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The Top 25 While the south of France gets its due, the Top 25 this time around nonetheless features wines from throughout the world. On the billet we have wines from locales as diverse as the , the North Coast, Columbia Valley, southern Italy, western Germany, Uruguay, and even a Spanish sparkler – a sampling of the overall selection is reviewed below. And for the future? Wines from locations such as Hungary, South Africa, and the relatively unexplored areas of traditional regions – the only thing in common between them is the keen price points, as well as the implicit message that paying less in no way confines the consumer to commodity selections. Just be willing to explore.

Stone Cap Columbia Valley 2013 Green’s Cash Sale Price: Columbia Valley has very much become a bastion for Merlot & , arguably on equal footing with the from which its reputation as wine region was solidified. The Stone Cap is a lighter iteration of the , which works here. Notes of black cherry and plum give way to tobacco accents mid-palate, all supported by a bright acidity and a lively finish that to be perfectly honest surprises with its longevity. A wonderful everyday red.

Pueblo del Sol Tannat 2013 Green’s Cash Sale Price:

This one comes to us from Uruguay, featuring a grape originally of southwest French provenance – Tannat - that has found a new home in South America. Sound familiar? Well, replace the name of the grape with (Argentina) or Carmenere (Chile) and the story remains the same. This of course is no mere coincidence, of course, as the influx of immigration to South America in the mid-late 19th century provides the basis, the more reliable climate of these New World regions the reason these thrived (in most cases undeniably more so than in their original homes). This version is made in a youthful, fruit-forward style – an admirable feat considering how tannic and uncompromising this grape can be in France (the Madiran AOC) – and is meant for quaffing, although the trademark grip of the variety still makes itself known.

Leese-Fitch Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 Green’s Cash Sale Price:

The name Leese-Fitch refers to a historical building in Sonoma Square, yet the fruit here is sourced from throughout California, to include Monterey, Paso Robles and Lodi. Cabernet Sauvignon makes up around ~85% of the wine (over the 75% varietal threshold that allows it to be labelled as a Cabernet), with the rest being varying proportions of , Syrah, Petite Sirah et. al. Truth be told it is always a challenge to find a worthy California Cabernet for under $20, much less under $10! When we do find one that measures up we’ll give it its moment in the sun – this offers the dark fruit and tobacco notes of a Cabernet varietal, with the earthy, herbal notes of Tempranillo and blue fruit & spice of the Petit Sirah making their presence known as well.

Beaulieu Coastal Estates 2012 Green’s Cash Sale Price:

A consistent Best Value in whatever wine publication one chooses to peruse, this Pinot is from one of the pioneering and most venerated producers in Napa Valley. Not the last word by any means when it comes to depth and complexity, this wine is still nonetheless varietally-correct, which at its price point is – to put it simply – astounding. Soft red fruit redolent of raspberries, plum and vanilla inform this one, and makes for pleasant, near-term drinking.

Amelie 2013 Green’s Cash Sale Price:

A bright, crisp Chardonnay, showcasing the ripe climate of the Languedoc-Roussillon region – tropical fruit, red apple, honey & citrus – while being unencumbered by . The result is a precision one usually finds at higher price points. A dynamic French varietal to be enjoyed over the short-term. Guenoc Claret 2012 Green’s Cash Sale Price:

Also well known for the cameo portrait of Lillie Langtry (a famous 19th century actress) that adorns its labels, the Guenoc Estate encompasses vineyards (some of California’s oldest) that spread out from the northern sections of Napa Valley and on into Lake County (with Guenoc Valley being recognized as a separate American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 1981). This sources its fruit from Guenoc Valley and out parts of the North Coast, and is molded after a classic claret (Bordeaux blend). Cabernet and Merlot are expectedly the main characters here, with the wine being an especially herbal representation – capsicum, tobacco & savory herbs, with hints of cola as well – of the classic style. A more substantive wine than one would expect from the price.

Irony North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Green’s Cash Sale Price:

A medium-bodied, North Coast Cabernet – the North Coast (in regards to its use as a wine provenance) refers to Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, and Lake counties – that offers notes of cassis, sour cherry, chocolate, cedar, and leather, and slightly dusty tannins that give that agreeable amount of grip for those that appreciate the sensation. A well-made, warm-weather Cabernet, with the virtues I noted for the Leese-Fitch applying here as well.

XYZin Old Vine 2012 Green’s Cash Sale Price:

Old vine is a somewhat-contentious term in that it is self-regulated; producers define it based on their own criteria, and the range of vine ages that qualify as “old vines” subsequently differ wildly from one bottle to another. Whatever the standards are here (there’s likely a proportion of 50 year- old and 100 year-old vines in the mix), this is a Zinfandel (with a touch of Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Tannat) that gives notes of soft black fruit, raspberry, baking spices, vanilla and a surprising minerality. Wine Spectator’s review notes this wine as zesty and balanced…with focused cherry and spice flavors that finish on a crisp note. Well-said.

