Originally Posted by JohnnyFlake (Post 291295)

This one is amazing, right now! I bought a couple of bottles of Layer Cake 2008 Shiraz from Barossa Valley, Australia at Trader Joe's for $14.95 this past Saturday. Last night my wife and I drank a bottle. I have had this in the past several times, 2006 and I believe 2005. It was always very good to excellent. I decanted the bottle and let it rest for about 45 minutes. All I can say is that this is an amazing wine right now. The flavor is full bodied with lot's of up front fruit dark berry nuances, with an underlying spiciness that is just wonderful. The finish is fairly long with hints of dark chocolate & spice.

I highly recommend this wine. I plan to pick up at least a half dozen bottles of this. I'm no expert but I believe that this wine will hold up very well and may even improve over the next 3 to 5 years.

Originally Posted by pnoon (Post 291297)

Layer Cake is quite good. :dr
And a good value, too.

Another Australian Shiraz that is affordable and quite tasty is called Boarding Pass. It is priced in the $15-$20 range. Check it out.

Originally Posted by SeanGAR (Post 377850)

http://filebox.vt.edu/users/okeefes/bricco_1.jpg

Barbera del Monderrato Superiore, $16.49 in my local Kroger, this wine is 85% Barbera, 15% Freisa.

I like Italian reds these days in the value category and this definitely hits the spot, different enough from Chianti to make it interesting.

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol (Post 377884)

Sounds like a good buy. What year is on the shelf?

Originally Posted by DoctaJ (Post 402410)

One wine I jump on when I see if on special for under $20 is Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio:

http://tophatwines.com/Eric/wines/sa...margherita.jpg


Very smooth wine with great flavors. It's defintily one of the best I have tasted in terms of Pinot Grigio :tu

Originally Posted by DoctaJ (Post 402410)

One wine I jump on when I see if on special for under $20 is Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio:

http://tophatwines.com/Eric/wines/sa...margherita.jpg


Very smooth wine with great flavors. It's defintily one of the best I have tasted in terms of Pinot Grigio :tu

Originally Posted by DoctaJ (Post 402415)

Btw, does anyone have any specific Sauvignon blanc's they would recommend that fit under this category (under $20)? Always on the lookout for some new ones to try :)

Originally Posted by Sauer Grapes (Post 456558)

I'm more of a noob with wine than I ever was with cigars. For a white though, Nobilo Sauvignion Blanc is quite tasty. It's from the Marlborough region of New Zealand.

I can't suggest any reds because most of the ones I drink are too cheap even for this thread, and I highly doubt they are good. I will definitely be using this thread as a reference for stuff to try though.

Originally Posted by BC-Axeman (Post 457135)

I love to find under $10 wines that are good tasting with no bad qualities. I used to get Blackstone Merlot often at Costco.

Originally Posted by JohnnyFlake (Post 457215)

Here is a new one that family friends tell me is an amazing wine for the price!

Albino Armani Casetta 2005

Sam's Score: 91-93 Points: The aromas found in this wine are a complete turn on: black plums, acai berry, maduro tobacco, bergamot oil and exotic spices. On the palate, the wine coats the mouth with layers of fruit, fragrant earth and spice elements. It tastes like a hypothetical blend of Amarone, Pinot Noir and Mourvedre. A fascinating and delicious wine.

~ Efrain Madrigal, Sam's Wine Director

Sam's First Look Price: $15.99!

Originally Posted by TheRiddick (Post 458216)

And a popular translation for the rest of us:

Black plums - way overripe fruit
Maduro Tobacco - plenty of oak tannins (most likely chips at the price point)
Mourvedre - brett (the only grape that gets confused with brett and since there isn't any in this wine, brett is the only explanation)