Another vote for Spanish Garnacha or Tempranillo. I generally avoid Monastrell/Mourvedre for civilians because I’ve found some of them find it a bit weird. There are a lot of good options in the $10-15 range (others have already posted the usual suspects).
If you need super bargain (like $5-6), I actually think the Rene Barbier Red and White are good values (you can do a lot worse for $5). I think TJ’s is hit or miss in that price range, but the La Ferme Julien Rhones are pretty good. The red is a bit boring, but soundly made and reliable, the white and rose are better.
The sub-$10 I’ve bought the most of over the last couple of years has been the Casal Garcia Vinho Verde - both white and rose.
Terrific to drink cold in warmer weather.
If you want to get a little funkier, I’ve enjoyed liter bottles (under crown cap) of Hofer’s Zweigelt for around $12 to $13 bucks. This is in the more herbal/savory category.
Guion, IMHO, is the best wine in this price category. I’d buy it for more without question. I would NOT, however, ever recommend this wine to a regular wine drinker without knowing their specific taste preference. My wife is a regular wine consumer and enjoys cotes du rhones. Sunday night she was killing off the rest of an 07 rhone that I found borderline repulsive and she tried my '09 Guion Prestige, that just blows my mind with its quality. Her exact comments, “OMG this smells and tastes like a messy toilet.” Of course she must be brett sensitive, but it spoke volumes.
Falesco Vitiano makes a really nice baby super tuscan for $10 bucks, and I just tasted the 2011 and its solid. Also, if you can find some wines from Hahn, they make a nice meritage in the $15 range and also a really tasty GSM style wine but not sure where the price lands on that one.
Man o’ man, I was close to breaking my Garagiste moratorium and going in on a half a case, I gotta tell you. But when I factored the additional ~$4 per bottle shipping, I was able to talk myself down.
Once he gets the east coast warehouse going–and assuming it has pickup availability-- I’m afraid my resolve may not be so strong.
I will second this. Have tried some of the other Spanish wines but Tres Picos at $13 keeps staying as my favorite.
Recently had Troublemaker from Austin Hope and it is a pretty nice Syrah blend for $12.
Another one is Caparone. I like their Sangiovese the best but the Zin and Anglianico are also good and only $14.
Unless you can visit the winery in Paso you will need to have them ship it to you but their shipping charges are really reasonable.
Under $10 sometime you can find Bogle Petite Sirah.
There’s a ton of very nice Muscadet under $15; do a board search for specific recs. Rioja Crianza is also a sweet spot; I’ve liked Montecillo and Faustino and Caceres, among others. The Protocolos mentioned above are pretty damn servicable for the price, though I don’t know a local source. Cava is also a gold mine of good stuff in that price range; the wine staff at The Spanish Table will steer you well. Gruet Brut NV can often be found under $15, and the staff at Pete’s can point out other value bubbly in that price range. I also like the suggestion of Cru Beaujolais. If you ever make it down to Portland, Vinopolis is a great source. They have some interesting 2007s from Joel Rochette at 11.90 – just grabbed some myself.
I agree with all of this plus the fact that it seems like a waste. But then I did serve a bottle of this to neighbors last weekend and it went over really well.
Spanish fruit forward wines are a much better bet for a mixed crowd.
I also like that Marietta Old Vines, and Jadot Beaujolais tend to good and food friendly too.
Shipping this last November was half of what it was a year ago…$28 for a case to TX. I believe Nicki orMelisa mentioned they switched carriers recently to cut cost.
I’m in for the 2011 Guion. Very well made wine. I didnt get much brett from the 2010s.
Just finished a bottle of this 2010 Chapoutier Bila Haut les Vignes [Cotes du Roussillon] over the last 3 days, and it drank the best on the last day. Quality is much higher than the price point. Full, fleshy, peppery, admittedly low acid, lavender and smoky meat on the nose. Once the initial funk / vulcanized rubber blows off, this is very nice for mid week wine. I like Rhones on the mature side, so would not have issues with waiting longer on this. 30 second finish. Easy B+ on my scorecard, but could be higher on the right day. I hardly ever manage to keep any Chapoutier wines of any AOC around - I don’t buy enough and when I do, I am too impatient to save them. The kids loved feeling the braille labels on this.
