Stan The Wine Man

Last year “Best Wines with Pizza” was a huge hit and I knew that I was on to something. I wanted to show everyone that comes to the tasting that wine can accompany just about any meal and enhance the eating experience. It does not have to be steak, ham, lamb or exotic cheeses. Mac & Cheese is probably one of the last meals a person would consider uncorking a bottle of wine for. Prior to the tasting event, a gentleman came to me at the store and questioned the food and wine pairing saying, “Why mac & cheese?”. It turned out after a few questions that he didn’t like mac & cheese. The point is that regardless of your culinary preferences wine can and should be a consideration at any meal.

As I was pouring the whites for all those in attendance, someone came to me and said, “I find it quite interesting and I have learned tonight that wine really makes the food better, even if it is mac & cheese.” Although the person did not know it, that was one of the greatest compliments I received that night. I had accomplished what I intended and it felt good.

I want to thank the six participants in the mac & cheese cook-off. All of them did an excellent job and everyone who had a chance to try the dishes felt the same way. I was impressed at how seriously everyone took their responsibility to judge the entrees and cast their vote. Impressive too was the effort made to see how the wines chosen paired with the food. After counting the votes, we had a winner. Congratulations go to Marilyn Kline for getting the most votes for best mac & cheese. Kings Deli department came in a close second and Lori Stokes took the third spot.

Of course we know that the primary reason for holding these events is to feature different wines for everyone to try. To kick off the new year, we had Karen Nelson and her boss Lisa there to present wines from the Columbia Distributing portfolio. Karen and I spent some time going over the wines we felt best matched up with mac & cheese. I think we did a decent job and here is a brief review of the wine that we tasted that night and some thoughts from the tasters.

2009 Barone Fini Vadadige Pinot Grigio Alto Adige, Italy… $12.99

Anyone that knows me will tell you that pinot grigio is not my favorite subject in wine right now. I like pinot grigio but I find that too many wine drinkers have gotten into a pinot grigio rut that has prevented them from stretching out their palate horizons, which I am a firm advocate for. However, it was decided that a pinot grigio was appropriate for this food pairing. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this version had a wonderful mineral quality about it. A nose of crushed rock, honey and lemon notes was a very nice start. The minerality continued on the palate with notes of lemon and kiwi that are fairly big on the front yet the wine finishes dry with that crushed rock feel that lingered. Let me tell you that this is one of the better grigios I have had in awhile and it goes for a prayer.

88 points

2008 Hogue Cellars Genesis Viognier Columbia Valley Washington … $12.99

Papaya, mango and banana on the nose that is not over-powering. Big and round on the front of the palate that stays fairly fat on the middle. Notes of melon and banana with hits of papaya and white flowers. Very pleasant on the finish with some spice and tangerines. Viognier is starting to gain in popularity but unfortunately most wine drinkers fall back on pinot grigio instead of expanding their palates. This is very unfortunate since there is a ton of very interesting whites to try out there. 90 points

2009 Chateau St Jean Chardonnay Sonoma, California … $13.99

This is one of those chards that one might take for granted. It has been around for a long time and I cannot tell you the last time I have tried it. I am happy to report that it is worth keeping around.

A wonderful nose of pears, oak, nutmeg, spice and fig. Creamy on the palate with notes of vanilla, pear, fig some nice warm spice notes and a finish of red delicious apples and pears that lingers for some time. This wine has a nice balance of oak and fruit. I was impressed. 90 points

2008 Artesa Chardonnay Carneros, California… $17.99

The last vintage of this wine received a 90 point rating in the Wine Spectator so I was curious to give this vintage a try. I have to say that I was slightly disappointed although I had a feeling that a lot of tasters would probably like it.

