Author: Rich

Now that the holidays are past, I tend to look for value wines to ease my somewhat lightened wallet. That means budget friendly wines ideal for everyday drinking. These wines from my tastings over deliver quality for the price. 

Three producers emerged with multiple recommendations.

Several brands from Bogle Family, a longtime wine company focused on value: 2022 Juggernaut Hillside Cabernet Sauvignon ($20) open-knit, sweet fruit; 2021 Phantom Proprietary Red Blend (petite sirah and zinfandel, $18) surprisingly concentrated; 2022 Juggernaut Sonoma Coast Chardonnay ($20) attractive apple, pear, vanilla.

From 689 Cellars line of brands: 2020 Submission California Red Blend ($20) bold, fruit-forward; 2021 Submission Mendocino Pinot Noir ($20) smooth, generous, easy drinking; 2022 Ramsey Pinot Noir ($20) elegant, ripe berry flavors; 2023 Ramsey Chardonnay ($20) bright citrus, green apple; 2023 Submission Chardonnay ($20) intriguing citrus, tropical fruit.

From The Wine Group stable: 2023 Benziger Cabernet Sauvignon ($25) blackberry, mocha, soft palate: 2022 Imagery Cabernet Sauvignon ($20) jammy red berries, soft tannins, smooth finish; 2022 Benziger Chardonnay ($16) fresh, creamy pear, tropical note. 

Below are the other wines that stood out. These are all fine choices for daily use.

Cabernet Sauvignon

2023 Greenwing Columbia Valley ($20) from the Duckhorn portfolio, bright red berries, nice structure

2021 Barnard Griffin Columbia Valley ($18) loaded with dark berries, slightly spicy 

2022 Bread & Butter California ($16) nicely luscious, robust with soft tannins 

California Red Blend

2021 Avivo ($24) organic sangiovese and syrah from Lodi, bright red fruits, subtle herbal notes

Pinot Noir

2022 Wente “Baily Hill” Central Coast ($20) juicy red berries, herbal, supple

2024 Greenwing Willamette Valley ($20) pretty red and dark fruits, pleasant spice

2022 Leyda Reserve Chile ($15) delightful cherry, tender palate

Argentine Malbec

2022 Bousquet “Gaia” ($25) organic, biodynamic, fresh, lively berries, dusty tannins

2023 Dona Paula ($15) vivacious fruit, good body, some mineral and spice 

2020 Anakena ($12) for those who like juicy, spicy wines

California Chardonnay

2022 Starmont ($22) lively apple, apricot, pineapple

2022 Unshackled ($20) hints of sweet apple, pear, and pineapple

2023 Bread & Butter ($16) crisp citrus, tropical fruit, hint of almond

Bubbles

Campo Viejo Cava ($13) traditional method, nice touches of apple and yeast

Adami Garbrl “Garbél” Brut ($20) really fine for an entry-level Prosecco

Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Brut Cuvee ($20) bright, refreshing

Maybe you got a gift card or some cash over the holidays and you decide to treat yourself to an exceptional wine – something for a special occasion, a bottle you’ve always wanted but couldn’t afford. The following suggestions are the best wines I tasted this year that I haven’t already reviewed. 

2022 Chappellet Pritchard Hill ($325) From a winery that has been producing highly prized mountain grown Napa Valley wines since 1967, Pritchard Hill is its flagship and one of Napa’s iconic Cabernets. With 100% of the grapes grown on the organically farmed estate vineyard, there is amazing purity of fruit, concentrated dark berries, cocoa, graphite, wrapped in creamy vanilla richness; 6% petit verdot adds structure and intensity to the generous, round palate and velvety finish.

2022 Spottswoode Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon ($285) While this estate dates to 1882, it has been producing wine under the current ownership since 1982. Notably, it was one of the first wineries to convert to organic growing and has built a system of sustainability including biodynamic methods. Spottwoode’s estate Cabernet is consistently ranked as one of the most respected, sought-after Napa Cabs. The 2022 luxuriates with layers of rich dark berries, spices, earthy cacao, mineral, anise, black tea notes, and a vitality that drives its plush texture to a mouthwatering finish. 

