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My Favorite Wines of 2016 for Under $20

Posted on 12/12/16 at 11:26 am
Posted by L.A.
The Mojave Desert
Member since Aug 2003
61331 posts
Posted on 12/12/16 at 11:26 am
This is a baker’s dozen: 13 wines; 7 whites and 6 reds on the list. For convenience, I’ll list the reds together and the whites together. Every one of these wines can be found in any supermarket with a good wine section.


1. 2013 Michael David 7 Deadly Zins Lodi

My favorite under $20 bottle of the year. This is a wine that is reliable year in, year out, but some vintages are better than others. This is one of the best. Buy it by the case. 90 points from Wine Advocate. About $15


2. 2014 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon

Excellent wine, outstanding value. Even better than the 2013. 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc. A smooth, supple version of Cabernet Sauvignon. 91 points from Wine Spectator. About $12


3. 2013 Hawkstone Barney’s Heritage Cuvee Petite Sirah Napa Valley

This actually retails for over $20, so I suppose it shouldn’t be on the list, but it’s always on sale for around $17 or so. A great wine for any meat cooked on a grill. It’s a big wine; 15.2% alcohol.


4. 2014 Bogle Essential Red

A blend of Old Vine Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petite Sirah. Not quite as good as the 2013 version, but still delicious, light (13.5% alcohol), and can be found most anywhere for under $10. This is another one to buy by the case.


5. 2014 Line 39 Pinot Noir (California)

A good pinot noir that sells for $11 is almost unheard of. Might be hard to find, but Costco carries it.


6. 2014 Trapiche Malbec Oak Cask

I haven’t yet opened most of the Malbec’s I bought in 2016, but here’s one that’s drinking nicely right now. Needs a little time to open up, but it’s a great wine for under $10. 88 points from Wine Spectator.


7. 2015 J. Lohr Estates Riverstone Arroyo Seco Chardonnay

A nice buttery, oaked chardonnay for around $15. Consistently good year after year.


8. 2015 St. Supery Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley

Another wine that actually retails for over $20, but can usually be found for around $17. 91 points from Wine Spectator.


9. 2015 Joel Gott Unoaked California Chardonnay

I like oaked chardonnay’s so I was hesitant to try this, but I’m glad I did. Delicious and refreshing. In the $15 range.


10. 2015 Ferrari-Carano Fume Blanc Sonoma Country

Their best vintage of this wine in years. Great wine for about $14. By the way, Fume Blanc is the same thing as Sauvignon Blanc. Same grapes, the only difference is marketing.


11. 2015 Val de Vid Verdejo Rueda Spain

A pleasant easy-drinking Spanish white wine made from Verdejo grapes in the Rueda region. Pair with seafood. About $15. Wine Spectator gave it 87 points.


12. 2015 Chateau Ste. Michelle Pinot Gris

From Washington State, the style falls between the lighter Italian Pinot Grigio and the richer Pinot Gris from Alsace. I love this with spicy Thai food or Chinese food. About $10


13. 2015 Joel Gott Sauvignon Blanc

A consistently good wine, although I don’t think 2015 was one of their better vintages. Still a great value at about $12.

This post was edited on 12/17/16 at 12:54 pm
Posted by Tigertown in ATL
Georgia foothills
Member since Sep 2009
29206 posts
Posted on 12/12/16 at 11:31 am to
I tried the2014 14 Hands Cab at a party on Friday. I thought it was good.

