Here are listings of great values under $20.00. Some are old favorites and some are new arrivals. All are great.

Color: Black Pomegranate
Aroma: Toasty Crème Brulee, Ripe Cherry with dry cinnamon nuances    and layers of black currants wrapped in plums.
Flavor: Bing Cherries with toasty vanilla bean
Texture: Big, pallet encompassing tannin, supple and full, long finish with staying power and bold presence
$19.99
 

Little James Basket Press N/V

     The non-vintage Little James is a 100% basket-pressed vin de table that is not permitted to have a vintage designation, even though this example is all from the 2003 vintage. It is produced from a combination of young Grenache vines from the estate, blended with old vine Grenache that Louis Barruol discovered in the Roussillon region. There are 40,000 bottles of this delicious, in-your-face concoction that represents the bottled essence of the sunny south of France. Aromas and flavors of Provencal herbs, pepper, kirsch liqueur, and hint of apricots emerge from this rich, fleshy red. It admirably proves that creative winemaking, good sourcing, and a minimal interventionalistic policy can result in tremendous value. Drink it over the next 1-2 years. $12.99

Copain Les Printemps Rose 2006

     Les Printemps is French for Spring. This light rose is made mostly from Pinot Noir and includes a small amount of Syrah. The wine is bled off the skins at different times for the Syrah and Pinot Noir to obtain its unique coloring. Delicate strawberry and small red berries predominate the nose. On the palate this wine is quite refreshing, with bright cherry and strawberry flavors and a delicate underlying minerality. This is a pretty wine, which is light and perfect to enjoy with a variety of foods, from picnic fare to spring salads, lightly grilled veggies to a nice, thin-sliced rare roast beef sandwich. $15.99

2006 A to Z Oregon Rosé Wine

Gorgeous aromas of strawberries, raspberries, Provençal herbs, wildflowers, juicy cherries, watermelon and mixed spices. The wine is bright and lush at the same time finishing clean and crisp. This beautiful, dry Rosé is made entirely of Sangiovese grapes from Del Rio Vineyard in Southern Oregon picked early to retain freshness and bright acidity. Full of flavor and pleasure, this A to Z Rosé is a perfect wine with all types of food and will drink wonderfully over the next year. $14.99
 

Cline Cashmere (MSG) 2005

Winemaker's Comments:
We initially created this blend as an auction lot for the Hospice du Rhone held in Paso Robles each year. Cashmere is a very flavorful, smooth wine that offers big cherry, raspberry and chocolate notes with hints of cracked black pepper and plum.
This Cashmere blend consists of 46% Mourvèdre, 41% Syrah and 12% Grenache.
A portion of the proceeds from every bottle sold will be donated to local charities benefiting children. $16.99
 

 The Black Chook Sparkling Shiraz

     From Winemaker Ben Riggs, "Uniquely Australian, The Black Chook Sparkling Shiraz reflects the true intensity of color and fruit characteristics for which Australian-Made Sparkling Shiraz is being enjoyed throughout the world. This wine is a full bodied offering which combines the attributes of fruit with tannin, sweetness and bubbles to deliver rich concentrated flavors and a full and rewarding palate. I'm sure you'll enjoy it is as special occasion wine just as much as we like to tell chook stories."  $16.99

 

  Tozai Snow Maiden - $18.99

  Tozai Living Jewel -$18.99

Killibinbin Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2004
 

Excellent vintage conditions and extra maturation time have resulted in a Blend that is arguably the best yet. The extra time in barrel has resulted in a wine that is well integrated and balanced showing complex notes of berries, coffee, dark chocolate, tar and earth. The mid palate is very user friendly, being full, round and juicy, with the upfront fruit nicely balanced by fresh acidity and soft yet ripe tannins. It is a great example of just how well these varieties get on together in the bottle. The lifted perfume and tight structure of the Cabernet combine with the ripe dark fruit and earthy character of the Shiraz, creating a style that is unique and alluring. Drinks well now and any time over the next 4-5 years. $18.99
 

