VinoDuo is Lisa & Gary. Engaged in Sonoma. Honeymooned in Napa. Vacationed in
Temecula (CA), Woodinville (WA), and other off the beaten path wine regions. We’ve married our love of wine with our passion for travel, visiting lesser-known wine regions throughout the United
States. We’ve got strong opinions about the pros and cons of each wine region and this is our forum for airing and sharing them.
Good 'n Cheap Good 'n Pricey
We keep a running tab (no pun intended) of wine we've tasted on our
travels or discovered at the local wine shop. Some of it's pricey but
much of it is under $20. A great place to find new wine is the Boston
Wine Expo, where we regularly uncover hidden gems from world-wide wine
regions as well as lesser-known U.S. spots.
Updated May 30, 2008— Newest Ones Listed First. Prices were accurate at time of tasting/purchase.
The Cheap Stuff: $20 and Under
Whites
Sauvignon Blanc (and SB-cousins)
Reds
Pinot Noir
Worth the Price: $20+
Whites
Chardonnay
Reds
Pinot Noir
Updated May 30, 2008— Newest Ones Listed First. Prices were accurate at time of tasting/purchase.
The Cheap Stuff: $20 and Under
Whites
Sauvignon Blanc (and SB-cousins)
- Ca ’Rugate Soave San Michele 2006 ($13.99)
- Graziano Sauvignon Blanc Mendocino 2006 ($16.99)
- Hanna Winery Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley 2006 ($17)
- Stevens Winery Yakima Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2005 ($15)
- Crossroads Sauvignon Blanc 2006 (New Zealand) ($15)
- Araucano Sauvignon Blanc 2004 ($9.99)
- Babich, Sauvignon Blanc, Reserve 2004 ($12)
- Honig, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley 2004 ($16)
- Chateau Payral, Sauvignon Blanc, Bergerac Sec 2004 ($12)
- Nieto Chardonnay Mendoza, 2007 ($10.99)
- In Situ Chardonnay, Winemakers Selection, Aconagua, Chile 2005 ($15)
- In Situ Chardonnay, Rio Alto Reserve, Aconcagua, Chile 2005 ($10)
- Facelli Chardonnay, Woodinville, WA 2004 ($15.99)
- Silver Lake Reserve Chardonnay, Woodinville, WA 2004 ($12.99)
- Blue Monkey, Chardonnay 2002 ($9.99)
- Mount Eden, Chardonnay, Wolff Vineyard 2002 ($17)
- Yalumba, Chardonnay, Y Series, Unwooded Chard 2004 ($10.99)
- La Noble Chardonnay, Vin de Pays d'Oc, 2004 ($9.00)
- Priam Vineyards Salmon River White , CT ($15.50)
- Sauvignon Blanc/Riesling/Pinot Gris Pinot Blanc, Brander, "Cuvee Natalie," Santa Ynez Valley, California 2005 ($18)
- Sauvignon Blanc/Pinot Gris,) Vision Cellars, California 2005 ($18)
- Alamos Torrontes (Mendoza) 2006 ($10.99)
- Richter Riesling QbA (Germany) 2006 ($13.99)
- Newport Vineyards Riesling, 2006 ($12)
- Montecillo Blanco Rioja 2004 ($5.99)
- Cotes de Saint Mont, Les Vignes Retrouvees 2004 ($11.00)
- Alamos, Viognier, Mendoza Valley 2004 ($14.99)
- MacMurray, Pinot Gris 2003 ($15.99)
Reds
Pinot Noir
- Castle Rock, Pinot Noir, Mendocino County 2003 ($12)
- Les Salices, Pinot Noir, Lurton France 2003 ($9.99)
- Hardy's Shiraz, Barossa Valley ($18)
- Torbreck Woodcutters Shiraz 2004 (Barossa Valley) ($18.99)
- Yalumba Y Series Shiraz, Barossa Valley 2001 ($9.99)
- Long Point Winery Zinfandel, New York 2004 ($14.99)
- Pedroncelli Zinfandel Rose 2006 ($10)
- Pedroncelli, Mother Clone Zinfandel 2004 ($14)
- Christian Lazo Wines 2004 Zin ($19)
- Four Vines Old Vine Cuvee Zin 2003 ( $8.99)
- Caparone Cabernet Sauvignon Santa Maria Valley, 2002 ($13)
- Genesis by Hogue, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2004 ($15)
- Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon, 2004 ($14)
- In Situ Cabernet Sauvignon, Grand Reserve, Chile 2005 ($20)
- Facelli Cabernet Sauvignon, Woodinville, WA 2001 ($17.99)
- Montes, Cabernet Sauvignon, Alpha 2003/04 ($16.99)
- Excelsior, Cabernet Sauvignon(South Africa) 2004 (7.99)
- Cabernet/Carmenere/Cabernet Franc, Vina Maquis Calcu, Col chagua, Chile 2005 ($12)
