Summer Super Values!!!

By Bill Goetz, Wine Consultant to the Vine Republic

I recently tasted several of our newest value wines and I want to bring them to your attention. As we all know, anyone can find a nice bottle of wine for $25 and up. It’s finding the nice bottle of wine in the $10 - $15 (or less!) range, that’s the challenge. Finding these wines can be hit or miss, so let me tilt the odds in your favor.

The Chateau de l’Aubrade 2018 Entre Deux-Meres (Bordeaux) Blanc got a 90 from Wine Enthusiast. I’m inclined to think 88, but I’ll tell you, you have to try really hard not to like this wine. It’s light, airy, and bone dry -- a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle, and Semillon. So, it’s citrusy (from the SB), with hints of tropical fruit from the Muscadelle, with a delightfully refreshing acidity on the finish, providing nice length for such a light weight wine. This is a perfect summer white, modestly priced for a Bordeaux. $11.99

Cinta. 2019 Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie. This is the perfect party white for a hot summer day, assuming there is appropriate social distancing. And you won’t mind buying this for your recently graduated 20- somethings, who are finding it difficult to land a job in these trying times (as well as buying their own wine...which they may not be working as hard at!). This Delle Venezie DOC Pinot Grigio is not going to challenge Jermann, Terlan, or Livio Felluga PGs, but you can buy three of these to one of those! It displays fresh light apple and pear fruit and balances that with a pleasant acidity that keeps it fresh and dry. $6.98

Now to some reds...and back to Bordeaux, we have the Chateau Castagnac 2016 Bordeaux. James Suckling scored this 91. It is approximately 67/33 Merlot/Cabernet. It is a very pleasant Bordeaux from an outstanding vintage, drinking nicely right now. It’s a little earthier/plumier than I like, but that’s just my taste preference, and lots of people love those characteristics; but I absolutely agree with Suckling that it’s a nicely assembled wine. This is solid quality at its price point and would represent excellent value even at $20. $11.98

Esteban Martin. 2018 Cariñena Garnacha-Syrah. (James Suckling 92 points). This is a “Spanish Côtes du Rhone” delivered at an incredible price. This is done in stainless, which is a good idea for a wine that is 85% Grenache. You certainly taste the opulent fruit character you expect from Grenache, but it definitely picks up a nice amount of spice from the Syrah without being really peppery. This is remarkable for a red wine that is just 13.5% ABV, especially from Spain where Grenache based wines usually run 15% - 15.5% ABV. Despite these characteristics that suggest a lighter, fruitier wine, it has solid structure, weight, and length. And with the lighter ABV, and the complete absence of oak, this is another great summer red. $9.98

Castellani. 2016 Tenuta Santa Lucia Toscana. Ciliegiolo (cheel-yay-JO-lo) is the grape, and I have to admit that this is the first opportunity I’ve had to taste a wine where it is the primary varietal...and...I like it. It delivers ripe red and black cherry with silky tannins and a fine acidity. If you can, give it a vigorous decant an hour before -- a nice wine uncorked, the more time you give it, the greater your reward. Much more than a pizza wine at a pizza wine price! $11.99