Ok procrastinators (like me)! You have maybe have 24 hours left to get some wine for gifts, Christmas dinners, parties or receptions. In this column, the last of a three part series, I recommend many budget friendly wines that would be ideal for any of these purposes.
Let’s begin with Malbec from Argentina. Trapiche is one of Argentina’s largest and oldest (129 years) producers. Yet, they generate quality at every price level. These two are fine everyday values. The 2016 Medalla ($25) – tasty and firm berry and currant – and the 2017 Broquel ($15) – soft, fresh, friendly – are good examples of why Argentinian Malbec is so popular with consumers.
For a variation on the theme, look to Chile and Carmenère. A good place to start is with the 2017 Marques Casa Concha ($25). A product of Concha y Toro, Chile’s largest wine company, it is sourced from two historic vineyards, Puente Alto and Pirque, both located in the Maipo region. It is pleasantly earthy and herbal, with berry and pepper, finishing with solid tannins.
One of my favorite sources of good value wines is Portugal. And the wines from Symington Family Estates, whether the famous Ports or the table wines that are growing in reputation. For instance, the 2017 Vale do Bomfim ($13) is a “go to” value wine for me. Made with fruit from vineyards that supply the Port producer Dow’s, its fruit suggest dark plum with that followed by peppery and stony notes. It drinks rather firm and full.
Speaking of Port, it is something I really crave this time of year. A good place to get introduced to this sweet, high alcohol, intensely flavorful dessert wine is with Graham’s “Six Grapes” Reserve Port ($25). For a few dollars more, you can enjoy a Dow’s “10 Year Old Tawny” Porto ($37). Aged in wood for an average of ten years, it is delightfully mellow with succulent fig and plum, with a little bitter almond.
Just because we are in the middle of the cooler seasons, doesn’t mean you should forget about Rosé. And where better to look than France and Provence. The 2018 La Bernarde (Les Hauts du Luc) Cotes de Provence ($20) is a blend of 40 percent cinsault, 40 percent grenache and 20 percent rolle (a white grape). Made with organic grapes, it offers interesting stone and melon aromas, with an herbal touch. The palate is fresh with citrus and strawberry.
Rosé has become so popular over the last couple of years, it seems like every wine region is getting into the act. Like South Africa with the 2018 Backsberg Pinotage Rosé ($13). From a winery with a 100 year winemaking history, expectedly it opens with appealing raspberry and citrus followed by a palate of tangy, juicy red berries, and finishes with a bit of spice.
And let’s not forget white wine. From Germany and the highly regarded Mosel producer Nik Weis, the 2018 St. Urbans-Hof Ockfener Bockstein Kabinett ($22) is a fine value. It offers floral aromas with a steely quality to its dominant lime fruit and drinks crisp and refreshing.
For more affordable, dry white wines, I found two nice options from neighboring France, specifically Bordeaux. From Clarence Dillon Wines, the owners of the famed Château Haut-Brion and importer other many other well-regarded Bordeaux château, the 2018 Clarendelle Blanc ($19) is a fine place to start. With 42 percent semillon, 30 percent sauvignon, and 28 percent muscadelle, the wine is marked by lemon, lime, and herbs.
The 2017 Légende Blanc ($18) also comes from premier Bordeaux pedigree, in this case the Domaines Barons de Rothschild of Château Lafite. This one is 50 percent sauvignon and 30 percent semillon from the sub-appellation Entre-deux-Mers. It is brisk with apple, citrus, and tropical fruit.
And now for some affordable red Bordeaux – yes, there is such a thing. Actually here are three really good values.
2015 Légende ($50). With 70 percent cabernet sauvignon and 30 percent merlot from the commune of Pauillac, the winemaking team at Lafite has produced a wine of classic blackberry and currant with cedar notes and hints of olive and tobacco. It drinks nicely rounded but finishes with lively tension.
2015 Château Cap Leon Veyrin ($18). From Listrac, this Cru Bourgeois is composed of 55 percent merlot, 40 percent cabernet sauvignon, and 5 percent petit verdot. Its nice black fruit is delivered with a sense of density and is accented with hints of toastiness. It finishes with solid tannins suggesting it would benefit from a few years of development.
2016 Château Laffitte Carcasset ($23). Also a Cru Bourgeois, this one from from Saint-Estèphe is, to my palate, the best of these three. Bursting with plum and currant fruit, wrapped in nicely integrated cedar/oak, there is a sense of richness, while the fruit is structured with fresh tannins. It is 47 percent cabernet sauvignon, 40 percent merlot, 7 percent cabernet franc and 6 percent press wine.
Finally, from Australia three really good wines from Two Hands, all 2018 vintage and $33, are ideal either for gifts or for drinking yourself.
- “Sexy Beast” Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale offers interesting pencil shavings and mint aromas, followed by flavors of black currant and licorice. It is focused, with silky texture.
- “Angel’s Share” Shiraz McLaren Vale presents vibrant cherry and raspberry, with crisp, fine grained tannin and finishes with spice notes.
- “Gnarly Dudes” Shiraz Barossa Valley is bold and energetic with juicy berries, with a touch of licorice, black pepper and meaty notes.