Père Anselme’sReserve De L'Aube

Père Anselme’s easy-drinking syrah-merlot blend is perfect for anyone new to drinking wine. Medium-to-light bodied, Reserve De L'Aube is a simple blend of dark fruits combined with soft notes of oak and pepper. This $6.99 red is smooth on the palate and will pair nicely with just about any meal.

Cost: $6.99

 

Reserve De L'aube Syrah-Merlot Blend

 

Chateau du Rouet'sdelicious Rosé

As far as I am concerned, nothing says Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays like a heavenly smelling, richly-hued French Rosé. Flavors such as grapefruit, ripe orange, and melon bring balance to Réservée Tradition’s light, juicy profile. For about $15, this crisp Grenache-Syrah-Cinsault blend overflows with good cheer and will satiate your warm-weather palate all winter long.

Sharing your great taste in wine is a beautiful way to say you care; therefore, Chateau du Rouet Cuvée Reservée Tradition will make the perfect holiday gift.

Avg. Cost: $14.99

 

2011 Chateau du Rouet Cotes de Provence

Cuvee Reservee Tradition Rosé, Provence, France

(60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 20% Cinsault)

 

Alamos Malbec:Good tasting, reasonably priced

I never tried Alamos wines before, so when I opened their 2011 Malbec at the end of a very long day, it needed to be good.

It was. Costing under $10, Alamos was surprisingly nice and became more enjoyable with each sip. Round and ripe with spicy undertones, this Argentine Malbec is easy to drink and will be perfectly paired with appetizers or pizza.

Enjoy.

Cost: $8.99, Trader Joes

 

2011 Alamos Mendoza, Argentina Malbec

 

"Alamos Malbec pours a deep purple color with hues of garnet. A medley of aromas that include cedar, plums, cherries, and vanilla fill the nose of the wine. The palate is rich and juicy with tastes of black fruit, cedar, and pepper. While this Malbec isn’t complex or elegant, if offers vibrant flavors that are sure to please a crowd." - Trader Joes

 

Steven's choice:2008 Epiphany Gypsy

It seems Eli Parker, son of the late Fess Parker, has followed in his father’s footsteps by creating his own brand of wines. When Steven brought over a 2008 Epiphany Gypsy for Brandon and me to try, I was impressed.

Epiphany is by no means a bargain-bin wine, but oenophiles understand the need to splurge. With aromas of vanilla, raspberry, cherry, cranberry, and a hint of spiciness, Gypsy has everything you would ever hope for in a $25 California red Rhone blend.

Two thumbs up.

Cost: $25

 

2008 Epiphany Cellars Gypsy, Santa Barbara County

(39% Grenache, 33% Mourvedre, 16% Counoise, 11% Cinsault, 1% Syrah)

 

Halos de JupiterCostières-de-Nîmes

I love Friday nights. And to celebrate the beginning of another much anticipated weekend, I opened Les Halos de Jupiter Costières de Nîmes. Having all the yummy qualities that make a Rhone wine worth buying--enticing dark color, deep black fruit flavor, and notes of herbs and spice followed by a nice, long finish--Robert Parker gave this palate pleasing Grenache/Syrah blend 89 points. I guess it is safe to say RP and I agree: this is $14 very well spent.

Avg. Cost: $13.99

 

Halos de Jupiter Costieres de Nimes Rouge, 2009

 

An outstanding bargain, 60% Grenache and the rest Syrah and Carignan. It is a pretty, Burgundian-styled effort displaying lots of forest floor, red berry and cherry notes intermixed with a hint of spring flowers, good density, medium body and soft tannin. -Wine Advocate

 



Derby Vinyarddoes it again!

I know not everyone enjoys the fruity and robust, jammy red wines that come from grapes grown in the Paso Robles heat. I do. Since being introduced to Derby wines a year or so ago, I have become a fan. Not only are their bottles reasonably priced, but this $9.99 FIFTEEN10 is a delicious Rhone-style blend of 38% Syrah, 28% Grenache, 28% Counoise, and 6% Mourvedre.

If you favor Paso Robles wines and Grenache-Syrah blends as much as I do, then this is the wine for you.

Cost: $9.99, Topline Wine, Glendale CA

 

Derby 2006 Fifteen10 Red

 

Tasting notes: "Aromas of red berries combine with notes of licorice, tobacco, spice, and earth on the nose. Raspberry and cherry flavors unfold into suggestions of anise, smoked game, earth, and spice after a sip."

The Crowd Pleaser:Tres Picos Garnacha 2010

I am excited to blog about my favorite Spanish Granacha from Tres Picos. This wine is fantastic. I have yet to pour a glass for someone who is not instantly won over by its rich, dark berry flavor.
 
Wine Spectator gave this Grenache a well-deserved 90 point rating. Costing only about $14, I suggest you buy a couple bottles for your next party. Everyone from newbies to the more sophisticated wine drinkers will be pleased.

