Top Ten Wine Values of 2009

At BevX, we love value Wines. Our passion has nothing to do with the current economic climate. We always seek value and consider the value factor when scoring all Wines, Beers, and Spirits. We do this because the consumer makes this consideration everyday.

How do we identify a value Wine? Well, there is no standard formula applied but it is fair to say that most wines deemed to be a “Best Buy” are priced at under $20. We have expectations that bargain priced Wines are to be clean, fresh, well made and pleasing. We anticipate that wines costing more than $20, and beyond, have these qualities as well as nuance, complexity, and a bit of personality. When bargain Wines offer these extra qualities, they earn the moniker of “Best Buy.”

This year's value wines were chosen from wines reviewed at BevX from 1 January 2009 to today. While there were dozens of value wines that we encountered this year, these are our Top Ten. Enjoy.

Alicats Syrah “Gimelli Vineyards” Cienega Valley 2007
5 Stars
Deep, dark red to purple color. The nose is beautiful and complex offering scents of crushed black berries, mineral, rose pedals, earth, and touches of oak. The palate is in full agreement delivering dimension to the aromatics in good measure. It’s generous and full-bodied without ever nearing the fruit bomb status. Ideally balanced and full of vigor with firm tannins. Very much an Old World styled wine. A Best Buy. $19.99

Insatiable Wines Red Wine California NV
4 Stars
Bright ruby red color. The nose is fruit driven but more stylish and refined than you would anticipate from a value wine. Scents of ripe and dried cherry dominate with a complex mélange of accenting aromatics including black currant, wild berries, cocoa, and black pepper. The palate confirms the aromatics being fresh and ideally balanced with great length. We were very pleased to find that this was more than just a pretty face. A Best Buy. $9.99

Ironstone Cabernet Sauvignon California 2008
4 Stars
Bright cherry red color. The nose is filled with scents of black currants, cherry, and raspberry with accenting notes of plum, anise, and toasted oak. The palate echoes the nose being rich while well measured and ideally proportioned. The ripe fruit layers are complimented by notes of brown spice, black pepper, rosemary, and oak. A lot of style and flavor for the asking price. $10

Jekel Cabernet Sauvignon Arroyo Seco/Monterey 2006
4 Stars
Dark, inky red to purple color. The nose is equally dense with scents of cassis, blackberry, plum, and black cherry, with accents of star anise, allspice, sweet herbs and black pepper. The palate fully agrees. This value Cab shows great concentration, a complex marriage of flavors that seamlessly weaves fruit, spice, and earth notes into one very pleasurable wine. An undisputed Best Buy. $14.99

Mason Sauvignon Blanc “Pomelo” California 2008
4 Stars
Pale straw color. The nose is wonderfully fresh offering scents of grapefruit and lime with green apple and mineral. The palate echoes the nose being lush while very lively and sprite with great natural acidity expressed in flavors of pink grapefruit and pomelo - of course. Ideally balanced and ready to play the role of aperitif or perfectly paired with Thai dishes or chilled shellfish. An undisputed Best Buy. $10

Pedroncelli Sauvignon Blanc “East Side Vineyards” Dry Creek Valley 2008
4 Stars
Pale straw color. The nose is alive with scents of ripe melon, citrus, kiwi, and star fruit with hints of sweet basil. The palate is equally sprite with the citrus notes reminiscent of pink grapefruit with melon and hints of tropical fruits. Generous while crisp and fresh offering ideal balance. A perfect aperitif and great with Thai dishes as well as summer salads. A great value presented in a screw-top closure. A Best Buy. $12

Pietra Santa “Sacred Stone, Master’s Red Blend Cask #05” California NV
4 Stars
Deep ruby red color. The nose is generous with fruit, earth, autumnal notes of dried leaves, and brown spices. The palate concurs with the nose delivering layers of cherry, blackberry, plum, and boysenberry with accents of clove, allspice, mace, and pepper. This “batch” of Sacred Stone is a unique blend of Merlot, Sangiovese, Carignane, and Dolcetto. It is tremendous that this wine has a different composition from version to version while maintaining the highest standards of quality, drinkability, and value. An undisputed best buy. $10

Ravenswood Zinfandel “Vintners Blend” California 2007
4 Stars
Bright ruby color. Raspberries, blackberries, and cherries abound on the nose with accents of pepper. The palate agrees delivering a fruit forward flavor explosion with chewy, soft tannins. For the committed Zin lover, you just can’t beat the flavor to price ratio. A “Best Buy” offering a lot of style for under $10. For years this wine has been delighting value-minded wine lovers. $9.99

Raymond Merlot “R Collection” California 2006
4 Stars
Bright cherry to garnet red being slightly translucent. The nose is fresh and generous while seemingly restrained with waves of ripe red cherries and raspberries with accents of clove, cinnamon, fine mineral, black pepper, and a hint of rosemary. The nose is equally pleasing and complex with a plum note rising mid-palate rounding it out and giving a bit of heft while in good measure. A generous dose of fresh acidity and pretty spice compliments. A lot of wine for the money. A Best Buy. $15

Sultry Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles 2006
4 Stars
Deep, ruby red color. The nose is filled with the scents of ripe and fresh Cabernet offering aromas of ripe cherry, cassis, and raspberry with accents of mineral, brown spices, and hints of oak. The palate fully confirms the nose adding depth and dimension to the aromatics. Lush while sprite and amazing complex considering the bargain price. A Best Buy. $9.99