Not under $50…
I buy the Failla versions every year. He currently has a Carneros (Hudson vineyard) and Sonoma Coast, which is his estate vineyard. The Sonoma Coast version has some pepper on the nose; it is from a cool area. Prices are now around $60 so maybe this isn’t your best bet.
I’d go Andrew Murray. He has a variety of wines at different price ranges…entry level is Tous Les Jours. Stolpman is a good lower priced wine.
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see a handful on W-S in the $40s. VC Cuvee even less
I recently had a 2016 Scherrer Grenache/Syrah blend that was quite good. I believe he added a touch of Zinfandel to it.
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Very much on the light, savory end of the spectrum. Possibly even lighter than those you name. I’m a big fan.
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This wine would have been much better had it been decanted but is around $30.00.
2018 Beckmen Vineyards Syrah Purisima Mountain Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Ballard Canyon (12/23/2021) Nice wine overall with smoke, blueberries, dark cherries, black pepper and floral notes. This came around after a few hours. Needs two plus to show its stuff. Should age nicely. (91 points)
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For sure. What about
2017 Kevin White Winery La Fraternité - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley (12/15/2021)
Day 1: Off the charts value. Spice, raspberries, floral, dried herbs, Garrique and stone. Medium plus finish and complexity! 92 points
Day 3: Better so cellar. Super fragrant wine featuring floral, cherry, raspberries, minerals, smoke, spice and underbrush. 93 points
Recommendation: While it is drinking well now cellaring is a good option unless you have a six pack or more then try one a year. Drink until 2030. (93 points)
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Some very good recs above. I am particularly fond of Tablas Creek, although some of their offerings will top the $50 mark.
My contribution. Terre Rouge in the Sierra Foothills. Fantastic rhone ranger wines, built to age, that seem to very consistently excel. And the QPR is outstanding. (I have been drinking their wines for years, but really need to visit the winery at some point. If for no other reason than to thank them.)
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+1 on Terre Rouge.
Thank you, all.
Antonio Moretti from Taste of Santa Rita Hills collaborated with Paul Lato on a very good 2019 GSM for $48.
Not technically a Rhone Ranger, but I always enjoy the pure Grenache expressions from A Tribute to Grace, especially if you like the lighter, more floral red berry side of Grenache. The SBC Grenache is typically high $20s to low $30s, and some of the higher-end vineyard designates are below $50.
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+1
Latta “Latta Latta” is a whole lotta GSM at ~$30.
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Andrew Murray Esperance is a great GSM, as is the GSM from Frequency Wine.
Several names have been mentioned that I don’t know or, at least, haven’t had. So that’s fun. And the Andrew Murray recommendation is a good reminder. I really enjoyed their Esperance GSM the few times I had it, several years ago. Definitely one I’d like to revisit.
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The wife and I have enjoyed the wines offerings from Rideau Vineyard in Solvang. They produce many Rhone varietals and have a great GSM blend called ENCHEVETRE ROUGE which has Grenache and Mourvèdre accounting for 77% of the 2016 vintage. At $36 retail, PQR is pretty high in my opinion.
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Loved their Roussanne as well.
Thanks for the Central Coast recommendations. We are visiting in April and are looking for some good stops. I’ll check out Rideau and Andrew Murray.
The Drew Family field blend GSM is solid for a cool climate style. On the opposite end of the spectrum I also liked the Top Winery Hood GSM from Paso, which is under $30.
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