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Wine Spectator’s Top 10 Value List

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Friday, 21 January 2022

1.) Sauvignon Blanc, Allan Scott, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2021

Wine Spectator: 91 Points

Allan Scott is synonymous with wine in Marlborough, New Zealand: he has worked every harvest since 1973 and is credited with planting some of the region's most famous vineyards, including the very first.

In 1990, Allan and his wife Catherine established Allan Scott Wines as one of the first independent wineries of New Zealand. Since its inception, the winery has produced wines consistent in flavor and quality year after year while continually evolving to keep ahead of the changing demand of the market.

The Scott family attributes its success to excellent vineyard sites, hard work, superb conditions and a desire to produce the world's best wines. With its distinctive combination of cool nights, sunny days, and young soils, Marlborough is recognized as one of the world's greatest wine regions.

Tasting Notes: Strikes a terrific balance between mouthwatering acidity, fresh herbal notes of lemon verbena and thyme, and core flavors of Key lime, Meyer lemon, pineapple and tangerine. Gains momentum on the finish, where the flavors sing in harmony and complexity.

~~$16.95~~ $14.95

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2.) Chianti Classico, Castello Banfi, Tuscany, Italy, 2019

Wine Spectator: 91 Points

Castello Banfi is a family-owned vineyard estate and winery located in the Brunello region of Tuscany. This award-winning estate was founded by the Mariani family on the philosophy of blending tradition with innovation, and is recognized as a pioneer in elevating the standards of Italian winemaking. Dedication to excellence has won the approval of aficionados the world over. Capturing honor after prestigious honor, Castello Banfi is a constellation of single vineyards encompassing over three dozen varying subsoils. The estate is renowned for its clonal research that allows noble grape varieties to thrive in their optimal terroir, creating not only consistently outstanding Chianti and Brunello, but the ultimate expression of Montalcino Super Tuscans.

Tasting Notes: Pure flavors of strawberry and cherry are the hallmarks of this expressive Chianti Classico, with earth, wild herb and tobacco accents adding depth as this firms up on the lingering finish.

~~$15.95~~ $13.95

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3.) Pinot Noir "Winemaker's Selection", J Vineyards, CA, 2018

Wine Spectator: 91 Points

Just south of Healdsburg, California in the heart of the Russian River Valley, you'll find J Vineyards and Winery, founded on plots of land selected for their remarkable soil and ideal climate for bringing fine wines to full perfection. Founded in 1986, J Vineyards was established to produce Traditional Method sparkling wines as well as superlative varietal wines. Each of their estate vineyards offers a subtly different combination of soil and climate. Combined with Their traditional and labor-intensive harvesting and winemaking techniques, they produce some of the most exceptional wines to be found in the region.

Tasting Notes: There's unctuous spiciness to the rich, well-concentrated dark cherry, plum and wild berry flavors that are backed by firm acidity and tannins. Savory and minerally components linger on the open-textured finish.

~~$19.95~~ $17.95

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4.) Tinto de Toro "Termes", Bodega Numanthia, Toro, Spain, 2017

Wine Spectator: 91 Points

Founded in 1998, Bodega Numanthia, located in Valdefinjas, Castile and León, in the Northwest of Spain, is a veritable emblem of the Toro region wines. Bodega Numanthia is a living tribute to the fearless warriors of Numancia in Spain, whose inhabitants heroically resisted the Roman army for 20 years in 134 B.C. and finally preferred to sacrifice their lives rather than surrender. This resilience is also found in the Toro wines in a region with long-standing traditions in winemaking and viticulture. These vineyards were planted by pioneer families centuries ago, back in Roman times and since then, they have shown resilience surviving the phylloxera plague during the XIXth century and the extreme climate conditions typical of the region year after year. During the Middle ages, Toro wines were also the first in the world to travel to the Americas, carried on Christopher Columbus' ships in 1492.

Tasting Notes: This red shows concentration and grace, offering spice-laced cherry and red plum notes infused with anise, espresso and graphite elements. Refined, plush tannins give a nice feel throughout.

~~$19.95~~ $17.95

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5.) Chardonnay "Karia", Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, Napa Valley, CA, 2019

Wine Spectator: 91 Points

Many leading producers of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon also make Chardonnay, and one of the best of the pack comes from Stag's Leap Wine Cellars. Winemaker Marcus Notaro makes this voluptuously juicy-tasting version that stays fresh with rich acidity. It's been his goal over the past few years with Karia (the ancient Greek word for "graceful") to align the winemaking more tightly to the vineyard. From Oak Knoll and Atlas Peak, where he thinks the Chardonnay fruit is richer, Notaro taps more new wood for barrel-fermenting and aging.

Tasting Notes: This well-knit white is filled with a juicy basket of white peach, ruby grapefruit and lemon curd flavors. Pastry accents mid-palate lead to the voluptuously spiced finish.

~~$28.95~~ $25.95

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