pastry cream. Shows a spine of lively acidity and a subtle layer of salty mineral.

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

92 points Wine Spectator
Taut and vibrant, with a steely core of acidity and tannins that drives the flavors of raspberry, cranberry and dusky spices toward the firm finish. Best from 2025 through 2031

93 points Wine Advocate
The 2022 Pinot Noir Estate is bursting with strawberry, raspberry and orange peel aromas, and with time it reveals touches of cinnamon, bitters and wildflowers. The light-bodied palate is finely astringent and refreshing with complex, bitters-laced flavors and a long, spicy finish.

93 points Vinous
More savory than sweet, the 2022 Pinot Noir Estate wafts up from the glass with a blend of shaved cedar, rose, ground cloves and dried black cherries. This is lifted and refined with juicy acidity and crisp red fruits, taking on a crunchy, tart cranberry concentration toward the close. Well-formed tannins frame the finish as violet inner florals resonate throughout. This is not only a spectacular entry point to the Bethel Heights style, it's also a fantastic value.

Skyside Central Coast Pinot Noir boasts an intoxicating nose with bright fruit including cherry, rhubarb and raspberry, beautiful lilac, and subtle hints of forest floor and fresh mushrooms. The wine has a silky entry expanding with rose, berry and baking spices. The finish brings hints of minerality with milk chocolate and nice structure from the tannins and oak to build a lengthy finish.

Remole Rosso boasts a bright and intense violet-red colour. Fruity aromas, such as blackcurrant, raspberry and black cherry slowly give way to extremely delicate spicy notes. On the palate, the warm note is balanced out wonderfully by a fresh vivacity. It is a pleasant wine that marries elegance and balance with great softness. - Winery Notes

"Smoky and focused, with an intensity to the racy acidity and tightly knit flavors of white peach, chamomile, crystallized honey, pickled ginger and pink peppercorn. Exhibits lovely texture and offers a long, mineral-tinged finish." 92pts WS

"The wine shows a superb, golden yellow color with a beautiful luminosity and a fine and persistent mousse. The nose is clean and intense with warm, rich notes of brioche, French toast and roasted almonds. On the palate the wine is very supple and harmonious, with notes of honey and minerals on the long, sustained finish. Ruinart Blanc de Blancs is produced from a blend of 100% premiers crus Chardonnay grapes from the best of recent vintages. Grapes from the estate vineyards in Sillery and Brimont (ancestral home of the Ruinart family) are joined by carefully selected grapes from other premiers crus vineyards in the C??te de Blancs and the Montagne de Reims." Winemaker notes

Winemaker Notes:
Rich with dark cherry, plum, and baking spices. The delicious fruit is accompanied by black pepper notes, crushed violet, and cassis. The palate has medium tannins, lingering spicy oak flavors with a velvety lush finish.
Enjoy this Cabernet with a grilled steak, rack of lamb, or grilled winter vegetables.

90pts Wine Enthusiast:
Brawny blackberry, dark cherry and raspberry make for an inviting entry into this impressively likable wine. It is smooth, rounded and rich in feel. Touches of vanilla and baking spice season the whole, building to a velvety finish.

"Bright acidity lends a crisp freshness to the flavors of peach, passionfruit, and lemongrass, artfully
balanced by a touch of freshly squeezed grapefruit and lime. Juicy and refreshing, with aromas of
jasmine, peach, and grapefruit rind. Medium-bodied, with a lingering finish." Winemaker notes

Aged on light lees 10% in neutral oak tanks (the oak tanks help develop mid-palate texture without adding any oak flavor) 90% in stainless steel tanks
.

The fruit for this wine comes from our sustainably farmed vineyard in Rutherford, as well as other nearby vineyards.

Winemaker Notes:
"There is no mistaking the New World style of this wine. Intense aromas of grapefruit, citrus, kiwi and fresh cut grass greet the nose. As you drink, the crisp acidity gives the wine a fresh vibrant feel with flavors of grapefruit, lime zest and grass. It closes with flavors of melon and a nice tart finish."

Our Sauvignon Blanc celebrates the fresh lively spirit of organic viticulture and the crafting of this wine truly begins in the vineyards. This fruit comes from exceptional organic growers who share our philosophy and care deeply about the land they farm. For each vintage, we blend fruit from two distinctive, yet complimentary, growing regions in Mendocino and Lake counties. We pick fruit at a variety of sugar levels and add a touch of Muscat and Chardonnay to get a complex layering of flavors, then cold ferment in stainless steel to preserve the crisp fruit aromas.

