Ten Dollar Wines

 

Here's an interesting article on ten dollar wines, from this morning's LA Times. However, it fails to mention Larchmont Wine, Spirits & Cheese where they stock a great selection of bargains. Check out the article, and here are some additional wines to look out for of the 'everyday variety', focusing on value Spanish selections:

2004 Protocolo Vino de la Tierra de Castilla ($5.99, Larchmont Wine and Cheese)

“The 2003 Protocolo Tinto is a tank-fermented 100% Tempranillo that spends three months in neutral American oak prior to early bottling. Its dark ruby color is followed by Pinot Noir-like aromas of flowers as well as sweet and sour red cherries. This fresh, lively, youthful red begs to be drunk over the next 1-2 years. It can even be served slightly chilled.” (Robert Parker on 2003 vintage; 2004 is at least as good.)

2004 Cortijo III Rioja, 100% Tempranillo, D.O. Calificada (7.99, Larchmont Wine and Cheese)

"Bodegas Aldeanueva’s 2004 Cortijo III Tinto (made from 100% Tempranillo) is a tank-fermented and aged Rioja that sells for a song. In fact, I cannot think of another Rioja at this price level that offers this much character and fruit. Its moderate ruby color is accompanied by a sweet nose of strawberries, cherries, spice box, dried herbs, and tobacco. With a lush texture, medium body, and no hard edges, it should provide plenty of pleasure over the next 1-2 years. This is an excellent bargain." (Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, June 2005.)

2004 Luzon Verde, 100% Monastrell certified Organic, D.O. Jumilla (7.99, John and Pete’s on La Cienega)

“The dense ruby/purple-tinged, medium-bodied 2004 Luzon Verde reveals a crisp, elegant, sweet nose of blueberries, plums, lavender, and anise. With lovely sweetness and purity as well as a spicy, long finish, it should provide plenty of enjoyment over the next 2-3 years.

One of the oldest estates in Jumilla, Finca Luzon was founded by the Gil family in 1916. It has been a consistent source of high class values for a number of years, and readers should be happy to know this is completely certified organic agriculture. This offering represents a superb bargain.” (Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate, June 2005.)

2004 Mano a Mano, 100% Tempranillo, D.O. La Mancha ($7.99, John & Pete’s, Wine Exchange in Orange)

“This crisp, elegant, refreshing, medium-bodied, dry red exhibits sweet cherry fruit intertwined with a subtle notion of wood. It is a fruity bistro red that can be served slightly chilled if desired. Consume it over the next 1-2 years.” (Robert Parker on 2003 vintage; expect similar comments on 2004.)
2004 Bodegas Ercavio, Tempranillo Roble, 100% Tempranillo, La Mancha (Larchmont Wine and Cheese)

“Run don't walk to pick up the latest version of this red wine bargain. The 2003 sold out so fast that if you blinked, you missed out! The 2004 is even better---more length, depth and concentration. Made from 100% Cencibel, the local name for Tempranillo, this tinto is made using a blend of traditional and modern methods…spending some time in large clay amphoras known as tinajas and aged for 5 months in a mix of French and American oak. Full and fleshy, this red from La Mancha has plenty of ripe black cherry fruit and a long finish. Enjoy the Ercavio Roble with your favorite grilled steak!” (Anne Pickett, K&L Wine Merchants Spainish buyer)

And from Robert Parker, regarding the previous vintage: “An astonishing value, the 2003 Ercavio Roble, made from 100% Cencibel (the local term for Tempranillo), smells like a great Cabernet Sauvignon made by Napa’s Ann Colgin. Gorgeous blueberry liqueur notes intermixed with graphite and minerals jump from the glass of this dark ruby/purple-colored 2003. It boast fabulous intensity, an alluring texture, and a rich, concentrated finish with no hard edges. This offering could easily compete with wines selling at four to five times the price, but given its origins, I would suggest drinking it over the next 3-4 years. Bravo!”

And finally, one California wine I happened to taste just yesterday (it might be a while before this makes it to stores, but it should be in the ten dollar range):

2004 Ten Mile "The Broken Road" Proprietary Red Wine (available through K&L online, soon in local stores)

From the K&L website: "The inspiration for this wine was based upon the classic field blends of California from the late 1800's. Sourced from several dry farmed, old vine vineyards, "The Broken Road" is a blend of Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Barbera, Malbec and Carignane. 325 barrels made."

From my tasting, this was a complex wine with good structure but without overpowering tannns (I'm pretty sensitive to them). It's meaty and chewy, and if you tasted it blind without knowing the price (as I did), you'd probably mistake it for something much more dear (as I did). It's a very new world take on an old world style.