2021 Carmen Gold Cabernet Sauvignon ($100) Founded in 1850, Carmen is Chile’s oldest winery. And Gold has been Carmen’s top wine for 30 years. Sourced from the high altitude Alto Jahuel Vineyard in the Maipo Valley, this is a complete wine showing fresh red berries, intriguing wood spice, classic graphite, a lush palate, and great aging potential.

2022 Gary Farrell Rochioli Vineyard “Honoring a Legend” ($100) Founder Gary Farrell produced the first Rochioli Pinot Noir in 1982. Today, both names are integral to the history of the Russian River Valley as California’s finest source of Pinot Noir. This wine is a tribute to founder of the vineyard Joe Rochioli Jr. who passed away during that year’s harvest. It offers fine blackberry and cranberry, with savory herbs, anise and hints of black tea carried by bright acidity and velvety tannins. 

2021 Alma Rosa Caracol Pinot Noir ($125) Alma Rosa was established in 2005 by Richard Sanford, who pioneered Pinot Noir in Santa Barabara County thirty years earlier. Alma Rosa’s organically farmed estate vineyard, El Jabali, initially planted in 1983 by Sanford in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, is highly regarded. The Caracol showcases the hilltop Block 9 with vibrant cherries, strawberries, baking spices and licorice, herbal notes and a supple finish sporting lightly chalky tannins.

Although sparkling wine is appropriate for any occasion, even weekly dinner, the holidays – especially celebrating the New Year – are its prime time. 

Champagne is the world’s most prestigious bubbly. Produced with pinot noir, chardonnay, and pinot meunier grapes by a process where the bubbles develop in the bottle, it also is the most imitated. I offer several and several alternatives for your consideration. (NOTE: All are nonvintage, unless otherwise stated.)

Though often the most expensive, Champagne will elevate any celebration. 

Charles Heidsieck Blanc de Blancs ($120) succulent pear, lemon, peach, inviting vanilla, toast, anise, lightly yeasty, rich texture

Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve ($90) 50% reserve wines; luscious lemon, pear, pineapple, apricot, lightly roasted, mature and textural but vibrant

Lanson “Le Rose” ($85) crisp raspberry, grapefruit, peach, pleasant saline note, tight backbone

Piper-Heidsieck Brut Rosé ($74) juicy cherry, strawberry, orange, spicy, polished, notes of brioche and toasted almond add richness

If you want an alternative to Champagne, California also makes many fine sparkling wines. 

Bricoleur “All the Restaurants” Limited Edition Blanc de Blancs ($85) bright green apple, zesty lemon meringue, hint of toasted almonds, white peach, brioche, tropical fruits

2020 Frank Family Carneros Blanc de Blancs ($60), 100% chardonnay; lively citrus, delicate, rich

2020 Frank Family Carneros Brut Rosé ($60) 100% pinot noir; complex red berries, citrus, full, yet refined texture

2022 Merriam Blanc de Noirs RRV ($58) 100% certified organic pinot noir, fresh strawberries, hints of almond fresh bread, elegant

Seppi Blanc de Blancs ($32), 100% chardonnay, crisp green apple, grapefruit, toasted brioche and richness

Seppi Brut Rosé ($32), 95% chardonnay, 5% pinot noir, shows raspberry with apple, pear and hints of baking spices

Another impressive option is Italian “Metodo Classico”. From Piedmont, the 2020 Enrico Serafino Ouedis Brut “Rosé de Saigneé” Alta Langa ($38) offers crisp but delicate peach, strawberry, and cherry, with almond and savory notes. 

A less expensive French traditional method option is Crémant. The 2021 Christophe Mittnacht Crémant d’Alsace “Terres d’etoiles” Extra Brut ($28) made with organic & biodynamic grapes, has green apple, baked bread qualities. The 2024 Robert Wessman “this life” Crémant de Limoux ($25) blended by singer and co-owner Norah Jones; shows floral, citrus, stone fruits, with a touch of hazelnut and delicate bubbles.

As the holiday season reaches its peak, I’m back with more premium gift suggestions for the wine lovers in your life.

