Best Buys
Best Buys are wines that offer a high level of quality in relation to price. There are no specific guidelines or formulae for determining Best Buys, but they are generally priced at $15 or less.
Ginestet 2005 French Roots Shiraz (Vin de Pays d'Oc)
- Best Buy
- $8
Perfumed wood dominates this wine. There is softness, some attractive food-friendly acidity and hints of red fruits, but otherwise it is spice and toast all the way.
— R.V.
(12/31/2006)
Leaping Horse 2005 Chardonnay (Lodi)
- Best Buy
- Online Exclusive
- $6
Not bad for an everyday Chard at this price. You’ll be surprised by how much real varietal character there is, from the tangerine and apple flavors to the creamy, smoky texture to the spicy, clean finish.
— S.H.
(2/1/2007)
Smashed Grapes 2005 Pinot Grigio
- Best Buy
- Online Exclusive
- $8
Thank goodness for good, cheap wines like this PG. It’s completely dry, crisp in acidity and palate-stimulating in citrus and jasmine flavors, with a spicy finish. Try with Thai food.
— S.H.
(2/1/2007)
Smashed Grapes 2004 Merlot
- Best Buy
- Online Exclusive
- $8
Bone dry, crisp, a little earthy, with berry-cherry and coffee flavors, this is a good, sound everyday red wine, and this is a fair price. A juicy steak will pair nicely.
— S.H.
(2/1/2007)
Georges Duboeuf 2005 Chardonnay (Vin de Pays d'Oc)
- Best Buy
- $7
With its distinctive enameled, flowered bottle, this sets out to be a fun party wine. It succeeds with its fresh, flowery, open fruit, enhanced by vanilla, spice and green apple flavors.
— R.V.
(12/31/2006)
Georges Duboeuf 2005 Syrah (Vin de Pays d'Oc)
- Best Buy
- Online Exclusive
- $6
A simple, fresh, attractively perfumed wine, with soft tannins and ripe gentle fruit flavors of plums, blueberries and sweet red fruits.
— R.V.
(2/1/2007)
Timbuktu 2005 Deluxe Shiraz (Fleurieu Peninsula)
- Best Buy
- $8
Winemaker Ben Riggs’s attempt at bargain-priced Shiraz is a solid effort, offering hints of smoke and dried fruit, but also decent depth and blackberry-black cherry flavors. It lacks the weight and richness of a big boy, finishing slightly peppery and warm (it is labeled at 15% alcohol). Drink now.
— J.C.
(7/1/2007)
Umani Ronchi 2005 Montepulciano (Montepulciano d'Abruzzo)
- Best Buy
- Online Exclusive
- $8
There’s a warm, meaty quality to this wine that recalls beef jerky, white pepper and smoked ham backed by cooked plums and sweet spice. It tastes round and slightly sweet and ends with refreshing herbal nuances.
— M.L.
(2/1/2009)
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