{"id":15769,"date":"2015-04-23T16:35:48","date_gmt":"2015-04-23T20:35:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=15769"},"modified":"2015-04-23T16:35:48","modified_gmt":"2015-04-23T20:35:48","slug":"chief-cork-officer-10-under-10","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=15769","title":{"rendered":"Chief Cork Officer: 10 under $10"},"content":{"rendered":"

Great tastes and values in red wines<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

By Brian Gurnham<\/strong>, Columnist, The Times<\/em><\/p>\n

\"BgurnhamRevised\"<\/a>Did you know that the average price paid for a bottle of wine in the United States is $6.30?\u00a0 With the recent arsenic scare naming budget wine producers, maybe the average will go up.\u00a0 But, as one who is doing everything budgetary possible to move the needle upwards, I thought it would be worth some semi-scientific research to identify the current most popular red and white wines available in the market at a price of under $10.<\/p>\n

In this first of a two part series we\u2019re looking for ten red wines, single variety or blends, that are amongst the best in class, yet cost less than $10.\u00a0 Our largely unscientific research looked at four categories.<\/p>\n

Popularity<\/b> \u2013 Can the masses be wrong?\u00a0 Well if the comparison is against some hard to understand standard then yes, after all let\u2019s face it, the public at large is always subject to good marketing, and the wine industry spends millions to promote their wines.\u00a0 However, there is value in the combined opinion of the wine consuming public.\u00a0 We looked at Vivino, search rank and scores on Wine-Searcher.com, Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, Cellar tracker and other readily available statistics on wine sales.<\/p>\n

Web mentions<\/b> \u2013 We searched dozens of articles by wine bloggers, men\u2019s and women\u2019s health sites, restaurant critics, and most anyone else who offered an opinion.\u00a0 We gave extra credit to a wine mentioned in more than one article.<\/p>\n

Tasting<\/b> \u2013 As a final totally subjective review, I added my personal opinion.\u00a0 I tasted all of the wines and added my two cents as to whether I consider the wine worthy of being included in the top ten.\u00a0 Most but not all received the final stamp of approval!<\/p>\n

Research and pricing was compiled during the first quarter of 2015.\u00a0 Prices vary widely by State and some of the listed wines may be slightly over $10 in your neck of the woods.\u00a0 In no particular order, here are the top ten reds.<\/p>\n

Ravenswood 2012 Zinfandel Vintners Blend\u00a0<\/b>California- Many consider Ravenswood the father of American Zinfandel.\u00a0 A consistent<\/p>\n

\"Ravenswood\"<\/p>\n

mass producer, Ravenswood offers an array of Zinfandel based wines ranging from their affordable Vintners Blend to the Old Hill Single Vineyard Zinfandel at more than $50 a bottle.\u00a0 This blend is 75% Zinfandel and 16% Petite Sirah with the remaining 9% Syrah and other reds.\u00a0 The 13.5% alcohol leaves this Zin a little bit lighter than some of its competitors but 10 months in French Oak (35% of the barrels new) helps with the body.\u00a0 The aromas are cherry, black cherry and raspberry with a touch of campfire on the finish.\u00a0 Worthy of inclusion?\u00a0 While a bit light to be among my favorites, the Ravenswood Vintners Blend Zinfandel is a well-positioned offering and we\u2019ll keep it on the list.<\/p>\n

Gnarly Head 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon \u2013 <\/b>Sourced from vineyards around northern California, this award winning Cabernet is just shy of a fruit bomb.\u00a0 Loaded with black cherry, currant, and cranberries, and finished with a spiciness of black pepper and clove, this jammy fruit forward Cabernet is built for the masses.\u00a0 Lacking sufficient depth and complexity to garner the 90+ ratings of many California Cabs, the 2012 Gnarly Head is nonetheless a solid entrant for an everyday easy drinking Cabernet.\u00a0 Worthy of inclusion?\u00a0 I\u2019m keeping it on the list as a value wine \u2013 you won\u2019t wow anyone, but you certainly won\u2019t offend anyone serving this wine.<\/p>\n

Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot 2012<\/b> \u2013 Owned by Chateau St. Michelle, the largest wine producer by far in Washington State, Columbia Crest bucks the trend of mass produced wines and has the awards to prove it.\u00a0 The 2012 Merlot earned an 89 point rating from the Wine Spectator, and Wine Enthusiast rated it an 88, and a best buy.\u00a0 The wine is technically a blend with 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. The aromas feature berry fruits with a little bit of mocha, coffee and spice on the finish.\u00a0 The 13.5% alcohol and 14 month aging in one-third new oak give this Merlot a solid underpinning. The wine does exhibit a bit of earthiness on the finish, reminiscent of its Bordeaux cousins.\u00a0 Worthy of inclusion?\u00a0 The price, oak aging, and pleasant fruit make this entrant a no brainer. <\/i><\/p>\n

\"Phebus-MMC\"<\/a>Malbec \u2013 Phebus MMC 2013 <\/b>\u2013 This blend of primarily Malbec (70%) is softened with 15% Merlot and structured with 15% Cabernet Sauvignon (hence the name MMC).\u00a0 Phebus is a brand of the Fabre Montmayou Winery and Vineyard started by Frenchman Herv\u00e9 FabreAlong in the 1990\u2019s.\u00a0 The grapes are grown in the higher altitudes of Lujan de Cuyo, north of the city of Mendoza.\u00a0 The Phebus MMC is rich with fruit aromas, primarily red berries and cherry.\u00a0 Tannins are present but nicely balanced with acidity, both residing in the back seat.\u00a0 Just make sure you pay attention to the vintage.\u00a0 The 2013 vintage garnered a 90+ point rating from the Wine Advocate, and it was well deserved.\u00a0 Being from the southern hemisphere, the 2014 vintage is showing up in many stores and while still delightful, it\u2019s not the 2013.\u00a0 Worthy of inclusion?\u00a0 As long as you can find a bottle of the 2013, absolutely!<\/p>\n

Layer Cake Shiraz 2013<\/b> \u2013 A perennial favorite producer from South Australia, Layer Cake produces their Shiraz using grapes from the McLaren Vale and Barossa Valley sub regions.\u00a0 This 100% Shiraz is full bodied with 14.9% alcohol and a dark inky color.\u00a0 The aromas are intense blackberry, cassis, and Bing cherry with the classical Australian spiciness of pepper and cedar on the finish.\u00a0 The wine is aged in 100% French Oak, 40% of which is new, adding noticeable toastiness and vanilla aromas.\u00a0 Worthy of inclusion?\u00a0 The competition for quality Shiraz is intense, with Molly Ducker leading most ratings.\u00a0 But given the affordability of Layer Cake\u2019s 2013 Shiraz, we\u2019ll keep it on the list.<\/i><\/p>\n

\"14-Hands\"<\/a>14 Hands Hot To Trot Red Blend 2012 <\/b>\u2013 This is an interesting red blend of primarily Merlot.\u00a0 The producer doesn\u2019t reveal precise percentages, indicating that the blend is \u201cprimarily Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon with other selected red varieties\u201d.\u00a0 Well that pretty much covers the waterfront!\u00a0 The wine hails from the Columbia Valley AVA, and is produced in Prosser, Washington.\u00a0 Owned by Chateau St. Michelle, 14 Hands has enjoyed double digit growth in the last two years and now produces over 1.6 million cases of wine per year.\u00a0 As for this wine, I found it dry, generous with aromas of cherry and red currant.\u00a0 Acidity levels were appropriate, and the tannins were noticeable but not intrusive.\u00a0 What was somewhat off putting, my taste only, was an undertone of earthiness and feltiness that detracted somewhat from the edges of the fruit.\u00a0 Tea is on the official tasting notes and that may very well have been what I tasted.\u00a0 Worthy of inclusion?\u00a0 IMHO, this wine is close, but not on my top 10.<\/p>\n

