Reverse Wine Snob

Wine doesn't have to be expensive to be good

  • About
  • Aldi® Picks
  • Costco® Picks
  • Trader Joe’s® Picks
  • FREE GUIDE
  • Insider Deals
menu icon
go to homepage
Get Our Free Guide!
search icon
Homepage link
  • FREE GUIDE!
  • Insider Deals
  • Best Of Lists
    • - Costco
    • - Trader Joe's
    • - Aldi
  • About
  • The Rating System
  • More Helpful Links
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Stock Up For Summer

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: June 16, 2014 Last Updated: November 5, 2021

    10 picks, five of our own plus five from the staff at MVL.

    First up, we've got our five picks:

    2011-Handcraft-Chardonnay
    Chardonnay just the way I like it.

    Handcraft Chardonnay 2011 - Fresh, Fruity and Tasty
    A fabulous, inexpensive Chardonnay for summer! It begins with pleasant aromas of lemon, green apple, pear, peach and a little honeysuckle along with a hint of nutty note. Tasting reveals a fresh, fruity and refreshing medium-bodied wine full of citrus and pear plus secondary notes of toasty oak and vanilla cream. It ends with the return of those honeysuckle notes from nose plus long lasting zesty citrus. Highly recommended.

    2010-Robert-Mondavi-Winery-Napa-Valley-Fume-Blanc
    Whatever you call it, it's darn good!

    Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Fumé Blanc 2010 - Sauvignon Blanc With A Fancy French Name
    The name Fumé Blanc was created by Robert Mondavi in the late 1960s in an effort to differentiate his new style of dry Sauvignon Blanc from the sweet version that was popular at the time. Today; however, it's just another name for Sauvignon Blanc. Whatever you call it, it's plenty good! Lemongrass, tropical fruit (guava and pineapple primarily), orange zest and lime are wrapped up in a very smooth texture. The wine has a wonderful racy acidity and even has a bit of earthy minerality on the long finish.

    2012-Swedish-Hill-Dry-Riesling
    You Betcha!

    Swedish Hill Dry Riesling 2012 - World Class Riesling From New York?
    We're big fans of Riesling from the Finger Lakes and this one comes from of the largest and most award winning wineries in the region. Aromas of pear, green apple and lots of lovely floral notes lead into more delicious green apple and pear flavors when tasting as well as lime and a touch of tropical fruit. It's just sweet enough with plenty of fruit, a nice lively texture and good acidity. This one should pair quite easily with lots of different foods. If you haven't yet tried Riesling from this region, now's your chance!

    2011-Gary-Farrell-Russian-River-Selection-Pinot-Noir
    From our favorite splurge
    spot for Pinot Noir.

    Gary Farrell Russian River Selection Pinot Noir 2011 - Like Liquid Velvet
    The Russian River Valley with its cool weather, abundant morning fog and long growing season is perfect for growing and ripening excellent Pinot Noir grapes full of flavor and complexity and it's one of our favorite spots when we're looking to splurge. This one begins with beautiful and complex aromas of black cherry and spice along with secondary notes of citrus, a little cedar and some nice floral notes. The wine tastes excellent with a very smooth, velvety mouthfeel full of blackberry, black cherry and cola along with a bit of an earthy note. Lovely oaky spice, cedar and black pepper lead into the long, dry finish of this wonderfully balanced wine. Fantastic! Saturday splurge.

    2011-Noble-Vines-1-Red-Blend
    Fruity, jammy,
    smooth and tasty.

    Noble Vines 1 Red Blend 2011 - You've Got Nothing To Fear From These Clones
    A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel from Lodi, California that makes a great match for burgers and pizza. The name Noble Vines comes from the wineries use of famous clones of grape varietals that they feel will work best in their vineyards. (Clones are genetically identical vines that have nonetheless adapted to specific growing conditions to produce beneficial qualities.) Whatever they are doing it seems to be working because we're big fans of their wines. This one features silky smooth tannins, a nice spicy streak, hints of oak and vanilla and good acidity. I'd say this is a definite step up from something like an Apothic Red. Highly recommended.

    And now five favorites from the staff at MVL:

    GRIGNANO POGGIO GUALTIERI2006 Fattoria Grignano Poggio Gualtieri Chianti Rufina Reserva
    From MVL:
    Made on the site of a 15th century villa, this wine comes from the esteemed Rufina area of the greater Chianti region. It is a traditional Chianti, based predominantly on Sangiovese. Good deep red. High-toned aromas of plum, mocha, licorice and exotic herbs. Plump, lush and sweet, with harmonious acidity framing the redcurrant and tobacco flavors. Finishes with substantial ripe, building tannins and lingering creaminess.

