Comments on: Favorite wines under $20?

Question: Favorite wines under $20?

callmejay — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 20:20:49 -0800

What are your favorite wines under $20?

By: blaneyphoto

blaneyphoto — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 20:24:50 -0800

YellowTail Merlot - 12 bucks.

By: Blazecock Pileon

Blazecock Pileon — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 20:25:30 -0800

Big Tattoo Syrah 2004

By: SpecialK

SpecialK — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 20:25:38 -0800

Becker Vineyards (Texas) "Tres Dames" Claret; $14.95 locally
Penfold's Koonunga Hills (Aussie) Cab/Shiraz; $8-$9, whole foods
Raptor Ridge Pinot [Gris/Noir] of any vintage: $15 in Oregon

TBH, I'd try to find a local winery. Nothing tastes better than local wine that hasn't gotten the crap beat out of it in shipping.

By: jtfowl0

jtfowl0 — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 20:30:38 -0800

+1 for YellowTail. I'm certainly no wine snob but I've tried almost all their reds and enjoyed them all. Definitely worth the money. The shiraz is my wife's favorite.

By: frogan

frogan — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 20:30:42 -0800

Wild Horse Cabernet

Really, anything from that winery is great.

By: xmutex

xmutex — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 20:31:33 -0800

I like Buckeley's reds. Especially the Shiraz (which is the same as Syrah). They make great labels too.

Jackaroo makes a good Syrah as well.

JP Tinto.

By: jengineer

jengineer — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 20:33:19 -0800

beringer founder's estate cabernet - $7-$12
Menage a Trois - California red table wine - $10
chateau st. michelle - Riesling $8

By: brain_drain

brain_drain — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 20:35:29 -0800

Here are a couple of our recent picks:

Kirkham Peak Cabernet Sauvignon (2003), $17. Good, solid cabernet; nice vanilla and fruity flavors.

Groth Sauvignon Blanc (2005), $18. Light, crisp, acidic white wine; fruity but not too sweet; great with food.

I would also check out some past threads on this topic: 1, 2.

By: occhiblu

occhiblu — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 20:37:42 -0800

Taurino Salice Salentino
Any prosecco

By: croutonsupafreak

croutonsupafreak — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 20:40:53 -0800

I love all the Coppola diamond lable wines. If you shop around, you can find lots for under $20. I just bought Coppola's Claret for $13.85 at Safeway tonight (though that was on sale from $18.99).

I'm not sure if it's widely available outside Oregon and Washington, but the Cooper Mountain vinyard has some good wines, too. They used to be over $20 a bottle, but I guess they recently decided to distinguish themselves from all the other Willamette Valley vinyards by becoming affordable. I got a bottle of Pinot Noir for $12 recently.

For cheap, I'll third Yellow Tail. It's usually $8 or $9 out here for a regular-sized bottle, and under $20 for a liter.

El Paseo Tempanillo is tasty Spanish wine, at least to my un-schooled tongue, and I recently bought a bottle for $7.

Australia, Spain, Argentina and Chile make lots of good wines for cheap.

By: ikkyu2

ikkyu2 — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 20:47:05 -0800

Mouton-Cadet's white Bordeaux. Actually any $12 white Bordeaux is good.

By: galimatias

galimatias — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 20:51:49 -0800

Ravenswood has some tasty wines in the $10-15 range. I suggest their merlot and cabernet sauvignon if you are into really robust and "loud" reds.

By: ericb

ericb — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 21:00:37 -0800

YellowTail Merlot - 12 bucks.

I agree any one of their varietals stands up in your price range.

Also -- consider Cavit's Pinot Grigio...especially as a summer wine.

By: mmascolino

mmascolino — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 21:04:56 -0800

Sebastiani Zinfandel Sonoma 2003 - Its $12.95 on this website as well as our local stores. Its not as good as their Reserve Old Vine Zin, but its still quite good and half as expensive.

By: 6:1

6:1 — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 21:05:55 -0800

Clou du Bois Merlot, 2003. Beverages & More price is about $10.50. Sometimes it goes on sale there.

By: noahv

noahv — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 21:12:11 -0800

7 Deadly Zins

...and I've never gone wrong with Clos du Bois, Barrelstone, Columbia, Snoqualmie, etc. I love local Washington wines...

By: pdb

pdb — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 21:13:03 -0800

Bonny Doon's Big House Red. $10-14, at most stores.

By: j

Thu, 15 Jun 2006 21:20:16 -0800

Guenoc Petite Syrah.

