My wine of choice is a dry, red wine and as you can see by my list below, I'm partial to wines from Italy, Argentina, and Chile. But like most people, I would go out for dinner, have a nice bottle and then couldn't remember what kind it was or I would only remember half of the name.
There are so many good wines out there within the $10-$25 per bottle range that I've been able to find quite a few that are noteworthy. Then, there are those that you find while dining out that when purchased on your own fall into the $25+ category.
After several requests from friends on which wines to buy, I decided to start keeping track of the ones I've tried. Most of these wines I have found at a gourmet wine store called Gary's Wine and Marketplace with several locations in Northern NJ, but some of the wines, I can't find locally either. Simply type the name into your search engine, and it will show you where you can find this type of variety in your area.
I hope you like my selections. Check back every now and then for new additions to the list. I like to try at least one new variety with each new shopping trip. 🙂
$10 or Less per Bottle
- Alamos Malbec 2010 (Argentina) Rating=88 Points
- Bodegas Olivares Altos de la Hoya 2009 (Argentina) Rating=90 Points
- Root: 1 Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 (Chile) Rating=88 Points
- Radius Cabernet 2008 (Washington State, USA) Rating from Cellartracker=Ranges 83-88 Points
- Trumpeter Malbec 2010 Rutini Wines (Argeninta) Rating=88 Points
- Ruffino Chianti 2006 (Tuscany, Italy) Rating=88 Points
- Villa Puccini Toscana 2007 (Tuscany, Italy) (no rating found)
- Montecastelli Chianti 2011 (Tuscany, Italy) (no rating found)
$11-$15 per Bottle
- Monasterio de Santa Cruz 2008(Spain) Rating from Cellartracker=86 Points
- The Patriots Merlot 2010 (Chile) Rating from Cellartracker=85 Points
- Querceto Chianti Classico 2008 (Tuscany, Italy) Rating=88 Points
- Bodega Norton Malbec Reserva 2007 & 2008 (Argentina) Rating=90 Points
- Allegrini Palazzo della Torre 2007 (Veneto, Italy) Rating=90 Points
- La Posta Malbec 2008 (Argentina) Rating=90 Points
- Antonio Galloni Rating=90 Points
- Tommasi 2008 Poggio al Tufo Rompicollo Maremma Toscana (Tuscany, Italy) Rating=91 Points
- Zaccagnini il Vino Dal Tralcetto Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2008 (Abruzzi, Italy) Rating=90 Points
- Castello di Querceto Chianti Classico 2008 (Tuscany, Italy) Rating=88 Points
- 1883 Cabernet Sauvignon (Livermore Valley, CA) (no rating found)
- Tres Picos Garnacha Borsao 2009 (Spain) Rating from Wine Advocate=92 Points
- Annabella Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 (Napa Valley, CA) Rating from Wine Searcher=88 Points
- Tiziano Chianti DOCG 2010 (Tuscany, Italy) (no rating found)
$16-$20 per Bottle
- Clos de los Siete Super Red Blend 2008 (Argentina) Rating=89 Points
- Clos du Bois Alexander Valley Reserve Merlot 2007 (Sonoma Valley, CA) Rating=88 Points
- Vina Alicia Paso de Piedra Malbec 2007(Argentina) Rating=89 Points
- Graffigna Malbec Grand Reserve 2007 (Argentina) Rating=90 Points
- Antinori Villa Toscana 2007 (Tuscany, Italy) $16.99 Rating=88 Points
- Argiano N.C (Non Confunditur) 2009 (Tuscany, Italy) Rating=92Points
- Frescobaldi Nipozzano Chianti Riserva 2007 (Tuscany, Italy) Rating=91 Points
- Ruffino Il Ducale Toscana 2008 (Tuscany, Italy) Rating=90 Points
- Rocca di Castagnoli Chianti Classico 2008 (Tuscany, Italy) Rating=88 Points
- Rodney Strong Pinot Noir 2009 (Russian River, CA) Rating from Wine Enthusiast=91 Points
- Banfi Classico Riserva Chianti (Tuscany, Italy) Rating=90 Points
- El Malbec 2010 de Ricardo Santos (Argentina) (no rating found for this year)
$21-$25 per Bottle
- Galil Mountain Yiron 2008 (Galilee, Israel-Kosher) (no rating found)
- La Mannella Brunello di Montalcino(Tuscany, Italy) Rating=94 Points
- Monsanto Chianti Classico 2007 (Tuscany, Italy) Rating=92 Points
- Felsina Chianti Classico 2009 (Tuscany, Italy) Rating=91 Points
- Sada Baldoro 2008 (Tuscany, Italy) Rating=91 Points
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Tenuta di Nozzole Chianti Classico Riserva 2015 (Tuscany, Italy) Rating=93 Points
Over $25 per Bottle
- Castelli Martinozzi Brunello di Montalcino (Tuscany, Italy) (no rating found)
- Angelini San Leonino Chianti Classico Riserva 2007 (Tuscany, Italy) Ratings=91 Points
- Chateau Tour de Segur 2006 Red Bordeaux (France) Ratings=89 Points
- Le Sughere di Frassinello Maremma Toscana (Tuscany, Italy) Ratings=91 Points
- Banfi Chianti Classico D.O.C.G Riserva 2008 (Tuscany, Italy) Rating=88 Points
- Bodegas Vega-Sicilia Ribera del Duero Valbuena Tempranillo 2006 (Spain) Rating=94 Points
- Clos Du Calvaire Chateauneuf du Pape 2009 (Rhone, France) Rating=91 Points
- Ruffino Chianti Riserva Ducale Gold Label (Tuscany, Italy) Rating=90 Points
- Ruffino Chianti Riserva Ducale Tan Label
- Ricasoli Chianti Classico Castello di Brolio 2009 (Tuscany, Italy) Rating=92 Points
Last Update: July 2019