Wow – has it really been 7 months since the Cork Scrooge last opined on the state of value red wine? My goodness, how time flies.

I had hoped to start back up in the new year after our move to sunny California. I had expected to have a plethora of great value wines at my finger tips here in America’s red wine cradle, and, to be sure, I have enjoyed some mighty fine value vino these past few months.  

I have been keeping great notes however somehow the hectic pace of moving across country and having a 3 year old under foot have kept me from sitting down and hammering out a few new posts. I will do better in the coming weeks.

As most readers know I rarely bother to review bad wine. There just isn’t a point. I figure most don’t need to know what not to buy – they want recommendations on a great value. Occasionally a wine comes along that is so bad, so down-right disappointing that I break from the norm to provide a community service warning.  Tonight was one of those nights as I allowed myself to once again be lured in by the siren’s song of a value old vine zinfandel from Lodi, California.

I should have known better. The Lodi temptresses have lured me in before with their false promises, colorfully written reviews and regional “gold medal” claims.

Tonight’s wine was nothing short of the most disgusting $11 bottle of wine I have ever had the displeasure of tasting and Albertson’s should be ashamed to sell this liquid nightmare.

I am not going to waste time discussing the separate tastings I took of this wine over the course of the hour as I foolishly believed that no $11 wine could truly be this “undrinkable”.  Not great? Sure. Bad even? It’s happened. But how bad would a wine have to be to be unable to finish my glass awful? The 2012 Predator Old Vine Zinfandel is how bad. The only thing this wine was preying on was my taste-buds as each successive sip seemed to seek out and destroy my desire to taste and swallow.

I don’t need to wax poetic about an over-oaky or too fruit forward taste to describe the sensation that overpowers ones senses upon contact with this 2010 wine. All one needs to do is close their eyes, think back to their childhood, and recall the toe curling taste of the discount brand cherry cough syrup you used to choke back during the winter cold season. That’s exactly how this wine tasted. Yes, that bad.

Save yourself the $11. If you really have a craving, head down to the local CVS and pick up a bottle of cherry cough syrup, it will be cheaper and at least will deliver what it promises.

This week I made a quick run to Costco to stock up on a new batch of superb sub $15 reds and boy, let me tell you, I had forgotten just how good the California Costco wine selection is compared to the paltry selections offered at most East Coast locations. The first bottle to fall prey to my nifty rabbit cork screw certainly did not disappoint and I would bet is in the running for a spot on this year’s top value red list.

The 2009 Dona Paula Estate Malbec came highly regarded. Robert Parker teed up my taste buds by bestowing a 91 point rating on the 2009. Writing of the Menodza Malbec Parker notes that the wine offers “a pinched bouquet that takes some coaxing, but there are some lithe cassis and black plum fruits with a touch of garrigues developing with aeration…” And while I honestly have no idea what that means what I can tell you is that this wine was a superb surprise in every way.

As the wine poured into the glass, deep violet colors sloshed about releasing an inviting scent that offered the first sign of things to come. As I tasted the first glass of wine the initial smoothness quickly rolled away leaving in its place a nice tight dryness the Mendozan varietal is known for. With the tannins slowly wrapping themselves around your taste buds, the smoothness returned once again, this time accentuated by a light spiced flavor that leaves you wanting to delve deeper into the second glass.

As the wine opened up, the plum, dark cherry and light vanilla flavors took center stage delivering an incredibly enjoyable $11 Argentinean Malbec. I would encourage you to let this one breathe for 15 minutes before diving in.

As my mother-in-law said as we enjoyed the second glass over dinner, this wine was definitely “yummy” and for the price you can’t wrong. Be sure to chill the wine for about 15 minutes in the refrigerator before serving to bring it down to the proper temperature in the hot summer months (remember red wine should be enjoyed at around 58-62 degrees). Enjoy!

The nice thing about Vino Volo is that if offers a wonderful selection of red wine flights. After dutifully tasting my way through half the menu of reds I came across a surprising little Portuguese gem.

