Best $15 and Under Wine Buys for Fall 2009
Enjoy Exceptional Wines in Every Category without Breaking the Bank
Aug 17, 2009
Whether a wine buyer is searching for their new go-to Cabernet Sauvignon for Sunday night steak dinner or seeking an affordable bubbly gift to bring to birthday parties or other special occasions, fall 2009 brings with it a wealth of exceptional wine for under $15 a bottle.
Literally dozens of wines were tasted, with special attention paid to taste, price point, and potential for food pairing. Here are the best of the best in each category.
Best USA Cabernet Sauvignon: 2006 Milbrandt Traditions, Washington State ($12.79 per bottle)
Washington State is producing some of my favorite fall Cabernets, and we were lucky to find this one at such an affordable price. The Milbrandt Cab is dark, chocolatey, earthy, and ready to take on any meaty dish, from a juicy New York Strip Steak to a roast beef pot pie to lamb stew. As cooler weather approaches, pick up a few bottles of Milbrandt to have on hand.
Best "New World" Chardonnay: 2008 Darby and Joan, South Australia ($8.39/bottle)
Chardonnays come in all styles: well-oaked, over-oaked, under-oaked, unoaked, fruit forward... you name it, they make it. But integrating the oak with the grape's inherent flavor is key, and Darby & Joan Chard (from R Wines, the makers of "Bitch Grenache" and "Evil Cabernet") gets it right. Buttery texture yet not overly weighty on the tongue, with notes of melon and tropical fruit. A screw-cap top ensures you'll never get a "corked" (a chemical process that turns wine imusty, wet-basement smelling, and unpleasant) bottle. Exceptional with salmon.
Best Off-the-Beaten Path Pinot: 2007 UNDONE, Pinot Noir, Rheinhessen, Germany ($9.59)
100% German Pinot Noir? You betcha. With spicy cherry notes, this red is big on flavor, but not on tannins. Soft, juicy, light on the tongue. Food friendly and excellent on its own, Undone is ready to undo the belief that Rieslings are the be-all end-all of German wine.
Best Year-Round White Wine: 2008 Ponzi, Pinot Gris, Willamette, Oregon ($13.59/bottle)
Pinot Gris is the same grape as Pinot Grigio, but when done right, it has a sophisticated, sensual charm that is hard to put into words. Ponzi bottles this attribute in its 2008 Pinot Gris, fermented in 100% stainless steel to bring forth the lucious, exotic fruit notes. Dry (meaning devoid of sugar or sweetness) finish that lasts and lasts. Shellfish and cheeses, hard or soft, are a match made in heaven for Ponzi.
Best Dry Rosé: 2007 Hippolyte Reverdy, Sancerre, Loire Valley, France ($14.39/bottle)
And you thought all "pink" wines were sweet. Rosés are simply wines that have had a short amount of contact with the grape's skin (white wines have no contact; red wines have the most), which results in a hue that can range from pinkish to orangey to lavender. This French rosé, made from 100% Pinot Noir, is outstanding, with seashell minerality, lively melon notes, and a crisp, clean finish. Terrific with fall salads, or a prosciutto, brie & baguette sandwich. Sundried tomato-colored.
Best Adventurous Red: 2007 Calina, Carmenere, Valle de Maule, Chile ($8.79/bottle)
Did you know you can make fantastic smoked baby back ribs year-round in your home oven? You can, and this is the wine to enjoy with them. Carmenere is a Chilean grape that is big, bold, flavorful, and funky. Calina blends theirs with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, which gives this meaty giant some familiarity. Notes of leather and cigar box in the nose lead to delightful ripe fruit and bacon grease flavors. Exceptional.
Best Champagne Alternative: NV Familia Oliveda Joven, Cava, Spain ($12.79/bottle)
When I first tried this bright bubbly, it was four hours after it had been opened, it was room temperature... and it was STILL delicious, bursting with fizz and fruit flavor. I was blown away; I'm so used to sparkling wines going flat within an hour of opening and warming up. I've since tried it cold, and it's heavenly. At about a third the price of a comparable Champagne, this is my new go-to sparkling wine, year-round. (Note: NV stands for "Non-Vintage," meaning the grapes are from multiple years or vineyards or harvests)
Best Italian Immigrant: 2007 Caparone, Sangiovese, Paso Robles, California ($14.39/bottle)
Sangiovese may be Tuscany's calling card, but the climate variation and volcanic soil in Paso Robles gives Chianti a run for its money! Spicy dried fruit notes and cedar box aromas, exceptional food-friendliness, balanced acidity... and none of us could believe it wasn't Italian! Paso Robles sees temperature swings of about 50 degrees between day and night, which keeps the grapes from over or under-ripening. It works!
Best Sweetheart: 2007 Gunderloch "Diva" Riesling Spatlese, Rheinhessen, Germany ($15.99/bottle)
At $15.99, this beauty bends the rules a little, but with all that you've saved stocking up on the wines above, you deserve a little treat. Diva is honey-hued and a great entry-level "sweet" wine for people who fear devling too far into sugary wines. The sweetness is well-balanced with the peachy fruit flavors and surprisingly crisp finish (read: no sludge-tongue!). Diva is an instant hit wherever we pour her. The ultimate Girl's Night wine.
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