Recommended Wines

Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva 2016

A typical pandemic Friday night — what to do to shake one out of the ongoing funk that seems to envelop our lives lately? Funny you should ask. Instead of meatloaf and just another nondescript glass of red, we recently reached out to a favorite local Italian restaurant, Princi Italia, to “attend” its Antinori virtual tasting in which three Antinori branded wines were paired with delicious appetizers from the restaurant. Add a couple of good... Read More

Posted by Len Musgrove, Admin The Wine Bargain Sleuth on 2020-Oct-Sat
Muriel Fincas de la Villas Crianza 2016

The warmth of late spring in Texas has forced its presence onto the scene, one is reminded that serious grilling season is nigh upon us! Whether your home grill favorite is burgers, dogs, ribs or chicken, a delicious Red from the Rioja Region of Spain is an excellent choice to pair with spring and summer fare. If you are not familiar with the nuanced, delicious Reds from Rioja, you are... Read More

Posted by Len Musgrove, Admin The Wine Bargain Sleuth on 2020-May-Sun
Marchesi Antinori 2015 Villa Antinori Riserva (Chianti Classico)

Your humble Wine Bargain Sleuth has been, like most of my fellow sleuths, observing the local "shelter in place" directive during the uncharted waters of the COVID-19 virus scare. During this seemingly unending period of (more or less) voluntary quarantine, my significant other and I have been cooking at home more frequently, and one of the house favorites is Italian, particularly pasta with hearty meat sauces. I have also taken... Read More

Posted by Len Musgrove, Admin The Wine Bargain Sleuth on 2020-Apr-Tue
Pedroncelli Merlot Dry Creek Valley Bench Vineyards 2017

Those of us who are Big Red fans are always on the lookout for a great Value Wine to enjoy and serve to our own wine buddies. As most of you have heard, the classic Bordeaux varietal Merlot fell out of favor for several years, coinciding in part with the 2004 dark comedy "Sideways" (and Miles' classic utterance that he wasn't "drinking any *&^%ing Merlot" to his twisted buddy Jack),... Read More

Posted by Len Musgrove, Admin The Wine Bargain Sleuth on 2020-Apr-Sat
Olema Chardonnay Sonoma County 2018

Greetings and Salutations! As the vast majority of the country is in some stage of quarantine (in Dallas, we call it "Shelter in Place"), it seems that we wine sleuths need to have good information for quality Value Wines more than ever. Otherwise, or so I am told, one is liable to end up cracking open in frustration a prized bottle of Kistler Chardonnay or that favorite Nuits St. Georges... Read More

Posted by Len Musgrove, Admin The Wine Bargain Sleuth on 2020-Mar-Sat
Milbrandt Merlot (Columbia Valley) 2017

I am always on the lookout for a satisfying Big Red that meets our criteria as a Value Wine--i.e., high quality and a price of less than $20. We at The Wine Bargain Sleuth have long been a fan of Washington Cabs and Merlots and have frequently recommended the same to our wine sleuths! The Milbrandt Merlot Columbia Valley 2017 is a terrific example of a great Value Wine: at... Read More

Posted by Len Musgrove, Admin The Wine Bargain Sleuth on 2019-Dec-Sat
Courtney Benham Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2018

In the Great Southwest, a quality Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser around the pool or for a summer cocktail. The Napa expression of the international Sauvignon Blanc grape tends to be a bit rounder than others, with flavors such as peach and nectarine rather than the grapefruit and citrus profile generally associated with, say, the New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs. A terrific value version of this wine is... Read More

Posted by Len Musgrove, Admin The Wine Bargain Sleuth on 2019-Aug-Mon
2015 Land of Promise Pinot Noir

Say you have a birthday or a big anniversary coming up. Or you closed that big deal at work...or just because you are worth it! Some days you just want to have an amazing glass of wine. After a long day this week, I had one of those amazing glasses of wine: the 2015 Land of Promise Pinot Noir from Sonoma Coast, California. Even better, I got to share a... Read More

Posted by Len Musgrove, Admin The Wine Bargain Sleuth on 2019-Apr-Sat
Chateau Guiraud G Bordeaux White 2016

With spring comes colorful, fragrant flowers and budding trees, as well as warmer weather that pairs so delightfully with light, crisp wines. Some of my personal favorites include Bordeaux Blancs from France's legendary wine region. In addition to being refreshing with their cleansing acidity and nuanced with their classic blends of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, many of these French beauties are an amazing value as well. One vivid example of... Read More

Posted by Len Musgrove, Admin The Wine Bargain Sleuth on 2019-Apr-Sat
Cline Zinfandel Contra Costa County Ancient Vines 2016

Looking for a great value wine in a Big Red? Tired of the ongoing Napa Valley price creep? Enjoy a Zinfandel with a old vines taste profile? Well, wine sleuths, I believe I have you covered for this month! I highly recommend the Cline Zinfandel Contra Costa County Ancient Vines 2016! None other than leading wine publication Wine Spectator bestowed a strong 91 rating on this delicious red Zinfandel, calling... Read More

Posted by Len Musgrove, Admin The Wine Bargain Sleuth on 2019-Feb-Mon

Olema Chardonnay Sonoma County 2018

This Olema Chard has overtones of nectarine and green apple with a hint of vanilla. Not overly oaked or buttery, the Olema Chardonnay Sonoma County 2018 has nice, bright fruit and acidity which will complement seafood, pasta with a cream sauce and even grilled chicken.

