90 Plus Cellars Classic Series Chianti Riserva and Cotes du Rhone – Everyday Values

Daily drinker alert! Two highly recommended wines under 12 bucks each.

These reviews are brought to you by 90 Plus Cellars.

First up is the 90 Plus Cellars Classic Series Chianti Riserva, Sangiovese from Tuscany, Italy. The wine spends 1 year in bottle and another 2 years in bottle before release. It has an SRP of $12 but is available for as low as $10 for club members.

From the bottle:

The Chianti region of Tuscany extends from the city of Siena in the south to Florence in the north. Between them, grape vines grow on high hills where the intense heat of the summer sun is kept in check by cool mountain air. Harvest happens when the grapes are ripe, fresh and capable of making a wine with expressive aromas of red cherries and spice.

13% Alcohol

The 2013 90 Plus Cellars Classic Series Chianti Riserva Lot 144 begins with an inviting aroma of full of ripe red cherry and spice along with floral notes and a bit of vanilla. Tasting reveals a pretty classic Chianti with lots of ripe red fruit, red licorice, spice and leather along with that great acidity that helps to make Chianti such a good fine wine. Firm tannins lead into the dry finish where just a touch of earthiness emerges. This is an excellent example of Chianti at this low price. The extra age on this wine makes a world of difference and it is drinking wonderfully right now.

This one easily grabs a spot on our giant list of the best Italian Wines under $20.

Ready to buy the 90 Plus Cellars Classic Series Chianti Riserva Lot 144? Click here.

Next up is the 90 Plus Cellars Classic Series Cotes du Rhone, a blend of 50% Syrah and 50% Grenache from Cotes du Rhone, France.

The wine has an SRP of $13 but is available for as low as $11 for club members.

From the bottle:

This bottle of Cotes du Rhone comes from the vineyards located in the northernmost part of the Southern Rhone Valley. Grenache and Syrah vines over 30 years-old grow in loess soils comprised of clay and silt deposited by the valley’s strong winds. In autumn, grapes are harvested by hand and fermented by combining destemmed berries with whole bunches of fruit. The result is a wine with expressive red berry fruit flavors, and a fresh, smooth texture.

13.5% Alcohol

The 2016 90 Plus Cellars Classic Series Cotes du Rhone Lot 143 begins with a pleasing aroma of black cherries, spice, licorice and a little anise. Wow, this is a tasty wine! Taking a sip reveals more black cherry plus fresh red berry fruit, wonderful spice, lots of licorice and touches of dried herbs in this smooth, medium-bodied wine. Everything works together perfectly in this one. The anise from the nose returns and comes to front on the long, dry, mouth-watering finish. An easy bottle to finish!

Find more of our favorite French wines in our giant list of the Best Wines From France under $20.

Ready to buy the 90 Plus Cellars Classic Series Cotes du Rhone Lot 143? Click here.

This post was sponsored by 90 Plus Cellars.