We were blessed with a year of good health, great wines, and the cherished company of friends and family to share a glass or two with. We enjoyed a lot of good wine, and a small quantity of outstanding wine…that’s what you’ll find in our Top 12 list. This year, we divided our top wines into three price categories: $20 and under, $40 and under, and SPLURGE. There’s something for every budget and taste here. Salut to 2024.
$20 AND UNDER
Rosé of Syrah 2021 $16 at Yankee Spirits
Mengler Family Wines,
Russian River Valley, Sonoma, CA
Sophisticated wine, not a summer sipper. Plummy flavors and long finish. Excellent food wine.
Martin Codax Alabariño 2021 $16 at Wine.com
Rias Baixas, Spain
If you’re looking for a dry but refreshing, brightly acidic white wine, try an Alabariño. The Codax has a coastal, salty vibe and zippy citrus flavors, with a dash of peach.
Hiruzta Bodega Zuri Txakoli 2021 $20 at Bottleshop.com
Hiruzta Bodega, Basque, SP
Grape: Hondarrabi Zuri
Crisp, a little sparkly, dry and clean. Refreshing and light with a little citrus zest to finish.
Rinforzo Selento Primitivo IGT 2019 $20 at Vivino
[2021 vintage]
MGM Mondodelvino, Puglia, IT
A crowd-pleasing wine with pronounced black fruit and licorice on the palate with a bit of sweetness that makes this wine stand up to the test of red-sauce Italian dishes, BBQ, and even burgers.
$40 AND UNDER
Allegro Blanc 2021 $26 at Plumpjack Wine
Domaine Ollier Taillefer; Faugeres, Languedoc FR
50% Roussanne, 50% Vermentino
Beautiful nose; perfect blend of honey and limestone; some kiwi and blueberry notes.
Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo, ‘Gaia’ 2020 $32 at The Source Imports
CantinArte, Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo, IT
Grape: Montepulciano
Bright cherry red, like all Cerasuolo rosés. An odd combination of berries and herbs on the nose and the palate, but it all works. Aromatic and beautiful.
Château Leydet-Valentin 2020 $40 at Saratoga Wine Exchange
Chateau Leydet ValentinSaint-Émilion, Bordeaux, FR
73% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Franc
A delightful wine from one of our favorite winemakers, Frederic Leydet. Great balance between Bing cherry/red currant notes and long, smooth finish.
Napa Valley Quilt Red Blend 2021 $35 at Total Wine
Quilt Wines, Rutherford, Napa, CA
Grapes: Petit Syrah, Merlot, Zinfandel + Petit Verdot
Terrific balance of black fruits; spicy and delicious. Think of it as a lower-priced Lion Tamer.
Splurge
Château Lagrange Grand Cru Classe St.-Julien 2005 $100 at Cellaraiders
St.-Julien, Bordeaux, FR
46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot
Great depth of concentrated red fruit flavors and the long, fresh smooth finish
Château Lagrange Grand Cru Classe St-Julien 2015 $78 at Vivino
St.-Julien, Bordeaux, FR
75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot
A strikingly different blend of grapes from the 2005 and also outstanding; excellent depth of concentrated red fruits and super smooth tannins.
Château Léoville Poyferré 2015 $100 at K+L Wines
St.-Julien, Bordeaux, FR
65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 3 % Cabernet Franc
Leather and cassis on the nose followed by a liquid velvet balance of black currants/black plum notes. Worth the splurge!
Château la Gaffeliere Grand Cru Classe, Mis En Bottle 2015 $90 at Vinfolio
Saint-Émilion; Bordeaux, FR
70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc
Toasty vanilla-oaky nose with notes of black cherry and black currant compote with a silky-smooth finish.
VinoDuo 