Best Buys $10 And Under

Very crisp and dry, with notes of lime, and honeydew melon, this is officially the best white wine in the Hudson Valley. We won Best White in show for this at the Hudson Valley Wine Competition in 2022! - Winery

Vegan friendly.

Organic

A light-bodied, chillable red with a crunchy acidity.
Very old vines 80-100+ years old grown on granite slopes of the Serra de Estrela. There are several varieties here but mostly Baga and Jaen. Natural fermentation in lagares with 20% whole clusters. A long maceration time but without extraction. The wine finishes fermentation and malo in casks.20 months aging in in old barriques and a 2500L old wooden vat. The wine is bottled unfiltered.
11% abv

The review is on the previous vintage.
93 points Wine Advocate
The 2018 Reserva Vinhas Velhas is all Castelão, aged for one year in well-used French oak of varying ages. It comes in at 13.8% alcohol. The "old vines" designation on the back label means 70+ years here. Tightly wound, concentrated and firm on the finish, this is superb in this tough vintage that destroyed a lot of the winery's Castelão in a vicious heat wave. Winemaker Bernardo Cabral said certain plots were lost and the quantity reduced, but the ones in places that could survive were of high quality. It seems that way to me. This lacks for nothing in concentration, structure and flavor, although it is never a candied and overly simple wine. It does need a little more maturity to acquire some complexity. This grape ages well and the wine is built to age, so that drinking window might be conservative. It's a fine value. There were 6,766 cases produced.

The production of Bartenura Moscoto has been directed to yeild a wine that preserves the wonderful rich aromas of the Moscoto grape. The Moscoto grapes create a light, slightly effervescent wine, with fresh peachy highlights. Bartenura Moscoto is the perfect choice as an apertif, or with cheese and light desserts. Best served chilled. 5% abv

Organic / Natural

Organic

93+ points Wine Advocate
It was very interesting to taste the 2020 Sensal next to the 2019. The village red in this almost perfect harvest is a blend of Monastrell, Bonicaire, Arcos and Garnacha from older and younger vines fermented by plot with indigenous yeasts and a significant number of full clusters. The ??levage lasted 10 months and was part in concrete, part in 300-liter oak barrels. The grapes achieved full ripeness and have plenty of aromas and flavors, with 13.59% alcohol, more Mediterranean while keeping the balance. This is what Sensal has to be, marked by the Monastrell, with that rustic touch of tree bark, with more color, concentration and power than the 2019 I tasted next to it. It has great depth and intensity, reflecting a superb Mediterranean vintage. 2,800 bottles were filled in July 2021.

Javi Revert is one of the best young winemakers from the Mediterranean zone of Spain. After years working for Celler del Roure, he started his own personal project. He also has a joint venture with a friend (also ex-Celler del Roure) and is the winemaker at Finca Sandoval. He has completed with plantings to have 10 hectares, half old vines planted by his grandfather and the other half planted by him, to have the grapes for the planned 25,000 bottles by 2026. He now makes some 12,000 bottles. He's conducting soils studies to achieve more precision in his wines. 2019 and 2020 were two very different vintages: 2019 had catastrophic torrential rains (the famous cold spell) of up to 300 liters in a few days in September in the middle of the harvest, whereas 2020 was a much better vintage, healthy and with very good quality, eminently Mediterranean.

Appellation: Valencia
Variety: Bonicaire, Garnacha, Monastrell, Arcos
Age of vines: 5-50
Farming: Practicing organic
Soil: Clay limestone, sand, gravel; altitude: 700 meters
Fermentation: Hand harvested, partially destemmed, natural yeast fermentation in amphorae and neutral French oak barrels
Aging: 10 months in neutral French oak barrels, amphorae, and glass demi-johns, bottled unfined with a light filtration, suitable for vegans

SelvaRey White is a delicate combination of rums aged in bourbon barrels. A 3-year-old-rum brings the vibrancy and youth of fresh-cut sugarcane, which is rounded out with notes of caramel and butterscotch from a 5-year-old rum. This blend is lightly charcoal-filtered to remove the color, leaving elegance in its place. The taste is smooth and mellow, beautifully matching flavors of citrus, pineapple and toasty cr??me br??l??e.