The 2004 Encostas de Estremoz wine had a surprising spice filled pomegranate taste that gave real life to the hybrid of grenache and petite bouschet that fills each bottle.

The “Alentejo” bottling hails from southern Portugal, and, in full disclosure, has a good kick of natural acidity. If you prefer your wine merlot smooth, this one is not for you. However, if you are up for a bit of a journey, and willing to try a new varietal and a new region, the Encostas de Estremoz offers a nice ride for about $14 a bottle.

As the afternoon turned to early evening, I headed to the local wine store to find the perfect summer red to pare with some fantastic parrano cheese, salami and Italian olives we had purchased at the local deli.

One of the things I really love about our local wine store is their commitment to a wide variety of worldly wines. On today’s trip I asked for a nice, tasty red wine perfect for an early summer’s happy hour. Not too strong, but not too light. I needed something “just right”.

Much to my surprise our local wine connoisseur plucked an Italian varietal I had never heard of before – a negroamaro varietal.

The 2008 Liveli Vineyards Passamante is a 100% negroamaro wine. The negroamaro hails from my ancestral home of southern Italy and is almost exclusively found in Puglia – an area more commonly known as the “heel” of Italy.

Wines from this region of Italy tend to be defined by an almost “earthy” bite that both open the palate and intrigue the senses.

The 2008 import did not disappoint. As we poured the first tasting, the spice filled “pinot” like consistency of the little bambino roared through the glass. The Liveli offers a nice full bodied taste without the impactful dry tannins of a bold cabernet or the over peppered spices of a zinfandel.

My wife kept referring to the wine as having an almost “fresh” quality. With each glass the wine held its structure and kept refreshing the taste buds with each dark cherry tipped sip. For around $13 a bottle this little Italian treat deserves a seat at your next summer sunset tasting.

Salute!

You can be sure for every “must buy” I picked up during the sale I poured through about a half dozen “run away from” bottles – and I may post a few compilation reviews of the top “bottles to avoid” just in case you are feeling adventurous at your local wine store and want to stave off a potential oenophilial train wreck.

However, the good news is that this week’s review was downright intriguing. As we corked the 2009 “The Pessimist” Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon it was clear this California Cab was going to be a bit of an adventure to review. Bold and a bit young, the 2009 “The Pessimist” made a believer out of me. Over the course of our tasting cherry and blackberry flavors filled each glass – with just the right amount of that famous Paso Robles spiced kick added in to keep me intrigued.

As the wine opened the 2009 showed its character by holding tightly to its tannins and its dark berry nose followed through with each glass. This one may not be for everyone, but for around $10 per bottle I found it to be surprisingly different and enjoyable glass of wine.

Those who are familiar with the grape largely know it as one of the original six grapes comprising the famous bottlings from Bordeaux. For the trivia fans out there, the others five are Cabernet sauvignon, Cabernet franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit verdot. Most closely aligned in color, taste and climate with Cabernet wines, the Carmenere has all but been disowned by its French forbearers. The family feud has resulted in great news for South America where the grape has taken hold as one of Chile’s most successful varietals.

And it is to Chile that this week’s superb value review was found. As we opened the 2008 Santa Alicia Reserve Carmenere, it was clear we had found something special. As the nice spice packed flavors pop in your mouth, you are put on notice that this is a different kind of wine – one my wife aptly noted “tastes like wine should taste.”

After breathing for several minutes, the 2008 further blossomed as the deep black cherry flavors blended nicely with a mellowed and subdued vanilla flavor layered throughout each glass. The 2008 reminds you of what an enjoyable $15 Chilean bottle should taste like. In this case – you get the enjoyable experience for half that price!

The 2008 Santa Alicia is on sale right now at Cost Plus World Markets where you can pick up a bottle for $7.99! As we finished the Santa Alicia both my wife and I realized what a truly budget find we had discovered. We decided on the spot to head out and pick up a case of the Chilean red before the masses learn of this 90 point rated beauty. Enjoy!

