My 20 Favorite Wines Of 2010 (For Under $20)

Last year I wrote about my favorite wines of the year, regardless of price. A number of you asked me to compile a list of my favorite wines for under $20.

So, here it is: My favorite 20 wines of 2010 for under $20. Note that there was a late change to the list (12/11/10). I added the 2008 Meiomi Pinot Noir, placing it at #10 on the list, bumping the 2008 Chateau St. Michelle Sauvignon Blanc to langniappe status. Sorry for the confusion, but a good pinot for under $20 was worth the hassle.

There are 15 reds on the list and 5 whites. Enjoy!


1. Marquis Phillips Shiraz 2008

Year in, year out an excellent wine and a great bargain from this top Australian producer. 100% syrah. Retails for around $15. I’m currently pouring it as my house red. Rated 91 points by the Wine Advocate.


2. Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

A delicious cabernet and exemplary of some of the great wines being made in Chile. Rated 91 points by the Wine Advocate. Can generally be found for under $18.


3. Seven Deadly Zins 2007

A zinfandel from Lodi, California, one of California's hot new wine regions. Very versatile and very good. A great bargain. Retails for around $15. This was my house red for the early months of 2010.


4. McMurray Ranch Central Coast Pinot Noir 2007

A terrific pinot noir for under $20! I preferred it to the similarly priced and similarly rated 2006 Cambria Julia’s Vineyard Pinot Noir and the 2007 Wild Horse Pinot Noir. Retails for around $16. Good luck finding the 2007 vintage of this wine since the 2008 has already been released. I can’t vouch for the 2008, so try to find the 2007 if you can.


5. Chalone Estate Chardonnay 2008

The first white wine on the list, this is from Monterey Country. A delicious wine at an affordable price. According to a friend of mine in the wine business this is one of the few California chardonnays that sells well in France and appears on restaurant wine lists throughout the country.. Retails for around $16, but can usually be found for less. I’ve also had the 2009, which is out right now, but I preferred the 2008.


6. Michael & David Phillips Syrah Sixth Sense 2007

One wine magazine called this “maybe the finest $16 bottle of syrah currently available.” I would disagree, since I preferred the similarly priced 2008 Marquis Philips, but it is a seriously good wine. 100% syrah from Lodi, California.


7. "Ben Marco" Malbec Mendoza 2007

From Argentine producer Domino del Plata, this is one of several terrific malbecs for under $20 on the list this year. Retails for about $18 here in Southern California.


8. La Posta Angel Paulucci Vineyard Malbec 2007

Almost as good as the Ben Marco, this is another fine example of Argentine malbec at a price that won’t break the bank. 100%, single vineyard malbec. 13.1% alcohol. Retails for around $20.


9. Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma 2007

Rated 90 points by Wine Spectator. For the price this is a very nice Sonoma cabernet. Soft and supple for a cabernet, there are still enough tannins to give it structure. The 2008 is out right now, but I definitely preferred the 2007. Retails for around $15.


10. Meiomi Pinot Noir 2008

From winemaker Joseph Wagner at Belle Glos, a delicious pinot noir from three California Coastal regions: Sonoma (65%), Monterey (20%) and Santa Barbara (15%). This is not a heavy pinot noir by California standards, but there is still plenty of flavor and nice acidity. Relatively low 13.9% alcohol for a California pinot. The price on this wine varies widely, selling for as high as $27 in some places, but Costco here in Los Angeles sells it for $17.


11. Norton Reserva Malbec 2007

About $15. Rated 90 points by Robert Parker. A delicious wine. Malbecs from Argentina are perhaps the best bargains among red wines to be found right now.


12. Crios de Susanna Balboa Torrontes 2009

Here’s another wine from Argentina that made the list. Torrontes is Argentina’s most popular white wine. Some Argentines even drink it with beef! A lovely floral bouquet; somewhat reminiscent of a viognier. Retails for around $13.


13. Fess Parker Frontier Red Lot 92

A blend of Rhone grapes like syrah, grenache, mouvedre, cinsaut, and carignan. A very fine everyday wine. High alcohol (15.5%) This wine varies from year to year, both in the blend and in the quality, with the “lot” number changing each year. Lot 101 is out right now, but I haven’t tried it yet. Retail: $13.


14. La Posta Cocina Blend 2007

Not the best year for this particular wine, but it was still plenty good and a great bargain. A blend of 60% Malbec, 20% Syrah, 20% Bonarda. 13.5% alcohol. Retails for around $15, although I’ve seen it anywhere from $12 to $20.


15. Laetitia Chardonnay Estate 2008

This delicious chardonnay is from the Arroyo Grande area of California’s Central Coast. Retails for $18. The ’09 is out now, although I haven’t tried it yet.


16. Kaiken Malbec Ultra 2007

Another good malbec from Argentina. The price varies widely on this one, selling anywhere from $16 to $24, but can usually be found for around $18.


17. Fess Parker Riesling 2009

This is Fess Parker’s best Riesling in several years. While it is a slightly off-dry wine, it retains a bright, crisp acidity and is perfectly matched to a whole array of foods. The aromatics and flavor profile are exotic and inviting with mysterious notes of lychee nut and honey. On the nose you'll find vibrant tropical fruit and floral notes. Peach, honeydew, citrus and lychee flavors make for a refreshing experience. This wine pairs seamlessly with Thai and/or Vietnamese cuisine. Retails for $14.


18. Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc 2009

This may be Geyser Peak's entry level Sauvignon Blanc, but it is rock solid. Bright and crisp, it overflows with lemon blossom and gooseberry fruit aromas. On the palate the citrus really sings - with sweet tangerine, tangy grapefruit and lime flavors - and classic Sauvignon Blanc herbaceousness. Retails for about $13.


19. Las Rocas de San Alejandro Garnacha 2007

From Spain, nothing complicated, but plenty of delicious cherry and raspberry fruit. Retails for about $14, although Costco sells it for about $10. By the way, “garnacha” is simply the Spanish spelling of “grenache.”


20. Chateau Ste. Michelle Pinot Gris 2008

My favorite wine for Chinese and Thai food. Uncomplicated, but delicious. Retails for around $13. This wine is made from the same grape as the Italian wine, Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio, which is currently the most famous pinot grigio/gris in the world. In my opinion the 2008 Chateau Ste. Michelle Pinot Gris is actually a better wine and it sells for about half the price.


***Langniappe***: Chateau Ste. Michelle Sauvignon Blanc 2008

The mostly stainless steel fermentation makes this a crisp, clean, refreshing style of Sauvignon Blanc. The wine offers fresh aromas and flavors of lemongrass, apple and melon. They add Semillon, which contributes an appealing fig character and a beautiful soft, rich quality to the wine. Retails for about $12. The 2009 is out right now but I haven’t tried it yet.