Mar 20 2008

11 Wines Under $30

Tags: 11, Wine

Part one in my new series on some of the finer libations I've had the fortune to sample in past year or so.

Price Key

These prices are roughly what I pay in New Hampshire and tend to be about 10% pricier in Massachusetts. Shocking, I know. Your mileage may vary:

  • $ $10-15
  • $$ $16-20
  • $$$ $21-25
  • $$$$ $26-30

The Wines

  1. St. Supery Cabernet Sauvignon $$$$

    To me, this Cab tastes as good as others I've had at twice the price. Better yet, you can occasionally find half bottles (375 mL)

  2. Layer Cake Shiraz $$

    "Layer Cake" exploded on the scene last year (as far as I know) and sold out very fast. Of course, that means the prices went up this year.

  3. Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz $$$

    So far, I've yet to try a Penfolds that I didn't like. All of the "Bins" are fantastic.

  4. Ruffino Riserva Ducale Oro Chianti Classico $$$

    At one time I would have listed more Chiantis - or at least more Italians - here, but my tastes have run more to the fuller reds these past few years.

  5. Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve Champagne $$$$

    I think I like this one better than Vueve Cliquot, and its a third less expensive (but nearly impossible to find in New England).

  6. La Crema Pinot Noir $$

    The only Pinot on my list. I tend to like earthier Pinots. I also tend to think any Pinot priced under $20 probably isn't going to be worth it and the "La Crema" hovers right around there, so it's a win-win scenario by me.

  7. Clos Du Bois Cabernet Sauvignon $

    Probably the cheapest entry on the list, yet the best choice for an "any" day table wine. I wait for the sales that come along every other month or so and save an additional few bucks.

  8. Jester Shiraz $$

    The best screw cap wine I've yet to try.

  9. Beaulieu Vineyard (BV) Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon $$

    The BV's are are very nice, easily found, and get real yummy when the move up into the next category. "Tapestry" is one to look for in the pricey range.

  10. Hawk Crest Cabernet Sauvignon $

    See "Clos Du Bois". Put out by Stag's Leap, this is another one that goes on sale frequently up here in New Hampshire.

  11. Domain Carneros Brut Sparkling Wine $$

    The most Champagne-like of the sparkling wines, this one tastes like it should be double the cost.