Flaco Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 Green’s Cash Sale Price:

A wine crafted from organically-grown grapes, the producer here is Compañía de Vinos del Atlántico (and as a random aside, Flaco means “dude” in Spanish), the vineyards near the town of Toledo (60 miles south of Madrid) within the Malpica estate. The estate is in fact the largest holder in Europe (2,500 acres), with more to be planted soon. As such, this is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from an area within Spain increasingly respected for their Cabernet, with the firm structure & dark fruit, cocoa + tobacco notes one expects from this particular varietal. In short, a stunning value at $9.99, and an unbelievable one at $6.99.

Les Trois Couronnes Cotes-du-Rhone 2013 Green’s Cash Sale Price:

The Cotes-du-Rhone moniker in its most basic form spans the entire spectrum in regards to quality; the trick is to find the truly worthy ones from everything that’s out there. The Les Trois Couronnes (“The Three Crowns”) Côtes-du-Rhône is a soft, full wine in the classic tradition, with admirably complex aromas of strawberry, blueberry, lavender, tea and earth. It offers a generous mouthfeel with the ripe, fine-grained tannins one expects from better iterations. The finish is persistent, with lingering notes of red fruit and tobacco leaf.

Snoqualmie Columbia Valley Chardonnay 2012 Green’s Cash Sale Price: Another “Best Value” regular, this Washington state wine is actually 95% Chardonnay + 5% Viognier, the latter making its presence known with the hints of exotic fruit (papaya) and orange blossoms that complement the pineapple & lemon custard notes of the ripe Chardonnay. The malo and oak notes are up front & center, but even from one who doesn’t seek this style out it is admittedly nicely-done. The operative word here is balance, and the oaky, buttery Chardonnay that achieves this – by maintaining a line of crisp acidity to counterbalance its richness – is well on its way to being a good wine. At $9.99 simply a wonderful value.

Villa Maria Marlborough 2014 Green’s Cash Sale Price:

A refreshing, lively Sauvignon Blanc from part of the Marlborough vanguard. Marlborough is arguably the world’s most ideal location for growing Sauvignon Blanc, with its long, reliable sunshine hours balanced against the maritime influence of the Pacific Ocean. The resulting produce – further accentuated by a style that generally eschews the use of oak in any form – goes toward a wine that gives notes of passion fruit, grapefruit, capsicum, and lime zest, perhaps slightly off-dry, and a bright acidity that one feels throughout the long finish. This one can stand up to many a Sauvignon Blanc that go for twice the price point, if not more.

Barone Montalto Cabernet Sauvignon-Nero d’Avola 2011 Green’s Cash Sale Price:

A ripe, brooding red blend from the island of Sicily, featuring both its signature black grape variety (Nero d’Avola) and the ubiquitous French interloper (Cabernet Sauvignon). Nonetheless, this turns out to be a natural pairing. Blackberry preserves, floral highlights and grilled meats segue to a tobacco and tea-leaf finish, with just the right amount of grip to pair this with red meat. 87 points from Wine Spectator.

Luna Pinot Grigio 2012 Green’s Cash Sale Price:

What one expects from a Pinot Grigio – light-bodied & crisp, with delicate notes of apple & citrus – with gentle undertones of a wine that has just a bit more substance (and a touch of heat as well) – notes of cantaloupe, honey & lemon curd – than your standard fare. Think of this as midway between your crisp Italian version and the classic full-bodied Alsatian one, and with the dearth of California iterations perhaps an example of a distinct style altogether. Luna Vineyards is located off the Silverado Trail in Napa Valley, with a touch of Chardonnay (and a splash of Albarino) complementing the Pinot Grigio here.

Victor Costieres de Nimes 2011 Green’s Cash Sale Price:

A wine whose provenance straddles the territorial line between the Southern Rhone and the Languedoc, this comes across as a Cotes-du-Rhone of a higher order. The varietal mix is fairly unusual here by Southern Rhone standards: the Syrah and Mourvedre both represent 40% of the blend, with 20% balance going towards . Classic aromas of raspberry, lavender and licorice inform this wine, with the soft tannins and medium-plus body that make it one of the more versatile styles around.

Bex QbA 2012 Green’s Cash Sale Price:

A Riesling from the Nahe region of Germany, in the off-dry QbA style (approximately 2.5% residual sugar (RS)), and in this way truly an ideal aperitif if not the classic versatile pairing partner with Asian cuisine. Lemon, tangerine, lime, orange peel, and slate are the prominent descriptors here, with a long pleasant finish that speaks to the pedigree of the Riesling grape itself. While Nahe for long had the reputation as the anonymous producer of wines that went into bulk Rhine blends (with a majority of the region’s vineyard devoted to the pedestrian Muller-Thurgau & arguably less-pedestrian Silvaner grapes), it is now considered a source for high-quality, relatively keenly- priced Riesling (as well as the German red variety Dornfelder), tempered by a lack of qualified manpower to work the region’s steepest (and highest-quality) slopes.