And now, in no particular order, here is the top ten list of reviewed red wines for under (or just at) $10 from the past year. Almost all are still on the shelves at your local wine store waiting for a spot at your New Year’s bash. Salute!

TRADER JOES 2007 RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON ~ $9.00

From the review…“The 2007 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Dry Creek Valley) lets you know right out of the bottle that it is ready for its close up. The deep red color signals that you are about to sink into a real, no kidding, wine country Cabernet with all of the jammy sweet tannins one would hope for in a big bad red. This bottle packs a wallop and we let it sit for a few minutes before digging in. The 2007 is a big red in every way. It has nearly 15% alcohol, lush tannins, and a dryness that grabs a hold of you and won’t let go. As much as I enjoyed this wine for the price, be forewarned: this is no wimpy budget red. If you don’t like dry, tannin filled cabs, steer clear of this bottle and head back to the kiddie wine isle for something a bit lighter and sweeter. This bottle is for grown ups only. And at $9 a bottle, I would dare say it is one of the better big red California cabs for the price available today…” http://thecorkscrooge.com/2010/02/27/you-go-joe-trader-joe%e2%80%99s-2007-reserve-cabernet-tastes-like-a-20-cab-for-%c2%bd-the-price/

EXCELSIOR 2007 CABERNET SAUVIGNON – $8.00

From the review…“The Excelsior offers a full bodied mouthful of enticing blackcurrant and plum flavors wrapped in mildly dry tannins that make you sure you must have spent more for the bottle.  I drank my first glass moments after twisting the cap, and it was very enjoyable. It is especially critical in the summertime months to be sure to slightly chill your red wine, it will make the experience all the more enjoyable and refreshing on a summer evening…This wine tastes like a $14 to $18 bottle and continued to impress throughout our dinner of BBQ chicken and summer squash risotto. For what you’d expect to pay for a cheap glass of wine at a local restaurant, the 2007 Excelsior Cabernet Sauvignon (available online and at local Total Wine retailers) offers a very nice bottle at a superb super value price. This one is one of my favorite super values on the market today.” http://thecorkscrooge.com/2010/05/16/a-great-south-african-cabernet-for-only-eight-bucks/

COASTLINE 2007 SYRAH ~ $10.00

From the review…“The 2007 Coastline Paso Robles Syrah deserves a place on every wine shoppers list this weekend. You can be forgiven if you have never heard of this wine, or never knew they made a Syrah. Even the winemaker’s own website fails to mention the Syrah offering. For $8 a bottle at Total Wine, this is a safe bet for a mixed crowd of wine drinkers. The light blackberry and black cherry accents are well mixed with just a hint of vanilla and a slight, but present, spiciness that rounds out the glass nicely. As I finished my second glass I was reminded of several recent Syrah’s that I found equally enjoyable for under $10 and I came to the conclusion that this was a grape I needed to get to know better.”  http://thecorkscrooge.com/2010/03/12/you-don%e2%80%99t-need-to-write-this-list-on-your-hand-3-value-reds-for-your-weekend-enjoyment/

DR. JEBEDIAH DRINKWELL’S 2007 MERITAGE ~ $6.00

From the review…“Dr. Jebediah Drinkwell’s 2007 Meritage is no snake oil filled elixir parading as a California red. This stuff is the real deal and for around six bucks a bottle, it should please just about everyone on your wine list…The 2007 Meritage is an interesting blend of Cabernet Franc (60%), Merlot (27%), Cabernet Sauvignon (11%), Malbec (1%) and Petit Verdot (1%). Straight from the bottle the lightly fruit flavored meritage offered a well balanced dryness on the backend that mellowed nicely as we poured the second glass. Dark cherry and light chocolate flavors filled the glass with a bit of a peppery kick added for intrigue…There are surely better tasting value reds available on the market today for under $15, but there are few I have found for less than half that price as well balanced as Drinkwell’s. This is an easy drinking red without any surprises that will surely be a crowd pleaser for your next large dinner party or spring BBQ. For between 5-$6, you can’t go wrong. Chill slightly and allow to breathe for 5-10 minutes and I think you too will be surprised by what Dr. Drinkwell has to offer.” http://thecorkscrooge.com/2010/03/06/just-what-the-dr-ordered-a-great-6-red/

