Red wine is predominantly what I enjoy and while a pricey bottle is a welcome treat I believe most people prefer something that costs anywhere from $15 to $30. Of course...I am a wine geek so my list below includes the pricier stuff too! Where relevant I have included vintages. Lower cost, high volume producer’s vintage consistency is not a huge issue so you’re typically safe. If you are concerned with vintages in higher end wines you should be consulting sources like Robert Parker or the Wine Spectator.
If you want to learn more about my selections (e.g. tasting notes, ratings) please refer to your favorite retail outlet (Start with either Bin905 or Richmond Hill Wines). I don’t describe wine in a series of flavors that many people don’t understand. Instead I am offering referrals for wines that you should buy and try to “figure out” on your own. My best advice: enough Wolf Blass Yellow Label! Try something new for a change. There’s more good wine on the market now than ever before so EXPERIMENT. Support the boutique wine shops and the quality of wine you drink will increase dramatically.
Top 10 Red Wines for $20 or Less – Rated by Value for Your Dollar
1. Peter Lehmann Barossa Shiraz - Are you kidding me? For $20 you are crazy not to try this rich treat. Barossa Valley wines have "cajones"!
2. Torus - An entry level effort from Alain Brumont. From the Madiran region of France this drinks like nice Bordeaux….without the price. Brumont’s wines are fabulous.
3. Heartland Stickleback ($14) – This is an entry level effort from winemaker Ben Glaetzer who has many high end wines listed below. A great blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Grenache. Unbeatable for this price so buy lots for the relatives. Glaetzer’s high-end wines are among the best from Australia at this time.
4. Louis Felipe Edwards Carmenere Colchagua (Chile) -Got BBQ? Give this a go. You cannot miss with burgers, steaks, anything grilled.
5. Elio Grasso Dolcetto D'Alba (Italy) - This is a lovely light drinking effort and will go well with just about any pasta you can think of...assuming you aren't on Atkins.
6. Penfolds Thomas Hyland Shiraz- An inexpensive way to get into the world of well made Shiraz. Penfolds is a top notch high volume wine producer in Australia.
7. Greg Norman Estates Limestone Coast Cabernet/Merlot - Greg hasn't won the Master's but this wine at this price explains his distraction on the Back 9.
8. Spadafora Rosso Virzi (Italy)- Because you cannot drink Chianti every time you eat Italian food...okay maybe you can but try this anyway!
9. Vacqueryas Clos Montrius- For those who want to ease into the word of French wines, this is a beauty. Silky like the stockings of a French woman.
10. Carmen Reserve Carmenere Cabernet (Chile) - This is wine for those couples who fight over whether to buy a fruity Merlot or a dry Cab. A nice compromise
Spend a Little More…Red Wine for $20-$40
Australia
• Barrel Monkeys Shiraz – Ummm...more fun than a barrel of???? Richmond Hill does it again. The premier Aussie importers always find the gems from Down Under.
• d'Arenberg Footbolt Shiraz (2001) - Rated as one of the Top 100 wines of the year by Wine Spectator (Or Dictator?) this is excellent value. Any vintage works here.
• Elderton Barossa Merlot- Ohhhh the Barossa Valley, what a vixen. Decant this wine and taste the difference O2 makes…even Merlot. A wonderful wine for $28 .
• Elderton Barossa CSM - So you are bored with Aussie Shiraz? Give this Cab-Shiraz-Merlot blend a chance. Another Barossa victory lap please...and the pink label makes it easy to find.
• Dalwhinnie Moonambel Shiraz (1999) - I went to a wine show sick as a dog and could STILL taste how much body this wine has. Great structure, elegant. CSN Wines has a lot.
• Jim Barry McRae Wood – A gorgeous wine that won’t break the bank. Excellent value for a pretty nice shiraz. Very floral. Typically a good bargain in finer restaurants.
• Lindemanns Limestone Ridge Coonawarra Shiraz Cabernet (1998) - Tasted better when I was in Sydney but still makes me smile in Calgary. I drank all mine so it's done.
• Maxwell Lime Cave Cabernet (2001) - You probably won't find the '98, but the 2001 is also rated very high. A gorgeous wine that none of your friends have.
• Marquis Philips Shiraz 9 (2004) – For $35 you won’t beat it. Lots of booze so if you like a light-weight red this definitely isn’t the wine for you. No wimps here. Oh sorry, they don't MAKE this anymore so drink what you find.
• Maxwell Grenache McLaren Vale South Australia - Many of you are asking, "Isn't Grenache some kind of cake?” The answer is no! Ganache is cake...this grenache is a gem.
• Oliverhill Grenache (2002) - Now you know Grenache isn't cake. Let this breathe all day before you suck in the fruit this baby has to give..or save it for 5 years. Only 2 left in my cellar.
• Pirramimma Petit Verdot McLaren Valley - Another super trendy wine in the Calgary scene but for about $25 it is a great value and delicious. Price keeps going up...WTF?
• Rosemount Show Reserve - Cabernet - Coonawarra - For those of you who have decided to stop paying too much for California Cabernet's.
Argentina
• Clos de los Siete – Full of licorice and eucalyptus (you really can taste it!) this is a knockout bottle of wine for $23. Absolutely gorgeous wine. Exceptional value.
France
• Chateau Bouscasse – Number 29 on the Wine Spectators Top 100 a few years back. Excellent value and a wonderful way to introduce yourself to French wine.
• Chateau De La Gardine CNP - Consistently well scoring wine that provides an excellent introduction to Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Lots of flavors. Buy at Superstore liquor.
• Clos de L'Oratoire CNP (2000) - Another wine that reminds me of velvet, silk, etc. This wine is so elegant your grandmother would approve.