Codorniu “Anna” Green’s Cash Sale Price:

An absolute steal for $9.99. Cava can be considered shorthand for Spanish to the standard consumer, and as such keener price points (if we’re referencing ) is to be expected. That being said, few Cavas of note come in at less than $15, and this is a version that does not rely on the usual triumvirate of , Xarel-lo, and Parellada grapes, but instead takes a minority of the latter Parellada (which is in fact considered the highest quality of the three) and blends it with a majority Chardonnay (considered the highest quality sparkling wine grape of all). A wine of this pedigree – golden apple, honey, citrus peel, toast, and an impressive richness – crafted under the auspices of the , will often be on the wrong side of $20, and worth it. Did I mention this was $9.99?

Domaine de Haut Morlu Touraine 2013 Green's Cash Sale Price:

An elegant Sauvignon Blanc from the toffee soils of the Touraine region within the Loire Valley, before the viticultural dominance switches to as one heads west towards the Atlantic. The trademark grassiness is ever-present, within notes of gooseberry, pear and citrus supported by balanced acidity - this is a delicate wine ideally suited as an aperitif.

Domaine de Begrolles Muscadet Sevre et Maine Sur Lie 2013 Green's Cash Sale Price:

As one heads west through the Loire Valley the region of Pays Nantais is the final frontier before the ocean, and where the grape that informs Muscadet - known as Melon Blanc (or Melon Bourgogne, which expresses its origins) - holds virtual sway over the region's wines. This is a grape - neutral and light in nature - ideally suited to the Sur Lie process so entwined with which it picks up the years, bready complexity that the process gives, and which transforms this wine from something ordinary to one that is both wonderfully unique as well as ideally suited to shellfish.

Scaia 2012 (not pictured) Green's Cash Sale Price:

Pure expressions of Corvina are increasingly common in Valpolicella... The wine exhibits a bright ruby color with purple and garnet highlights. On first nose, the dusty mineral notes are what make the biggest impression. Flint and brimstone slowly give way to small berry fruit, wild raspberries and white cherries. This is a beautiful wine that would drink well, slightly chilled, next to white meat or heavy seafood dishes. The wine wins high points for drinkability and overall freshness. It immediately evokes excellent food pairing possibilities. It's not destined for long aging, but it tastes wonderful right now. 90 points. -Wine Advocate Wente Riverbank Riesling 2012 Green's Cash Sale Price:

The fruit here is sourced from Arroyo Seco, within Monterey County, grown on rocky soils that dominate the southern edge of the natural ravine that distinguishes this AVA. Nothing unusual here as far as Riesling winemaking - stainless and blocked malo, the aim being the pure expression of fruit. A touch of petrol underlines the peach, apricot & slate notes of this refreshing wine, an inexpensive showcase for the pedigree of the grape.

Vidigal Dao 2012 Green's Cash Sale Price:

One of the more dynamic wine regions in the world at this moment, showcasing two grapes - the native Touring Nacional (arguably Portugal's finest wine grape) & Jaen (native to Spain, where it is know an Mencia) - in its blend. Medium-bodied and juicy, with cherry and raspberry flavors that feature lip-smacking spice notes. Violet and chocolate mark the finish... 88 points. -Wine Spectator

Pine Ridge Chinin Blanc + Viognier 2013 Green's Cash Sale Price:

Crisp, tart, melon, tangerine and bubble gum-like aromas jump from the glass of this 2013 Chenin Blanc/Viognier (80% and 20% respectively). Aged totally in stainless steel, it no doubt has much of its blocked given its crisp acid profile. There are 130,000 cases of this perfumed, delicious white. 88 points. -Wine Advocate

Domaine de Pesquier Vin de Pays de Vaucluse 2011 Green's Cash Sale Price: A noted Gigondas producer whose wines go back four generations, this Vin de Pays is composed of 40% Merlot, 30% Syrah, and 25% Marselan - the latter a cross between Cabernet Sauvignon & Grenache. The result is a distilled brambly fruit and precise notes of garage and lavender, and rightly unencumbered by oak (the wine was aged in concrete tanks). An attractive wine at a superb price.

Domaine Laroque Cite de Carcassonne 2013 Green’s Cash Sale Price:

Interestingly enough, another (this iteration being 100%), but one from the Cite de Carcassonne IGP that surrounds the famous walled city of Carcassonne. Minervois lies to the northeast, Corbieres to the southeast, yet this wine’s similarity to those southern France stalwarts runs only skin-deep. So is it worthy? Looking the wine up on Wine-Searcher.com brings up the following points:

1. Critics have scored this as one of the top 5 IGP Cite de Carcassonne wines. 2. This is the most sought after wine from the region (as measured by user searches). This wine has been becoming increasingly desirable over the past year. At $9.99, I think you can decide for yourself…

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