PHEBUS 2009 MMC MALBEC ~ $6.00

From the review…“The 2009 MMC is a testament to this belief and offers a blended Malbec that is ruby red in color with a light fruit-filled kick that is at times not too complex while still filling the glass with an entirely enjoyable glass of wine. The 2009 is a blend of 70% Malbec, 15% Merlot and 15% Cabernet (hence the name “MMC”). Moments after corking the bottle the medium tannins grab your palette and let you know that this is still very much a young wine. 15 minutes into the tasting however the Phebus opens up nicely with red berry-jammyness filling out the glass. In the super-value price range today, few bottles are drinkable let alone enjoyable. For $6 a bottle you will be hard pressed to find a better Argentinean red than the 2009 MMC.” http://thecorkscrooge.com/2010/04/19/a-nice-6-argentinean-malbec-blend-from-a-bordeaux-wine-making-family/

ALAMOS 2008 MALBEC ~ $8.00

From the review…“In my opinion, this is one of the better under $10 bottles of wine available today. It is not only drinkable, it is an entirely enjoyable bottle of wine. The 2008 Alamos Malbec is to be imbibed right out of the bottle (it does open up nicely after a few minutes but it is also a great drink straight from the bottle slightly chilled at 55 degrees). The dark red color and slight berry flavors typical of the Malbec are in abundance – balanced well with a nice nose and not too dry yet not too sweet smooth flavor. For around $8 at your local grocery store, Costco or wine merchant, the 2008 Alamos Malbec is a great starter for those looking to become more familiar with the grape as well as for those looking for a budget crowd pleaser for every day wine enjoyment.”  http://thecorkscrooge.com/2010/02/21/2008-alamos-malbec-what-a-value-red-should-taste-like/

ROOT 1 2008 CABERNET SAUVIGNON ~ $8.00

From the review…“Chile’s Colchagua Valley has been turning out some inspiring value red wines in the past few years, and one of our favorites is the Root: 1 Cabernet Sauvignon. We opened the 2008 last night and were as pleased as we have been with past vintages. Right out of the bottle this cab has a dryness that grabs your palette and doesn’t let go until the wine slips past your tongue bringing a light, almost pinot noir-esqsue flavor. After about 3-4 minutes of breathing, the black currant and cherry flavors come forward and the wine moves from a dry jammyness to a fruit forward, yet smooth, glass of wine…” http://thecorkscrooge.com/2010/02/14/put-down-some-chilean-roots-%e2%80%93-and-pick-up-the-root-1-cabernet/

CONCANNON 2007 CABERNET SAUVIGNON ~ $8.00

From the review…“Concannon has a rich heritage in California as one of the first wineries to pioneer Bordeaux and Rhone-styled wines and for my fellow Irishmen, the Concannon’s are also recognized as one of America’s first successful Irish vintners. They also claim to have introduced the world’s first Petite Sirah. This wine had a fine nose, a little fruit forward but after a few moments it opened up nicely and went well as a pre-dinner beverage as well as a nice accompaniment to dinner.  If you are looking for an everyday Cab for $8 (some places have it for as low at $6) this one is a safe bet.” http://thecorkscrooge.com/2010/01/24/concannon-2007-cabernet/

PEPPERWOOD GROVE 2008 CABERNET SAUVIGNON ~ 6.00

From the review…“The 2008 Pepperwood Grove Cabernet Sauvignon, Valle Central, from the storied Sebastiani wine making family, should be on everyone’s short list for everyday enjoyment. Right out of the bottle, this Chilean Cab makes quite an impression. For less than $7, the 2008 vintage is incredibly smooth and offers a dry, not too fruity flavor with a nice kick of blackberry. This wine is really best enjoyed slightly chilled and should be imbibed right out of the bottle. Oddly enough, the wine was actually less tasty as it had time to breathe. The lesson here: don’t savor it, drink it.” http://thecorkscrooge.com/2010/02/05/2008-pepperwood-grove-valle-central-cabernet-sauvignon/