Toasty oak and caramel were large on the nose. Creamy and round on the palate with butterscotch notes ALL DAY. Seriously, this wine tasted just like butterscotch juice. The butterscotch was occasionally interrupted by some oak tones and just a slight hint of pears on the persistent finish. Like I said, I had a feeling it would go over well, but I felt it was a little one-dimensional. 87 points

2009 Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages Burgundy, France… $13.99

2009 is an unbelievable vintage for Burgundy, in particular southern Burgundy where the gamay grape hangs out. I’ve tasted at least twenty or more Beaujolais so far from this vintage and I have yet to be disappointed.

This had some classic notes on the nose of leather, tart raspberry and cherries with a splash of dirt. This wine is old world with notes of dark berries, wood, cassis, leather, mushrooms and a little celery. Soft tannins with an excellent freshness on the palate that left a little grip on the finish. I loved this wine and I felt that it would not hit a home run with the crowd. 89 points

2008 14 Hands Merlot Washington State… $10.99

Easily one of the most popular wines I carry at the store. One customer liked it so much they declared that it must have msg in it and that was why is was so addictive. Not likely but I think you get the point.

A very pleasing bouquet of plums and dark cherries with a side of anise. Good balance with generous notes of blackberries and spice backed by hits of anise and caramel resting on silky smooth tannins. This wine is soft and easy to drink. In fact, it is so easy that it should come with a warning that it is possible to consume the entire bottle without being aware of it. 87 points

2009 Ruta 22 Malbec Patagonia, Argentina … $10.99

Hmm, another ten dollar malbec from Argentina that is good. Surprised? You shouldn’t be, they are all over the market. This one was new to me and it delivered. The nose was very interesting with notes of vanilla, red currants and cedar with just a slight hit of stinkiness. Ripe and round right up front with sweet blackberries, plum and fennel. Some nice spice on the mid-palate. The finish was medium to long with a nice freshness. This was a little larger then some of the malbec I have tasted in recent memory. 89 points

2007 Susana Balbo Crios Syrah-Bonarda Mendoza, Argentina … $13.99

I love syrah, I love bonarda, and I love this producer. So guess what? I loved this wine. A nose of clove, bacon fat and blackberries that was quite powerful. In the mouth the wine had great depth with layers of flavors. Vanilla, mocha, bacon fat, white pepper and cocoa dust that were very persistent from start to finish that highlighted a nice peppery edge. This wine is a steal for this price and will be a staple in my wine rack. 91 points

2008 Folie a’ Deux Zinfandel Amador County, California … $17.99

This is both typical and not typical zin as you will find out. Generous on the nose with notes of vanilla, white pepper and dark cherries. Like most zins this is huge on the palate vanilla, mocha, dark cherries all day. Underlying notes of black raspberries and black currants on the mid-palate. A very pleasing and long, seductive finish that left your mouth coated with mocha and vanilla. Typical big zin, but not so typical in it’s complexity and confusion of flavors that were well integrated from start to finish. Not as much pepper as I would like to see, but that is a very small flaw in an otherwise excellent zin. 90 points

2008 Liberty School Cuvee California … $12.99

This kitchen sink red is a blend of syrah, petite sirah, grenache, mouvedre and viognier. One of those wines at the tasting that really needed to be decanted. On the nose it displayed green bell pepper, celery and red currant notes. This red reminded me a lot of a cab franc from the Loire Valley with its notes of red currants, celery and pepper along with fresh tannins. Towards the finish it started to open with some blackberry and red cherry and the slightest hits of celery and vanilla on the finish. As the wine opened up, the vegetal aspects died down and the blackberry and cherry notes started to take over. Actually, this is a wine with two faces. If you want a herbaceous style red, drink it fresh out of the bottle. If you want a little New World love, decant it. This red would be great with lamb , pizza or a juicy hamburger slathered in blue cheese. I liked it, but it is certainly not for everyone. 87 points

2008 Michael David Petite Petite Lodi, California … $17.99

A blend of petite sirah and petite verdot this wine has always been very popular. The bouquet of this wine is intense with notes of vanilla, blackberries, toast and black currants. Massive and fruit forward on the palate showing notes of brown sugar, hits of pepper, bacon fat, molasses and figs. The wine coats the mouth with sweet tannins and underlying notes of dark sweet cherries followed by a persistent finish. I found this wine to be very close to Port-like in a lot of ways. 87 points

I think you can almost guess which were the taster’s favorites and that they do not match up with mine. That is what I love about wine; it is all about individual palate. Top white went to Artesa Chardonnay. I think the creaminess and butterscotch notes were just too much to resist. Coming in a close second was the pinot grigio.

