Like red wines?

[Paean]

My wife and I have been into wines for some time.


I certainly wouldn't consider us to be experts, but we do enjoy trying new things.


Of particular interest to us, is finding good wines (of several varieties) that are <$10.00 a bottle.


It doesn't seem particularly difficult to locate wines that are >$20.00 a bottle, that are very good. But finding those that <$10.00 present a challenge.


This evening we tried a very good one, so I figured I would share.


http://upload.offensivex.com/images/spiersmall.jpg


I know that merlots get a lot of negative press, but I personally feel that they fill a vital role in the wine world and certainly deserve a spot on the table from time to time. While certainly not my favorite variety, we still like to mix them in from time to time.


This particular wine is a South African variety. Their soil type results in a spicy flavor that comes out in the wine, but not in a burdensome manor. It provides a little more depth to their wines, such as this merlot, which is quite nice.


If you are into wines with more of a berry dominated front, but want some more depth along with a smooth, yet slightly acid, finish... I would certainly recommend this bottle.

[tau]

Excellent. I'll have to get some sometime.

Find yourself some Alto Almanzora Este red wine. Thank me later.

Also, Tarot Grenache; Layer Cake Shiraz; 337 cab; and, Dynamite cab. I don't recall the prices for these, but if I'm drinking them, they are (or were) relatively cheap.

There are also quite a number of malbecs that run on the lower end of the price spectrum that are good. I'll have to see what else I can come across again soon. Great thread!

[Paean]

I have added the Alto Almanzora Este to my list (which I keep on my phone :D )


We must have similar tastes, as I have had Layer Cake - Shiraz (08.) and 337 Cabernet (08.) and liked them both :yesnod:


I will try to remember to post some more reviews, as we go through the handful of other new ones we recently picked up :lol:

[Casey L]

One of the first I tried, and one of my favorites ever. It's a blend and easy on the tasters.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/104/301429662_eac75f4585.jpg



Also, UNO. It's an argentenian malbec. also pretty friggin' good.


I think House runs ~$10 and UNO is like $12

[Billy Mild]

Try Robert Mondarvi. Its pretty good. If its on sale for under $10 definitely pick it up. Cabernet and Merlot are both awesome. Kendal Jackson is good but almost always over $10. Cheapest I have it ever was $16.

[joesrcool]

My favorite <$10 wine is Cellar No. 8. They have a cab sauv, merlot, and a few others. My dad has been in the wine business for over 10 years (sales to private clients) so it's hard to find wine I can appreciate on the cheap from liquor stores or restaurants.

[06g35meister]

I like the menage a trois red, complicated and tasty, a good wine to sip or get hammered on. Either way its a winner for $7 at CVS.

[phreakdna]

for those in KC (apologies to Dr John) you might consider going down to JP's Wine Bar in the afternoon with the good weather coming back... they've got good priced flights of wine that will expose you to wine you might not have ever tasted otherwise (at least that's how it worked for me).

[BuddyLee]

I hate wine for the most part. Beer on the other hand I love like wine.

With that said, I love Yellow Tail Shiraz.

[Mike V]

I hate wine for the most part. Beer on the other hand I love like wine.

With that said, I love Yellow Tail Shiraz.

Have you tried any of the sweeter German or Italian wines? I hated wine too before the Air Force sent me to Germany.

[Scooby24]

Do yourself a favor and find this Cabernet. You'll thank me.

http://www.vivino.com/images/resized_labels/1286313077_6465.jpg

[phreakdna]

also I know its not in KC yet but Trader Joe's has Charles Schumer aka "Two Buck Chuck" that is now like $4 but its quite tasty for a table wine price.

[duttbart]

had the layer cake the other day - it was meh.

[tau]

had the layer cake the other day - it was meh.

The shiraz? Just wondering; they make other varieties.

[Paean]

The shiraz? Just wondering; they make other varieties.

Layer Cake Shiraz > Layer Cake Cabernet


IMHO :dunno:

[duttbart]

yes, shiraz.

[white01ss]

I know nothing about wine, but my wife drinks "oliver soft red wine" occasionally. I gave it a shot, and it is a sweet wine. It run about $9 a bottle here

http://www.wegmans.com/prodimg/079/200/012584000079.jpg

[Furious Goat]

Sean Minor 4 Bears Cab and Pinot Noir (Carneros) are bad ass. Castle Rock Willamette and Russian River Valley are great Pinot's as well. Chocolate Box Shiraz is awesome, And Fallerina Carminere & Shiraz blend are all great. All under $17.

[Paean]

Do yourself a favor and find this Cabernet. You'll thank me.

http://www.vivino.com/images/resized_labels/1286313077_6465.jpg

I have been delinquent in reporting back to this thread, but...


http://uploadsx.com/di-EAD4.jpg


Very good table wine, for the price!


We plan to pick up several more, the next time we head to Total Wine :yesnod:


Keep the ideas coming, people :cheers:

[Furious Goat]

I had THE BEST bottle of wine I've ever had the other night. I've had a few bottles of $60ish wines and this is right up there for ~$30. http://upload.offensivex.com/images/markhamcab.jpg Make sure it's the 2007 vintage. After doing a little snooping around, it seems like 2007 has been an almost historic year for the Nappa region in general and the Cab Sav has especially benefited from the climate of that growing season. So there was just a local groupon-like deal for an online wine store and I got it and bought 4 bottles that would've cost me ~$180 for about $100. All 07 Nappa Cabs including: Cakebreadhttp://upload.offensivex.com/images/imagesgvg.jpg, Trincherohttp://upload.offensivex.com/images/imagesqtq.jpg, Fransiscanhttp://upload.offensivex.com/images/p27742b.jpg, and Freemark Abbeyhttp://upload.offensivex.com/images/freemarkab.jpg

These are all estimated to continue to mature and reach their peak around 2015. I think I might have a new hobby in collecting 07 Nappa wines... I went a little crazy but you can get amazing bottles well worth saving and drinking on special occasions for around $30. I would HIGHLY recommend that Markham as one of them.

[Paean]

07 was a great year, and not just for Napa!


There are a LOT of 07's out there, that are VERY good :yesnod:

[Mrs.T-WRX]

My boyfriend brought home a bottle of block 9 pinot noir that I believe was right around $25 and was very tasty. I love merlot and cabernet though....mmmm....