Favorite Wines Under $15?

[lavendula]

Would like to sample some new wines without breaking the bank :)

Your faves & why?

[bricap]

I found a new one for the list. This is the 2006 Etim Seleccion, from the Montsant region of Spain. They sell it at Costco for about $10. It's 60% Garnacha, 30% Carinena (Carignan), and 10% Syrah.

[volkswankin]

Just picked up a bottle of the Chateau St. Jean 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon for $9.99. I was blown away by the complexity, structure, and fruit in this wine. Superior value at less than $10.00....could easily stack up against $20 California Cabs.

[ibstatguy]

any number of roses from France, Spain; albarinos; garnachas

[whiner]

Leaving vintage aside...

Most of these wines are widely available

Red:
Borsao Tres Picos (Spain)
Dhesa Gago (Toro, Spain)
Finca Sobreno (Toro, Spain)
Morgante Nero d'Avola (Sicily, Italy)
Icardi Barbera d'Asti (Piedmont, Italy)

White:
Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc (NZ)
Mason Sauvignon Blanc (CA)
Pra Soave Classico (Veneto, Italy)
Dr. L Riesling (Mosel, Germany)
Gysler Scheurebe Halbtrocken (1L bottle, Pfalz, Germany)
Trimbach Gewurztraminer (Alsace)

Bubbles:
Mumm's Napa Blanc de Noirs ($12/bottle on sale at Safeway half the time)
Nino Franco Rustico Prosecco (Italy)
*note: there are LOTS of good Proseccos out there at the $15 range, this is just one of the more universally available ones, and one of the better ones*

[lavendula]

Looks like I've got some drinkin' to do!

[UCLA92]

Justin "The Orphan" right around $15
2004 Santa Ema Merlot Reserve $9.00
2006 Strong Arms Shiraz $9.00
2005 Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Marqués de Casa, $17. I know it is north of $15, but worth the mention

[scrappydog]

At $8.99 to $10.99 locally (SOCAL), Bitch (pardon the Australian) Grenache (from Barossa) is a good wine for the money. It is unoaked, and has pleasent but not overpowering fruit flavors. We enjoy it with some lighter grilled fare and mediterraean cuisine. A nice summer red in my opinion.

[lavendula]

Okay, I will tell you that I really enjoyed this wine last night:

Pinot Nero, Borgo Magredo, Grave, 2006 from the Friuli region of Italy. It was nice & light and even a bit sweeter than I usually like (lots of strawberry)- but it worked for me!

[lavendula]

I'm adding the Bonterra Vineyards Cab to the list - $16. Full of flavor! My guests couldn't believe how inexpensive the bottle was :)

[zin1953]

It's much easier to reply -- for me, at least -- if I know where you live. There's little point, IMHO, of recommending a wine that's totally unavailable in your area.

A little info about you, your likes & dislikes, will provide great rewards in return.

Cheers,
Jason

[lavendula]

Hey Jason,

I live in Colorado and there are a slew of wine shops in my area! I am trying to move beyond "what I know I like" which is why I kept the post so open ended...I want to try something I haven't heard of, something new & different to me that will open my eyes, nose, taste buds and mind! And, I can go nuts b/c I'm keeping the price low!

Gimmie all you got!!

[bubbles4me]

Without a doubt my #1 value wine right now is Chidaine Touraine! Francois Chidaine is a master with Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley but this racy Sauvignon Blanc offering from him is wickedly gulpable and I find an embarassing number of empty bottles in my recycling bin every week....at $11.00 it is just silly good.

[maria lorraine]

wickedly gulpable...oh my....

excellent phrasing. the best wine description I've heard so far this month.

[mengathon]

This previous thread should be quite helpful.

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/408474

[Chicago Mike]

German rieslings (under 15 of course)... you can about throw darts at the 2005 Mosels.... for that matter American rieslings under 15 are a best buy, IMO.

Moscato d'Asti can come in around 15 and it's a very versatile semi-sweet frizzy white. Useful with apertif as well as dessert and very food friendly through the meal for that matter.

In Reds, Valpolicella Ripassa is a great value, you can often find them in the 15 area.

Another consistent red value are non-trophy tempranillos /blends from great Spanish vintages. Look at excellent non-trophy Riojas from 2001 and 2004 still available in your price range. 2005 looks like a good year too.