- Hahn, Meritage 2003 ($11.99)
- Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre, Cotes-du-Rhone, Domaine Montirius, Rhone Valley, France 2005 ($14)
- Cantine Cipressi Montepulciano, Mekan Molise Rosso DOC Montepulciano del Molise, Italy 2004 ($15)
- Cantine Cipressi Tintilia, Macchiarossa Tintilia del Molise DOC, Italy 2004 ($20)
- Masi, Campofiorin 2001 ($16.99)
- Bodegas Tikalo Blend, Alba Liza 2004 ($11)
- Molissimo Blend, Terre Degli Osci IGT 2003 ($8.98)
- Shotfire Ridge, Blend, Australian Barossa 2003 ($19.99)
- Millhade Chateau Sergant Lelande De Pomerol, France 2003 ($20)
- Santa Julia Fuzion Tempranillo-Malbec Mendoza 2007 ($15)
- Flaio Primitovo Salento 2006 ($7.99)
- Castello Monaci, Primitivo ($13.99)
- Bucciarelli Chianti Classico 2003 ($17.99)
- Seco-Bertani Valpolicella Valpinetone Ripasso 2004 ($15 - $20)
- Kaiken Malbec Reserve 2004 ($12 - $15)
- Feudi di San Gregorio, Rubrato Aglianico 2004 ($19)
- Facelli Cabernet Franc, Woodinville, WA 2001 ($14.99)
- In Situ Carmenere, Rio Alto Winemakers Selection, Aconcagua, Chile 2005 ($10)
- 1865, Carmenere Reserve (Chile) 2003 ($20)
- Alamos, Malbec, Mendoza Valley 2004 ($7.99)
- Foppiano, Petite Syrah, Bacigalupi Vineyard 2003 ($18)
- Chigi Saracini Sangiovese, Villa Chigi Chianti DOCG, Italy 2005 ($10)
- Las Perdices, Reserva Don Juan, Mendoza, Argentina 2004 ($20)
- Domain De Couron, St. Marcel of Ardeche, France 2005 ($11)
Worth the Price: $20+
Whites
Chardonnay
- Merryvale Starmont Chardonnay 2005 ($23.99)
- Williamson Wines – Chardonnay, Estate 2004 ($28)
- Mark Ryan Chardonnay, Woodinville, WA 2005 ($35)
- Matanzas Creek Sonoma Valley Chardonnay 2004 ($29)
- Seabiscuit Ranch Chardonnay 2002 ($39)
- Waters Crest Chardonnay Private Reserve 2005 ($25)
- Lolonis Eugenia Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc, 2002 $31.99
- Virtu, (SB & Semillon) St. Supery 2006 ($28)
- Treana Vineyards White (Marsanne & Viognier) Central Coast 2001 ($25)
- Deloach, Gewürztraminer, Late Harvest (Estate) 2000 ($22.99)
Reds
Pinot Noir
- Chateau Bianca Pinot Noir Oregon 2004 ($22)
- Felton Road Central Otago Pinot Noir 2006 ($45)
- Balletto, Pinot Noir 2006 ($24)
- Pedroncelli, Olivet Lane Estate 2005 ($30)
- Farallon Vineyards, Pinot Noir, Central Coast 2003
- Rockburn Pinot Noir, Central Otago, New Zealand 2003 ($35)
- Ovene Winery 2004 "The Puzzle" Pinot Noir ($30)
- Fess Parker, Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County 2001 ($45)
- King Estate, Oregon Pinot Noir 2001 ($50)
- Lucas & Lewellen, Pinot Noir 2003 ($26)
- MacMurray Rancy, Russian River Pinot Noir 2003 ($34.99)
- Montinore, Pinot Noir, Winemakers Reserve 2003 ($39)
- MacRostie Estate Pinot Noir 2004 ($30)
- Jonathan Edward Napa Valley Syrah 2003, CT ($27)
- Mollydooker Shiraz "The Boxer" 2006 ($23)
- Kaesler “The Bogan” Shiraz 2005 ($60)
- Ferngrove Shiraz, Frankland River Dragon Shiraz, Barossa Valley ($25)
- Barossa Valley Estate, Shiraz 2002 ($32.99)
- Small Gully Wines, Shiraz, Barossa Valley 2001 ($29.99)
- Black Oak, Shiraz, 2002
- Casa Lapostolle Syrah, Cuvee Alexander, Chile 2004 ($23)
- Adelaida Syrah Glenrose Vineyard Reserve 2003 ($55)
- Edmeades Mendocino Zinfandel 2005 ($22)
- Mauritson, Jack’s Cabin – Rockpile 2005 ($35)
- Wilson Winery Zinfandel, Sawyer Vineyard 2005 ($32)
- Wilson Winery Zinfandel, Tori Vineyard, 2005 ($32)
- Pellegrini Zinfandel, Russian River 2005 ($24)
- Chumeia Vineyards 2004 Zin ($25)
- Deloach, Zinfandel, Russian River Old Vine 2001 ($29.99)
- Van Ruiten Vineyards, Zinfandel, Old Vine 2000
- Michael David Winery, Zinfandel, Seven Deadly Zins 2002
- Michael David Winery, Zinfandel, Earthquake Zinfandel
- Montevina, Zinfandel, SHR Field Blend 1999 ($22)
- Alexander Valley, Zinfandel, Sin Zin 2003 (now $85!)