By: fumbducker

fumbducker — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 21:26:13 -0800

whitehaven sauv blanc

By: Saucy Intruder

Saucy Intruder — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 21:30:53 -0800

Toad Hollow cabernet sauvignon was really good.

By: generic230

generic230 — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 21:32:30 -0800

Fife Redhead Red 2002 now at Trader Joe's for 8.99 a bottle. It's a blend, with nice cherry, leather, tobacco and spice. Soft tannin.

Also, The Hartley Ostini winery, the winery associated with the Hitching Post Restaurant in Buellton, California (featured in Sideways) has a fantastic red for 18 bucks a bottle. Generation Red. Big, beefy with velvety tannins.

Hope that was pretentious enough for ya!

By: Guy Smiley

Guy Smiley — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 21:36:22 -0800

I'm partial to R H Phillips red wines, as well as the Yellowtails.

By: Jimbob

Jimbob — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 21:52:37 -0800

Brown Brothers Crouchen Reisling. Whether this is under $20 in the US, I don't know.

Also, for something at the complete opposite end of the wine spectrum, McGuigan's Black Label.

By: padraigin

padraigin — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 21:54:48 -0800

The whole Big House Family--I'm particularly fond of the Pink as the weather gets warmer. In Northern California they're usually available for $8-10 a bottle.

I really enjoy Rosemount Estate's grenache/shiraz blend (anywhere from $4 at Trader Joes to $7-8 at a traditional grocery store), and we've been picking up Trinity Oaks zinfandel at BevMo for less than eight bucks. It's great with grilled meats.

Another zin we like is Peachy Canyon's Incredible Red, $8-9 a bottle.

By: Neiltupper

Neiltupper — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 22:01:15 -0800

In British Columbia, easily the best inexpensive red for my tastes is the Il Primitivo by Farnese. $8 SKU #619163

By: kaseijin

kaseijin — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 23:55:23 -0800

Wolf Blass Yellow Label cabernet sauvignon is surprisingly good for the price range. On a good year, it can even beat out cabernets that cost double and more.

It's about 12 bucks a bottle, these days.

Barefoot cellars used to produce a petit syrah that was tasty in the price range, too.

Electra orange muscat is good for an inexpensive dessert wine - rather sweet, and excellent in desserts. Try it in a zabaglione or mix it with some sugar and a splash of fresh sqeezed orange juice to macerate berries with.

By: 29

29 — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 00:14:13 -0800

MAD DOG 4 LIFE

By: sourwookie

sourwookie — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 00:19:34 -0800

Concho Y Toro.

Oh, and Boones.

By: twirlypen

twirlypen — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 00:33:05 -0800

where do you live? if it's in south australia, there are countless incredible wines under $20, due to the six different wine regions within a few hours of each other. my favourites are Yalumba Shiraz Viognier and Hardys 2001 Shiraz, both $9, both amazing.

And if you don't live here, and there are any wineries nearby, check them out. It's so much better than just buying from a liquor shop.

By: blueplasticfish

blueplasticfish — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 00:49:07 -0800

It's been said, but my vote is again for the Austrailian Yellow Tail wines. For the price, it's hard to beat.

By: klausness

klausness — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 03:52:26 -0800

Rosemount shiraz -- it's a bit more expensive than the grenache/shiraz that padraigin mentions, but it's mighty tasty, and it's still a great deal at around $10
Most of the Ravenswood zinfandels are very good, and several of them are in your price range (the cheapest being the Vintner's Blend, which is usually under $10)

By: dflemingdotorg

dflemingdotorg — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 04:17:04 -0800

I'll give you a few suggestions across the grape board so you can have some selection:

Whites:

Wolf Blass Gold Label Riesling (Australia) - a very lovely dry white whine, wonderful with oysters or a seafood appetizer.

Penfolds Rawson's Retreat Semillon Chardonnay (Australian) - anything by the Penfold label is good, but this chardonnay is exceptionally good for the price.

Jackson Triggs Okanagan Reserve VQA Chardonnay (Canada) - normally, JT make a mid-level quality product, but their OR series have a much better quality and more character. Very versatile, too.

Reds:

Inniskillin Pinot Noir VQA (Canada) - my personal favourite for this price bracket and a best-seller at the restaurant I work at.

Jackson Triggs Okanagan Reserve VQA Merlot (Canada) - a medium-bodied merlot which pairs very well with a non-spicy beef or lamb.

Wolf Blass Yellow Label Cabernet Sauvignon (Australia) - a fuller-bodied red, plenty of character and exceptional with a stunning food. Watch for sediment at the end of the bottle, though.