Organic / Biodynamic

90 points John Gilman
The Terres d’Argence bottling from Château Mourgues de Grès is their old vine cuvée, with all of the vineyards that go into this blend at least forty-five years of age. The blend in 2018 is seventy percent syrah and fifteen percent each of grenache and mourvèdre. The vineyards are planted on marl and limestone soils, with a surface strata of galets roules just like in Châteauneuf du Pape. The wine is fermented with native yeasts and raised in a combination of cement, foudres and five percent small barrels. The 2018 version is again ripe in this warm summer, tipping the scales at 14.5 percent alcohol and offering up a fine bouquet of cassis, woodsmoke, hung game, stony soil tones, lovely spice tones and just a whisper of oak from the small barrels. On the palate the wine is deep, focused and full-bodied, with a superb core of fruit, excellent mineral undertow, ripe tannins and fine balance on the long and complex finish. The old vines here really give the wine fine mid-palate stuffing. This is most impressive and also a touch cooler in the mouth than the 2020 Galets Rouges bottling. 2028-2045. View From The Cellar

This wine is predominantly (70%) Syrah based from vines that are over 45 years old, complemented by old-vine Grenache (15%) and 15% Mourvedre. The vineyard has a perfectly full southern exposure, with a subsoil of marl and calcareous limestone and a substantial surface layer of galet stones provides exceptional ripening conditions for these vines year in and year out.

After a gentle maceration for 3-5 weeks, the wine is aged in concrete vats (65%), wooden vats (35%), and, for the fruit from the most-structured plots, barrel (5%). No yeasts or sulfur are used during vinification or aging. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.wine.

94 points Wine Spectator
A dry and aromatic red, with accents of cured tobacco and pencil shavings to the flavors of baked raspberry, licorice snap and tarry smoke. Well-knit and balanced, this is full-bodied, with dense tannins firming the finish. Give this some time in the cellar to shine. Best from 2020 through 2031.

94 points Wine & Spirits Magazine
The Montemarano vineyard rises to 2,000 feet above sea level, where cool evening breezes tempered the heat at the end of the 2011 growing season to produce this intense riserva. The blackberry and plum fruit is loaded with notes of fennel and anise, the whole encased in rigid tannins and dark mineral tones, as well as vanilla notes picked up from 30 months in French oak barriques and Slavonian casks. Give this at least five years in the cellar before pouring with an aged strip steak.

94 points James Suckling
A beautiful red with blackberry, spice, oyster shell and hints of black pepper. Medium to full body, chewy tannins and a polished and pretty finish. Gorgeous. Made from aglianico. One of the best wines in years from here.

Mastroberardino, founded in 1878, is a protagonist in the story of fine wine from Campania in Southern Italy and of the region?€?s signature red, Taurasi, based on the Aglianico grape. Tenth-generation vintner Piero Mastroberardino helms the estate, working with winemaker Massimo di Renzo. Starting 20 years ago, the duo pursued a more robust style for their Taurasi, shifting gears again with the 2016 Radici Riserva to ?€?the winemaking of my father,?€? says Mastroberardino. The focus here is on less extraction, with a relatively short, cool maceration of eight or nine days, followed by extended aging, including 30 months in large casks or used barriques and an additional three or more years in bottle.

Intensely ripe, jammy and toasty aromas and equally effusive fruit flavors make this full-bodied wine easy to enjoy. It seems to overflow with boysenberry and blackberry, and has a touch of wood smoke from oak.

Empress 1908 is a Canadian gin made in British Columbia. It uses eight organic botanicals, one of which is butterfly pea blossom, which gives the gin a vivid indigo blue color. However, when citrus or tonic is added to the gin, the color turns from indigo to a soft pink. The palate is citrusy with noticeable grapefruit notes. While a unique product, it is also an excellent gin. Gluton free.

42.5%abv

Organic

94 points Vinous
The 2020 Vatan comes from exceptionally old vines in the Quemaos vineyard situated in the Villaester de Abajo area. Aged for 20 months in French oak barrels, it displays a dark purple color. The balsamic nose reveals plums, sour cherries and subtle blackberries over a cedar layer. Rich, creamy and juicy on the palate, the supple tannins and mild intensity leads to a nuanced, enduring finish. This is a vibrant interpretation of a successful year in Toro. Drinking Window: 2025-2040

We sourced our grapes from vineyards throughout Napa Valley, collecting fruit from several locations to show the diversity and depth of this world-renowned wine region. A portion of the wine comes from Rutherford, where the famous Rutherford Dust gives distinctive notes of cocoa powder, juicy fruit and complex tannins. The mountain vineyards provide rich aromatics, briary intensity and a bright pop of boysenberry. The northern Napa Valley floor vineyards complement the profile, providing rich texture and luscious tannins. - Winemaker's notes

92 points James Suckling
A very aromatic red, offering baking spices, such as cinnamon, cloves and anisette, as well as notes of ripe blackcurrants, plums and dark chocolate. Full-bodied with soft tannins and a ripe yet vibrant and juicy fruit core. Long, warming finish. Drinkable now, but better in a few years.

"This lush and inviting Merlot displays flavors of ripe blackberry, black cherry and cassis, underscored by hints of sweet spice, cocoa and leather. On the palate, balanced acidity adds poise and elegance, while silky, refined tannins carry the wine to a fruitful and concentrated finish." Winemaker notes

88% Merlot, 8% Malbec, 4% Cabernet Franc Cooperage 10 months 100% French Oak 40% New, 60% Neutral.