- Opolo, Zinfandel, Reserve 2004 ($30)
- Peachy Canyon 2004 Mustang Springs Zin ($30)
- Bell Cabernet Sauvignon Napa, 2003 ($44.99)
- Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 ($30)
- Pellegrini Cabernet Sauvignon, Cloverdale Ranch 2004 ($24)
- Mauritson – Sonoma County 2004 ($31)
- Wilson Winery, Reserve (1996) ($32)
- Williamson, Amitie 2004 ($57)
- Parcela #7, Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve 2003 ($20)
- Burgess, Cabernet Sauvignon, Library Cabernet 1993 ($51)
- Newton Vineyards Claret, Napa Valley 2003 ($25)
- Chigi Saracini Toscano Poggiassai, Italy 2003 ($35)
- Dussek Cabernet, Woodinville, WA 2002 ($32)
- Christian Lazo Wines 2004 Barbera ($25)
- Chumeia Vineyards 2003 Barbera ($25)
- Dezzani Gli Scaglioni, Barbera D’Asti, Italy 2000 ($23.69)
- Priam Vineyards Salmon River Red PV, CT ($32)
- Monte Xanic Cabernet-Merlot (Baja California, MX) 2004 ($23)
- Yorkville Cellars Richard the Lion-Heart Mendocino County 2003 ($33)
- Dos Cabezas El Norte 2005 ($33)
- Laurona Monstant (Spain) 2003 ($29.99)
- Williamson Cuvee, Menage 2003 ($42)
- Williamson Meritage, Rouge Amoureaux 2004 ($47)
- Slide Ridge Claret, Woodinville, WA ($26)
- AJB 2000 Super Tuscan Blend ($22)
- Undurraga, Blend, Founders Collection 2002 ($35)
- Alessandro Speri, Prodigo, Malbec Mendoza 2004 ($23)
- Kaiken, Malbec (Ultra) Reserve 2005 ($22)
- Allegrini Palazzo della Torre (Veneto) 2004 ($22.99)
- Fratta Pasini Amarone della Valpolicella 2003 ($54.99)
- Comm. GB Burlotto, Barolo 2000 ($57.84)
- Chumeia Vineyards 2002 Cab Franc ($39.99)
- Kennedy Shah Merlot, Woodinville, WA 2000 ($28)
I'm thinking this is a good and cheap...
Dining for the first time at Oleana in Cambridge, the wine steward recommended an Austrian red (huh?).
05 Austrian Blend, Heidi Schrock
Reid Vogelsang
Rust, Austria
We were blown away. It was so incredibly floral for a pretty weighty red, it was amazing, perfect with middle eastern food. And at $45 restaurant prices, I'm guessing it'd be under $20 if I could ever find it on the shelf.
I know Lisa loves Oleana, gives you an excuse to go!
Reply to this
Thanks for the tip, Jenny. I do love Oleana (a great Mediterranean restaurant in Cambridge, MA) and will check out the Austrian red...which does seem like an oxymoron.
Reply to this
The wine couple in the Wall Street Journal today aso discussed an Austrian red...Kapazunder Cuvee 2003 from Johann Schneeberger, made in part from the Blauer Wildbacher grape. Maybe Austrian reds have a good publicist!
Reply to this
In the summertime I like to explore the "Rose" category. Not as fruity as a white and with less body than a red. Do you have any recommendations for Roses.
Reply to this
Your email is well-timed, Raul. We just cracked open a terrific rosé we bought at the Pedroncelli winery in Sonoma County. It's their Zinfandel Rosé, Dry Creek Valley 2006. Pedroncelli specializes in Zin and this Rosé is in the off-dry style. Crisp, lightly fruity and great with grilled chicken, fish, or pasta.
We also recommend the Waters Crest Vineyard (Long Island) Rosé table wine.
Another VinoDuo reader left a comment about the 2005 A to Z Oregon Rose (made entirely with Sangiovese grapes) for $14.99.
Hope one of these three tickles your fancy.
Reply to this
I just wanted to throw in my 2 cents here. Being from Portland, Oregon where Pinot Noir is King, there are numerous small producers that are available almost entirely via mailing list.
If you haven't heard of Peter Rosback and Sineann wines please by all means pull up their site: www.sineann.com
Peter was is an engineer turned winemaker. He has a tremendous "cult" following and his flagship wine is an Old Vine Zinfandel from Oregon. Trust me when I say that "The Pines" Old Vine Zinfandel is as good as anything (including Martinelli) on the market.
Peter also produces numerous single vineyard Pinot Noir's and an assortment of wine with grapes sourced from the Columbia Valley. One more note, he is producing a "house" Pinot Noir for Thomas Keller at the French Laundry as well (serious sh**).
Some other producers you might look for are:
Patricia Green Cellars
Et Fille
Bergstrom
Carlton Winemakers Studio
Do a web search on any of these and you will not be sorry.
Reply to this