Deakin Estates Victoria Shiraz (Australia) - very full bodied, pair with a red meat with a cheese/fatty sauce to bring it back to where it should be. Lovely for its price.

As you can see, they're all new world wines but certainly value for their money! Pleasant Drinking!

By: lampoil

lampoil — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 04:39:07 -0800

Pazo San Mauro Albariño.

By: robocop is bleeding

robocop is bleeding — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 04:50:34 -0800

Folie a Deux's Menage et Trois is a nice white blend for 12-13 bucks. I think they have a rose and a red as well, but am unsure.

Seconding Bonny Doon's Big House series (red, white, rose, and one more varietal I can't remember at the moment.) as well as their Pacific Rim Reisling.

If you are lucky and on the west coast, you may be able to find my favorite wine, Conundrum, for 20 bucks or less.

By: educatedslacker

educatedslacker — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 05:28:02 -0800

Fourthing/Fifthing/Whatevering Yellow Tail. Best bang for the buck.

By: dpx.mfx

dpx.mfx — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 05:30:30 -0800

Bella Novello Cabernet. Usually runs around $20, and is wonderful. We bought a case after having it at a restaurant one night.

Also the Wild Horse and Ravenswood.

By: gsh

gsh — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 05:33:59 -0800

Ravenswood Zinfandel, 2003 Vintners Blend. Fantastic.

By: dflemingdotorg

dflemingdotorg — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 05:34:33 -0800

If you are lucky and on the west coast, you may be able to find my favorite wine, Conundrum, for 20 bucks or less.

I can't believe I missed that; Conundrum is most definitely seconded if you can find it for that price.

By: junkbox

junkbox — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 05:53:17 -0800

Five Rivers Merlot
Mirassou Merlot

By: phoenixc

phoenixc — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 06:04:14 -0800

Aveleda Vinho Verde, the perfect summer white to sip all day long...and at US$6 and C$8, easy on the wallet.

By: Lyn Never

Lyn Never — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 06:34:10 -0800

Seconding the Bonny Doon Ca Del Solo Big House Red (and the white and pink are also excellent). Chateau Ste Michelle Riesling, the Riesling for people who think they don't like Riesling. K Vintners' House Wine and K Syrah are both very good.

By: blim8183

blim8183 — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 06:59:50 -0800

This might be of some help. You can sort through Food & Wine's database of wines by region, price, rating, type, and varietal.

By: kableh

kableh — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 07:12:06 -0800

La Crema Pinot Noir, Sonoma 2004, $18 at my local ABC. Complex, spicy, great with red meat.

By: saladpants

saladpants — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 07:16:13 -0800

Woop Woop Shiraz is great, and on sale here for $8. The 2002 and 2004 are superb (haven't tried the 2005).

My wife and I liked it and its name so much we served it at our wedding.

By: callmejay

callmejay — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 07:16:38 -0800

Thanks, all. I guess I shouldn't really mark any best answers until I start tasting. ;-)

By: JJ86

JJ86 — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 08:26:51 -0800

I'm partial to Spanish wines so I'd have to say Torres Sangre de Toro and Marques de Caceres Rioja. These can easily be found in the US.

By: DevilsAdvocate

DevilsAdvocate — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 09:11:11 -0800

You might also find this previous thread helpful.

By: bradn

bradn — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 09:36:06 -0800

Second Torres Sangre de Toro.

Look for the plastic bull.

By: nomisxid

nomisxid — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 10:31:28 -0800

Hogue's Late Harvest Reisling reg price $10, often on sale for $6 here in washington.

By: brianogilvie

brianogilvie — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 17:19:05 -0800

At the very top end of your range, Muga Reserva rioja, 2001, is a very good deal at $20 (at our local wine store, YMMV).

By: concourse

concourse — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 21:11:07 -0800

If you live near a Trader Joe's check out their Charles Shaw wine, nicknamed Two Buck Chuck because of it's $2 (or $1.99 to $3.39, depending on location) a bottle price.

Varietals include Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, and Shiraz. I have tried most of these and they are all excellent.

I often see people buying whole crates of this stuff at a time.

By: Mr. Gunn

Mr. Gunn — Sat, 17 Jun 2006 09:46:04 -0800

Vinho verde and albariño are nice this time of year and fairly cheap as well.

By: Caviar

Caviar — Sat, 17 Jun 2006 15:37:37 -0800

I'm a big fan of the Louis M. Martini 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon. It's big, fruity, and a little acidic. Let it rest for 5 minutes in the glass before you drink it.

It's $20.99 at wine.com, but you might be able to find it cheaper. I haven't tried the 2003 yet.