Best twenty dollar wine ever! By Phil Hude
Constantly I am asked what is the best twenty dollar red by clients, mates and people I meet at functions. I think at the moment we have an array of twenty dollar wines that surpass normal value for quality, and these are my top six by colour:
Reds:
Taltarni 'Three Monks' cab/merlot has always been an adberration, and good cabernet is GOOD! The thirty percent merlot that Taltarni add softens out the astringency of the cabernet and creates an extremely gluggable blend, that also is a fantastic match with lamb (especially lamb kebabs late at night), and has a real cassis, plum, full-style palate that will please all red lovers. $19.95
Pondalowie 'Vineyard Blend' is a unique blend of shiraz, cabernet and tempranillo that suits a wide range of dishes and Spanish tapas. This interesting blend has a cherry-cola and sarsaparilla edge with pencilled tannins and the big plush flavour of shiraz streaming through the palate. $19.95
Our Rascal pinot has quickly become a favourite, having been made by Mac Forbes in the Yarra Valley. It is an extremely gluggable style pinot with some real 'pinosity' and some lovely sinewy tannins, but also bright cherry fruit, that makes this pinot a lovely day time, and night time, drink. $19.95
Lengs & Cooter 'Victor' shiraz has always baffled people on a) how they get a few years in the bottle so that this wine has some level of maturity but yet b) also it has bright brash fruit that smacks you all through the gob until basically you are left with a satisfying chewy edge of fruit and oak combined. A fantastic meat dish wine, with lasagne or osso bucco, or any fatty, complex, meat-driven dish. $19.95
Katnook 'Founders Block' cabernet highlights why Katnook is renowned for it's a) cabernet and b) high quality wine. This is a complete aberration in the marketplace and at sub twenty dollars is frighteningly good value. This is a drink-now style but could definitely sit in the cellar for a number of years. Their estate cabernet is awesome but I think this 'Founders Block' really gives most cabernets a good run for their money. RRP: $19.95
Bleasdale malbec is not only great value for twenty dollars, it is outstanding for as it is under seventeen! If you have never tried malbec you should get on board with the Bleasdale wine taking full advantage of this underappreciated and rare grape. It has some rich berry fruit weight but is not over the top on the palate, nor is it broad. It does have excellent balance, and that is rare to find of wines in this kind of price range. $16.95
Whites:
Although sauvignon blanc has fast become the most popular varietal, I don't drink the stuff much unless it is French or made in the more restrained French style with a touch of oak to restrain that green vegetal style of sauvignon. This style to me is not only a good drink but also a good food wine. Taltarni 'Fume Blanc' is a great example, and at sub twenty dollars I think is one of the better buys. Stylistically it emulates the European style of Savvy, and is certainly is more my fancy as a modern day sauvignon blanc. $19.95
Our Rascal pinot grigio, which is made by Tod Dexter (ex- Stoniers), is easily one of the bargain buys of our whole shop. A gorgeous amalgam of fruit and crunchy acid make this a fabulous food style wine but also a great wine to have a couple of glasses of before dinner (maybe with a naughty treat). The varietel character is obvious and the deft handling of the fruit is testament to Tod's excellent wine making skills. A real bargain at around fifteen dollars. $14.95
Chardonnay has always been my favourite white variatel and the Pfitnzer chardonnay from Piccadilly Valley, grown on a Petaluma vineyard and made by Andrew Hardy at Petaluma, is a Chablis style with restrained use of oak and beautiful fruit purity. At sub twenty this is extremely good value considering its pedigree. We are extremely lucky to have exclusivity of this wine in Melbourne and I think it represents great value for money. $19.95
Another good chardonnay we have had great success with is Juno chardonnay from South Africa. The Juno range is quite strong and the Juno chardonnay, if you like fruited styles of chardonnay, is certainly something that can hold itself with the higher priced chardonnays. Tthe hand of the winemaker is evident but certainly isn't overdone and is an extremely good drink. At sub-fifteen dollars it is outstanding value. $14.95
Riesling is also one of my favourite styles, and there is no doubt that the O'Leary Walker riesling from Watervale is one of the true Clare Valley styles of wine that is true to the riesling grape and (along with Pikes) is probably my favourite value/quality riesling in the Valley. $19.95
Lawsons Dry Hills sauvignon blanc is one for those who do love the New Zealand style of this grape. It has all the freshness and zippy palate you expect from New Zealand savvy. It may not be to my style, but is a bargain none the less. $17.95
As a Christmas special when you purcahse these wines in a dozen, of any configuration, we will give you 14 bottles to the dozen if you mention this e-mail. This includes delivery anywhere in Australia.
This offer is only valid until next week's newsletter so please take advantage and enjoy these high quality, value wines while you can!
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