50 Wines You Can Always Trust
 

I found this list in the new issue of Food & Wine, and it's proving interesting to go through. Many of the wines mentioned are ones that have been mentioned here in other lists, some of them are available at Trader Joe's or your local grocery store, and some are just tough to track down, but all are great value at under $20 for most, with a few splurges thrown in. If you are new to wine, this is a great list to start from, and old hands always appreciate a bargain. (If your wine collection just consisted of bottles on this list, you'd have a wine collection better than 95% of the world, not to mention a lot of restaurants, and you'd have spent a lot less than most people.)

To read a complete description of each wine, you can read the entire article, but I'll extract the list below for those who want a quick guide.

Complete Article (Look under Also In This Article to find what I labeled Splurges & Other Values.)

United States

Beringer Founder’s Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ($11)
La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay ($18)
Blackstone Winery California Merlot ($12)
Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel ($11)
Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley Merlot ($16)
Clos Du Bois Sonoma County Pinot Noir ($20)
Geyser Peak California Sauvignon Blanc ($12)
Hess Select Cabernet Sauvignon ($12)
Hogue Cellars Columbia Valley Riesling ($7)
Kendall Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay ($12)
King Estate Oregon Pinot Gris ($16)
Pepperwood Grove California Merlot ($8)
Rancho Zabaco Heritage Vines Zinfandel ($17)
Ravenswood Lodi Zinfandel ($15)
Robert Mondavi Winery Napa Valley Fumé Blanc ($18)
Rodney Strong Sonoma County Chardonnay ($15)


Australia & New Zealand

Yalumba Barossa Shiraz Viognier ($16)
Banrock Station Shiraz ($5)
Brancott Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc ($12)
Jacob’s Creek Shiraz ($8)
Penfolds Koonunga Hill Cabernet Sauvignon ($12)
Rosemount Estate Diamond Label Shiraz ($10)
Wolf Blass Yellow Label Riesling ($12)


Chile & Argentina

Bodega Norton Reserva Malbec ($15)
Alamos Mendoza Malbec ($10)
Casa Lapostolle Sauvignon Blanc ($10)
Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Carmenère ($9)
Cousiño-Macul Antiguas Reservas Cabernet Sauvignon ($15)
Santa Rita 120 Chardonnay ($8)
Trapiche Oak Cask Malbec ($10)


France

Paul Jaboulet Aîné Côtes-du-Rhône Parallèle "45" ($12)
E. Guigal Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge ($12)
Georges Duboeuf Moulin-à-Vent "Flower Label" ($15)
Hugel et Fils Gentil ($12)
Langlois-Chateau Crémant de Loire Brut NV ($22)
Louis Jadot Mâcon-Villages ($13)
Louis Latour St-Véran les Deux Moulins ($15)
M. Chapoutier Côtes-du-Rhône Belleruche Rouge ($11)


Italy

A-Mano Primitivo ($11)
Antinori Santa Cristina ($12)
Banfi Centine ($12)
Folonari Pinot Grigio ($8)
Frescobaldi Castiglioni Chianti ($13)
Mionetto Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Frizzante ($11)
Ruffino Chianti ($10)


Spain
Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut ($10)
Jaume Serra Cristalino Brut ($9)
Marqués de Cáceres Rioja Crianza ($13)
Marqués de Riscal Rioja Reserva ($19)
Osborne Solaz Tempranillo Cabernet Sauvignon ($9)

Splurges & Other Values

Great Steak Wines
Cliff Lede Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon ($50)
Von Strasser Diamond Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon ($50)

U.S. Luxury Values
Ridge Geyserville ($33)
Mount Eden Vineyards Estate Chardonnay ($38)
Merry Edwards Klopp Ranch Pinot Noir ($51)
Andrew Will Sorella ($60)
Altamura Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($65)

Best Wines for Robust French Cuisine
Mas de Gourgonnier Les Baux de Provence ($15)
Coume del Mas Schistes ($25)

Under $25 Bordeaux
Château Bonnet Rouge ($12)
Château Greysac ($16)
Château Cap de Faugères ($17)
Château Charmail ($20)
Château Gigault Cuvée Viva ($23)

French Luxury Values
William Fevre Chablis Montmains Premier Cru ($35)
Joseph Drouhin Beaune Clos des Mouches Rouge ($75)
Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape ($95)
Château Léoville Las Cases ($170)
Pol Roger Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill ($200)

Re: 50 Wines You Can Always Trust
 

There are definitely some good values here, but the omission of vintages is staggering.