In the red category, the favorite was the Folie a’ Duex Zinfandel followed closely by the Ruta 22 malbec and the Petite Petite. I did not find this surprising at all. These were very good wines and had very few flaws. The one that did surprise me was the lack of interest in the Crios syrah-bonarda. I found this wine to be very complex and delicious leaving me with a lot to think about. Again, that is the beauty of the wine world… Unpredictable and challenging.

I had a lot of fun at this event and it was encouraging to see so many participate in the tasting and food pairing. I will try to get the recipe for the top 3 mac & cheese and post it soon. Here’s to keeping it real. Cheers! Stan The Wine Man

The year 2010 has proved to be quite interesting for the wine world, especially here in Washington State. I say this because Costco pressed for signatures to put Initiative 1100 on the ballot which would take the hard liquor business out of the hands of the state liquor stores and allow the private sector to sell distilled spirits in stores around the state. It would have deregulated all the restrictions on purchasing wine directly from wineries in Washington, Oregon, California or any other wine producing region.

This was a hot issue since it would have put the ball squarely in the hands of the big chain stores such as Costco, Fred Meyer and Walmart. The initiative did not pass and things remain the same in Washington State. The main reason I am happy about this is that many of my close friends are in the distribution business and it would have adversely affected their livelihood.

2010 also saw the continued decline in wine sales as many remained nervous about the state of the economy. The term being used around the business world is “Flat is the new up”. This basically means that if you can maintain the same sales levels as last year, it is as good as being up in business. The focus at store level remained on wines in the nine to twelve dollar range. Wines above the twenty dollar range were hard to move and many times just sat in inventory.

The year also saw the beginning and end of many trends in wine. Pinot Noir which experienced a huge surge in popularity as a result of the movie “Sideways” is now beginning to taper off in sales. Chardonnay is experiencing a comeback after many years of decline. Other varietals experiencing a surge in sales in 2010 are Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec and Merlot.

Speaking of Malbec, Argentinian wines are the hottest category in the wine world as this article is being written. We will wait to see how long this trend lasts, and we can only hope that this country does not suffer the same demise as Australia. Australian wine sales are in the tank and my own personal take on this is that this country put all their eggs in one basket. They focused almost entirely on fruit driven Shiraz and over oaked Chardonnay. When the consumers tired of this style… Boom! Sales dropped. My hope is that Argentina learns from the Aussie’s mistake and offers up a diversity of wines instead of relying solely on inexpensive (but good) Malbec.

Blends have seen a steady increase in popularity over the past couple of years and sales still remain strong. Everything from Menage a Trois to Hot To Trot Red. The term being used quite frequently by wine writers and critics is “Kitchen Sink” blends. Many use anywhere from five to eight or more different varietals in their wines to make them distinctive from the rest.

A trend that is most exciting to me, and seems to be gaining steam, especially in the area where I work is the increase in interest toward “Old World” style wines. Consumers are turning their backs on fruit bombs and are attracted to wines that have more structure, tannins and many of the old world qualities such as leather, mushroom and forest floor qualities. Another words… Terroir driven wines. I personally would like to sell more wines that have serious structure and old world qualities. There is a time and place for fruit forward style wines, but it is nice to see balance coming back to the market.

Now it is time for me to list my “Top 40 Wines Under Twenty Bucks”. It does not matter to me what the economy is doing, I love to find good value wines and pass that information on to the consumer. These are not wines that are meant to be cellared, although there are a few exceptions. No, the wines are ready to be consumed and the best part is they will not put a big hurt on your wallet.