Balanced and elegant. Hints of tamarind and pomegranate aromas are followed by herbal tones of fresh mint and dried oregano. Delicate notes of smoke and black pepper lead to a long silky finish. 40%abv

93 points Vinous
The 2022 Riesling Graacher Himmelreich Spatlese is rather closed. Distant fruit appears as though behind glass where you can see but not touch. The palate is a juicy, rounded but tingling picture of tangerine. Aromatic, deliciously tart but wonderfully ripe, with that scented, balancing, zesty tang of tangerine peel. The 2022 shows poised balance, sweetness, extended, aromatic length and real elegance. (Medium)

Glenmorangie Signet is blend of their oldest whisky and spirit matured in a selection of the world's finest casks. It is undoubtedly is the richest whisky in the Glenmorangie range. While the exact secrets of its production are known only to the distillery, the Signet's melting sweetness and explosive spiciness is due in part to their unique roasted 'chocolate' barley malt and the 'designer casks' made bespoke for Glenmorangie from American white oak. Non chill-filtered.

Aroma: A strong Aruba espresso fused with a treacly plum pudding, rich with sherry, and candied orange peel. Taste: A contrast of rich sweetness with an explosive crackle of sizzling spices and bitter mocha. Finish: A fresh spring-like breeze of mint with a bright citrus. (Producer?€?s Notes) 46%abv - Rich Fruit and Spice -

"This is unlike any Glenmorangie I?€?ve ever tasted. It?€?s a very textural, visceral whisky -- partly due to the chocolate malt, partly due to the casks used. It?€?s dark in color for a Glenmorangie, and viscous on the palate, with interwoven notes of dark chocolate, ground coffee, pot still rum, and spice (cinnamon, nutmeg), followed by dry polished leather, tobacco leaf, and a roasted walnut finish. This is a fun whisky, and earns bonus points for being unique in flavor." Whisky Advocate

Fresh, vibrant, and beautifully complex. A clean, malty foundation accentuated by bright complex fruit, delicate spice, dried flowers, and gentle honeyed vanilla notes that linger on the palate. This is a wonderful whisky which is very versatile, but I can only imagine what it would taste like at 46% and unchill-filtered like the wood finish expressions." 93 Whisky Advocate

"Aromas: mandarin, lemon, apple, pear and peach trees. Add to this the scent of vanilla ice cream, and herbal notes of geranium and wild mint. Add water and release lemony bergamot, apricot and mandarin. Floral notes of geranium, sweet honeysuckle and piquant narcissus mix with mint and the herbal essence of eucalyptus, nutmeg and ginger. Taste: creamy vanilla slips like liquid silk over the tongue as peaches and cream, mandarins and lemons effervesce in the mouth. Finish: The charming sweetness of delicious juices is left on the tongue (Producer's Tasting Notes) 43% abv - Fresh Fruit and Vanilla -

Aromas of light butterscotch and some spicy citrus zest with white pepper and a mild but persistent impression of vanilla and almond. The palate has menthol, soft agave, peppery spice and a mild sweetness of butterscotch and vanilla. An easy sipping Tequila. Silver Outstanding Medal - 2013 International Wine & Spirits Competition

Aged in charred American white oak for 10 years. The result is a special expression of Bulleit that provides a rich, deep, smooth sipping experience. Deep russet in color, rich oaky aromas. Smooth taste with vanilla, dried fruit, and a long, smoky finish. 45.6%abv. Gold Medal - 2013, 2014, 2015 San Francisco World Spirits Competition

"Similar to the Classic in its tropical fruit and honeyed vanilla, but with more depth, emerging nuts, and dried spice. Thicker too-with a slightly oily texture. A noticeable improvement from the Classic. This 12 year old is worth the few extra bucks. It's the most rounded and balanced of the three new whiskies." Whisky Advocate

This whisky was matured exclusively in first-fill ex-bourbon casks made of American white oak. The whisky absorbs predominantly vanilla, caramel and coconut notes from the casks along with the oak spice. 40% abv - Fresh Fruit and Vanilla -

Pierre Ferrand Renegade Barrel is a rare example of double-matured Cognac. Aged in a combination of classic oak casks and chestnut-wood barrels, this is rich with a hint of sweetness.
A limited edition for 2017, 'Renegade Barrel No.2' is made with Pierre Ferrand Cognac that's first aged in oak barrels and then matured in a barrel made from the wood of chestnut tree. Surprisingly, the practice of using chestnut barrels for cognac has been neglected since 1945, and was not included in subsequent Cognac AOC regulation - hence this nectar must be classed as an eau-de-vie de vin and not a cognac.
The unique method of maturation in Chesnut wood barrel marvelously enhances the honeyed, candied fruits and floral notes present in this eau-de-vie. At 47% abv, its is complex, rich, flavourful and intense.

