Red, White and Rosé Wine Values

The hunt for values in summer sipping wines continues and with some success. The following finds from the past two months have good flavors and quality for the money, at prices from $16 to $25. Each scored well in tastings and when served with a wide range of warm-weather snacks, appetizers, picnic, and other casual fare. Enjoy!

RED FINDS

• Value San Luis Obispo, Calif., $16 (Costco) six-grape red blend 2021 Booker Vineyard Harvey and Harriet. Mid garnet, viscous (14.1 alc.); berry, mint, peppery, jam nose; low-mid acids; softening tannins; semi-long, easy-drinking red fruit finish. Picnic, BBQ, party wine. 15.5/89.
• $20 value (Costco) Calif. 2021 Chamisal Vineyards Pinot Noir San Luis Obispo County. Light-mid ruby, rim variation, viscous (13.0 alc); red fruit, cherries, smokey nose; low-mid acids, tannins; balanced; good Pinot fruit for the price; nice red fruit finish. 15.5/89.
  

  Chamisal 2021 Pinot Noir

• $22 Napa red blend 2021 Jax Vineyards Y3 TAUREAU. Mid-dark garnet, viscous (14.9 alc.); ripe grape, raisin, blackberry nose; mid acids; mid-full tannins but not hard; big round semi-hot fruity finish. w/BBQ. 16/90.
• Tasty Central Otago, NZ, 2021 Loveblock Vintners Ltd Pinot Noir ($25 Costco). Mid-ruby, rim variation, light viscosity (13.0 alc.); red fruit, cherries, bright fruit, distinct Pinot nose; mid acids; mid+ tannins, but softening; semi-long cherry, Pinot finish. w/picnic fare. 16.5/91.
• Good value $25 (Costco) Calif. Cabernet Sauvignon, 2022 Roots Run Deep Educated Guess Reserve Oakville. Mid garnet, rim variation, viscous (15.0 alc.); herbaceous, ripe grape, prunes, black fruit nose; mid+ acids; mid-full tannins; full alcohol; long hot, chewy black fruit finish. w/BBQ and burgers. 16/90.

SUMMER WHITE SALE

• $16 value Calif. Chardonnay 2022 Chamisal Vineyards Monterey County – San Luis Obispo County. Sharp mid-gold; viscous (13.5 alc.); floral, tropical, peach nose; mid acids/body; round, semi-lush peachy finish. Picnic, party, appetizer wine. 15.5/89.
• Easy-sipping $18 Alsatian white 2021 Trimbach Pinot Blanc. Light-mid gold, viscous (13.0 alc); floral, stone fruit, apricot nose; low-mid acids; round, fruity apricot finish. Appetizer and picnic wine. 15.5/89.
• $18 value Graves Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon blend 2022 Denis Dubourdieu Liaison. Sharp, mid-green-gold; light herbaceous, lime, boxwood nose; mid acids; mid depth; easy sipping, semi-short, crisp citric finish. w/ceviche, seafood appetizers. 15.5/89.
• $19 value 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. w/shrimp kabobs.16.5/91.
• Value Calif. Chardonnay ($20 Costco) 2022 Sonoma-Cutrer Sonoma Coast. Sharp mid-dark gold, viscous (13.9 alc.); tropical, stone fruit, vanilla, lime nose; low-mid acids; round, ripe, long, semi-fat stone fruit finish. Picnic, party wine. 15.5/89.
• $20 value Pfalz, Germany, 2020 Philipp Bassler Riesling trocken. Dark gold; petrol, crushed leaves, mint nose; mid acids; mid depth (12.5% alc.); semi-long green fruit Riesling finish. w/appetizers, potstickers. 15.5/89.
• White Rhone-style blend value Tablas Creek, Patelin de Tablas 2022 Paso Robles ($22, local merchant), a blend of 49% Grenache Blanc, 22% Viognier, 10% Marsanne, 10% Vermentino, 9% from three others. Sharp mid-green gold; low viscosity (12.5 alc.). Peachy, tropical, lemon nose; mid+acids; mid-body; balanced; good depth; long round (4.2 g/l residual sugar) peachy finish. Spring and summer sipping wine. 16/90.
  

  Tablas Creek Patelin Blanc

• Value $23 Burgundy 2022 Louis Latour Mâcon-Lugny Les Genièvres. Light-mid green gold, viscous (13.0 alc.); peachy, stone fruit, melon, lime nose; mid+ acids; mid depth; softens with air; semi-long fat fruity finish. Easy sipping spring and summer wine with seafood appetizers. 15.5/89.
• $25 Pouilly-Fumé 2022 Domaine Masson-Blondelet Les Pierres de Pierre. Mid-straw, green/gold, viscous (13.0 alc.); boxwood, citrus, slate, bell pepper nose; mid+ acids; mid-plus depth; nice balance; semi-long Sauvignon Blanc finish. w/clams. 16/90.

A Rosé by Any Other Name

• Value $17 Paso Robles, Calif., 2023 San Simeon Grenache Rosé. Pale white-pink, low viscosity (13.1 alc.); strawberry, pomegranate, floral nose; mid acids; mid-depth; semi-long crisp strawberry finish. Easy-sipping spring and summer wine. 15/88.
• Easy sipping $18 summer wine 2022 Raeburn Rosé, Sonoma. Mid-copper/salmon, viscous (13.5 alc.); red fruit, strawberries, light citric nose; low-mid acids; balanced; semi-long, semi-crisp red fruit finish. 15/88.
• Tasty $20 Santa Ynez, Calif., value 2023 Dragonette Cellars Rosé. Sharp mid-salmon, viscous (13.3 alc.); red fruit, light cherry, rose petal nose; low-mid acids; mid-depth; semi-long, fruity, balanced finish. w/gazpacho, flatbreads. 16/90.