I don’t know about you, but for me $20 is a very specific threshold when it comes to wine purchases. I fully believe that wine of any price point can provide value relative to its quality. But there’s something really sweet about finding wines for less than $20 that I enjoy drinking and want to recommend.
Here are eight wines that I’ve had recently which meet that criteria. All of them delicious, well made, and under $20. Most of them are meant for consumption in the next year or so, a few will drink well over the next 5 years.
Georges Duboeuf 2020 Beaujolais Nouveau ($13.49)
This is latest vintage of the wine that started the Nouveau craze. It’s entirely Gamay, In the 2020 vintage they sourced fruit mainly from the southern part of Beaujolais. There’s a tinge of purple in this mainly deep red wine. That tinge is the first thing I look for when I pour the Nouveau, it’s part of its hallmark in my eyes. Brilliant bright red fruit aromas lead the charge. The palate leans towards red cherry with hints of black cherry peeking through. Mineral notes and cranberry mark the finish. The freshness and vein of acid will keep you coming back.
Aerena 2019 North Coast Chardonnay ($13.99)
Sometimes those under $20 values I’m looking for are the product of a sister label to a better known brand. In this case the big brother is Blackbird Vineyards. Apple, pear and guava are all part of the generous aromatics. The palate is stuffed with fresh fruit that’s supported by a bevy of secondary characteristics. Bits of tropical fruit, citrus zest and roasted chestnut are all evident on the solid finish. Wisps of toast, good weight and bright acid complete the package. Count this among the choices here that will drink well for a handful of years.
Roaming Dog 2019 Columbia Valley Chardonnay ($14)
This Chardonnay from Washington State’s Columbia Valley was aged exclusively in tank. Bartlett pear, granny smith apple and a tiny dollop of butterscotch all drive the aromatics. Fresh, yellow-leaning fruit flavors dominate the palate. Mineral notes are evident on the above average finish. All of the incredibly fresh fruit is buoyed by firm, racy acid. This is really joyful glass of Chardonnay that might just help convert some of those who think they don’t enjoy the grape.
Knotty Vines California Pinot Noir ($14.99)
Knotty Vines is a new line of 4 wines priced at $14.99 from Rodney Strong Vineyards. Always a dependable producer of Sonoma County Wines, with this line they’ve dipped a couple of toes into the lifestyle brands demographic. Leave it to Rodney Strong Vineyards to do that in a way that’s approachable for the emerging wine drinker and with enough interest for seasoned drinkers to have something to grab onto. This Pinot Noir offers a blast of dark fruit from the nose all the way to the toes. Black currant, cherry, spice and dark plum are evident. It’s richer and with a bit more heft than a lot of Pinot Noirs, but no so much so that it’s still not clearly Pinot.
Firesteed 2019 Oregon Pinot Noir ($16.99)
This, the entry level Pinot Noir in the Fiesteed portfolio has been a bit of a standard bearer for me over the years. It’s a wine I grab in a pinch when I want a mouthful of Oregon Pinot Noir for Taco Night or to sip casually with my thoughts. Year after year it delivers and the 2019 is no exception. Red cherry and bits of mushroom inform the aromatics. Continued red fruit, earth, and a dollop of spices are evident on the palate. Tart fruit emerges on the solid finish. It’s tasty and reliable Oregon Pinot Noir that won’t break your weeknight wine budget.
Mandrarossa 2017 Frappato 2017 ($17.99)
Frappato is native to Sicily where it thrives. When handled appropriately the results are fruit driven, light bodied wines. For me they bring to mind Villages tier Gamay. Red and black, berry aromas are dominant. The flavors lean towards tart red fruit tinged by wisps of purple fruit. Solid finish and mouthwatering acid make this straightforward wine hard to put down. Pair this with a charcuterie plate for excellent results.
Primus 2018 Carménère ($17.99)
The fruit for this Carménère comes from organic vineyards within the Apalta region of Chile’s Colchagua Valley. Aromas and flavors lean towards red fruit such as cherry and raspberry. Hints of black plum peek through as well. Savory herbs and black peppercorn are evident. This wine is juicy and immediately appealing but proportionate. A rich vein of acid provides a nice backbone. The Primus Carménère will work well with all but the lightest of foods.
Tamarack 2017 Firehouse Red ($19.99)
Syrah (33%), Cabernet Sauvignon (27%), Merlot (18%), Cabernet Franc (11%), Mourvedre (3%), Grenache (2%), Counoise (2%), Sangiovese (2%), and Petit Verdot (2%) are all part of this Blend from Columbia Valley. Firehouse Red is assembled after the individual lots have a year in barrel. Aromas and flavors here lean towards dark, purple fruit tinged with red. Tart blackberry, black pepper, and black tea are evident on the above average finish. Terrific mouthfeel impresses. Bright acid allows the innate freshness of this wine to shine. This is an absolutely killer red blend for the money. Flavorful, proportionate, eminently food friendly and a lot of fun to drink, what more do you want for less than $20? It was even better the second day Store shelves are teeming with generic red blends that are innocuous at best and hard to drink in a lot of cases, at worst. Here’s one that spins all of that on it’s head. At this price and this level of value it’s a wine you might want to grab a few cases of to drink over the next five years or so.