Also, if one can deal with tannat, Costco has been semi-regularly stocking various sub $20 Madirans - the OG home for that varietal - in the Western US. Get your cassoulet pans out!
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Had the rare opportunity to have wine at lunch and quickly determined it deserved a post here. The Morisfarms Mandriolo Costa Toscana is a fantastic wine. It’s got all sorts of wonderful savory bits in it. You’ll find intense salted meats, Italian herbs, alongside a combination of bell pepper and raspberry that inspires one to imagine soaking up some sunshine in an abundant garden. It’s also got a wonderful farmyard quality to it upon opening. The full experience is like walking from the hot barn, through the room of hanging meats, and into the garden out back. And I must say it drinks best after 2 hours in the glass, or (in case of the current bottle) after sitting on the counter for 3 days. Before that there’s a lack of cohesiveness, and a lack of meatiness, that would prevent any overly-enthusiastic drinkers from discovering this jewel’s qualities. This is bottle #4 for me, and I don’t think I’ll tire of it anytime soon.
I bought it at $14, a quick search confirms it can be had online for below $20. What a fantastic wine, and a great example of how a “Super Tuscan” doesn’t have to be all opulence and oak. This is rustic, somewhat racy (perfect with any sort of meaty dinner), and delicious.
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2023 Kirkland Signature Premier Cru Chablis
I have had other vintages of this wine, but the 2023 is especially good. Citrus, mostly lemony, fruit-filled energy with a chalky mineral wrapper. Easy and delicious drinking. One of those wines that would please just about anyone I think, even a lot of fussy wine drinkers. (a dollar or two more than $20 maybe)
Very recommended
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That one tends to sell out quick!
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There are, of course, many very quaffable sauvignon blancs from New Zealand, but for me this is one of the better ones, and, for a change, from Martinborough on the North Island, rather than the more common Marlborough on the South. It seems to be available from several suppliers in the US according to WSPro.
Riesling remains the value king, such correct and pleasurable wines for so little money.
2023 Karl Erbes Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Spätlese feinherb Alte Reben - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (8/19/2026)
Fleshy yellow apple, a touch of florals. Lifted acidity carries the touch of RS. Flavors are a bit dilute on the palate. Great QPR for $20. (90 points)
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That has the added plus of being widely available in the western US. Their vineyard designated Chardonnay is also really good.
Paul Jaboulet Aîné is pretty reliable for decent value everyday wines. For me this evening the 2021 Parallèle 45 blanc is going down very nicely. I paid ~US$11.5 for this, but I see that various vintages are available in the USA for US$6 (!) and upwards.
- 2021 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Côtes du Rhône Blanc Parallèle “45” - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône (21/08/2026)
32% grenache blanc, 31% viognier, 16% rousanne, 12% clairette, 6% marsanne, 3% bourboulenc. 13.5% alcohol.
On first opening this was a bit hot and rough, but it smooths out with a few minutes air.
Then some orchard, some citrus, some flowers on the nose. The palate follows: quite rounded and mouth-filling, but staying just on the right side of cloying for me.
Overall this is a decent everyday white Rhône, and excellent QPR at the ~US$11.5 that I paid. (87 points)
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A few weeks ago, I had to go back to where I grew up so stopped to visit a friend that owns a wine shop. I asked him to pick me two mixed cases of whites. We share preferences for our whites and while I didn’t give him a price point, most of what he picked were <$20.
The first wine we tasted is a winner. We have opened a few of these already and reloaded when we found it locally. The label is ugly and would stop me from picking it up in a store if I hadn’t tried it already but it is accurate as shellfish would be a good match. Not a wine that I normally associate with Alscace. Highly recommend at $20.
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The next two wines were opened side by side. We don’t have a lot of experience with verdicchio and were a bit surprised at how different the two wines were. One is showcasing acidity, the other doesn’t have the same zing but has more body and a is more balanced. We were split on preference but not on assessment. Both wines fall into the buy if see but neither are something we will be seeking out.
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My 90 year old dad loves his $7.99 Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling from Costco. (Can’t talk him into spending the two bucks to upgrade to Dr. L. 
) It amazes me that he can still get a decent wine for 8 bucks.
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Lots of good memories of the Ch. St. Michelle riesling but haven’t had one in many years (decades?). Have a Dr. L in the cellar. Not my favorite but it serves a purpose and happy to drink. Need to try the CSM wine again. Thrilled your dad still enjoys his wine.
A to Z is another grocery store Riesling that overperforms - held its own among much pricier and well-regarded bottles in a recent tasting.
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Fourth wine out of the mixed two cases and this was a journey. Upon first opening. I didn’t like this wine. It had an offputting bitterness that appeared after the initial taste and lingered through the aftertaste. Put the glass aside for 20-30 minutes and the bitterness disappeared leaving an acid driven simple wine with lighter flavors and body. Refreshing on a hot day but not much else. Another hour or two later and the acid is still prominent but has subsided a bit and the wine picks up some body and shows more flavors. It has become more balanced and interesting turning into something I want to drink. Because of the multiple transitions, reserving final judgement until confirmed by a second bottle.
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Pretty sure @Mike_Ge has drunk 276 bottles of this wine.
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He’s had one for each fish on the label.
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Some people do not like Picpoul de Pinet because its extreme acidity and lean, bone-dry profile can feel too sharp or austere if drunk without food
Im a huge fan
I know that picpoul has the reputation of the Muscadet of the south, but I’ve never had one that was as lively or interesting as a good Muscadet. Maybe I’ve just had the wrong ones. I’ll give this one a try if I run across it. How does it compare to something like Briords in terms of acidity and verve?
I hope it’s not cheating too much to use a 375, but this fino was killer. (This bottle was $17, I think the 750 is like $30)
NV Valdespino “Inocente” Macharnudo Alta SV Fino Sherry
Showcase fino with an enormous amount of punch on day 1, and still held up on day 2. Tons of pronounced flor notes, almond and the like, and enough salinity that I think it’d be possible to confuse it for a Manzanilla blind. Excellent texture and even some toasty oak influence (I think Valdespino still uses American oak). Trader Joe’s has these insanely addictive rosemary Marcona almonds I had alongside, and the pairing sung.
I know sherry can be divisive but I feel so lucky that I enjoy fino’s flavor profile - the QPR is legitimately insane.
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That is one of the greatest values in wine for sure.
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