Wine Value - It's not a focus it's a way of life!

Picked up a Monte Antico in the Dover, NH state package store for $11.99. It went very well tonight with pasta in our Italian tomato sauce, and Italian sausages. Yum!

2011 Tobin James, Rock-N-Roll, Paso Robles, Syrah; alcohol 15%, $18.00 U.S. Gives you berries and smoke, and a wild spicy finish.

[David M. Bueker]

No sign of the alcohol on the palate?

No sign of the alcohol on the palate?

Nope. Have a great Memorial Day!

Here is a good QPR N.Rhône at less than half the price of some of the more famous names in Crozes-Hermitage.

2012 Cave de Tain l'Hermitage Crozes-Hermitage Cuvée de l'empi - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage (5/19/2015)
This is a "fun" wine for early drinking but not at all like the serious quasi-Burgundian offerings from the like of Alain Graillot. Lively nose of red fruit, mainly sour cherry, sprinkled with pepper. On the medium/light bodied palate the pepper element is prominent but on a backcloth of attractive red fruit, fresh acidity with enough grip to support the quite aromatic finish. Good wine and splendid QPR at €8.

[Jenise]

Heads up for Trader Joe's shoppers--the Picpoul de Pinet called Cava Azul is terrific. More flavor and balance than you expect for around $7.

OK...I know this is industrial wine made by a winery owned by a massive conglomerate, but I have to say that for $11, the KENWOOD 2012 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon was very, very drinkable. Quite fresh, with real cab character. Maybe my palate was off (a post bicycle ride tasting) but I thought it was delightful, actually.

First, thanks to David B. for finding the thread for me. From CellarTracker:
2009 Bodegas Arrocal, Ribero del Duero, Spain. Tempranillo grape.
14% alcohol by volume. Sees six months of oak. Darkly colored and opaque. Scent of currants and blackberries. Juicy on the palate with some savory notes and an astringent edge. I had this with a dish similar to a lamb stew but prepared in the oven instead of on the stovetop. At under $15 this is a great QPR. On CellarTracker I awarded it 88 points (up from 87 points the first evening) and 88 is also the CT average. Richard Jennings gave it 91 points.

2014 Château Bois de la Salle Julienas Beaujolais. 100% Gamay. Pleasant aromas of red fruit on the palate. Secondary aromas of blackberry with a spicy touch. Supple tannins; attractive and pleasant. Pairs well with pan-fried pork dumplings, first 2014 I have seen up here.

2013 Antica Corte Valpolicella Classico, Veneto, Italy. Note adapted from CellarTracker.
I paid $14.99 plus sales tax at Total Wine in Raleigh and find this a wine value at that price. Dark purple-red and almost opaque in appearance. Fruity, suggesting red and purple fruits with a minty taste also present. The mint note was a surprise to me. Light to medium body and not tannic. This paired nicely with a pot roast although the label suggests pairing it with grilled meat. I gave it 88 points on CellarTracker based on how it performs for what it is--a Valpolicella Classico--and not necessarily how it would rate against a classified Bordeaux, a premier cru Burgundy, a Barolo, etc.