My 25 favorite wines of 2011 for under $30

This is a list of my 25 favorite wines of 2011 for under $30. Most of the wines on the list actually retail for under $25 and five sell for $15 or less.

For those who are interested in knowing the ratings these wines received from national publications, if I happen to know the ratings from either the Wine Advocate (WA), or Wine Spectator (WS) I will list it as an FYI, along with the retail price of the wine.

Enjoy!


1. Bodega Colome Malbec Estate 2008 $25 93 pts WA
This Argentine wine is not from Mendoza, where most malbec is grown, but rather from the Cafayate region to the north.

2. Luca Laborde Double Select Syrah 2006 $25 93 WA
Another wine from Argentina; 100% Syrah. The 2006 may be hard to find, but the 2009 is out now and is very good also.

3. Palmina Malvasia Bianca Larner Vineyard 2009 $25 93 pts WA
This Italian varietal is actually from California's Central Coast. One of my favorite whites of the year.

4. Two Hands Shiraz Gnarly Dudes 2009 $24 93 pts WA
From Australia, this is an excellent wine for the price.

5. Bodega Norton Privada Mendoza 2008 $25 92 pts WS
An Argentina blend of Malbec, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon

6. Januik Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2008 $28 94 pts WS
From Washington State.

7. Tablas Creek Cotes de Tablas Paso Robles 2009 $28 93 pts WS
A California take on the Rhone Valley; 43% Grenache, 24% Syrah, 18% Counoise, and 15% Mouvedre.

8. Catena Malbec 2008 $22 91 pts WA
From one of Argentina's most repected winemakers.

9. Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2007 $25 90 pts WA

10. Achával-Ferrer Malbec Mendoza 2009 91 pts WS $25

11. Melville Vineyards 2009 Pinot Noir Estate “Sta. Rita Hills” $28 91 pts WA
The International Wine Cellar called it the best pinot noir for under $30. The price may have gone up a bit, but I actually bought this wine for $25.

12. Calera Pinot Noir 2009 $24 92 pts WA
Calera sourced the grapes for this wine from several Central Coast vinyeards.

13. Rusack Syrah Santa Barbara County 2008 $25 93 pts WS
Still needs some time to open up, this is a good wine to lay down for a year or two.

14. Castello d’Albola Chianti Classico 2007 $17 90 pts WA
I drank a lot of this wine this past year. Low alcohol (12.5%) and very food friendly.

15. Dragonette Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Santa Barbara County $25 91 pts WA
Dragonette is a relatively new winery, with their first vintage being released around 2006 or so. According to a recent Wine Spectator article, nobody in California is making better Sauvignon Blanc right now than Dragonette Cellars. I think they just might be right about that.

16. BenMarco Malbec 2009 $20 91 pts WA
From Argentina, blended with 10% Bonarda.

17. Catena Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 $22 90 pts WA
Almost as good as the '08 Catena Malbec listed at #8

18. La Posta Cocina Blend 2009 $15 90 WA
Another red from Argentina, a blend of 60% Malbec, 20% Syrah and 20% Bonarda.

19. La Posta Malbec Pizzlla Vineyard 2009 $18 89 WA
A single vineyard Malbec from Argentina. Lagniappe: I also liked the 2009 La Posta Angel Paulucci Vineyard Malbec, although not as much.

20. Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc 2010 $12 89 pts WS
I probably bought more of this wine than any other white wine this past year, although most were the '09 vintage. The 2010 is out now. An inexpensive, versatile wine.

21. Crios de Susana Balbo Torrontes 2010 $15 91 pts WA
Torrontes is Argentina's best white wine. If you've never tried Torrontes, it's very floral and fruity, similar to a Viognier or a Gewurztraminer. Some Argentines actually serve this white wine with beef and believe it or not, it works!

22. Chateau De Ribebon Bordeaux Superieur 2009 89 pts WS $21
An inexpensive, delicious Bordeaux for around $20.

23. Michael David Sixth Sense Syrah 2008 $16 90 pts WA
From the Lodi, California area, where a lot of good Zinfandel is being made. Note: The 2009 is out now and I didn't care for it as much as the '08 or '07, so buyer beware.

24. Columbia Crest Amitage Grand Estates 2008 $12 89 pts WS
2008 was a great year for reds in Washington State. I liked this blend of Merlot (62%), Syrah (19%) and Cabernet Sauvignon better than the other 2008 red wines from the Columbia Crest Grand Estates line.

25. Kenwood Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2009 $15 87 pts WA
2009 was a great year for pinot noir in California. This is not a wine I would normally buy, but the 2009 Kenwood pinot was a pretty good wine at an excellent price.