Editor’s Note: Since our readers are interested in finding great inexpensive wines, we thought we’d invite another bargain hunter to stop by and share his cheap wine recommendations. The following is a guest post from Jon Thorsen of The Reverse Wine Snob.
If you’re a fan of CheapWineRatings.com then I know that you know there is plenty of good wine to be found for less than $20. Once you start talking about wine under $10 however, it gets a little dicey. Tim has graciously allowed me to share some of my favorite $10 and under finds. So without further ado, here are my top five wines under $10.
2010 Familia Zuccardi Santa Julia Organica Malbec
Available for $9-10. 100% Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina. Very smooth, very drinkable and it’s even organic. From a vineyard that subsidizes health care and gives free education to their workers so you can feel even better while enjoying its smooth plum flavors and slightly spicy finish.
2009 d’Arenberg The Stump Jump Red
Available for $9.99. 42% Grenache, 33% Shiraz, 25% Mourvédre from McLaren Vale, Australia. Strong aromas of plum, ripe fruit, and a little spice. The wine is very smooth with tastes of dark fruit, blackberry, and dried herbs. The wine ends with a great medium-long spicy finish.
2008 Concannon Vineyard Conservancy Petite Sirah
Available for $9.99. 100% Petite Sirah from Livermore Valley, California. Ahh, Petite Sirah, a wine with an interesting up and down history that doesn’t seem to get enough recognition today. This one has sweet blackberries and a little chocolate and pepper on the nose. The palate showed blackberries and even a bit of mocha. The dry finish has nice tannins and is overall just a really nicely balanced, full-bodied, drinkable wine.
2010 Caligiore Staccato Malbec/Cabernet Sauvignon
Available for $9.99. 60% Malbec and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon from Mendoza, Argentina. A second organic wine in my Top 5 Wines Under $10 list, but really that’s just a bonus because this wine is simply great. This is a deliciously fruity wine with smooth but firm tannins on the finish. Medium-bodied with blackberry and spice.
2009 Altovinum Calatayud Evodia Garnacha
Available for as low as $6.99 (at Costco). 100% Garnacha from Calatayud, Spain. This wine comes from vines up to 100 years old. Black cherry and cola on the nose, followed by raspberry notes with a bit of pepper and heat. Slightly dry and a very smooth finish that lingers nicely. Sublime is really the best word to describe this one. Highly recommended.
*All wines except the Evodia were samples received for review purposes.
Great list! I absolutely adore the Evodia! So yummy and so cheap! Bests the pants off some grenaches that are three times the price! It has become my house red.