WINTER WHITES: Bouchaine Vineyards is a highly celebrated producer of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the Carneros region of Napa Valley. Its 2023 Reserve Chardonnay ($70) is a barrel selection crafted to highlight a lush, concentrated expression of Chardonnay from the estate; it balances that with precision and uplift. Another fine Careneros Chardonnay is the 2023 Cuvaison “Coeurtina” ($80). A special selection of grapes from the coolest blocks of the winery’s Tai Vineyard, it reveals the refreshing results from slow ripening: citrus, apricot, honeyed richness.

Sauvignon Blanc is having a moment. While there are many fine examples from its traditional regions, the holidays are an ideal time to gift bottles from lesser-known regions. In this case, the 2022 Appassionata Über Sauvignon ($40) from Willamette Valley. Very little Sauvignon Blanc is grown there but this one is amazing. Fermentation and aging in large acacia barrels add textural elements to its fresh herbs, crisp refreshing lime and grapefruit.

ITALIAN CREATIVITY: Pasqua “Hey French, You Could Have Made This But You Didn’t”, 4th ed. ($45) despite the playful name, this is a serious wine; creative blend and a rare multi-vintage Italian wine; mostly the native garganega with tiny doses of pinot blanc and sauvignon blanc; fresh citrus, hint of almonds and minerals, rich texture.

PIONEERING ARGENTINE WINERY: The owner of Revana Napa Valley Estate and Alexana Willamette Valley Estate, with Corazón del Sol not only advances Argentine Malbec but is pioneering Rhône-style wines there. The 2021 “Gran Reserva” Estate Malbec ($100) is a selection of the best barrels from each estate vineyard, brilliantly ripe fruit, impressive complexity and depth, close-grained tannins. The 2022 “Luminoso Block 13” Estate GSM ($70) grenache, syrah, and mouvédre; beautifully shows wild berry, sleek tannins. The 2021 Estate Grenache Block 13 ($70) offers beautiful pure, bright red fruit, herbs, silky tannins.

FIRST WINE OF THE NEW VINTAGE: This is the time of year when the new vintage is celebrated and one of the best-known celebrations is that of Beaujolais Nouveau. Georges Duboeuf, one of the iconic proponents of Beaujolais also is credited with bringing Nouveau to the world. The 2025 ($16) is ideal for holiday meals and social events. It is fresh, lively, and fruit-driven with juicy dark berries.

It’s holiday season again and I’m back with some premium gift suggestions for the wine lovers in your life.

TUSCAN GEM: The 2022 Tenute Luce “Luce della Vite” ($125) is the 30^th anniversary of this pioneering Super Tuscan from Montalcino in southern Tuscany. It was the first wine in Montalcino to be produced from a blend of Sangiovese and Merlot. Expect a harmonious balance of structure and freshness with roundness and elegance, beautiful red fruits with savory and floral notes

VERONESE CLASSIC: The 2015 Pasqua “Mai Dire Mai” Amarone della Valpolicella ($130) is a single-vineyard release from the 100-year-old family-owned winery. Translated as “Never Say Never”, it is a masterful blend of 2/3 corvina with corvinone, rondinella, and oseleta. Look for a robust wine with intense cherry, depth, full structure, and vertical palate.

BORDEAUX IN TRENTINO: Tenuta San Leonardo has been making wine from vineyards with a view of Lake Garda since 1724. About 260 years later, they introduced a flagship Bordeaux-style blend similar to Super Tuscans. The deeply flavored 2020 “San Leonardo” Vignetti delle Dolomiti ($115) melds cabernet sauvignon, merlot and carmenère to yield crisp acidity, velvety elegance, and a welcome low 12.5% alcohol. 

NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON, OF COURSE: Situated in Oakville, Turnbull has been producing world class Cabernets from estate owned vineyards in Calistoga and Oakville, for 40 years. Consider these two vineyard designates from the Oakville Bench on the eastern side of the Oakville appellation. The 2021 Fortuna ($145), from a historic vineyard at the base of the Oakville Bench, shows fresh red fruits, spice, herbs, fine tannins, and layers of depth. The 2021 Leopoldina ($145) from vines sitting atop the Oakville bench, impresses with succulent density of mixed berries, herbal and stone notes, delivered with a seamless texture.

