Page 2 of 50: << First < Prev Next > Last >> sorted by price low-to-high
Apothic Red 2008 Winemaker's Blend
$ 8.98The 2008 release from the fine folks at Apothic is another knockout value, just like the 2007 that sold out in mere minutes when offered earlier this year. Robert Parker called the 2007 "One of the greatest bargains I have ever tasted from California" and it is our opinion that the 2008 delivers every bit the same quality as the 2007. This fun, easy drinking red packs a wallop with its fruit-driven core and soft velvety structure. It is the ultimate pizza and burger wine. And if we can't convince you to put some away, check out what Robert Parker wrote about the 2007 Apothic Red in his year-end issue of The Wine Advocate: I am breaking my own rules about only reviewing Napa wines in this report simply because this is one of the greatest bargains I have ever tasted from California. Made by the Gallo family, it is a blend of 45% Syrah, 44% Zinfandel, 9% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon that comes from primarily Lodi as well as Sonoma, the Central Coast, and Napa. Discounters will undoubtedly have it for even less than $10. A hedonist’s dream, this fruit-bomb exhibits loads of berry fruit, pepper, and spice, silky tannins, and an attractive mouthfeel. Neither heavy nor overly alcoholic, there are 15,000 cases of this beauty, which will provide enormous relief for weary, recession-challenged wine consumers. It should drink well for 1-2 years. Bravo to Gallo!
Smoky, with a nice kiss of cocoa leading the way for dark plum, briar and hot stone notes. Has good grip. Drink now. 154,000 cases made. A strong effort, the deeply-hued, seductive 2004 Cotes du Rhone (primarily Syrah with some Grenache included in the blend) displays loads of berry fruit, not a great deal of complexity, but beautiful texture, softness, and silkiness. Guigal's master blends are always consistent and uniform despite different bottling dates. Most of these wines drink well for 3-4 years. If readers can still find any, 2003 was a very strong vintage for Guigal, with the 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape meriting a solid 90 points. It is a slightly more tannic version than the 2004, with more meat, kirsch, and body. I also thought the 2003 Gigondas (89) was better than the 2004. You can't go wrong with the 2003 Cotes du Rhone (88) as it offers loads of berry fruit. Guigal, who also owns fabulous vineyards in the Northern Rhone, is a superb blender when it comes to his Southern Rhones. He is turning out enormous quantities of high quality Cotes du Rhone reds, whites, and roses as well as fine Chateauneuf du Papes, Gigondas, and a terrific rose from Tavel. 375ml
SPINA Syrah 2004 and other fine wines are found at winerz.com Syrah 2004 Italy Red
LOS PLANOS 2004 Syrah and other fine wines are found at winerz.com Syrah France Red 2004
Charles and Charles 2007 Red Blend
$ 9.98A smoking Washington State Cab/Syrah blend from Charles Bieler (Three Thieves/Rebel Wine Co.) and Charles Smith (K Vintners, Velvet Devil, Kung Fu Girl, Wine & Food's Winemaker of the Year 2009, etc.). 100% Milbrandt Family Wahluke Slope fruit. Drinks like a $25 wine. 50% cabernet sauvignon and 50% syrah. All the fruit is grown in the Wahluke Slope AVA (Columbia Valley) by the Milbrandt family. The wine is dark, almost black, with a brooding nose of blackberry, cranberry, tobacco and sweet oak. The fruit carries through on the palette where you also find great texture, soft tannins and a long finish. The cabernet sauvignon was raised in 1-3 year old French oak barrels and the syrah was fermented and aged in stainless steel.
Avalon 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon
$ 9.98For the second straight year Avalon’s Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has taken top honors at our under $15 Cabernet Shootout. The 2007 Avalon Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon was up against nine other top-selling Cabernet-based wines from California (’07 Snap Dragon Cab, ’07 Cannonball Cab, ’07 Foxglove Cab) Chile (’07 Koyle Cab), Argentina (’08 Cuevas de las Manos Cab ’08 Maipe Cab), Australia (’08 Darby & Joan Cab, ’06 Kangarilla Road Cab) and France (’07 La Forge Cab), all exceptional value red wines. In the end it was no contest as Avalon was chosen the best tasting wine by 29 of the 35 tasters in attendance. No wonder it is our best selling wine! We think you should experience this top-notch Napa Cab for yourself, so for a limited time you can save an additional dollar off (Was $10.98, Now $9.98) this already well-priced Cabernet. Tasting Note: With its deep crimson color the 2007 Avalon Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits aromas of raspberry, blackberry, mint and black cherries. Vanilla and short bread cookie notes bring balance and frame the ripe berry flavors. Small barrel oak aging gives the wine additional breadth and weight on the palate. Napa Valley characteristics show through with strawberries, red raspberries and a faint root beer note with quintessential Oakville dark cherries. The tannins are fine and give off a velvety texture. Supple, elegant and richly flavored, this is classic Napa Valley Cabernet at a price we can all live with. That is why it is our best selling wine and why you should try it if you haven’t already. Come and get it. Robert Parker is a huge fan of this value Cabernet as well and wrote: As one might expect, the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa is a slightly deeper wine [than the California bottling] displaying a more saturated ruby/purple color in addition to sweet creme de cassis, smoked herb, loamy soil, cedar, and spice characteristics. It should drink well for 3-4 years. I enjoyed Avalon’s 2006 efforts, and in 2007 (a brilliant vintage throughout California for nearly every varietal) they have again turned in strong performances. 88 Points - "a very, very good wine!" 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petite Syrah.
Page 2 of 50: << First < Prev Next > Last >> sorted by price low-to-high
