Top rated wines all under $20

Jul 16 2008

Torres Coronas Tempranillo (Spain, 2004)

Category: TempranilloMike and Eddie @ 8:27 am
No Bottle Image Available This is a tempranillo from Spain. This was another of our 4th of July wines that we had that day.
$10 from Fresh and Easy
Four Trophies
  • Aromas of leather with a hint of peppermint behind it
  • Earthy and woody in the initial taste
  • A lot of tannins, even after decanting for 1 hour.
  • Hearty and robust - would be great with a steak.
  • A very intensely masculine wine would be akin to fighting a bull….or running with them…neither is one you would want to do on our own. So to is this wine…it must be paired with a rich and hearty meal in order to be fully enjoyed.
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May 06 2008

Boarding Pass (Australia, 2005)

Category: ShirazMike and Eddie @ 9:30 am
Boarding Pass (Australia, 2005) This wine is a Shiraz from South Australia.
$15 from Costco
Four Trophies
  • Smells like green apple.
  • Very rich and creamy mouth feel.
  • Full bodied.
  • Peppery and bold with a great finish.
  • Looking at the label we did not expect much from this wine. It was kinda like going out on Halloween and expecting those little bite size candies that you usually get……but…every once in a while you run into that house that that gives you the full size candy bar….now that is exciting!!
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Apr 25 2008

La Vendimia Rioja (Spain, 2006)

Category: BlendMike and Eddie @ 2:07 pm
La Vendimia Rioja This wine is a Rioja from Spain and is a blend of Garnacha and Tempranillo.
$16 from Dish in Scottsdale
Four Trophies
  • Smells like flowers.
  • Sweet off the start but ends up being very well balanced.
  • Great for lighter dishes, wouldn’t hold up well to steak or pasta.
  • Smooth and flavorful, not overpowering.
  • Light, happy, and enjoyable all on its own…like taking a nap on a hammock in your backyard it is easy to do and so refreshing.
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Apr 16 2008

Legaris Crianza Tempranillo (Spain 2003)

Category: TempranilloMike and Eddie @ 6:38 am
Legaris 2003 This wine is a Tempranillo from the Ribera del Duero region of Spain. Tempranillo in this region is known as Tinta Fina. This wine has already aged for 5 years and will age very nicely for another 5.
$12 from Costco
Four Trophies
  • Aromas of chocolate, wood and ripe berries.
  • Flavors of plumb, chocolate and vanilla in the finish.
  • Abundant flavors with soft tannins.
  • Very smooth and wonderfully complex.
  • This is a thoroughly enjoyable bottle of wine that is fantastic to open now. We would love to have another bottle of this to keep for an additional 5 years to see how it matures. Complex and vibrant, just like your favorite charismatic Hollywood actress - except that this wine really is complex and vibrant, it’s not just putting on a show.
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Apr 14 2008

Joe Blow Red (California, 2005)

Category: BlendMike and Eddie @ 6:48 am
Joe Blow Red (California, 2005) When we first looked at this bottle with it’s funky label we did not have high expectations. We have been disappointed in the past with trendy looking labels. This bottle did not just surpass our expectations….it smashed our expectations. This is a bottle that you must pick up when you get the chance. The price is right and the complexity is so much fun.
$9 from Sprouts
Four Trophies
  • Strong aromas of fresh, and crisp red berries
  • Slight scent of dark moist soil
  • Not very sweet, but has a nice balance of fruit and earthiness
  • Felt soft and velvety in the mouth
  • Flavors of strawberry and caramel with a hint of vanilla on the tip of the tongue
  • Like meeting someone that just rubs you the wrong way at first but then after a while you find that you misjudged them and they have actually become a good friend that you would not trade for the world.
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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 23 2008

Columbia Crest Two Vines Cabernet Sauvignon (Washington, 2004)

Category: CabernetMike and Eddie @ 8:31 am
Columbia Crest This wine is a Cabernet from the Columbia Valley in Washington. I picked this up at Fresh and Easy but I have had it before. It can be found in Fry’s and Basha’s but the price at Fresh and Easy was the cheapest I have seen. The Two Vines line from Columbia Crest has produced many “Best Buy” and “Best Value” designations from wine aficionados.
$6.00 Purchased at Fresh and Easy
Four Trophies
  • Strong aromas of fruit that is dominated by Black Cherry
  • Nice balance between sweet and dry with moderate tannins
  • Cherry and oak flavors right away and a hint of cocoa on the finish
  • Full bodied and robust
  • A little sharp on the tongue at first but decanting led to a very soft and velvety feeling in the mouth
  • A wonderful and enjoyable wine for the price….Like eating a burger from a charcoal grill…it is still just a burger but that charcoal grill makes it taste like so much more.
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Feb 11 2008

75 Wine Company Amber Knolls Cabernet Sauvignon (California, 2005)

Category: CabernetMike and Eddie @ 6:42 am
75 Wine Company Cabernet This is a Cabernet from the Amber Knolls Vinyard of the 75 Wine Company in Lake County California. I enjoyed a glass of this Cab at the Brushfire Grill in Gilbert AZ with my BBQ Chicken. They are serving it for around $10 a glass so you would be able to pick up a bottle elsewhere for around $20.
$20
Four Trophies
  • Dark deep purple hues.
  • Aromas of spice and earth.
  • Tastes of minerals and oak with a mild berry finish.
  • Moderate tannins and dry.
  • Goes great with foods like BBQ and steak.
  • This wine is like a classic song that you just don’t get tired of.  Every time you listen you hear something new and you find that even after many years you can still appreciate it.
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