Falesco Vitiano Rosso 2012 <\/b>\u2013 This blend of equal parts Merlot, Sangiovese, and Cabernet Sauvignon produced by the Falesco Family hails from their Umbria Estate.\u00a0 Since the first vintage in 1995 this wine has been consistently recognized by the Wine Advocate, garnering ratings that range from 86-90 points.\u00a0 The wine is a deep ruby red, with aromas of plum and dark berries.\u00a0 Tannins are present but are placed firmly in the back seat while the lively acidity rides shotgun.\u00a0 Made to be drunk young, this wine is the perfect complement to all things Italian. Worthy of inclusion?\u00a0 Little doubt in my mind that this easy drinking red belongs in the top 10.<\/p>\n

Bogle Vineyards \u2013 Petite Sirah 2013 \u2013 <\/b>This underappreciated grape variety is often relegated to the back shelves of local wine shops, or absent altogether.\u00a0 It\u2019s a shame because Petite Sirah (no to be confused with Syrah\/Shiraz) is a bold, aromatic, big red, most commonly used to add dark color and tannins to varietals in need.\u00a0 Bogle accurately describes this wine as having, \u201cconcentrated, jammy and luscious flavors\u201d.\u00a0 What caught my attention were the dense fruit flavors \u2013 blackberry, blueberry, prunes, and let\u2019s be honest, the $8.99 price tag.\u00a0 Worth of inclusion?\u00a0 Absolutely!\u00a0 Find this gem if you have to travel to more than one wine shop, and buy more than one bottle.\u00a0 You will not be sorry.<\/p>\n

\"Campo-Viejo\"<\/a>Campo Viejo Rioja Tempranillo<\/b> – From the minute I popped the cork, the aromas of this wine raced to my olfactory apparatus.\u00a0 This Tempranillo has some serious smells, all delightful, fruity and complex.\u00a0 Dark berry fruits \u2013 blackberry, blueberry, black cherry, all combined with vanilla and some type of spiciness that I couldn\u2019t nail down, but enjoyable.\u00a0 Tannins are present but not in your face, and offset with balanced acidity, set up a nice mini salivation war on the palate.\u00a0 Medium bodied, fruit driven and amazingly affordable.\u00a0 Worthy of inclusion?\u00a0 Absolutely!<\/p>\n

Apothic Red <\/b>\u2013 Product of the wine giant Ernest and Julio Gallo Winery, this blend of Zinfandel, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon has become popular in part from it ample fruit and also from the marketing prowess of E&J Gallo.\u00a0 The wine has a fruit forward aspect, and a bit of earthiness on the palate.\u00a0 Primary aromas include black cherry, vanilla and mocha.\u00a0 The wine\u2019s dark color and 16.4g\/l of residual sugar make this wine an easy transitional wine for the aspiring wine consumer moving from white zinfandel to dryer wines.\u00a0 Apothic red is truly a manufactured wine, assembled to address a wine consuming niche \u2013 marketing genius at its best.\u00a0 Worthy of inclusion?\u00a0 Well this one is really close.\u00a0 For my palate it would not make my top ten but understanding that every wine has an audience, and this wine\u2019s following is large, I\u2019ll keep in on the list.\u00a0 Just don\u2019t blame me if it\u2019s not your cup of \u201cwine\u201d.<\/p>\n

For now it\u2019s off to sip some more wines in search of \u201c10 under 10\u201d from the world of white wines.\u00a0 Stay tuned and cheers!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Great tastes and values in red wines By Brian Gurnham, Columnist, The Times Did you know that the average price paid for a bottle of wine in the United States is $6.30?\u00a0 With the recent arsenic scare naming budget wine producers, maybe the average will go up.\u00a0 But, as one who is doing everything budgetary […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15764,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,4],"tags":[6116,2509,306],"class_list":["post-15769","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle","category-featured","tag-reds","tag-values","tag-wine"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15769","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=15769"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15769\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/15764"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=15769"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=15769"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=15769"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}