My 15 Favorite Wines of 2019 for Under $20

This was a good year for inexpensive wines. The 2016 reds and the 2017 whites from California, and the 2015 and 2017 reds from Argentina were especially strong. There are 9 reds, 5 whites, and one rose on the list. Some of the wines may retail for a little bit over $20, but all of them were bought for under $20. Also, all of these wines are readily available, and were purchased either at my neighborhood grocery stores in the Los Angeles area (Ralphs and Stater Bros), or at Costco. The wines are roughly in order of preference, but all of the wines on the list are strong for the price. Enjoy!

1. 2015 Bogle Phantom
This is a blend of Petite Sirah (51.5%) and Zinfandel (48.5%). 92 points from Wine Enthusiast. The 2016 vintage is out and I didn't care for it as much, but the 2015 tastes like a $40 bottle of wine.

2. 2016 Michael David Freakshow Zinfandel
The 2017 is out now, so the 2016 might be hard to find. I like the 2017, but the 2016 is slightly better IMO

3. 2017 Tensley Fundamental Cabernet Sauvignon Central Coast
This wine is from Santa Barbara County Rhone superstar Joey Tensley. He is now making cabernet sauvignon on a second label, and it was without question one of my favorite wines of the year.

4. 2015 Norton Privada Malbec Mendoza Argentina
Excellent wine from one of Argentina's best wineries

5. 2016 Bogle California Petite Sirah
If I had a house red this year, this was it. I bought several cases of this wine for around $9 a bottle. Just a lovely, delicious wine. 90 points from Wine Spectator. The 2017 is out now, but I haven't tried it yet.

6. 2017 J. Lohr Estates Riverstone Chardonnay Arroyo Seco
If you like the big, buttery, oaky Rombauer style of chardonnay, you will like this wine. And it's about one third the price of Rombauer

7. 2017 Kendall Jackson Vintner’s Reserve California Pinot Noir
Great value and really good quality. Wine Enthusiast gave this one 89 points, and I bought it for under $15

8. 2017 Substance Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon
Their 2016 cab was superb, and this one is just as good.

9. 2017 Joel Gott California Sauvignon Blanc
Our house white this year. 90 points from Wine Spectator, and I can usually find it for around $10.

10. 2017 Fess Parker Chardonnay Santa Barbara County
One of my favorite California Chardonnays each year. Of course, the wine maker is a friend of mine so I may be biased lol

11. 2017 Rodney Strong Sonoma County Chardonnay
Similar to the J Lohr, although not quite as much oak. Lovely wine; nice value.

12. 2018 Kirkland Cotes De Provence Rose
One of the best roses I had all year, and I got it for around $8 at Costco.

13. 2016 Jam California Cabernet Sauvignon
A very solid cab. I like the screw top closure too.

14. 2017 Noble Vines Collection 446 Chardonnay Monterey County
What a value at around $8. I served it at a dinner one night and one of the women at the table said it was one of the best white wines she had ever had.

15. 2017 Edna Valley Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon
I don't think of Bordeaux grapes when I think of Edna Valley, but this is very good. Wine Enthusiast gave it 89 points. I paid $10 for it. It's drinkable now but will be better later in the year.