From the nearby Stags Leap District, the family-owned Cliff Lede Vineyards is known for its impressive Cabernet program. Its Rhythm Vineyard, a valley floor vineyard with diverse soils, forms the backbone of that program. The single vineyard 2022 “Rhythm” ($125) bursts with juicy dark berries; toasty, chocolatey, minty elements, and balanced palate.

ALEXANDER VALLEY SPECIAL: The Setting Wines is a collection of luxury wines created by philanthropists Jeff Cova, Noah McMahon, and winemaker Jesse Katz. The limited-edition 2015 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon “Tenth Anniversary Vintage” ($165) is impressively rich and still fresh tasting of abundant red and black fruits, and notes of licorice; intense but drinks with grace.

As temperatures drop and you shop for wines in the coming weeks, consider these as they are fine choices to weather the cold and match the heartier foods of the season.

Italian grape varieties have been grown in California for decades, though over time overshadowed by French varieties. But plantings of Italian varieties are increasing again. One of the more exciting projects is Centennial Mountain Vineyard, by the highly regarded Rhys Vineyards with California’s first plantings of nebbiolo and nerello mascalese in Sonoma County. The 2021 Nerello Mascalese ($59) offers abundant cherry, earth, smoke and oak notes, with balanced tannins. The 2021 Nebbiolo ($79) presents cherry, red berries, smoky, earthy, soil notes and stronger tannins. I found these impressive wines actually tasted better the next day after opening.

Zinfandel is the quintessentially American grape: an immigrant that succeeds here (California) better than anywhere else. Expect exuberant raspberry, cherry, and blackberry fruit, solid but approachable tannins, peppery and savory details 

• 2022 Bricoleur “Rockpile”($65)bold, expressive, deep character, velvety structure
• 2023 Frank Family Napa Valley ($45) vibrant, ripe, well structured
• 2023 Hartford “Old Vine” ($40) bursting with brisk fruit, seamless, supple
• 2021 Murphy Goode “Liar’s Dice” ($21) fresh, juicy, inviting

Nonvintage Ruby Port generally is a producer’s entry level wine, typically fresh and exuberant with intense berry, grapey fruit, and a fine value. These “Reserve” Rubies test the definition with aging around 5 years before release developing more complexity.

• Cockburn’s ($25) luscious plum, cherry, balanced with anise and lightly spicy note
• Graham’s “Six Grapes” ($29) fragrant cherry, dark fruits, chocolate, full bodied
• Graham’s Six Grapes “Vila Velha” ($45) made from the Quinta do Vila Velha estate vineyards; minty, intense dark berries, blackcurrant, rich, dark chocolate 

Vintage Ports are the iconic Ports of history but they are quite expensive. Enter Late Bottled Vintage Port, less expensive and more accessible. The Dow’s (2018, $30) shares the same vineyard sources as Dow’s legendary Vintage Port.

Tawny Port is distinguished from Ruby Port by a process that marries multiple vintages for average periods ranging from ten to forty years in cask, balancing intensity and elegance. Graham’s 10 Year Old Tawny ($46): hints of nut, honey, fig with mature fruit flavors and a luscious finish; and 20 Year Old Tawny ($80): enticing complexity of almond, orange and berries with impressive purity are fine examples. 

Drink them yourself. Share them with family and friends. Use them for a nightly meal or holiday gatherings. Give them as gifts. Or all the above. These wines will delight whoever drinks them and make the holidays or just tonight’s dinner more enjoyable. They offer the experience of an enriching diversity of white grapes and flavor profiles. Generally, you should find the wines below are impressively flavorful and especially food friendly. 

This is especially true of these Italian wines. 

• Pinot Grigio. Collio area of Friuli: tangy 2022 Livio Felluga ($30) peach, orange, apple, fig, velvety texture
• Vermentino. From Sardegna: fresh, lively 2023 Surrau “Limizzani” ($17); reserve style 2022 Surrau “Sciala” ($29) brief skin and must contact yield spicy stone fruit and viscous texture
• Trebbiano. From Tuscany: 2023 Capezzana ($32) barrel aged, flavorful citrus, lush 
• Pinot Bianco. From Alto Adige: succulent 2020 Meran “Weissburgunder” Riserva ($39) peach, pear, lime, melon and apple presented with good weight
• Sicily. An amazing variety of distinctive indigenous grapes: 2022 Dardinello Zibibbo ($25); 2021 Feudo Montoni “Fornelli” Inzolia; 2022 Tenuta Regaleali “Buonsenso” Catarratto ($20); 2022 Pelligrino “Gazzerotta Senarìa” Grillo Superiore ($22) 

The main Alsatian white wines tend to provide a rich texture and deep flavors.