    BUG JUICE MOSCATO DASTI2012 Rinaldi "Bug Juice" Moscato d'Asti
    From MVL: The Rinaldi family has been making wine in Italy Piedmont region for over 40 years. Along with some powerhouse reds, they also make this stunning Moscato d’Asti. One of the best on the market, this is one of the few Moscatos that proves that sweeter wines can still be elegant, well made, and serious.

    CA DE CALLE RED WINE

    2011 Ca' de Calle Red Wine

    From MVL: An elegant blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot. Dark purple color. Forward nose of toasty plums, black cherry, and lilac flowers. On the palate the wine is rich and full, with layers of berry flavors and a hint of bittersweet chocolate. Finishes soft with balancing acidity.

    PENDULUM RED WINE

    2011 Pendulum Red Wine
    From MVL: Coming out of Washington State’s Columbia Valley, this is an elegant blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Tempranillo. Combining Rhone, Bordeaux, and Spanish varietals in an attempt to create a refined red blend indicative of Washington.

    BORGO SCOPETO CHIANTI CL2010 Borgo Scopeto Chianti Classico
    From MVL: Borgo Scopeto is located in the Classico zone of the greater Chianti region, considered the greatest of all of the Chianti sub regions. This 2010 is a brooding, elegant, and traditional Chianti Classico.

     

    Filed Under: Weekly wrap-up

    << Cameron Hughes Lot 372 Brunello di Montalcino - Jackpot
    Mt. Beautiful North Canterbury Riesling - True To Its Name >>

    About Jon Thorsen

    Author and independent wine consumer helping millions of people find great wines without breaking the bank since 2011. Sign up for my FREE GUIDE to learn how! Read more about me...

    Reverse Wine Snob Insider Deals Header Square
    Limited Time offers with amazing discounts just for our readers.

    Don't Miss Out!

    About Reverse Wine Snob

    Wine doesn't have to be expensive to be good! Jon Thorsen is an independent wine consumer who has been helping millions of people find great wines without breaking the bank since 2011. If you're new to Reverse Wine Snob® sign up for my free guide and don't miss our exclusive Insider Deals! Read more about Reverse Wine Snob in the news and about me.

    Reverse Wine Snob Logo

    The "Perfect 10" Pack!

    Insider Deal Perfect 10 Pack!Four of our highest rated wines, all with 10 Taste Ratings (94+ points), all from different wineries, and all offered at a huge discount! Get them while you can.

    More Info

    Join over 450,000 followers on social media!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Get Our Free Guide! How To Drink Great Wine...Without Breaking The Bank

    Free Guide! How To Drink Great Wine Without Breaking The BankReady to start drinking the best wine of your life, and save money doing it? Sign up for our 5 Day Free Guide!

    Learn More

    Helpful Links

    • - Ask The Expert Series
    • - Browse by Variety, Region, etc.
    • - Buy My Book on Amazon
    • - Get Our Free Guide
    • - How To Choose A Good Bottle of Wine
    • - Insider Deals
    • - Insider Deal FAQ
    • - Printable Lists of Recommended Wines
    • - Ten Tenets of Reverse Wine Snobbery
    • - The Rating System
    • - Wine Tasting Basics

    • - Advertise
    • - Contact Info
    • - Submit Samples for review

    How To Drink Great Wine...Without Breaking The Bank

    Tired of wasting money on bad wine? Sign up for our Free Guide!

    No commitments, no spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

    Best Of Lists!

      • - Aldi Wine
      • - Best Pizza Wines
      • - Best Red Wines of 2022
      • - Box Wines
      • - Cabernet Sauvignon
      • - Chardonnay
      • - Chianti
      • - Costco Wine
      • - French Wines
      • - Italian Wines
      • - Malbec
      • - Merlot
      • - Oregon Wines
      • - Organic Wines
      • - Pinot Noir
      • - Red Blends
      • - Rosé
      • - Riesling
      • - Sauvignon Blanc
      • - Spanish Wines
      • - Sparkling Wine
      • - Syrah
      • - Thanksgiving Wines
      • - Trader Joe's Wine
      • - Vegan Wines
      • - Zinfandel
      • And Many More Best of Lists

    Reverse Wine Snob®: Wine doesn't have to be expensive to be good.

    Copyright © 2011–2023 · Reverse Wine Snob, LLC. | Privacy, Editorial & Advertising Policy