Re: 50 Wines You Can Always Trust
 

Mon,

"Beringer Founder’s Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ($11)
Clos Du Bois Sonoma County Pinot Noir ($20)
Geyser Peak California Sauvignon Blanc ($12)
Hess Select Cabernet Sauvignon ($12)
Ravenswood Lodi Zinfandel ($15)
Rodney Strong Sonoma County Chardonnay ($15)"

Those are a handful I often recommend as very good values in that price range. I'll check out others on the list.

Re: 50 Wines You Can Always Trust
 

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There are definitely some good values here, but the omission of vintages is staggering.

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That's why it's "Wines You Can Always Trust". It takes hitting the right vintage out of it. These are the wines you can trust to hit year after year.

Re: 50 Wines You Can Always Trust
 

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There are definitely some good values here, but the omission of vintages is staggering.

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That's why it's "Wines You Can Always Trust". It takes hitting the right vintage out of it. These are the wines you can trust to hit year after year.

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This can work for regions with large appellations and consistent climates, like Australia and to a lesser extent California. But for wines like Bordeaux, only the very best producers are going to make great wine every year, and even they struggle in the poor years.

IMO, vintage is such an important part of understanding wine (except for champagne and fortifieds) that to completely discount it in your evaluation process can be a big mistake.

But I'm not trying to crap on your thread. I'll throw in a few of my own:

Martin Ray Angeline Pinot Noir
La Vielle Ferme (Cotes-du-Rhone)
Horton Sparkling Viognier (Virginia)
pretty much any New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc

Re: 50 Wines You Can Always Trust
 

You'll notice most of these are fairly large operations, so it meets your criteria. No cult wine that's any good is going to sell for $20.

Re: 50 Wines You Can Always Trust
 

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France

Paul Jaboulet Aîné Côtes-du-Rhône Parallèle "45" ($12)
E. Guigal Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge ($12)
Louis Jadot Mâcon-Villages ($13)

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Confirmed

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M. Chapoutier Côtes-du-Rhône Belleruche Rouge ($11)

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I'll have to give this one a try.

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French Luxury Values

Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape ($95)


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Wow, of all the fantastic CdP they pick a $95 Beaucastel. For those looking to try some more economical CdP I would recommend Beaurenard, Vieux Donjon, Vieux Telegraph, or Chateau la Nerthe. You should be able to pick up a 2000 or 2001 for 30-45$. 1998 is even better but will run a little higher. Avoid 2002.

Re: 50 Wines You Can Always Trust
 

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Horton Sparkling Viognier (Virginia)


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Interesting, where are you from?

I haven't had any Horton wines recently but I've heard Dennis is slipping a little. I hope not because I really enjoyed his Norton and Dionysus.

Re: 50 Wines You Can Always Trust
 

I'll definetly add that both matua sauvignon blancs that they release are usually very good blancs(matua is from new zealand and the matua paretai usually runs between $20 and $25 and the regular matua runs between $10-15). You generally can't go wrong with most Greg Norman estates Limestone coast wines too. Generally under $15 and are screaming value. Everyone also needs to generally check out Pillar Box Red. It's from australia and runs around $10 usually

Re: 50 Wines You Can Always Trust
 

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United States

Beringer Founder’s Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ($11)
La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay ($18)
Blackstone Winery California Merlot ($12)
Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel ($11)
Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley Merlot ($16)
Clos Du Bois Sonoma County Pinot Noir ($20)
Geyser Peak California Sauvignon Blanc ($12)
Hess Select Cabernet Sauvignon ($12)

Rancho Zabaco Heritage Vines Zinfandel ($17)



Australia & New Zealand

Yalumba Barossa Shiraz Viognier ($16)
Jacob’s Creek Shiraz ($8)
Penfolds Koonunga Hill Cabernet Sauvignon ($12)
Rosemount Estate Diamond Label Shiraz ($10)



Chile & Argentina

Bodega Norton Reserva Malbec ($15)


France


E. Guigal Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge ($12)
Hugel et Fils Gentil ($12)
Louis Latour St-Véran les Deux Moulins ($15)



Italy


Antinori Santa Cristina
Frescobaldi Castiglioni Chianti ($13)



Spain
Marqués de Cáceres Rioja Crianza ($13)
Marqués de Riscal Rioja Reserva ($19)
Osborne Solaz Tempranillo Cabernet Sauvignon ($9)





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I have tried these and have generally found them to be quite drinkable and a good value. Currently enjoying a Penfolds Cabernet/Shiraz blend. Mmmm.