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Wines
of the Week: Under $20, 90 Points
Once
again, we continue our series focusing on high quality wines,
with wide distribution, that can be found for $20 or less. So
add them to your shopping list, scoff at those more expensive
bottles, and enjoy quality, even on a budget. Happy drinking!
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Chalk
Hill 2016 Chardonnay
Winery:
Chalk Hill
Grape(s): 100%
Chardonnay
Region: Sonoma County, California
Year:
2016
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 15-20
Review:
Aromas of apples, peaches, and mangoes interweave with
suggestions of vanilla and toasted almonds on the nose.
The palate is fairly rich, with apple, peach, and creamy
notes melding together nicely. Lush and round, match it
up with crab cakes.
Rating: 90 |
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St.
Supery 2017 Sauvignon Blanc
Winery:
St. Supery
Grape(s): 100%
Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Napa Valley, California
Year:
2017
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 15-20
Review:
A bouquet of passions fruits, limes, grapefruits, and
fresh herbs greets the senses. A sip delivers flavors
of passion fruit, ruby red grapefruit, and melon that
move toward suggestions of wet stone and herbs. A bit
of roundness on the palate balances out the wine's fresh
acidity, making it a good match for scallops..
Rating: 90 |
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Folie
a Deux 2017 Pinot Noir
Winery:
Folie a Deux
Grape(s): 100%
Pinot Noir
Region: Sonoma County, California
Year:
2017
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 15-20
Review:
Aromatics of red fruit, smoky oak, and nutmeg rise up
from a glass. A mix of strawberry, cherry, and pomegranate
flavors mingle among notes of brown spice, smoke, and
floral earth on the palate. A wine that's quite supple
with a balanced acidity and offers great"old school
Pinot" character, open a bottle when you enjoy a
roast duck.
Rating: 90 |
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Wild
Thing 2015 "Old Vine" Zinfandel
Winery:
Wild Thing
Grape(s): Zinfandel
Region: Mendocino County, California
Year:
2015
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 15-20
Review:
Waves of blackberries, blueberries, and cherries rise
up from a glass, backed up by suggestions of vanilla and
spice. The palate offers flavors of cherry, blackberry,
and plum that flow into elements of clove, smoke, and
vanilla. Medium-bodied with lovely fruit character, this
is rather elegant (not jammy at all). Pair it with a margarita
pizza.
Rating: 90 |
By
Jason Barlow
Other
Related Links:
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
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*Wines
rated with a "+" need
a bit more time to reach peak quality
but will
do so over the coming years
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