NORTON 2007 BODEGA RESERVE MALBEC ~10.00

From the review…“The vibrant ruby red, almost purple color that immediately fills each glass of the 2007 Bodega Norton Reserve Malbec lets you know right away that you are in for a serious glass of wine. Aromas of dark berries and vanilla  grab your senses as the first drink reminds you that even a very good Malbec can benefit from a few minutes to breathe. As the has a few minutes to settle, this award winning 90 point rated 2007 Argentinean pops with vanilla and fig flavors that contiue to blossom into one of the finest $10 Malbecs on the market today.” http://thecorkscrooge.com/2010/12/21/a-fantastic-award-winning-malbec-%e2%80%93-for-only-10/

The 2009 Doña Sol Cabernet Sauvignon is nothing special – other than the fact that it offers and entirely drinkable glass of wine at a supreme bargain basement price. This wine is currently on sale at Big Lots retail stores for $3 a bottle and can be found widely online and at other bargain retailers for as little as $2.5 a bottle.

Doña Sol is part of the family of labels from the Bronco Wine Company, the US’s fourth largest producer of wine. Bronco is the brainchild of brothers Fred and Joe Franzia who attended Santa Clara University and hence chose the school mascot for the company moniker. How are they able to make a wine that won’t peel paint or burn the rust off of a penny for less than $3? Amongst the more than 30 brands they label under you will find their budget wine credentials securely in hand with the launch of Charles Shaw (Two Buck Chuck). To be sure, these guys know how to make cheap wine.

However, in the case of the Doña Sol you don’t have to risk sterilizing your taste buds in the process. The 2009 fills each glass with a deep ruby-red colored fruit forward wine with strong cherry flavors that round out each pour. For less than $3 this wine can’t be beat and at $36 a case, it makes the perfect wine for your next party. Enjoy!

I appreciate a wine that is direct and to the point, and the 2007 Cousino-Macul Antiguas Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon does not disappoint. The 100% cabernet sauvignon hails from one of the most consistent value red wine producers in the world and their 2007 does the family proud. Full bodied with mouth grabbing tight tannins and a wonderful spiced blackcurrant flavor filling each glass ensures that this Chilean beauty will please just about every red wine fan on your shopping list.

Apparently I am not alone in my appreciation for this enjoyable budget red. Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate ranked this little gem a 90+ writing that the “The 2007 remains one of the finest Cabernet values anywhere (the price has remained unchanged for years). Fragrant black currants and blackberry aromas promise complexity with several years of additional bottle age. Nicely structured on the palate, this elegant, Bordeaux-like Cabernet will evolve for a minimum of five years and drink well through 2025. If there is anyone delivering more bang-for-the buck than Arturo Cousino and his namesake winery Cousino-Macul, I’d like to know about it.”

For my fellow Costco connoisseurs, this wine is an unbelievable steal for $13.

As the has a few minutes to settle, this award winning 90 point rated 2007 Argentinean pops with vanilla and fig flavors that contiue to blossom into one of the finest $10 Malbecs on the market today.

As you pour through the bottle the vanilla and earthy tones give way to a more tannin, dry sensation that is surprisingly nice and strong for a wine of this price. With 61,000 cases imported into the United States, the 2007 will not last long as a super value offering at America’s largest discount warehouse.

Costco has helped to ensure this wine makes many appearances during upcoming holiday parties by offering a special discounted price for the wine, however, even at the full price of $13, the 2007 is worth every penny.

Be sure to remember to slightly chill before serving – the optimal serving temperature for a full bodied red like this is between 60 to 62 degrees, or approximately 10 degrees cooler than the average winterized home. 15 minutes in the refrigerator before you plan to pop the cork and serve should do the trick nicely.