Best bottle of wine for less than $20?
- Thread starter Gregadd
- Start date
The chocolate block by Boekenhoutskloof. A bit more expensive as your limit but still good deal..
www.boekenhoutskloof.co.za
I have discovered it more than 10 years ago while visiting wine estates in South Africa. Still one of my favorite wines.
The Chocolate Block
A WINE WITH SECRETS TO KEEP The quest to understand the name of this wine and the wine itself is now the stuff of legend. While we are not about to reveal all, we can say that the style of [...]
www.boekenhoutskloof.co.za
I have discovered it more than 10 years ago while visiting wine estates in South Africa. Still one of my favorite wines.
I don’t know about the appellation “Best.” Especially not with a $20 cost constraint.
But if you like reds, and are planning to drink it as part of a meal, rather than as a special celebration, it’s hard to beat a recent (1 to 2 years old) Beaujolais. There are several estates, and they’re generally available for less than $20/750 ml bottle. Be sure to have a cork screw because these will have a cork.
if you’re in the mood to celebrate and don’t mind upping the anti to $50 -$60, it’s hard to beat a 5 to 8 year old St. Emillion Bordeaux. But of course at that price point, there are more choices.
But if you like reds, and are planning to drink it as part of a meal, rather than as a special celebration, it’s hard to beat a recent (1 to 2 years old) Beaujolais. There are several estates, and they’re generally available for less than $20/750 ml bottle. Be sure to have a cork screw because these will have a cork.
if you’re in the mood to celebrate and don’t mind upping the anti to $50 -$60, it’s hard to beat a 5 to 8 year old St. Emillion Bordeaux. But of course at that price point, there are more choices.
Like asking “best” cartridge under $500 (pick a price point). One thing I have learned in my oenophile evolution is what makes a wine good or great is completely up to what you like in a wine. Under $20, from most USA producers, you will find what I call fruit bombs, hitting the tongue with explosion of fruit flavors, often times too much sweetness. But there are many good cabernets from Washington state around $20/bottle. If you like a little bit of chocolate flavor in your wine, cabs or syrahs from Walla Walla area of Washington tend to have a bit of chocolate notes.
If you are less inclined to a big fruit forward wine, French bordeauxs are much more earthy wines (I call them “dirty”) and you get much more minerality and less fruit. These pair very well with beef. I find Itialian sangeovese (Chianti) often has both fruitiness and minerality, but are a little lighter than a bold cabernet for example. You cam find Pinot Noir that is nice at your price point, but watch out as many are quite sweet and bursting with raspberry, strawberry, and pie cherry flavors. These can all be nice for folks new to wine or who don’t care that much what is in the glass.
I often use the rating feature at “total wine and more” website when stocking up on what I call mid-week, pizza night wines. You can filter for ratings, price, region, and varietial and get a many selections that will be very good. Try for example to see if there are any wines rated >92 points for less than $20. Make note of a few labels and the vintage and see if they are on the shelf at a local grocery. Ratings don’t equate to total quality or if you will like it, but a wine with a rating over, say, 92 points probably will be enjoyable. french, italian, north american, south american, australian… so many to choose from.
Personally, I am always looking for the great value sub-$20 bottle, and often find some gems in the $15 neighborhood. I stock up on these as they are great to have on hand when I have guests who are not wine connoisseurs but enjoy a glass when listening.
I second the recommendation!The chocolate block by Boekenhoutskloof. A bit more expensive as your limit but still good deal..
The Chocolate Block
A WINE WITH SECRETS TO KEEP The quest to understand the name of this wine and the wine itself is now the stuff of legend. While we are not about to reveal all, we can say that the style of [...]
I have discovered it more than 10 years ago while visiting wine estates in South Africa. Still one of my favorite wines.
I am no wine connoisseur, but Riojas almost always seem to be great tasting values in the $15 to $20 range.
As non-connoisseurs we like wine that is smooth, not sharp, on the berry tasting side, and no edgy finish.
We randomly tried this wine, and we liked it so much that we ordered a case. It is $14 per bottle, and, as a first-time Macy's Wine Club enrollee, it was discounted to $10 per bottle.