I have done my best to choose only wines that are available for purchase. There is nothing more frustrating to me then reading about a “top pick” only to find out that it is sold out or nearly impossible to get. I also list the wines at the reduced price that they are offered at on a monthly basis. If your local store only offers them at full mark-up, shop around and you will find the better price.

So here we go and I hope you are able to use the information to enhance your wine experience.

#4o) 2008 Shooting Star Aligote (Lake County, California) … $13.99

Shooting Star is a second label for Steele Wines and wine maker owner Jed Steele. You do not see a lot of this varietal on the market simply because it is an obscure grape used to make quaffing whites in the Maconnais (Burgundy), France.

This is not a quaffing white. No, this is one that deserves our serious attention. Vibrant on the nose with creamy lemon notes. Excellent minerality on the palate with good balance between acidity and fruit. Wonderful notes of kiwi, lemon curd and lime that flow seamlessly into a lasting finish. Even at full price this is worth your effort to seek out.

#39) 2007 Peter Cellars Weather Report Cabernet Sauvignon ( Washington) …$ 7.99

It is hard to believe you can get a cab for under ten bucks that is worthy of being in the top 4o, but here it is. Now we can’t expect huge depth and complexity at this price, but what we are looking for is something that delivers a lot more then the price tag might indicate.

This wine has an interesting nose of oats and nuts with some brambleberry and vanilla thrown in. Very plump fruit on the front of the palate with notes of plum and boysenberry. Soft tannins and good balance with a pleasing finish that tails off fairly quickly. I feel you get a lot more then eight dollars worth of wine in this bottle and I have had a lot worse in the fifteen dollar range.

#38) 2009 The Crossings Sauvignon Blanc (Awatere Valley Marlborough, New Zealand) … $9.99

This whole New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc phenomena is wild. There are so many good ones coming out of this country for a prayer. This is a good example. Very interesting bouquet of banana nut bread with a tiny hint of lemons. The wine hits your palate running with racy acidity that drives the notes of lemon, lime and kiwi through the palate into a persistent finish. Not bad for ten bucks.

#37) La Quercia Montepulciano d’Abruzzo (Abruzzo, Italy) … $9.99

100% Montepulciano d’ Abrruzzo this wine has a classic “old world” nose of stinky leather, dust and loads of cherry. The leather comes through on the palate along with notes of dark berries. Bright acidity and a slight tannic grip on the back end, finishing with sweet tannins and a slightly thin finish. This wine is a top-notch value for ten bucks.

#36) 2007 Mount Baker Vineyards Tempranillo (Yakima Valley, Washington) … $14.99

You could line this up in a blind tasting with wines from Rioja and you would be hard pressed to tell this was not from Spain. No kidding. A little restrained on the nose. Notes of cherry, iron and wet leather come through. Cherry and leather all day on the palate with good minerality and structure. The wine never shows it’s from the “New World”, which I find very interesting and serves this wine well. The tannins are structured but very approachable and the wine finishes with fresh mineral and cherry notes.

#35) Barnard Griffin Cab-Merlot non-vintage (Columbia Valley, Washington) … $9.99

This wine shows good just about every year. 47.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 49.5% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. Toasty cassis on the nose with some leaf and tobacco aromas. Fairly lush mouthfeel. Blackberry and black currants dominate the palate backed by notes of black licorice, spice and pepper on sweet tannins. Good balance with a medium finish. This is crazy good for ten bucks and it is one of the better non-vintage batches I have tasted.

#34) 2008 Tormaresca Naprica (Puglia, Italy) … #9.99

A blend of 40% Negroamaro, 30% Primitivo and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. Very pleasing, soft wine on the palate with nice spicy plum and boysenberry notes on sweet tannins. This wine is simple but a “9” in the delicious category. A great quaffing wine that is great solo or with hamburgers, mac & cheese or a beef stew.