Las Perdices Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

     The wine is of an intense ruby color, and has cherry aromas with subtle pepper and soft vanilla oak notes. Soft on the palate, it is well balanced with sour cherry and cassis flavors. The restrained alcohol level (13.5%) lends this well-integrated wine a touch of elegance more reminiscent of a high-priced wine. $15.99
 

Château Barrail Meyney, Bordeaux  2005

     A majority of the available Bordeaux at this price level use the generic "Bordeaux" appellation, such as this one. The '05 Barrail Meyney, clearly dominated by Merlot, is soft, fleshy, and easy-drinking even now, although just two years old. It has some charry oak aromas, with plummy flavors, good depth, and ripe, soft tannins. $13.99

 

DeLoach Vineyards’ 2004 Estate Bottled Merlot

     Harvested by hand, these grapes were estate-grown at our Los Amigos Ranch, located 11 miles northeast of the winery. After fermentation, the wine was aged 14 months in French, American and Hungarian oak barrels.

     DeLoach Vineyards’ 2004 Estate Bottled Merlot has a true varietal voice with aromas of dusky black cherry and cedar box. Immediate flavors of sarsaparilla and cassis are framed by a kiss of oak; developing into sophisticated layers of bakers chocolate and black truffles $19.99

 Red Heads Studio "Yard Dog" 2005; Australia

     "Just like a beloved family pet that has gone feral, a canine prisoner condemned to the confines of the backyard...such is the fate of Bordeaux varieties in Australia. Once the royalty of vitis vinifera, now neglected. Once adored by winemakers, now overlooked, left outside the back porch of the winery. Here they have become dark, brooding and masculine, losing their polished and pampered look. Beware of the Yard Dog." Hey we didn't write it but it sounded good. We did love the wine! This baby is packed with gamy, currants, plums, cherries and wild berries. Rich, full-bodied blend of 60% Petite Verdot, 30% Cabernet and 10% Malbec. Supple and ready for any food off the grill just like a Yard Dog. $12.99
 

Domaine La Manarine Cotes du Rhone 2004

     Elegant, traditional style, with herb, cocoa, red cherry and sandalwood notes that are tender and supple through the pretty, lingering finish.  This is a stunning wine of depth and grace, exuberantly aromatic with notes of crushed pepper and berries, demonstrably spicy on the palate with red berry flavors predominant. $16.99

Domaine du Salvard 2006

     This Cheverny somehow makes sauvignon blanc friendly, without gutting it of any charisma. The sharp nose is as citric and grassy as that of any decent New Zealand one. The palate has an underlying richness of fruit that as much balances the acid as it challenges it. The acid responds in kind. This back and forth is lovely, showing the grape's sweet and saline sublimity. Pleasure and pain, but never the two in excess. The finish is short, but enthusiastic with budding flavors of peach, apricot, and clover honey. $14.99

Domaine Du Cros Marcillac Lo Sang Del Pais 2004

     I love wines that say "drink me" from the moment the inky liquid chugs from the bottle into the glass and you nose that first wonderful vinous aroma...
     This Marcillac is a rooting, tooting fruity number. "Lo Sang del Pais" apparently is patois for the blood of the soil and this sanguine red oozes stony minerality, damp earth and ferns. The first impression is cut grass, then a burst of red and black fruits and in the mouth an easy, vital, vibrant earthy fruit backed by a cool iron-filing rasp. Marcillac is a guzzler, a perfect thirst-quencher (I would chill it slightly in the summer); its medicinal drink ability makes it enormous fun. $12.99
 

Domaine Pichot 2005 Vouvray Domaine Le Peu De La Moriette

More golden in color than the sec. A Mirabelle plum nose. Lovely flavors of apple pie with cream plus pineapple, cloves and ripe pear. Super round with acids that cling to the roof of your mouth. A silky, elegant finish. $14.99