Recommendations for great wine values

[1990txgirl]

We're starting a wine exchange with some friends in California; the plan is to ship each other half cases of wine totaling no more than $100 retail price (our "target price" is $10-15 for most so we can throw in one higher-priced selection). The stipulations are: at least one red, one white, and one sparkling; one of the six must be French, Italian or Spanish. They should also be available at a local wine retailer (e.g., Central Market, Spec's, etc.).

We're already familiar with these:
Carchelo Monastrell ($7.99)
Cristalino Brut ($6.99)
Francois Montand Brut ($7.99)
Gruet Brut ($14.99)
Las Rocas Garnacha ($7.99)
Elyse Pinot Noir ($15)

Common "stand-by" wine values such as Yellowtail, Rosemount, Blackstone, etc. don't count.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[austintexas]

Couple of great locals:
Becker Vineyard's Claret is an outstanding red.
Fall Creek Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc is a great white. Good warm weather wine.

Both under $20.

 

[Driftwood]

Check out Sister Creek Pinot Noir. I enjoy serving Becker Chardonnay to my California friends.

 

[huge]

anything McManis

you can get the cab for like $12 at CM. its fantastic.

 

[Bernard]

Are you on Spec's mailing list? They send out a magazine regularly with a feature called 12 under $12.

Bernard

 

[1990txgirl]

Bernard, I am on Spec's list but I often don't take time to read all of it. Thanks for that tip, I'll definitely check it out.

And thanks for all the other tips everyone--keep 'em coming!

 

[bularry]

check out some of the Chilean Merlots and Merlots for some quality reds.

also, in the summer, usually seems we see a lot of Cote de Rhone's that are under $15. Those can be hit or miss, but a good one is a heck of a bargain.

I realize I was very generic in the responses, but just giving some help on where to look.

 

[CaptainEd]

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[Aquaman]

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[Orangeblood]

Just had the Carchelo last night. Excellent value for a good wine.

I'll try to give you some specific bottles after I think on it for awhile. Honestly, though, I've bought so many bottles lately to "try" that I haven't been drinking my standbys much. Also had the Norton Reserva malbec last night. Maybe not as nice as the Carchelo, but solid.

 

[Orangeblood]

Okay, off the top of my head, here are some real "value" wines that are worth drinking and that are consistent from year to year in taste and quality (I also threw in a couple that are a bit unusual):

Marietta Old Vine Red
d'Arenburg "The Footbolt" Shiraz
Oliverhill Winery Shiraz
Treana Central Coast Viognier/Marsanne
Chateau Potelle Riviera Rose
Viu Manent Malbec
Waterbrook Melange (red blend)
Bogle Old Vine Zin

 

[ghost]

I concur with red wines from Chile. They are fantastic. I don't remember the name of this wine, but it comes wrapped in a burlap bag. Very good and fits your price range.

Los Vascos is another good wine from that area and Big Tattoo Red is a nice American wine.

 

[bularry]

In my above post I typed Merlot twice, but obviously I meant Malbec for one of the entries.

My favorite chilean winery is Montes. They have a really nice Alpha label Merlot. and their standard Malbec is good, too.

Our home wines are Columbia Crest, their Grand Estates Chardonnay ($9) and their Syrah ($11) are both good and they have higher cost vineyard specific wines that I've also enjoyed. For the $$, I don't think you can much better than these, IMO.

 

[Mack Tripper]

Marrietta Old Vine Red (This used to be one of my daily dinner wines)
Bogle - Old Vine Zin
Folie a Deux - Menage a Troix Red
Chateau Ste. Michelle -- Pretty much everything they make is solid and a good value
McManis - Cabernet Sauvignon
Cline - Mourvedre

 

[Orangeblood]

Hey Mack, quit stealing my recs.

I think I still have bottles of marietta back to lot 28

 

[1990txgirl]

Thanks for all the suggestions, y'all! I know our friends are going to come up with some great ones. The husband loves to find obscure/lesser-known wines. When we visited them, they were pouring Rancho Sisquoc, L'Ecole, Radio Coteau just to name a few. (Of course, these are not in the "value" range...) Damn them and their generosity...

Orangeblood, glad you liked the Carchelo monastrell. It's my "find of the year" so far.

 

[HornsHornsHorns]

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[Mack Tripper]

Cline's Red Truck is also a good value red blend. I believe its syrah, mourvedre, petit syrah, and cabernet franc.

 

[hrhorn]

Pillar Box Red

 

[THEU]

I'll stick to a bunch of the 'stand by' wines that you mentioned. Why leave good enough alone. I have always been more of a beer guy. (and by that I mean around the world willing to try beers, NOT cheap crappy American stuff), but I just don't get the constant searching of wines. If you find something good that you like, stick with it. I also wonder what foods are being paired with these wines? That will makes a very big difference. I always think it's hard to recommend wines without knowing the menu. Are you looking for stand alone wines?

 

[threesheets]

Jacob's Creek Shiraz Cabernet- under $10.