Contrary to popular belief, the best wines are not always the most expensive. For instance, you will find a display rack at Eckert's featuring some very good wines at quite reasonable prices. All of these wines sell for $13 or less and several of these wines have been rated between 85 and 90 points out of a possible 100 by Wine Spectator Magazine. Many of today's lower priced, best buys are wines produced in Chile, Australia and Washington state.
Sterling Chardonnay
Aromas of floral fruit, honeysuckle, pineapple, green apple, soft oak, vanilla and toast followed by flavors of green apple, tropical melon, touches of mineral, baked apple and spice, caramel and French vanilla.
Columbia Crest Chardonnay - Rated 89
Delicate aromas of apple and pear lead to notes of melon and creamy butter on the palate.
Cupcake Sauvignon Blanc - Rated 90
Zesty and vibrant with flavors of Meyer lemons, key limes and a soft, full finish.
Columbia Crest Pinot Grigio - Rated 87
Tropical fruit and spice flavors benefit from vibrant acidity and aromas of orange blossoms, peach and citrus. The finish is clean and tart in classic varietal style.
Wyndham Estate Pinot Noir - Rated 86
A multi-regional blend of fruit from South Australia creates a crimson red color and a confectionary cherry and raspberry bouquet. A palate of ripe cherry flavors is highlighted with hints of fresh raspberry and spice.
Bogle Petite Sirah
Lucscious aromas of boysenberry touches with black pepper and herbs, with a trademark of inky and jammy undertones.
Concha y Toro Carmenere
A native French variety, extinguished almost completly by disease, resurfaced in Chile, where it breeds wines of intense color, soft and round tannins, and restrained acidity.
Lindeman's Merlot
The generous nose is built on a core of ripe, sweet fruits with distinctly savoury elements of leaf and spice. Subtle oak characters add depth and complexity to an otherwise fruit driven nose.
Columbia Crest Cabernet Sauvignon - Rated 89
Intense cherry, cassis and slight spice aromas lead to fruit-forward flavors of chocolate berry on the palate.
Root: 1 Cabernet Sauvignon
Deep ruby red color, intense aromas of red fruits and cassis with some hints of vanilla. Well balanced with soft tannins and good structure.
Nearly all the wines menitoned above are on the dry side, so if you are looking for sweet wine buys, we recommend St. Josef Dornfelder, a sweet red from Germany, and Bartenura Moscato, a delightfully sweet, Italian white wine. Both of these wines sell for under $15.
In our January 28th wine class, we will explore other best buy wines, such as Pinot Noirs and Sauvignon Blancs from New Zealand, that typically sell within the $20 price range. The class will be held from 6-8 pm and costs $20/person. Spaces are limited, so please call (618) 233-0513 to make your reservation.
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