• Pinot Blanc. graceful 2023 Keuntz-Bas ($19) crisp apple, touch of caramel
• Gewurztraminer. unctuous 2022 Hugel “Classic” ($26) grapefruit, lychee, warm spice, honey, mild sense of sweetness
• Pinot Gris. succulent 2022 Domaine Zind-Humbrecht “Turkheim” ($34) zesty, plush, apricot, nectarine, pear lemon
• Riesling. distinguished 2021 Domaines Schlumberger “Saering” Grand Cru ($42) intensely aromatic, floral, pure ripe green apple, citrus and tropical fruit, mineral notes 

As much as I love these Alsatian wines, there are fine examples from the U.S. 

White Blend. 2022 WillaKenzie “Tourdion” Estate Cuvée Blanc ($45) fascinating blend of all four pinots: noir, gris, blanc, and meunier; tangy citrus, apple, touch of brown butter

Riesling. 2023 Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley ($14) the entry level wine from arguably America’s best Riesling producer; medium-dry, juicy, crisp apple and peach 

Pinot Gris. 2024 Alexana “Hillsides” Willamette Valley ($35) from the owner of Revana Estate in Napa Valley; full bodied, sumptuous stone fruit, melon, and citrus 

Although many of the world’s best red wines are blends of several varieties, over the last half century, Americans have preferred mostly single variety wines. Though, over the last ten years or so, red blends have emerged as one of the most popular types of red wine. As with all wine, there are different styles but, as a type, blends tend to be fuller bodied, smoother and more balanced than mono-varietal reds. 

The two most common styles are those modeled after Bordeaux (various combinations of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, petite verdot, malbec-the first five in this column) and Rhône (various combinations of syrah, grenache, mouvedre).

With ownership of prime vineyards spanning Napa Valley, Markham offers these prime examples of Bordeaux-style blends.

• 2022 “The Altruist” ($30) with 85% merlot, this is juicy, velvety, with herbal notes from added cabernet sauvignon 
• 2022 “Right Side” Yountville Ranch Vineyard ($85) 52% merlot, 37% cabernet franc, 11% cabernet sauvignon; complex black cherry, plum, juicy acidity, tobacco
• 2022 “Blue Boots” Calistoga ($75) 63% cabernet sauvignon, 37% merlot; well structured, bright mixed berries, blackcurrant, cocoa, vanilla, black tea 

2018 Rodney Strong “Symmetry” Alexander Valley ($70) family owned, pioneering Sonoma winery; 79% cabernet sauvignon, 9% petite verdot, 6% malbec, 4% merlot, 2% cabernet franc; full but supple, red fruit, plum, dusty oak

2019 Spring Valley Vineyard “Frederick” ($60) family owned in Walla Walla Valley since 1910; cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc; dried herbs, tobacco, dark fruits balanced by juicy tannins, mineral and herbal notes 

2021 Syncline “Cuvée Elena” Columbia Valley ($65) 46% syrah, 27% grenache, 27% Mourvèdre from; loads of red fruits, hint of black pepper, soft, plush 

2022 J. Lohr “Gesture GSM” Paso Robles ($48) limited release, 83% grenache, 16% syrah, 1% mourvèdre; lighter bodied but full flavored, luscious, fresh berries, black pepper

2022 Anaba “Turbine Red” ($48) 40% mourvèdre, 30% syrah, 24% grenache, 6% petite sirah; sourced from family-owned vineyards throughout Sonoma County; impressive red and dark berries, earthy, baking spice notes; name references the winery’s wind turbine

2023 Copain “P2” ($42) fascinating, chillable, low alcohol 50% pinot noir, 50% pinot gris from two vineyards in the Sonoma Coast AVA; bright, spirited red fruit with vibrant citrus