#33) 2008 Cloudline Pinot Gris (Oregon) … $13.99

A very focused white with mouth-watering acidity on the nose mingled with obvious minerality. The palate is marked by razor sharp acidity that is nicely balanced with notes of green apple skins and lemon that persist on the finish. This wine is a perfect match for shellfish or a pasta with a heavy cream sauce.

#32) 2009 Nugan Estate Vision Chardonnay (Riverina, Australia) … $9.99

It is not often that you find such interesting characteristics in a Chardonnay that is only ten bucks. This baby has some Alsace qualities to it. A little petroleum on the nose with underlying hints of peaches and butter. A nice freshness on the palate with balanced acidity backing the notes of peaches and melons with just a tiny hit of petroleum. A nice little plumpness on the mid-palate and a lingering finish. For those of you looking for something different and a little quirky on the good side, this is the one for you.

#31) 2009 Castle Rock Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley, Oregon) …$10.99

Yes, a Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley for next to nothing. And, it delivers. Classic pinot nose of strawberries and cherries. This wine is soft on the palate but is not flabby. Notes of flowers, strawberry and cherry flow seamlessly on the palate into a pleasing decently long finish. This wine does not have the backbone to age for long but who cares. For this price you can drink as much as you want while it is available.

#30) 2009 Goulart Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza, Argentina) … $9.99

This baby smells just like a jar of Smucker’s blackberry jam with just a hint of smoke. Sweet tannins with notes of minerality. Black fruit with some herbal notes and violets. This wine is smooth and rich with a nice freshness on a decent finish. This wine is a “10” in the delicious factor.

#29) 2007 Predator Zinfandel (Lodi, California) … $14.99

This zin has a wild nose of beef jerky, raspberries and black pepper. A bold, riper style zin that fills your palate with ripe strawberries, raspberry, black licorice and pepper that coat your mouth and hang around for awhile. This is a nice little hit of honied beef jerky on the back end of a persistent finish. This zin is not for the weak at heart.

#28) 2007 McKinley Springs Bombing Range Red (Horse Heaven Hills Vineyard, Washington) … $14.99

Do you want a Valpolicella Ripassa for fifteen bucks? Look no further. This is a baby Amarone for next to nothing. 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% syrah, 8% Mouvedre, 3% Petite Verdot and a splash of malbec. Loads of rich dark fruit that is wrapped in a blanket of dark currants and rests on structured but smooth tannins. I don’t know how they did it, but it is an intense wine that makes you feel like you stepped right into Northern Italy.

#27) 2009 Montoya Pinot Noir (Monterey, California) … $17.99

I have been impressed with this producer for some time. Very Burgundian in style showing a nice balance of acid and fruit. Notes of bright raspberry blended with strawberry and floral notes. A beautiful wine for food, yet approachable enough to enjoy all by itself. Great balance and a good finish.

#26) 2009 Terrapin Pinot Gris (Willamette Valley, Oregon) … $9.99

This may not be for everyone, but I really like it. This is a big Pinot Gris with lucious fruit notes of white peaches and apricots that are fat on the palate but balanced. The wine finishes with a nice red delicious apple and peach hit into a lasting finish. Big enough to match up with roasted fowl and ripe enough to go with Asian fare.

#25) 2008 Baqueano Cabernet Sauvignon/Malbec (Patagonia, Argentina) … $8.99

60% Cab, 40% Malbec this red has a wonderful nose of blueberry, anise and menthol. Silky on the palate with notes of dark fruits, anise, chocolate and slight mint undertones leading into a medium finish. This wine has a regular price of $14.99 but is usually offered at the ridunculous price of nine bucks. Just another great value out of Argentina.

#24) 2009 Dashwood Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, New Zealand)… $9.99

It is not surprising to see a couple of New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs in the under twenty line-up. They are well made and over achievers for the price. This wine is vibrant on the nose with notes of pink grapefruit and kiwi that make your mouth water in anticipation. The wine fills your mouth with a plethora of flavors. Kiwi, lime, grapefruit, peach and lychee nut. Focused and vibrant with a seamless current of flavors that penetrate from the start into a persistent finish.