Cost: $13.99
Drink: Now trough 2015

 

Tres Picos Borsao Garnacha 2008

 

"Glass-staining purple. Lively, faintly medicinal aromas of cherry, blueberry and licorice, plus hints of smoky herbs and flowers. Juicy and expansive, offering sweet, deeply pitched bitter cherry and dark berry flavors supported by a taut spine of acidity and fine-grained tannins. Finishes with powerful spicy thrust and suggestions of candied flowers and woodsmoke. This could pass for a northern Rhone wine, and a really good one at that." -International Wine Cellar, 91 Points

Black Mountain's2011 winning white

As the end of daylight savings time approaches, I suggest an impromptu picnic in the park to give our extra hour of sunlight its last hurrah. Take your favorite brie and crackers, a jar of organic fig jam, and, most importantly, this refreshing $5.99 must-have Sauvignon Blanc from Black Mountain. Considering I prefer red wines over white, after buying three bottles (and I only have one left) it is safe to say I think 2011 was a great year for this Napa Valley winery.

Cost: $5.99, Trader Joes

 

2011 Black Mountain Sauvignon Blanc (Three Candles)

 

Tasting notes: Notes of melon, mint, and grapefruit are harmoniously engaged and create a satisfying effect. The crisp acidity adds to the charm and invites one to pair this wine with food or simply sip by itself. 

Steven's choice:Valréas Côtes Du Rhône

Last night Brandon and I invited Steven* over for wine and cheese. With Wines for the Economy on my mind I asked Steven to bring a blog-worthy, under $15 bottle that I have never had before.

 

I would like to introduce Valréas “Cuvée Prestige” Côtes Du Rhône. If you want a true Rhone flavored wine (medium-bodied, dark fruits, peppery spice) but do not want to spend twenty-five dollars, you are in luck: this $5.99 bottle has a classic Rhone taste that, for the price, will not disappoint even the most fastidious wine snob.

 

Cost: $5.99

 

 

2011 Valréas “Cuvée Prestige” Côtes Du Rhône Villages

 

*Steven, my good friend and neighbor, introduced me to wine in 2007. Before then if someone had two different half open bottles of wine, I saw no reason why he or she could not combine the two into one bottle. Enough said. Not only was Steven patient enough to endure the four months it took to develop my palate, but he was generous enough to share his 1999 Plumpjack with Brandon and I; and his 2000 Duckhorn; and his 2004 Darioush Cabernet, just to name a few. To say I respect his opinions about wine is an understatement.

 



Cameron Hughes'Amazing Rosé

After trying this last week and loving it, I drove to Costco yesterday to buy 3 more bottles. Cameron Hughes has offered some impressive value-priced wines over the years, but Lot 349 has to be one of their best Rosés.

With layers of citrus, raspberry and sliced melon, this gem is the perfect holiday wine. For under $10 I suggest you buy multiple bottles since only limited quantities are available. Subtly sweet with natural fruit flavors (rosé’s do not contain any sugar) this is a refreshing, classic Rosé.

Lot 349 is a must buy: I know Costco stores (especially in Southern Cali) can be madhouses, but I promise this wine is well worth it!

Cost: $9.99, Costco

 

Lot# 349 ~ Cameron Hughes 2011 Napa Valley Rosé

 

Succulent red fruit balances elegantly with lively acidity resolving in along and sustained finish. Visit the Cameron Hughes website to see what store locations carry this wine.

 

Kunde: wineshopping made ea$y

There is no way for me to continue Wines for the Economy without including Kunde’s 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon (I have bought at least three of them). If you are willing to spend a few more dollars on a pleasant, richly flavored bottle of wine, I highly recommend this $13-$15 cab.

Visiting friends for dinner and need to bring wine? No need to break the bank. This bottle will more than satisfy your host/s.

Cost: $12.99, Trader Joes

2009 Kunde Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Valley, Family Estate Series

"The bouquet of our 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon jumps out of the glass, filling your nose with raspberries, black cherries and a dark chocolate note that is so unique to the Sonoma Valley.” - Winemaker Zachary Long

Ol' Faithful:Buena Vista Pinot Noir

***UPDATE***
Trader Joes stores are down to their final cases of BV Pinot noir -- and they are going fast. If you want to take advantage of the $9.99 price tag, I suggest you stock up now.

I nicknamed Buena Vista's Pinot Noir "ol' faithful" because whether you are hosting cheese night or serving filet mignon for dinner, this wonderful medium-bodied wine will totally deliver. With many layers, BV's earthy 2008 is a must-buy and can be found at most Southern California Trader Joes' for a mere $9.99.

Cost: $9.99, Trader Joes

 

2008 Buena Vista Pinot Noir Carneros, Napa, California