For more than three decades, Duckhorn Vineyards has been crafting exceptional Napa Valley Merlot reflecting the rich diversity of the valley’s many appellations Drawing on our winemaking team’s expertise working with this varietal, Decoy Sonoma County Merlot is a lush and inviting wine highlighting the elegance of the varietal from another exceptional growing region.

"Lively and mouthwatering, with flavors of black currant, graphite, candied lemon zest and smoky mineral, supported by a creamy mousse. A balanced crowd-pleaser. Drink now through 2018. 40,000 cases imported." 90pts WS

Organic

93 points Vinous
The 2020 Chianti Classico is a dark, voluptuous red. Black cherry, plum, licorice and spice are all amplified in this potent, racy wine. Readers will find a super-classic Panzano Chianti Classico built on texture and volume. Expressive floral and spice notes resonate on the rich, potent finish. A dollop of 10% Merlot works well in exalting richness. This is beautifully done.

Campari is an alcoholic spirit obtained from the infusion of bitter herbs, aromatic plants and fruit in alcohol and water. Many have tried to guess the number of ingredients: some say there are 20 or 60, but others list the ingredients at 80. To this day, alcohol and water are the only known ingredients of its special and secret recipe. Its vibrant red color, intense aroma and distinctive bitter taste make it extremely versatile, and the perfect base for some of the most famous cocktails around the world.

Zacapa No. 23 is an award-winning Ultra Premium aged rum, masterfully crafted in Guatemala using the first press of sugar cane and aged 2300m 'Above the Clouds' to slow the aging process, developing layers of aromas and flavors within the rum. The balance of delicate and unique flavors of Zacapa No. 23 is derived from a blend of aged rums between 6 and 23 years old, originating from our take on the “Sistema Solera” aging process. Zacapa No. 23 is aged in selected barrels that previously aged robust American whiskey, delicate sherries and fine Pedro Ximénez wines, creating a smooth & balanced rum. Every bottle of No. 23 is adorned with a hand-woven petate band crafted by our community of over 700 Guatemalan weavers. Zacapa No. 23 Rum is best served neat, on the rocks or in your favorite dark spirit cocktail.

Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauv., Petite Sirah, Syrah, Grenache and Charbono.

"Aromas of briar fruits and dried cherry are accented by hints of vanilla and toasted oak. On the palate, tiers of blueberry, ripe mulberry and boysenberry give way to an edge of espresso, cracked pepper and a seasoning of fall spice. These dense aromas and flavors culinate in a lingering finish framed by refined tannins." ~ Prisoner Wine Co.

Winery Notes:
"A classic Cabernet Sauvignon that shows off rich color, layered aromatics and good structure. The wine is smooth and vibrant with cassis, dark cherry and black olive aromas preceding rich fruit flavors of dark plum and cherry preserves followed by a note of roasted coffee bean.
Blend: An excellent companion to aged blue cheese, braised or grilled beef, and roast pork with fruit "

Tasting Notes:
SIMI Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is dark garnet in color with a ruby edge. Toasty oak frames and adds depth to fruit aromas of dark bramble and dried blueberry, leading into intriguing notes of exotic spices and roasted coffee. Lifted aromas of juniper and subtle violet add generosity, layers, and aromatic complexity to this wine. Black fruit dominates the entry with blackberry and dark plum, followed by black licorice, cocoa, and dried herb, with a spicy, lifted mid-palate. A bit of peppery cassis leads the finish with some dried herb notes and supple yet firm tannins.

90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 3% Petite Sirah, 1% Malbec, 1% Cabernet Franc

Food Pairing:
Our Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon is elegant, juicy, and incredibly food-friendly and it’s not difficult to pair with foods. It will bring out the best in grilled steaks with roasted mushrooms, Moroccan spiced lamb, and braised duck breast with carrot puree.

This lively bottling is crafted by Bayten (short for Buitenverwachting, which is Dutch for beyond expectation) a Sauvignon specialist recognized for their elegant, mineral-tinged whites. Beyond offers tremendous bang for the buck, consistently earning Best Buy/Best Value accolades. Bursting with invigorating flavors of passion fruit, melon, kiwi and lime supported by pronounced herbal notes and a mineral edge, it exhibits an elegance typical of cool climate Sauvignon Blanc.

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

92 points Wine Spectator
A medium-bodied red, with a graphite and cigar box underpinning to the generous core of plum and cassis, which lengthens around fresh acidity, adding notes of dried sage and anise on the long finish around precise tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Syrah. Drink now through 2036.

Cocodrilo comprised of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Malbec, and 24% Cabernet Franc. It is rich, complex, and yet elegant on the palate. Coming from higher altitude regions, this wine highlights the potential of each varietal that composes it. Deep ruby ??red with darker highlights. Aromas of blueberries, plums, sweet spices, and graphite are present on the nose. Balanced medium body with firm tannins and a long finish. Aged for 15 months in French oak barrels, 14% first use. Unclarified.