#23) 2006 Helix by Reininger Pomatia (Columbia Valley, Washington) … $14.99

33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 25% Syrah and 11% Cabernet Franc. On the nose you get smokey dark fruit notes, black currants and a little alcohol burn. Sweet fruit hits you on the front of the palate. Candied blackberries with a toasty mid-palate and some spicy hits on the back end. On the finish there are notes of black tea, black currants and vanilla that linger for some time. This wine is well balanced with excellent strength on the mid-palate. It may be a little warm on the alcohol side for some but the fruit and structure do a good job of absorbing that.

#22) 2009 Goulart Malbec Clasico (Mendoza, Argentina) … $9.99

This would be higher on my list but there are a lot of wines ahead of this one that show more depth and structure so it landed here. A fantastic Malbec for the money. The fruit comes from vines nearly one hundred years old. This shows in the intense flavors. Chalky tannins so typical of Malbec from Argentina, soft yet structured. Fresh acidity, blackberries, cassis and cherry notes stay focused from start to a pleasing medium to long finish. One of my personal favorites in the ten dollar range.

#21) 2008 Tomero Cabernet Sauvignon (Tupangato, Argentina) …$16.99

I was recently introduced to this line-up from Argentina and was very impressed. Great quality for the price. A wonderful nose of toasty vanilla, mocha and brambleberry notes. Black tea and spice come through nicely on the front followed by herbs, mocha and dark berries. Sweet tannins and a solid finish.

#20) 2008 Barons De Rothschild Vald l’Ours Vin de Pays (France)… $9.99

A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Syrah. This wine hits you on the nose with deep dark fruits and toast. Well structured and balanced. Black fruits and spice fill the palate from the start to finish that sit on silky tannins and lead into a lingering finish. Probably one of the best deals I’ve seen in memory from the south of France.

#19) 2006 Marques de Caceres Rivarey (Rioja, Spain) … $8.99

The producer of this wine is not mentioned on this obscure red, so you have to go to the trusty internet to find out who makes this. Hopefully you can get your hands on a bottle because it is a steal. 100% Tempranillo it has that classic leather, cherry and iron nose you expect from the wines of Rioja. Leather, spice and minerals hit your palate blended with notes of cranberry, orange peel and white pepper. Very old world in style with excellent acidity and structure and a medium finish. A great choice with lamb, stews, grilled meats, pizza or hamburgers. This wine is also interesting enough to enjoy solo.

#18) 2008 Steele Cuvee Chardonnay (Lake County, California) …$18.99

This chardonnay has been offered at under twenty bucks long enough for me to feel comfortable putting it on my list. It does however show a regular price of twenty-four dollars. This Chard has a lot to offer to many different palates, and that is what puts it in my top 40. Does it have oak? Yes, but not too much. Does it have buttered popcorn? Not really, but it does have that kiss of butterscotch that I love sometimes. This wine is rich without being too rich, with tropical fruit notes on a good vibrant structure and a long finish. You can enjoy this wine with or without food. For nineteen bucks, it’s hard to find one better then this.

#17) 2009 Manu Pinot Noir (Marlborough, New Zealand) …$14.99

I was tempted to put this higher on my list, but there is some stiff competition from here on up. New Zealand has a lot to offer in the Pinot Noir category and if you haven’t yet explored this region other then whites, now is the time. This Pinot has all the characteristics of a wine from Burgundy. Nice harmonious balance of acidity and fruit. Strawberry and cherry notes with hints of spice lay on a good structure and flow nicely across the palate into a lingering finish. Good strength on the palate yet delicate enough to let you know this is a serious Pinot Noir. No syrah in this baby!

