Wines
of the Week: Under $20, 90 Points
We're
launching a new regular series with this feature, focusing on
high quality wines, with wide distribution, that can be found
for $20 or less. So add them to your shopping list, scoff at
those more expensive bottles, and enjoy quality, even on a budget.
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Kenwood
2014 Sauvignon Blanc
Winery:
Kenwood
Grape(s): 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Sonoma Valley, Ca
Year:
2014
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 10-15
Review:
A bouquet of tropical and citrus fruits draws one in.
The palate has a nice round quality, carrying notes of
mango, passion fruit, and Meyer lemon, along with hints
of minerals. A balanced acidity, means this isn't one
of those crisp, mouth-puckering Sauv Blancs. It's quite
approachable and will pair well with a white fish, like
tilapia.
Rating: 90 |
|
Columbia
Crest 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Columbia Crest
Grape(s): 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18%
Merlot, & 2% Cabernet Franc
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington
Year:
2014
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 10-15
Review:
Waves of cassis and black cherries combine with suggestions
of dark chocolate, smoky oak, and white pepper on the
nose. Your taste buds are greeted by cherry, blackberry,
and currant flavors that evolve into highlights of chocolate,
vanilla, and spice on the palate. Excellent for a Cab
that can be found for about $10. Buy it by the case if
it's on sale.
Rating: 90 |
|
Wente
2015 Riva Ranch Chardonnay
Winery:
Wente
Grape(s): 100% Chardonnay
Region: Monterey, Ca
Year:
2015
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 10-15
Review:
Pineapple, pear, and vanilla coalesce together on the
nose. The palate unfurls with flavors of pineapples, peaches,
and pears that move into accents of toasty vanilla, marzipan,
and toffee. A rich wine that's round with a friendly acidity,
fans of opulent Chardonnay will enjoy this bottle.
Rating: 90 |
|
Rutherford
Ranch 2014 "Two Range" Blend
Winery:
Rutherford Ranch
Grape(s): Merlot, Petite Sirah, Cabernet
Sauvignon and Syrah
Region: Napa Valley, Ca
Year:
2014
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 15-20
Review:
Lots of black cherries, cranberries, and plums rise up
from a glass, accented with hints of chocolate and toasty
oak. Lush fruit flavors of cherry, plum, and cranberry
form a lovely fruit core that's highlighted by allusions
of dark chocolate, minerals, and sweet spice on the palate.
Fruit-driven with polished tannins, lamb burgers would
make a fine pairing.
Rating: 90 |
By
Jason Barlow
Photo credit: eastmidtown
via Foter.com / CC BY-SA
Other
Related Links:
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
|
*Wines
rated with a "+" need
a bit more time to reach peak quality
but will
do so over the coming years
|