My 12 Favorite Wines of 2012 for Under $20

These are my 12 favorite wines of 2012 for under $20. There was no clear cut #1 wine for me on this list. The top three wines are probably ahead of the others, but the rest are presented in no particular order. The prices I listed are what the wines sell for here in Los Angeles. Enjoy!


1. Catena Malbec Mendoza 2008

One of Argentina’s top producers, this is a bit of a fudge on my part since the retail price is slightly over $20, but it sells at Costco for $18 so I’m putting on the list. The ‘08’s are quickly disappearing from the shelves so what you’ll probably find is the 2009 & 2010. Both are out now and both are good, although the 2010 is definitely not ready to drink. Price: $18


2. Ben Marco Malbec 2009

Another malbec from Argentina, this one is mixed with 8% bonarda. Price: $16.


3. Bogle Phantom 2009

I like this wine a lot, but it's not easy to find. I preferred the 2008 Phantom, but the 2009 is a nice wine. A blend of 49% old vine zinfandel, 49% petitie sirah and 2% old vine mouvedre. Price: $16


4. Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc 2011

Kevin Judd, former winemaker at Cloudy Bay, is the maker of this delicious white wine from New Zealand. Wine Spectator gave this wine 92 points and placed it at #53 on their list of the top 100 wines of the year. Price: $18


5. Joel Gott Sauvignon Blanc 2011

I bought a lot of this wine in 2012 and every bottle was solid. For the last several years I have drunk more sauvignon blanc than any other white wine and right now this is one of my favorites. Price: $15.


6. Plungerhead Dry Creek Valley Old Vine Zinfandel 2009

From the area around Lodi, California, a new hot bed for California zinfandel. Blended with 9% petite sirah. Price: $15


7. Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

I bought three bottles of this wine. The first two were excellent; the third was just okay. I’m assuming that the 3rd bottle was the anomaly. A very drinkable cabernet sauvignon from Washington State. Price: $14


8. Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot 2009

The Grand Estates line of wines from Washington winery Columbia Crest represents some of the finest values in America. I preferred the 2008 merlot, but the 2009 is hitting the shelves now so that’s probably what you’ll find. It’s a good wine and a great bargain. Price: $14.


9. La Cana Albarino 2011

A Spanish white wine; very food friendly. Relaltively low alcohol content of 12.5%. I could drink this wine every day. Great with seafood. Price: $16


10. Laetitia Arroyo Grande Chardonnay 2011

For whatever reason I haven’t bought much chardonnay in the past few years, but this is a very enjoyable California chardonnay at a reasonable price. Price: $15


11. Robert Hall Syrah Paso Robles 2009

I haven’t found many syrah’s in this price range that I like, but I liked this wine quite a bit. Price: $16


12. Chateau Ste. Michelle Pinot Gris Columbia Valley 2011

This is a wine I buy every year, and I've never been disappointed. The style is a little heavier than your typical Italian Pinot Grigio and a little lighter than the standard Pinot Gris of Alsace. Blended with 4% Viognier, which adds a nice floral character. I love this wine with Chinese or Thai food. Price: $12