#16) 2009 Charles & Charles Red (Columbia Valley, Washington) …$9.99

Wine maker Charles Smith of K Vintners fame and Charles Bieler of Three Bandits collaborated on this project to create a really nice blend. This vintage is 51% Cabernet Sauvignon and 49% Syrah. When it comes to anything with syrah in it, Charles Smith has it dialed in. This blend is quite a mouthful for only ten bucks. Plush on the palate with layered flavors of boysenberry, plum, coffee and mocha. Smooth tannins and good structure with a lingering finish. A seriously good value that is made to drink now but will hold for a couple of years.

#15) 2009 Seven Hills Riesling (Columbia Valley, Washington) … $14.99

Probably one of my favorite Riesling this year. It has Alsace written all over the nose. Notes of minerals, petroleum, grapefruit and orange peel. Good minerality on the palate with sweet notes of lemon peel and pink grapefruit that start off on the sweet side and finish nice and dry with hints of apricots and peaches.

#14) 2008 Lucien Albrecht Pinot Gris Cuvee Romanus (Alsace, France)…$18.99

I will admit that I am not a huge Pinot Gris or Grigio fan. However, it does not stop me from trying one with an open mind. This particular wine showed a lot of nice qualities. A nice creaminess on the nose with notes of honey and melon. The creaminess continued on the palate with a nice hit of apricots and mangoes on the mid-palate leading into a clean dry finish. Very balanced and delicious.

#13) 2009 Gouchau Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley, Oregon) … $19.99

I know this is pushing the envelope on price, but this is seriously good juice in a not so great vintage out of Oregon. A nice hit of Asian spices and toast. Spicy cherry and anise with sweet vanilla notes flow across the palate effortlessly into a fairly long and very nice finish with slight hits of herbs on the back side. This has to be one of the more complex and well made pinot noir I have found in the twenty and under range out of the Willamette Valley.

#12) Carlos Pulenta Vistalba Corte “C” (Mendoza, Argentina) … $12.99

Smells of raspberry and cherry with a nice hit of “Old World” stink. A blast of ripe fruit notes, cherries and black currants with a dash of pepper and toast that intensifies on the mid-palate. Sweet tannins on a long finish. This wine has both power and finesse and is a lot of wine for thirteen bucks.

#11) 2009 Finca El Reposo Estate Bottled Bonarda (Mendoza, Argentina)… $7.99

I have become a huge fan of the Bonarda grape this past year and this is one of the reasons why. Very dark in color, this wine smells like an old plank soaked in ripe blackberries with a whiff of vanilla. (Not as bad as it sounds….Really) Huge black fruit on a plush mouthfeel with nice hits of mocha and chocolate. Celery, herbs, spice and toast blend into the medium to long finish. It is really hard to believe you can get all of this for eight bucks.

#10) 2008 Licia Albarino (Rias Baixas, Spain) … $16.99

Honied mango and lemon sweetness on the nose. It reminded me of a German Riesling without the rubber boot element. Razor sharp and jazzy on the palate. Excellent minerality with bright notes of green apple and kiwi that lingered in the mouth.

#9) 2008 Bogle Petite Sirah (California) … #10.99

A real overachiever for the price. A wonderful nose of smoked ham, wood and cherries with just a slight alcohol burn that blows off fairly quickly. Big fruit on the front of the palate. Dark cherries and currants with a black pepper and spice hit on the back of the mid-palate. Tannins are smooth but not flabby. The wine stays intense on a long finish with notes of blackberry and anise. One of the best vintages I can remember from this wine.

#8) 2005 Bodegas Beronia Riserva Rioja (Rioja, Spain) … $18.99

Earthy notes of leather and bright cherries on the nose. The palate is very old school with notes of minerals (iron) brambleberry and saddle leather. Complex and deep in structure with smooth well structured tannins. This wine is good now and will improve over the next 5-8 years.

#7) 2007 Edmeades Mendocino County Zinfandel (California) … $15.99

I love Zinfandel and am not afraid to admit it. The problem with this wine is finding one with the depth and complexity for under twenty bucks. This was a very pleasant surprise for me. Dark raspberry all day on the palate with nice hits of anise and white pepper. Jammy without being over-the-top with a big mouthfeel on structured, silky tannins and a huge pleasing finish. This is a zin lovers zin at a very good price.

