Over the next few weeks you will no doubt see “Wine of the Year” lists ad nauseum, including right here at Wine Review Online. Our contributors, myself included, will weigh in with our many and varied thoughts on the new wines released in 2007.
Today, however, I have a different sort of list. These are my 40 best recommendations for $40 or less. Of course, with a full month of tasting left in the year, I reserve the right to add or delete as developments warrant.
This early peek into the best value wines of 2007 is for those who’d like to get a jump on their wine gifting for the holidays.
My Top 40 for $40 of Less
Foxen 2004 ‘Williamson-Dore Vineyard’ Syrah, Santa Ynez Valley ($40) – Aren’t these guys supposed to be famous for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay? 94
Girard 2005 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley ($22) – Undoubtedly the bargain white wine of the year. 94
Nickel & Nickel 2004 ‘Searby Vineyard’ Chardonnay, Russian River Valley ($40) – Don’t all $40 Chardonnays have this kind of structure, balance and elegance? Just kidding! 94
Baileyana 2005 ‘Grand Firepeak’ Pinot Noir, Edna Valley ($38) – A big bang for the buck for Pinot Noir enthusiasts. 93
Patz & Hall 2005 Chardonnay, Napa Valley ($36) – You might say misters Patz and Hall are on a roll. 93
Yarden 2003 ‘El Rom Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Galilee, Israel ($36) – Who knew? Certainly one of the great red wines produced in the Middle East. 93
Kumeu River 2006 Pinot Gris, New Zealand ($21) – Yep, this famous Chardonnay house has nailed the Pinot Gris, too. 93
Dow’s 1992 ‘Colheita’ Port, Portugal ($31) – Single-vintage tawny Ports like this should be getting more notice. 93
Merry Edwards 2005 Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley ($27) – The grande dame of California Pinot Noir makes a pretty mean Sauvignon Blanc, too. 93
Sauvignon Republic 2006 Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley ($18) – They are Sauvignon Blanc specialists, after all. 93
Hess Collection 2004 Mountain Cuvee, Mount Veeder ($35) – Easily the most underrated of the Napa Valley ‘mountain’ appellations. 92
Mazzocco 2004 ‘Cuneo & Saini Vineyard’ Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley ($24) – It’s a Zinfandel ‘jam’ session at a great price. 92
Artesa 2003 ‘Elements’, Napa Valley/Sonoma County ($19) – Perhaps the ‘value’ red wine of the year. 92
Signorello 2005 ‘Seta’, Napa Valley ($25) – White Bordeaux-style blends haven’t taken California by storm, but this one is evidence the potential is enormous. 92
Two Hands 2005 ‘Gnarly Dudes’ Shiraz, Barossa Valley, Australia ($34) – A big-shouldered Barossa Valley Shiraz. 92
Flora Springs 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($30) – Who says you can’t find great reds in the Napa Valley without a big bankroll? 91
Flora Springs 2006 ‘Barrel Fernented’ Chardonnay, Napa Valley ($26) – One of California’s earliest Burgundian-style Chardonnays and still going strong. 91
Jermann 2005 Pinot Grigio, Friuli, Italy ($29) – Year-in and year-out one of my favorite Pinot Grigios. 91
Morgan 2005 ‘Twelve Clones’ Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands ($30) – Might be the most consistent winery in Monterey County. 91
B.R. Cohn 2005 ‘SyrCab’, Sonoma Valley ($32) – These Syrah-Cabernet blends are now all the rage in California, and this one’s an ace. 91
Patz & Hall 2005 ‘Dutton Ranch’ Chardonnay, Russian River Valley ($39) – Another bull’s-eye. 91
Domaine Ligneres 2002 ‘Notre Dame’ Montagne d’Alaric, Corbieres, France ($30) – There’s great potential in southwestern France. 91
The Four Graces 2005 Reserve Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills ($37) – Deeper and more sensuous than the Willamette Valley Pinot, but consistent with the theme of elegance over power. 91
Marc Kreydenweiss 2005 ‘Kritt’ Gewurztraminer, Alsace, France ($32) – For those who doubt dry Gewurztraminer is a ‘serious’ wine. 90
Conterno Fantino 2005 ‘Bricco Bastoa’ Dolcetto d’Alba, Italy ($22) – Fresh, pure, lovely red-fruit character. 90
Castello Banfi 2005 Rosso di Montalcino, Italy ($22) – One of the many modern rosso’s that have redefined the category in Montalcino. 90
Smith Woodhouse 10-Year Tawny Port, Portugal ($28) – Best bang for the buck in high-class tawny. 90
Murphy-Goode 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley ($24) – Best bang for the buck in Alexander Valley Cab. 90
Girard 2005 Petite Sirah, Napa Valley ($28) – Big-time Napa red at a very modest Napa price. 90
Ken Brown 2005 Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County ($30) – The ‘Byron’ man is doing just fine on his own. 90
Chateau St. Jean 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County ($27) – Fabulous Cab from a primarily Chardonnay house. 90
Gundlach Bundschu 2003 Merlot, Sonoma Valley ($29) – Indeed, some folks know how to do Merlot. 90
Chateau Chavelier 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Spring Mountain ($29) – Yummy second label from Spring Mountain is certainly no slouch. 90
Roederer Estate Brut, Anderson Valley ($24) – Not Champagne? Coulda fooled me. 90
Hartwell 2006 Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley ($30) – This winery’s one of the real sleepers in the Napa Valley. 90
Silverado Vineyards 2005 ‘Miller Ranch’ Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley ($18) – A style change for Silverado, and it’s for the better. 90
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 2005 ‘Karia’ Chardonnay, Napa Valley ($32) – Classy reds and classy whites, too. 90
The Four Graces 2006 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley ($27) – Here’s a vote for delicacy and finesse over richness and power. 90
Faiveley 2004 ‘Domaine de la Croix’ Montagny, Burgundy, France ($21) – Could be one of Burgundy’s most underrated producer. 90
Coldstream Hills 2006 Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley, Australia ($22) – And you thought the Aussie’s only knew Shiraz? Think again. 90
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