Top 10 Value Wines at Merchant of Wine Online Wine Store
Jan 05, 2022
1. MAS GRAND PLAGNIOL, COSTIÈRES DE NÎMES, ROUGE 'TRADITION', RHONE, FRANCE, 2017
This wine is one of our bestsellers for good reason! It checks a lot of boxes: value, ethos, and pounds the table on quality. "PLAH-KNEE-OLL" I think it is French for "Wow, that's good!". This organic farm leans heavily into the Syrah (50%) with big, rich mocha and bacon fat. Then you smell and feel the Grenache (50%) with tender tannins, graphite, gun metal, tomato leaves and stem inclusion aromatics.
3. SYMINGTON FAMILY ESTATES, ALTANO RED, DOURO DOC, PORTUGAL, 2018
An easy-to-drink red under $10? Yes please! This smoothly rich wine got 90 points from Wine Enthusiast and is produced from organically grown grapes. It's full, rich and bursting with black fruits. Its tannins are still young, giving the wine a dry core that will soften. Age for the medium term and drink from 2021.
4. FRESCOBALDI RÈMOLE ROSSO, TUSCANY, ITALY, 2018/2019
Rèmole Rosso 2018 is a great value at $10.49 and boasts a bright and intense violet-red color. Fruity aromas, such as blackcurrant, raspberry and black cherry slowly give way to extremely delicate spicy notes. On the palate, the warm note is balanced out wonderfully by a fresh vivacity. It is a pleasant wine that marries elegance and balance with great softness.
5. BODEGAS FRONTONIO “EL CASETERO” GARNACHA, CAMPO DE BORJA, SPAIN, 2020
This fluid, fruity and juicy wine is under $13 but drinks at a higher price point. On the nose, the intense aromas of ripe red fruit stand out, with lactic notes and a slight mineral nuance. In the mouth, it is much more fresh and easy to drink than the typical Grenache wines from the area.
6. BODEGAS OLIVARES, ALTOS DE LA HOYA, UNGRAFTED, MURCIA, SPAIN, 2019
This delicious red wine scored 90 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate. The red 2018 Altos de la Hoya was produced with Monastrell grapes from old ungrafted vines. It has a creamy and balsamic touch with sweet spices intermixed with ripe berry fruit and notes of pencil lead and licorice, with the fruit being black rather than red. The palate is juicy and round, with very fine tannins and some creamy oak in the finish. Pleasant and easy to drink and understand.
7. SANTOS & SEIXO, DUQUESA MARIA SUPERIOR TINTO RED, VINHO REGIONAL ALENTEJANO, PORTUGAL, 2017
This red blend of 40% Aragonez, 30% Alicante Bouschet, 20% Touriga Nacional, 10% Trincadeira is under $13 per bottle. From a blend of traditional varietals, this wine, from grapes harvested in the first light of day, has concentrated ruby color with good aromatic intensity where the notes of blackberry and plum are highlighted. In the mouth it has soft and elegant tannins with good acidity that gives it freshness.
8. GRUET, BLANC DE NOIRS, NEW MEXICO, NV
This 90-Point sparkler is a blend of 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay grapes. The rich and toasty character of the Blanc de Noirs is balanced and superb. Aged for a two-year minimum, the palate is developed and shows rich complex flavors. The amazing berries aromas and the creamy texture play a leading role and create a great finesse.
9. SILK AND SPICE, RED BLEND, VINHO DE PORTUGAL, 2018
This easy drinking red wine is a modern expression of the spices discovered on the 'Spice Route' by Portuguese explorers in 1498. These explores opened up the Western world to exciting new flavors such as nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves and pepper. The wine has extraordinary, rich flavors born of Portugal’s indigenous grapes and unique terrain. Silk & Spice has recieved 90+ points from the Wine Enthusiast for 4 years in a row!
Intense, deep ruby color, with a bright red rim. The predominant flavors are ripe, cooked black fruits. Sweet notes of vanilla and hints of mocha. The first impression in the mouth is rich and full. Excellent balance of tannins and acidity, with a long, smooth finish. Pair with pork chops, beef stew, beef stroganoff, lasagna, and comparable dishes served with tomato-based or barbecue sauces.
10. VAENI, XINOMAVRO, NAOUSSA, GREECE, 2018
Ian Blackburn scored this $12 stunner at 91 points and says "I loved this wine in 2017 for its charm, but 2018 maybe an even better rendition. At its price - this remains impossible to beat. 2018 is a more plump and plush experience, with more perfume and punctuation. Xinomavro from Naoussa can be punishingly tannic and I find this version more dense fruit content allows the tannins to hide at least until the finish... This example keeps things in nice proportion and over delivers on value. The nose of floral like tar and roses, with herbs and spices. Red cherry, cranberry, red fruits... with a nice touch of earth, spice, and rustic character of the charming hills this fruit is farmed. The food in this region is LAMB and you will not be disappointed serving this with any combination of foods ... and its enjoyable on its own. Never had the grape before - think Nebbiolo - Grenache like - but with more Greek energy and spirt."
