Comments on: Some Other Wines Worth Trying For Under $10

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 22:36:54 +0000

I’ve had the Trapiche Oak Cask Malbec, and it’s good if you get a good bottle. Last year around Christmas time when money wasn’t quite as tight I bought a case (comes out to about $7 a bottle if you do it that way) and I found that maybe a third of the bottles were sour.

Does Mendoza make the Alamos Malbec? Also a pretty good value, though it borders on that funkified cheap wine taste sometimes.

I think I’ve had both the Frontera and the Concha y Toro but it’s been quite a while. I’d be willing to try those again.

And of course, it seems all the best Shiraz comes out of Australia.

As for California, I’m not at the point of a boycott, and what I like about California Reds is that they’re big and bright. The flavors are really bold, especially the older stuff like 2004 and 2005. There’s a Ravenswood Vintner’s Blend 2004 Merlot that you used to be able to get under $10, and it’s exceptional. I think it’s all Napa Valley.

By: Gregg the Obscure

Gregg the Obscure — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 22:31:47 +0000

Malbecs from Trepiche and Mendoza come in right about $10 if you’re lucky. These are both outstanding Argentine dry reds, Mendoza being a bit smoother and Trepiche being a bit tastier.

Slightly more affordable Frontera or Concha y Toro Carmenere from Chile are my most frequent quaffs these days. The Frontera is a real delight — spicy and very rich — and can also be found for around $14 for a 1.5L.

There’s a great Aussie Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz blend from Penfolds, but it might be just over $10 these days.

I won’t buy anything from California right now, but if I were buying California wines, the Firestone Cabernet Franc is a good drink in the $7-8 range, basically a more assertive Cab Sauvignon.

By: Dale Price

Dale Price — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 18:04:08 +0000

Here it is: J. Boutari and Sons’ Kretikos.

http://www.snooth.com/wine/boutari-kretikos-red-2003-1/

$11, but close enough. We did try it with good cheese, too, and it was superb.

By: Dale Price

Dale Price — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 21:58:28 +0000

I’ll have to make another run to the store to find the exact name, but Kretikos (sp) was a nicely balanced wine from Crete that went well with one of our thrown-together meal concotions. It was also in the $10 and under range.

By: ben

ben — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 19:19:39 +0000

Look for Gran Familia Rioja, if you have the chance. It is around $10 and a great deal for a very good spanish wine.

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 18:03:54 +0000

A nice wine that my wife and I have been liking is the Trellis Cabernet Sauvignon which you can pick up at Trader Joes for $4.99 (which is a steal). I know specifically you can get it at the location on Route 7 (near Tyson’s Corner) because we make a trip down every month or two to pick up cheap wine due to the #@$*(#@ liquor laws in Maryland.