This delicious red is the sweeter side of Lambrusco.

Winery Notes:
"Deep garnet color. Luxurious and dynamic aromas of ripe strawberry, bright cherry and faint notes of spicy oak and vanilla. The complexity of the palate smoothly layers rich red currant notes and baking spice flavors with light smoke, earth and leather. A balanced, velvety texture and supple tannins carry the wine through to a lingering, succulent finish."

We source our Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc from grapes grown in top vineyards throughout Napa Valley, including our own estate ranches in Carneros, Suscol Springs, Rutherford, and Calistoga. The cooler, southern part of the valley gives us sauvignon blanc with bright citrus characters, flinty minerality, and balanced acidity, while the warmer northern region brings out tropical notes in the final wine.

Organic / Biodynamic / Natural / No Sulfur Added

This naturally sparkling Rose hails from the Loire Valley in France, comprised of organically farmed Gamay. It is bright, lively, and delicate on the palate with enticing notes of fresh strawberries and rhubarb. The finish is precise and dry.

The vineyards are spread across 25 parcels with vines ranging from 30 to 130 years for the oldest vines. The Jousset?€?s fundamental and profound respect for nature led them to exclude herbicides and pesticides in favor of the balance that biological diversity promises down to the microscopic level. They believe that to make an original wine it is necessary to have living soils with high microbial activity, a ?€?living?€? vine, and a balanced life between plants and animals in all of the domain?€?s parcels.

Founded in 1820, and today housed in cellars that date from 1619, this small jewel of a company is still owned by the same family, its vineyard holdings built up over time through a series of marriages with other wine-producing families. Displaying a nutty, slightly toasty nose, with flavours of hazelnuts, and orange peel. The high acidity makes the wine taste dry on the palate, with a smooth, long, and memorable finish.

90pts Robert Parker:
Slightly herbal and leafy on the nose, the deep, currant-scented 2016 Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon blends fruit from five different regions of South Australia. It's medium to full-bodied, with soft, measured tannins and true Cabernet identity. Aged in French and American oak, there are some cedar and mocha notes apparent on the nose and finish, but the cassis fruit carries the day.

92pts James Suckling:
Youthful cabernet style here, showing plenty of blackcurrants and a tarry edge with dried plums, some raisins, mint and sweetly fragrant oak spices. The palate is very smooth and juicy. The fully ripe tannins are super fluid and open-knit, delivering a silky and approachable style. Coonawarra, McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Wrattonbully, Padthaway fruit sourcing. Drink now or hold.

91pts Decanter:
Bin 407 is an offcut of Penfolds?€? signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Bin 707, and as such it tends to share a similar multi-regional expression - in this case Coonawarra, McLaren Vale, Barossa, Wrattonbully and Padthaway. It's cloaked in both French and American oak, where it spends 12 months, resulting in a youthfully primary, vibrant red in that distinctly ripe, opulent Aussie style. Sweet, blackcurranty Cabernet aromas are accompanied by just a hint of cooler climate leafiness, all the while showing plenty of cassis richness, nice firm tannins and a savoury quality on the finish. Try with a rack of rosemary and garlic lamb. Drinking Window 2020 - 2030


Taste Description:
Colour
Deep and prominent - solid red.

Nose
Where to start? So immediately true to variety. Punchy, not shy.
Beneath: Subtle forest floor earthiness, laced with liquorice, fennel and anise with a sceric of non-aggressive fresh spearmint.
Above: Sugar pastille wafts - somewhat reminiscent of the fruit bon bons of youth- more prescriptively/realistically - blackcurrant jelly bean.
In between: Summer pudding fruit generosity - suggestive of a cherry clafoutis? Or maybe a fleshy red cherry trifle, avec sponge cake? Yes please.
Absorbed: Stylish/coiffured oak - want to say classy, but might sound pretentious? Next time.

Palate
Bountiful red cabernet fruits complexed by cut tobacco (pouch) and darkened spices.
Seamless, with a tightness/tension between acidity and tannins.
These tannins are ripe and friendly - currently perceived as fruit, not oak tannins.
Oak - quite possibly partially contributing to the sweetness apparent on palate?
Flavour and length. Lingers.