Top rated wines all under $20

Jul 03 2008

Duck Pond Pinot Noir (Oregon, 2006)

Category: Pinot NoirMike and Eddie @ 8:52 am
This is a Pinot Noir from Oregon.  I was excited when I saw this wine in Fresh & Easy because I had the 2004 and 2005 vintage about a year ago.  While I would recommend the 2004 vintage over this based on taste alone; you cannot pass this one up because of the price.  Pick this bottle of Oregon Pinot up and give it a try.
$10 from Fresh & Easy
Three Trophies
  • Some strawberry and floral aromas.
  • Quite dry and tannic.
  • The taste was a bit earthy with hints of fresh cut wood.
  • Minor taste of nutmeg at the finish.
  • Very good Pinot for the price…Much like like picking up a filet mignon that has been marked down at half price.  It just seems to taste so much better because you know the price you paid.
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Jun 22 2008

Primarius Pinot Noir (Oregon, 2006)

Category: Pinot NoirMike and Eddie @ 10:00 am
No Bottle Image Available This is a Pinot Noir from Fresh & Easy. The bottle states that this is an an Oregon Pinot, but it was actually bottled by a winery in Washington.
$12 from Fresh & Easy
Three and a Half Trophies
  • Very transparent and light in color.
  • Earthy aromas.
  • Very good mouth feel, silky on the tongue.
  • A hint of blackberries.
  • Black cherry tastes with a short finish.
  • This wine is the NBA in the late 90’s… it has a lot of redeeming qualities (M.J. is still in the league after all). It is still worth your time… but really it’s too watered down with not enough going on… it could have been much better if it were more focused.
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May 15 2008

Baron Philippe de Rothschild Pinot Noir (France, 2006)

Category: Pinot NoirMike @ 8:02 pm
Baron Philippe de Rothschild Pinot Noir (France, 2006) This wine is a Pinot Noir from France. My wife Vanessa picked up this bottle of wine and we enjoyed it with some fantastic stuffed Peppers and Chiles with Mozzarella. We always enjoy a good Pinot Noir and this wine was pretty decent for the price of $9.
$9 from Sprouts
Three and a Half Trophies
  • Aromas of cherry and flowers
  • Simple, smooth and drinkable.
  • Strawberry flavors.
  • Refreshing mineral finish.
  • This wine has many simple characteristics, is easy drinking and rather refreshing… but, like that hard to get to know friend of yours, it does have something more to offer if you take the time to get to know it.
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Apr 12 2008

The Sonoma Trail Pinot Noir (California, 2006)

Category: Pinot NoirEddie and Mike @ 10:57 am
No Bottle Image Available This is a Pinot Noir from Sonoma California.
$10 from Fresh & Easy
Four Trophies
  • Hints of bright raspberry in the aroma.
  • The smell is very inviting, this wine can be easily be enjoyed on it’s own.
  • Immediately this wine is light and fresh yet full of flavor.
  • Strong smooth finish.
  • A very solid Pinot for the price. Pick it up if you see it.
  • This wine is like a surprise visit from an old friend. It’s comfortable and familiar, but you always learn something new every time.
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Mar 13 2008

Gray Monk Pinot Noir (British Columbia, 2006)

Category: Pinot NoirMike, Eddie and Mike @ 7:24 am
Gray Monk Pino Noir 2006 This is a Pinot Noir from the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia. Gray Monk Estate Winery is the oldest family owned and operated winery in British Columbia. This is a wine that we enjoyed very much and fully recommending you pick up a bottle if you can find it…..If you live in America then chances are you will not be able to get this bottle unless you take a trip up north….and if you do…let me know because i will want you to bring back a bottle or two for me.
$20 CAD from British Columbia Liquor
Four Trophies
  • Aromas of berries fresh oats and a touch of vanilla.
  • Earthy flavors with moderate tannins.
  • Tastes of honey on the finish.
  • Dry, smooth and velvety.
  • Flavors of green apples
  • This wine is like the librarian…..Her hair is up, she has glasses, and is very scholarly looking……but don’t let that fool you because when she lets her hair down you know she is all women.
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Mar 09 2008