We randomly tried this wine, and we liked it so much that we ordered a case. It is $14 per bottle, and, as a first-time Macy's Wine Club enrollee, it was discounted to $10 per bottle.
Several of my favs under $20
Silk & Spice Red Blend
Bread & Butter Cab Sav
Kaleidoscope Red Blend
Freakshow Cab Sav
Silk & Spice Red Blend
Bread & Butter Cab Sav
Kaleidoscope Red Blend
Freakshow Cab Sav
I highly recommend the Petit Syrah from Guglielmo Winery, an 100 year old winery about
a mile from my house in the San Francisco Bay Area, part of the Santa Clara wineries. I jog by their vineyards every morning during my five mile run.
It lists usually for $35-40, but It’s within your budget if you find it at a discount. I often buy it at half price at my local Trader Joe’s, which has a stunning selection of local wines. If you want a large volume nearby wine store, try Total Wines.
guglielmowinery.com
It has a very earthy rich texture, which is no doubt due to our soil (we in California are one of the world’s largest producers of fruits and vegetables). Plenty of sun through the growing season.
One advantage of living here is the abundance of local wineries. Of course, Napa and Sonoma counties up further north have thousands of wineries, some world class, but Santa Clara and places further south are wonderful as well (Pasa Robles and Coppola Wineries).
a mile from my house in the San Francisco Bay Area, part of the Santa Clara wineries. I jog by their vineyards every morning during my five mile run.
It lists usually for $35-40, but It’s within your budget if you find it at a discount. I often buy it at half price at my local Trader Joe’s, which has a stunning selection of local wines. If you want a large volume nearby wine store, try Total Wines.
Home - Guglielmo Winery Morgan Hill, CA, Family Owned and Operated Sine 1925
A Family Wine-Making Tradition in the Santa Clara Valley Since 1925. Emilio Guglielmo Winery is fourth-generation, family-owned & operated.
guglielmowinery.com
It has a very earthy rich texture, which is no doubt due to our soil (we in California are one of the world’s largest producers of fruits and vegetables). Plenty of sun through the growing season.
One advantage of living here is the abundance of local wineries. Of course, Napa and Sonoma counties up further north have thousands of wineries, some world class, but Santa Clara and places further south are wonderful as well (Pasa Robles and Coppola Wineries).
Catena Zapata Merlot.
Ridiculously low price, phenomenally drinkable.
We had lunch at Cabana Las Lilas which is one of the most iconic of the grand steakhouses in Buenos Aires, and perhaps one of the top 5 steaks we have ever had from US to Japan (Yakiniku is not steak but is pure beef), to elsewhere, etc, etc. The wine was recommended by their sommelier. A great recommendation...very drinkable. Even with import tax, last time we bought (many years ago) it was still GBP12.
Ridiculously low price, phenomenally drinkable.
We had lunch at Cabana Las Lilas which is one of the most iconic of the grand steakhouses in Buenos Aires, and perhaps one of the top 5 steaks we have ever had from US to Japan (Yakiniku is not steak but is pure beef), to elsewhere, etc, etc. The wine was recommended by their sommelier. A great recommendation...very drinkable. Even with import tax, last time we bought (many years ago) it was still GBP12.
J. Lohr Estates Seven Oaks Cabernet is a favorite of mine. I favor it enough to not push upwards to more expensive wines.
Pretty good juice… but vintage can make a big difference on this label. What year is the one you’re showing?
The picture was chosen simply for general reference versus specific vintage. And, any time I have purchased Freakshow there's not a "vintage selection" for it, the wine stores have whatever is available. I haven't noticed any great taste variance on the occasions I buy this; then again I am not a wine connoisseur.
I m currently staying at a winery hotel resort in serbia ( for work).
One of the best deals i ever had
Cheap and fantastic quality wine and food .
Just over the border with croatia.
Gonna check out belgrade over the weekend.
Dve kule in serbia.
One of the best deals i ever had
Cheap and fantastic quality wine and food .
Just over the border with croatia.
Gonna check out belgrade over the weekend.
Dve kule in serbia.
Attachments
Similar threads
 | Steve Williams Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator |  | Ron Resnick Site Owner | Administrator |  | Julian (The Fixer) Website Build | Marketing Managersing |