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January 21, 2004 Wine Reviews, Wines under $20

Cost Plus Wine Recommendations

My dad asked me the other day for a list of reasonably inexpensive wines that would be better than the Two-Buck-Chuck that he had taken to drinking for its value. Dad is trying to cut back on beer a little but likes to unwind after work, and doesn’t mind the added health benefits of drinking red wine.

He has a Cost Plus near him, so I suggested he head over there for some good wine values. Here’s the list I provided. Note that he’s a red drinker so its skewed a little towards that end of the spectrum.

I’ve tasted all of the wines below (some in different vintages) and they’re all pretty good values for the money.

RED

  • Rosenblum Zinfandel – $7.99 – score: 7
  • Bogle Cabernet 2000 – $9.99
  • Dynamite Vineyards 2001 Merlot – $9.99
  • Neibaum-Coppola Black Label Claret – $10.99 – score: 8
  • Seghesio Zinfandel – $11.99
  • Estancia Cabernet – $12.99
  • Cinnabar Mercury Rising – $13.99 – score: 8.5
  • Franciscan Oakville Estate Napa Cab 2000 – $16.99 – score 7.5

    WHITE

  • Chateau St. Jean Chardonnay – $7.99
  • Hess Select Chardonnay – $7.99 – score: 7
  • Bonny Doon Big House White – $8.99 – score: 7

    If you don’t have a Cost Plus near you, most of these wines can be purchased from the producers or online. I happen to know that Mercury Rising (one of my favorites in the list) is avalable at Porthos.