Top 20 under $20; top 10 under $10
By Henry Klein
If you feel overwhelmed upon entering a wine store and find yourself struggling with the many choices, I’m here to help. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to spend a lot of money on a good quality bottle of wine. In fact, some of the very best can be found at inexpensive prices. Below, I offer you my list of favorites (all red wines are in italics). Enjoy!
Top 20 under $20
Terre Rouge 2002 Cotes De L’Quest Syrah $17 Wild raspberry, pepper, wild gamey, cinnamon
Villa Mt. Eden 2002 Grand Reserve Mead Ranch Zinfandel $18 Caramel, toffee, chocolate, blackberry, plum, walnut
Kangarilla Road 2003 Shiraz $20 Berry, plum, dark cherry, oak, spice
Peter Lehmann 2002 Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon $17 Black currants
Tintara 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon $19 Currants, black fruits, leather, spice
Chateau Ste. Michelle Merlot $15 Mocha, raspberry, nut, cinnamon
St. Supery 2001 Merlot $17 Black cherry, blueberry, oak, anise
Beringer 2000 Stanley Ranch Pinot Noir $20 Raspberries, plums, smoke, vanilla, Oriental spices
Da Vinchi 2003 Chianti Classico $18 Cherries, flowers, especially violets
Capcanes 2003 Mas Donis Barrica $15 Creosote, blackberries, kirsch liqueur, leather, meat
MacMurray Ranch 2004 Russian River Pinto Gris $19 Fig, pear, peach, tropical fruits
Kendall Jackson 2004 Grand Reserve Chardonnay $19 Honeyed tropical fruit
Clos Du Val 2003 Carneros Chardonnay $20 Pear, vanilla, butterscotch
J. Hofstatter 2004 Pinot Grigio de Vite $16 Apples, grass, lemon, vanilla
Jim Barry 2004 The Lodge Riesling $17 Floral, citrus
Chateau Souverain 2004Alexander Valley Sauvignon Blanc $15 Gooseberry, crushed nettles, mandarin orange blossoms, vanilla
Nitida 2004 Sauvignon Blanc $15 White grapefruit, gooseberry, mint, anise, lemon
Eroica 2004 Columbia Valley Riesling $20 Apple, lime, apricot, honeysuckle
Robert Hall 2004 Sauvignon Blanc $17 Pear, apple, lemon grass, lime, grapefruit
Belvedere 2003 Healdsburg Ranches $15 Roasted nut, pineapple, vanilla, lemon peel
Top 10 under $10
Four Sisters 2002 Shiraz $10 Loganberry, cooked meat, clove, vanilla
Columbia Crest 2003 Two Vines Shiraz $9 Black cherry, white pepper, chocolate
Turning Leaf 2002 Sonoma Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon $8 Berry, cherry, anise
Ravenswood 2003 Vitners Blend Zinfandel $7 Black cherries, mint, vanilla
Concha y Toro 2004 Casillero Del Diablo Merlot $9 Blackberry, chocolate, berries, spice
Covey Run 2004 Gewurtraminer $8 Floral, perfume, lemon
Rutherford Ranch 2004 Chardonnay $10 Apple, tangerine, citrus, French oak, spice
Placido 2003 Pinot Grigio $8 Fruity
Dr. Loosen 2004 Dr. L Estate Qba $10 Apple, citrus fruit, flowers
Casa Lapostolle 2004 Chardonnay $10 Tropical fruit, pineapple, peach, asparagus, oak
Henry Klein III is owner of Cabernet Café, 1814 Western Avenue, Guilderland. For more information call 452.5670 or visit www.cabernetcafe.com.