Italy
• Batasiolo Barolo DOCG (1997) - Italians call Barolo the King of Wines and for $35 this wine will help you understand why.
• Fontodi Chianti Classico - If you don't have an immediate need to watch Goodfellas or smack Fredo after this wine then you missed the point.
• Tommasi Amarone - I have a feeling that drinking this wine in the fashion district of Rome would make me a very happy boy. Very stylish, elegant.
• E. Boglietti Barbera- Definitely one of the coolest labels and the juice inside deserves creative presentation. I was totally impressed for $28.
United States
• EOS Paso Robles Reserve Petit Syrah- This is a super backyard BBQ wine for those who don't want to drink the heavy USA Cabernet's that cost $$$$.
• Jade Mountain Syrah, Napa Valley - California is building a following for their Syrahs and this wine is wicked for the price. Just a tad over $40.
• Gallo Frei Vinyard Cabernet (1997) - It might seem nuts to spend $40 on a Gallo but you will be pleasantly surprised. A solid value for a Cali Cabernet.
Others
• Te Kairanga Reserve Pinot Noir - New Zealand - If you can pronounce the name you deserve to drink it. Try the Reserve if you can find it.
• Chivite Reserva - Spain - Same deal as the 1994 except it is even dirtier. Smooth finish and it lasts. Do I need to mention the cheese part? Wine Cottage in Bankers Hall has it.
• Luis Felipe Edwards Dona Bernarda Cabernet - Chile - Bring me something spicy...chili, gumbo, BBQ, anything. This wine kicks ass.
Spend A Lot More…Reds from $40-$100.
• Amon Ra Shiraz (2002-06) – Extremely rare. Extremely good. Coolest label ever! There are so many words to describe this wine and everyone who lines up at Richmond Hill to buy it will give you one. A Ben Glaetzer triumph.
• Ben Glaetzer Shiraz – Well you can’t drink Amon Ra everyday….!
• Ben Glaetzer The Bishop Shiraz – And you have to drink something on Sunday’s…even the Church would approve of the Bishop.
• Brokenwood Graveyard Shiraz (1999 & 2001) - One of the most elegant Aussie Shiraz's I have ever had. Let this open up in a decanter for 2 hours and enjoy.
• Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir Laurene - Oregon (1999) - I haven't seen Laurene but she must be one sexy fox to have this named after her.
• E&E Black Pepper Shiraz – (1998-02) – A superlative Barossa shiraz . Rare and guaranteed to knock your socks off. How can you not drink a wine with the words “Black Pepper” in the name?
• Elderton Command Shiraz (1996-03) – The vertical tasting hosted by Bin 905 opened my eyes to this wine. It has it all and because they don’t market themselves like the big boys you can still find this AND it’s reasonably priced. ALL years are good...
• Estancia Meritage - Alexander Valley - A poor man's Bordeaux style blend from California. This wine has a special place in my heart.
• Gallo Estate Cabernet Reserve (1994-98) - Gallo again? Am I joking? Nope. This isn't the pink crap you and your parents drank in the 80's. Top shelf stuff.
• Garretson Syrah (2002) - From the Paso Robles area this wine oozes floral elements that you would never expect from a California wine. Simply wonderful….except for the ugly green label. A Bin905 exclusive so go meet Brad Royale and be nice to him.
• GODOLPHiN Shiraz/Cabernet – Hmmm, the second coolest label and name…also made by Ben Glaetzer. 70% Shiraz and 30% Cabernet. This wine is an orgy in your mouth. You won’t find it anywhere so get on Richmond Hill’s mailing list to buy.
• Henry’s Drive Reserve Shiraz – HUUUUUUUGGGGGEEEE. Big. Dense. Thicker than your blood after a snake bite. Wipe your teeth afterwards.
• Martinelli Pinot Noir – Russian River Valley (2000) – This is a fantastic wine. Full of….candy floss! So delicious you’ll want to watch Sideways all over again.
• Mitolo GAM Shiraz (2002-05) – Glaetzer, Glaetzer, Glaetzer….are you getting the picture yet? This wine is probably my favorite of his efforts.
• Ojai Pinot Noir – Clos Pepe Vineyard (2001) – Again Ojai hits a homerun here. An excellent Pinot full of power but it maintains elegance. Pinot fans rejoice!
• Ojai Syrah (Santa Barbara and Melville) – They have several vineyards in California and I have yet to experience a bad Ojai wine. Exclusive to Bin 905.
• Oliverhill Shiraz Jimmy Section (2001-06) - Probably my favorite wine to sample as it evolves with decanting. A classic cult wine full of booze. Limited production.
• Penfolds RWT Shiraz Barossa Valley (1999-00) - What's this? Another Barossa? Ohhh it makes my mouth water…just a tad over $100.
• Stag's Leap Napa Valley Cabernet - Another special wine to me. They have higher end stuff but this will always suffice at my table with a giant ribeye.
• Vision Cellars Pinot Noir (1999) - An example of a very good Pinot with a prohibitive cost...but if you have the $80 then go for it. Be sure to invite me.
• Wolf Blass Black Label Cab Sauvignon - Jimmy Watson Trophy Winner (1998) - This was my favorite Wolf Blass wine until....
• Wolf Blass Platinum Label Shiraz (1998-99) - This is what you call a BIG Shiraz. If this wine was silicone it would be inside Pammy Anderson.
• d'Arenberg Dead Arm Shiraz (1999-05) - If you can find ANY of this, don't buy it...call me and tell me where you found it. The 2002 isn’t a great vintage and hence there is still some available so give it a try. It is a deep, dark, and fruity explosion.