When I began this blog my intention was to share as many exciting wine experiences as possible with a focus on value. Few things are more exciting to me than finding an extraordinary wine with a merely ordinary price. With that being said: When I encountered the complete opposite end of the value spectrum while shopping for wine in Korea, I felt compelled to share that experience as well.
Espelt Garnacha /Espelt Grenache Old Vines Emporda Review
I’ve been thinking that I want to share more wines around the $10 price point that I feel offer great value. While some of the wines I’ve featured in recent posts have represented value in their own respect, they may have been a little out of reach as an everyday drinker. Wines around the $10 price point don’t have to be insipid and uninteresting, but sadly they often are.
Clos Apalta 2005 | Casa Lapostolle
I must admit I have high expectations for this wine. The Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta 2005 not only received a 96 point score from The Wine Spectator but they also recognized it as the #1 Wine of their annual ‘Top 100’ in 2008.
This Clos Apalta is produced from one of the best recent vintages in Chile’s Colchagua’s Apalta sub-valley. Wine Spectator has even credited Casa Lapostolle’s Clos Apalta bottling with establishing Chile as a premier red wine growing region. How could you not be curious about this wine with such glowing accolades?
Of all of the places in the world I’ve visited, one of my favorite places is still Napa Valley, California. Unlike most of their French counterparts in say Bordeaux for example, most wineries here in California Wine Country welcome non-collectors, non-critics and those with simply curious palettes.
But there is always a downside…And here it’s that tasting rooms can often be somewhat commercial and often very busy, leading to a somewhat hurried and less than satisfying experience.
Waterstone Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
I have to admit that I am a sucker for a good mystery, especially when it relates to wine and where the fruit is sourced. It’s always exciting to find a wine that is relatively inexpensive yet made with fruit from well pedigreed growers or producers that charge considerably more for their wines. Take the Pine Ridge Encantado Red Blend I recently reviewed for example.
I feel like these opportunities are few and far between in the wine world. As a consumer we usually have a good idea where the fruit used to make the wine was sourced (particularly when estate grown), or we have little to no idea (the winery sources their fruit from various growers). But with the Waterstone Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, it is rumored that the fruit was sourced from declassified Harlan Estate lots!
Terrazas Reserva Malbec 2009 | Terrazas de los Andes
The Terrazas Reserva Malbec hails from the province of Luján de Cuyo, located in Mendoza, Argentina, far away from Malbec’s origins in the south of France. Not far off, however, is some serious French influence. It turns out that in the 1950s the French Champagne producer Maison Moët & Chandon commissioned their wine analyst, Renaud Poirier, with the task of exploring the possibility of South American wine production. Renaud’s conclusion: That Luján de Cuyo was the best location in South America for fine wine production.
While I really enjoy single-varietal wines, like a 100% Cabernet or a 100% Malbec, I find that they sometimes lack something or that they can be one-dimensional. The Cabernet might be too tannic and need to some age to soften and the Malbec might lack the underlying structure to withstand cellaring. They don’t benefit from the harmonization that blending can bring to a wine. But today’s specimen has been fashioned by none other than Laura Catena: the Bodega Monteviejo Lindaflor ‘Petite Fleur’ 2009 Red Blend from Mendoza, Argentina.
Costco Kirkland Signature Malbec 2011 Mendoza | Costco Wine
Who doesn’t love Argentinian Malbec? It is softer and less tannic than its French sibling from Cahors. Lauded for its generous texture, inky violet colors and fruit forward flavors, most entry-level Argentinian Malbec is ready to drink now and won’t bust your wine budget.
It’s no wonder it has become a go-to staple in households everywhere. I am always excited to try a new Malbec as well as any of Costco’s Kirkland Signature wines so when I saw Costco’s Kirkland Signature Malbec 2011 Mendoza I simply had to try it.
HALL Merlot Napa Valley 2007 | HALL Winery
Yesterday while perusing my local Costco wine selections I came across one of my favorite combinations: a great vintage from a great producer at a great price and the icing on the cake was that the Hall Merlot had scored particularly well.
Now in general my theory on critic’s scores is that they are best used as a guideline rather than a rule. With that being said, if 93 points from the Wine Enthusiast is any indication, then the Hall Merlot Napa Valley 2007 is at least worth some serious consideration.
Rondel Brut Cava NV | Top Sparkling Wines Under $10
What Is Your Go-To Bargain Bubbly?
Sometimes Champagne can come across as a somewhat formal beverage. Traditionally it is a drink to be enjoyed when celebrating a major milestone such as an anniversary, wedding or perhaps even a life achievement. Then there is the issue of the price. Most Champagne’s start out in the $30-40, easily putting it out of range as a more casual everyday option for most consumers.
The French wine-making region of Champagne is small in comparison to other wine growing regions . It’s sought after real estate and wine-making doesn’t come cheap. Considering the cost of entry, I can understand why consumers might not be drinking Champagne often. But how about less-expensive alternative bubblies? The Rondel Brut Cava NV retails for under $10 and is easy to find at retailers nationwide.