Tried it?
Posted by t00f
Not where you think I am
Member since Jul 2016
90518 posts
Posted on 12/12/16 at 11:40 am to
There is a lot I could add to that but not to overload I would put in:

Frei Brothers Reserve Chardonnay 2014

Good list btw
Posted by OTIS2
NoLA
Member since Jul 2008
50196 posts
Posted on 12/12/16 at 12:02 pm to
2014 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon


I found a 2006 bottle Saturday for 13 bucks. Paired extremely well with the UFC fights.
Posted by notiger1997
Metairie
Member since May 2009
58264 posts
Posted on 12/12/16 at 12:02 pm to
Thanks for posting this.
Posted by Midget Death Squad
Meme Magic
Member since Oct 2008
24717 posts
Posted on 12/12/16 at 12:13 pm to
quote:

1. 2013 Michael David 7 Deadly Zins Lodi

My favorite under $20 bottle of the year. This is a wine that is reliable year in, year out, but some vintages are better than others. This is one of the best. Buy it by the case. 90 points from Wine Advocate. About $15



I remember when 7DZ was an $11 buy. Those were the days. Its much deserved popularity has brought incremental price increases over the years
Posted by pigpickin
Member since Oct 2014
147 posts
Posted on 12/12/16 at 3:27 pm to
subscribed
Posted by burgeman
Member since Jun 2008
10365 posts
Posted on 12/12/16 at 5:14 pm to
Always love these lists
Posted by jordan21210
Member since Apr 2009
13398 posts
Posted on 12/12/16 at 7:42 pm to
Carnivor cabernet has been our go to for under $20 lately. No clue how that ranks on this list

My fiancé really likes that unoaked chardonnay, pretty much the only white she drinks. Are there any other unoaked chardonnays out there that are worthwhile?
Posted by Contender54
the Enn Oh
Member since Jan 2009
998 posts
Posted on 12/12/16 at 8:43 pm to
Agreed, thanks for posting this list

Carnivore, as mentioned above, is one that surprised me.
I was talked into reluctantly buying it and was pleasantly surprised.


This one was also a pleasant surprise
Posted by Dandy Lion
Member since Feb 2010
50255 posts
Posted on 12/13/16 at 10:48 am to
quote:

2. 2014 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Excellent wine, outstanding value. Even better than the 2013. 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc. A smooth, supple version of Cabernet Sauvignon. 91 points from Wine Spectator. About $12

Shouldn't this be called a blend?
Posted by Paul Allen
Montauk, NY
Member since Nov 2007
75268 posts
Posted on 12/13/16 at 10:50 am to
Add Ravenswood to your list
Posted by whatchamacallit
Moulin Rouge
Member since Nov 2012
632 posts
Posted on 12/13/16 at 11:07 am to
Costco has a Pine Ridge Viognier/Chenin Blanc White that goes for about $14. It is my go to white. I buy it by the case. All the time.
Posted by Frank Black
the dawn of the new millenium
Member since Mar 2004
5281 posts
Posted on 12/16/16 at 12:40 pm to
Any boxed wines on the list?
Posted by X123F45
Member since Apr 2015
27480 posts
Posted on 12/16/16 at 1:42 pm to
Thoughts on the casillero so Diablo?

It's a favorite of mine. But I realize that doesn't make it good.
Posted by cgrand
HAMMOND
Member since Oct 2009
38910 posts
Posted on 12/16/16 at 1:58 pm to
quote:

4. 2014 Bogle Essential Red A blend of Old Vine Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petite Sirah. Not quite as good as the 2013 version, but still delicious, light (13.5% alcohol), and can be found most anywhere for under $10. This is another one to buy by the case.



i'm a huge fan of this
great job on this list!
Posted by Midget Death Squad
Meme Magic
Member since Oct 2008
24717 posts
Posted on 12/16/16 at 7:29 pm to
quote:

2. 2014 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon

Excellent wine, outstanding value. Even better than the 2013. 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc. A smooth, supple version of Cabernet Sauvignon. 91 points from Wine Spectator. About $12



Leaving Martin now and they had the 2013's. I'm giving it a try based on your rating, and I'll keep my eyes open for some 2014's somewhere
Posted by LSUbroker
Member since Oct 2008
1610 posts
Posted on 12/17/16 at 6:54 am to
Darkhorse Cab & Pinot Noir are $7 bottles that drink like they are $40 bottles. Good stuff
Posted by LSUfan20005
Member since Sep 2012
8820 posts
Posted on 12/17/16 at 7:55 am to
Veramonte Primus "the blend" has been a staple for me at about $16.
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