Blue Grouse Pinot Noir (British Columbia, 2003)

Category: Pinot NoirMike and Eddie @ 10:16 am
Blue Grouse 2003 This is a Pinot Noir from Vancouver Island. I first tried this wine at Haro’s Restaurant in the Sidney Pier Hotel on Vancouver Island. I enjoyed it so much that I brought a bottle home to enjoy again.
$20 CAD from British Columbia Liquor
Four Trophies
  • Aromas of fruit with a slight touch of mint
  • Nutmeg, and anise were also detected on the nose
  • Very smooth with soft tannins.
  • Slightly sweet off the start
  • Very dry finish
  • Subtle cherry flavor mixed with oak and earth
  • A great wine with an incredible bouquet that is very different from the taste….much like a girl in your class that you do not really know outside of class; but once you do get to know her you find that she is very different from your original conceptions. That is not a bad thing…just and unexpected twist.
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Feb 21 2008

Le Grand Pinot Noir (France, 2006)

Category: Pinot NoirMike and Eddie @ 6:55 am
Le Grand Pinot Noir A Pinot Noir from the hills of Limoux in Southern France. I found this wine at Cost Plus World Market while searching for a new Pinot and was excited to find this bottle at such a great price.
$10 Purchased from Cost Plus World Market
Three and a Half Trophies
  • Spicy aromas with cherries, slightly peppery.
  • Very smooth and somewhat light.
  • Not complicated or elaborate.
  • Simple yet enjoyable…this wine is fine if you want to just sit down and have something to drink after work that tastes good but you don’t have to think about it too much.
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Feb 08 2008

Redwood Creek Pinot Noir (France, 2006)

Category: Pinot NoirMike and Eddie @ 6:56 am
Redwood Creek Pinot Noir This is a Pinor Noir from France. It is imported and bottled by Frei Brothers Vineyards in Modesto California.
$6 Purchased from Fresh and Easy.
One and a Half Trophies
  • Woody aroma with a hint of pepper.
  • Light flavors with not a lot going on.
  • Watered down with a really short finish.
  • Very thin and light…not much fun at all…sort of like spending your day off cleaning your house.
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Feb 06 2008

Castle Rock Pinot Noir (Oregon 2006)

Category: Pinot NoirMike and Eddie @ 6:54 am
Castle Rock Pinot Noir This is a Pinot Noir from Oregon. Actually the grapes are from the Williamette Valley in Oregon but the wine was bottled and cellared in Sonoma County California.
$11 Purchased from Fresh and Easy.
Three Trophies
  • Strong apple aroma.
  • flavors of candied fruit.
  • Sweet at first but mellows out at the end.
  • Very good wine for the price.
  • It’s a wine that is easy to drink and much like watching your kids play. They are innocent, sweet and open to new experiences. We suggest that you open you mind and try this wine.
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Jan 25 2008

Erath Pinot Noir (Oregon, 2006)

Category: Pinot NoirMike and Eddie @ 7:44 am

erath.jpg
This is a Pinot Noir from Dundee Hills in Oregon. Oregon is known for producing great Pinots but they can be a little expensive. This one is very good but will not break your bank account. The only real drawback is that it has a screw cap instead of a cork. If you can get past that then you should try this wine. It is very worth it.
$13 Purchased at Costco (typically $19)
Four Trophies
  • Cherries with the slightest hint of bubble gum in the Aroma.
  • Texture is very smooth especially after decanting.
  • Very light and dry.
  • Not too complex.
  • This pinot is very good for the price. It is versitle in the sense that it would be great with anything from pizza to turkey. Kinda like the your jack-of-all-trades best friend you have that you call when you need your oil changed, drywall hung, carpet installed, or just someone to come over and watch the game with. You never really get sick of him being around and he is always a fun.
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