Good Values and Choices Abound in Pre-Holiday Wine Sales

New vintages are on the way through the global distribution channels, and now is a good time to look for older wines going on sale at merchants trying to clear inventory – from your favorite local wine shop to the large chains to the membership discount stores.

In the past two months, we’ve found tasty wines in the 2020 and 2021 vintages in the $12 to $25 price range that have benefited from aging. Tannin levels have softened on the reds, and crisp white wines have become more balanced. If the source isn’t listed, it’s from one of the chains (BevMo, Total Wine, Wine.com) or direct-to-consumer sites (WTSO, Wine Access, Vivino, Invino). Enjoy!

BUBBLY

• Mendocino County, Calif., NV Roederer Estate Brut Anderson Valley ($22). Always excellent value in sparkling wine. Sharp straw gold; light yeast, floral, green fruit, stone fruit nose (60% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir; cuvee from different years); mid-acids; mid-body (12.5 alc.); semi-long, crisp stone fruit finish. w/appetizers. 16/90.
  

  Roederer Estate Brut

WHITE

• $12 (grocery store) Stellenbosch, Africa, 2022 Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc (Steen op Hout). Sharp mid-straw gold, viscous (13.5 alc.); green fruit, melon, pear nose; low-mid acids; short semi-crisp pear finish. Appetizer, party wine. 15/88.
• $15 Napa 2021 Oberon Sauvignon Blanc. Sharp mid-gold, viscous (13.7 alc.); citrus, lime, herbaceous, boxwood nose; mid acids, depth; balanced; semi-long crisp citrus finish. w/apps. 15.5/89.
• $16 (grocery store) 2022 Martin Ray Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley. Light straw, green-gold, viscous (13.5 alc.); boxwood, lime, light grapefruit nose; mid+acids; mid-body; semi-crisp citrus finish. 15.5/89.
• $18 Italian sipping wine (grocery store) 2023 Pieropan Soave Classico. Light-mid straw green-gold; floral, lilies, nutmeg nose; mid acids; mid depth; semi-long, semi-crisp fruity finish. w/appetizers. 15/88.
• $19 Petaluma Gap, Sonoma, 2022 Kendric Vineyards Viognier. Sharp mid-dark green gold, viscous (13.0 alc.); floral, melon, stone fruit, light spice nose opening up; mid acids; mid depth; semi-long, crisp stone fruit finish. 16.5/91.
• Nicely evolving $19 Marlborough, NZ, 2022 Allan Scott Sauvignon Blanc Kekerungu. Sharp mid-dark gold, light tearing (12.5 alc.); boxwood, citrus, new-mown hay, floral nose; mid+acids; mid+ depth; semi-long, semi-lush citrus finish. 16/90.
• $20 (Costco) Napa 2023 Groth Sauvignon Blanc. Light green-gold, viscous (14.0 alc.); grapefruit, citrus, herbaceous nose; mid acids; mid-body; balanced; semi-long crisp citrus finish. 16/90.
• $22 Central Coast, Calif., 2022 Opolo Viognier. Light-mid gold, viscous (13.9); melon, citrus, almond nose; low-mid acids; mid-body; easy-drinking semi-fat (residual sugar?) melon finish. 15/88.

RED

• Napa ($12 markdown Costco) 2022 Acclaimed Red Wine. Mid garnet, rim variation, viscous (14.5 alc.); berries, herbaceous; red fruit, prune nose; low-mid acids, tannins; round, fruity, easy-drinking red blend. 15/88.
• $15 (grocery store) Sonoma, Calif. 2021 Kendall-Jackson Merlot Vintner’s Reserve. Mid-dark garnet, rim variation, viscous (14.5 alc.); herbaceous, cedar, red fruit nose; low-mid acids; mid tannins; balanced; good flavors; semi-hot red fruit finish. 16/90.
• $16 Oregon 2021 Erath Pinot Noir Oregon. Light ruby, rim variation, low viscosity (13.0 alc.); red fruit, cherries, stemmy nose; low acids/tannins; decent flavor; easy sipping red fruit finish. w/appetizers, party wine. 15/88.
• $18 (grocery store) Calif. Red 2022 Ferrari-Carano Siena. Sangiovese, Malbec, Petite Sirah, CabSauv blend. Mid-dark garnet, viscous (14.8 alc.); berries, ripe grapes, peppery red fruit nose; mid+acids, tannins; slightly hot berry finish. BBQ, pizza, burger wine. 16/90.
  

  Ferrari-Carano Siena

• $18 (grocery store) Sonoma, Alexander Valley, 2021 Frei Brothers Cabernet Sauvignon. Mid-dark purple, viscous (14.2 alc.); herbaceous, ripe grape, berries, cassis, red fruit nose; mid acids, tannins; good balanced, slightly hot berry finish. 16/90.
• $18 (grocery store) Coonawarra, Australia, 2021 Penley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Phoenix. Dark purple, viscous (14.5 alc.); ripe grape, berries, prunes, jam nose; low-mid acids; mid tannins; found, semi-fat, grapey finish. Burger, pizza, pasta wine. 15/88.
• $18 (Costco) Paso Robles, Calif., 2021 Daou Vineyards The Pessimist. Dark purple, viscous (14.9 alc.); peppery (76% Petite Sirah), ripe grape, wood nose (10 months 50% new French oak); mid acids; mid+ tannins; decent fruit; long semi-chewy slightly hot finish. 15.5/89.
• $19 (Costco) 2022 Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel Sonoma County. Light-mid garnet, viscous (15.0 alc.); red fruit, berries, brambles, jam nose; low-mid acids; mid-tannins; mid-depth; semi-long, slightly hot berry finish. Appetizer, burger, pizza wine. 15/88.
• $19 (Costco) Spanish red 2020 Torres Ribera del Duero Céleste Crianza Pago del Cielo. Mid garnet, rim variation, viscous (14.0 alc.), not sharp; rip grape, plum, leather, red fruit nose; mid acids; mid-full tannins; good depth; long semi-hot chewy red fruit finish. 16/90.
• Sonoma, Calif., 2021 Gundlach Bundschu Pinot Noir “Gun Bun” ($21). Light-mid ruby, rim variation, viscous (14.2 alc.); red fruit, cherries, smoke, light stemmy nose; low acids; low-mid tannins; mid-depth; good Pinot flavors and finish. Party and appetizer wine. 15.5/89.
• BBQ and burger wine $23 Paso Robles, Calif., 2021 The Hess Collection Cabernet Sauvignon Maverick Ranches. Mid-dark garnet, viscous (13.5 alc.); ripe grape, berries, herbaceous, mint nose; mid acids; mid tannins, softening; easy drinking semi-long Cabernet finish. 16/90.
• Easy sipping $23 Oregon Pinot Noir 2022 Elk Cove Vineyards Willamette Valley. Mid ruby, rim variation, viscous (13.5 alc.); cherries, red fruit, light smokey nose; low-mid acids, tannins; balanced; mid-depth; semi-short red fruit finish. 15.5/89.
• $23 Mendoza, Arg., 2020 El Enemigo Malbec. Mid-garnet, rim variation, viscous (13.5 alc.); ripe grape, herbaceous, red fruit nose; mid acids, tannins; balanced; good Cab fruit, semi-short berry finish. 15.5/89.
• Tasty $25 rib, pizza, pasta wine Lodi, Calif. 2022 St. Amant Winery Alicante Bouschet Mohr-Fry Ranch. Mid-dark garnet, viscous (12.8 alc.); berries, mint, peppery ripe grape nose; mid+ acids; mid-full tannins; semi-long chewy finish. 16/90.