#6) 2009 Russian Jack Pinot Noir (Marlborough, New Zealand) … $18.99

I am sorry if this sounds like blasphemy, but this pinot tastes like it came right out of the Cote De Beaune! Asian spice notes on elegant cherry and raspberry balanced by good acidity and structured tannins. Loads of flavor without being “Big” in the mouth with a finish that seems to hang around for quite awhile. If you love Pinot Noir from the Cote D’Or and want to save quite a few bucks, this should do the trick. And, keep your eye on the Pinot Noir coming out of New Zealand. We are just now seeing the tip of the iceberg.

#5) Damilano Barbera D’Asti (Piedmonte, Italy) … #14.99

You are missing out if you have not tapped into some of these gems from Northern Italy. A nice vibrant grip on the palate with bright notes of blueberry and cherry with hits of cranberry and cassis. Solid structure yet soft enough to go solo if you are a Turkish coffee drinker that is. Really, this is a wine made for such foods as roasted lamb, ribs or a pasta dish with red sauce. I also think it would do nicely with a greasy pizza or a hamburger dripping with blue cheese… Just saying.

#4) Carlos Pulenta Vistalba Corte “B” (Lujan de Cuyo, Spain) … $18.99

This is the second appearance for this winery and this is a ramped up version of the Corte “C”. A bouquet of blackberries with a touch of oak and some hints of red fruit. Very deep and soft leaving a velvety feel on the palate. Notes of spice, plum and anise penetrate the palate from start to finish with some pleasing hits of chocolate and black licorice on the back end. The wine finishes with a creamy toasty edge that hangs on for some time. It is scary how good this wine is for only nineteen bucks.

#3) 2008 Columbia Crest H3 Merlot (Horse Heaven Hills, Washington)… $13.99

Toasty dark berries on the nose with hints of vanilla and spice. This is a big balanced mouthful of wine. Spicy dark cherries, blackberry, mocha, cocoa and vanilla are layered on silky, structured tannins. Nice underlying black tea and herb notes with some tomato leaf showing up slightly on a intense and lingering finish. I have been a big fan of this wine for a long time.

#2) 2009 Substance Wines Malbec (Columbia Valley, Washington) … $19.99

I am probably crazy for putting this on the list because I am down to just a few bottles at the store and I am not sure of it’s availability around the state. I know it sales at a brisk pace, but I could not avoid writing it up because it is THAT GOOD! Intense nose of violets, blackberry, black tea and herbs. Ripe and concentrated on the palate, this wine is gargantuan. Blackberry, currants, black cherry with notes of blueberry on the front of the palate. Very vibrant and full of life with a pleasing freshness on a persistent finish. My suggestion is for you to get out quickly and see if there is any of this available so you can get your hands on some before it’s gone.

#1) 2007 Urban Ribera Tinta Del Pais (Ribera Del Duero, Spain) … $13.99

Here it is, my wine of the year! Made from a clone of the Tempranillo grape this wine is one of the best values I have run across in some time. Very complex with intense notes of blackberry liquor, black raspberry and dark cherry on the nose. Creamy sweet tannins back up the black raspberry and cherry notes with notes of white pepper and pleasing spices. Very fresh and lively with a sturdy structure that is approachable now but will give this wine the ability to age and improve over the next five years. This wine received the highest score of any wines in my notes under twenty bucks, 94 points.

Wine is such a personal thing and the above list is simply my personal choices for the top forty. You may agree or disagree, but I hope it is helpful for you especially when it comes to saving a few bucks at the register.

I am looking forward with keen anticipation to the upcoming year to see how the trends develop in the wine world. I also look forward to trying many new wines continuing to educate my palate. As always, I truly appreciate your support and readership and hope that you have a great 2011. Doing my best to keep it real. Cheers! Stan The Wine Man.