Courtney Benham Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2018

A terrific value version of Napa Sauvignon Blanc is the Courtney Benham Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2018, which retails for a reasonable $18. The Courtney Benham 2018 offering adds the unique profile of a hint of mango to the classic Napa Valley Sav Blanc palate, making the wine slightly exotic and pleasing.

Chateau Guiraud G Bordeaux White 2016

With spring comes colorful, fragrant flowers and budding trees, as well as warmer weather that pairs so delightfully with light, crisp wines. Some of my personal favorites include Bordeaux Blancs from France’s legendary wine region. In addition to being refreshing with their cleansing acidity and nuanced with their classic blends of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, many of these French beauties are an amazing value as well. One vivid example of a value Bordeaux Blanc is the Chateau Guiraud G Bordeaux White 2016, which retails for a very reasonable $17.

Tangley Oaks Lot 12 Chardonnay 2015 (Mendocino)

Many White Wine fans simply prefer a Chardonnay to a Sauvignon Blanc or other Whites. However, finding a delicious Chard that doesn’t bruise your Mastercard can be a real challenge. The Sleuth has a great suggestion for this Chapter: the Tangley Oaks Lot 12 Chardonnay 2015 from Mendocino in Northern California.

Louis Bouillot Blanc de Blancs NV

Quiz for the day: When is sparkling wine from France not considered Champagne? I’m sure that many of you sleuths know the answer to today’s pop quiz, which of course is when the sparkling wine in question is sourced from a region other than Champagne! A great example of the non-Champagne sparkler is the Louis Bouillot Blanc de Blancs NV, a Cremant from the region of Burgundy, France. As its name implies, the Louis Bouillot Blanc de Blancs NV is made entirely of Chardonnay grapes from the world-famous Burgundy region. After all, you have to get Chardonnay grapes from somewhere, so it might as well be northern Burgundy near the region of Chablis!

Kistler McCrea Vineyard Chardonnay 2013

Although I recently had the privilege to sample four Chards, including one cuvee and 3 single vineyard Chardonnays, without question the one that rang all the bells of my senses was the world-class Kistler McCrea Vineyard Chardonnay 2013. The 2013 Kistler McCrea beauty, blended from a Sonoma Mountain source, was truly reminiscent of a Burgundy Grand Cru, managing to be elegant, balanced, complex and absolutely thrilling all in one sip. With tones of muted lemon, fresh apples and a hint of creaminess, as well as the minerality that gives this Kistler beauty the complexity and a thrilling, lengthy finish,this Chard would pair impressively with boiled crab, roasted turkey or a zesty green salad.

Botteca Vinaia Pinot Grigio 2014

So last month I managed to carve out a few hours for a decadent Italian lunch at Il Mulino, one of New York City’s finest Italian restaurants. As luck would have it, I dined during NYC’s Restaurant Week, no less! What glass of wine would pair beautifully with the scrumptious cheeses, freshly-baked bread, oysters, bruchetta, Caesar salad and incredible veal parmigiana without overwhelming the multitude of subtle yet amazing tastes of the feast? Well, wine sleuths, I have your answer: Botteca Vinaia Trentino Pinot Grigio 2014 from Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy. Unlike many Pinot Grigio’s I have sampled over the last couple of years, the Botteca Vinaia Pinot Grigio 2014 had a lovely palate of honeysuckle, apricots and light minerality yet retained the refreshing acidity that one expects out of a fine Pinot Grigio.

Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Chardonnay 2013

If you enjoy Chardonnay from Napa or Sonoma, then you know how challenging it can be to find a complex yet affordable one. Perhaps this month’s Value Wine No. 2, the Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Chardonnay 2013, might be your solution. Neither overly oaked nor too creamy, the Chalk Hill 2013 manages a rare balance for a Chard in its price range.

Peju 2013 Sauvignon Blanc

With fruit grown on the valley floor in Napa Valley, the Peju 2013 Sav Blanc stands in lush contrast to more austere examples of the Sauvignon Blanc wines from New Zealand. The Peju white is one of the more complex domestic Sauvignon Blancs I have sampled, managing in one sip to hint at the lovely grapefruit, pineapple and honeysuckle overtones on the front palate, while the mid-palate experiences a lush passion fruit and creamy lemon quality, with a refreshing, clean finish that is delicious by itself or with a salad or light cheese. That is a lot of complexity for a modestly price wine from Napa Valley.

Piper Sonoma Brut Sonoma County Select Cuvee–Your New Year’s Eve Bubbly

With New Year’s Eve (a/k/a Amateur Night) just around the corner, a wine sleuth may be on the lookout for a reasonably priced, high quality domestic sparkling wine. Here’s a thought for your consideration–shag a couple of bottles of the delicious Piper Sonoma Brut Sonoma County Select Cuvee NV. Reasonably priced at an $18 suggested retail, the Piper Sonoma Brut NV is comfortably priced at $10 or so below fair-to-middling Champagne.

Terrific Unoaked Chardonnay from California

The 2012 Smoking Loon Steelbird is a crisp, delicious Chard, with green apple and citrus overtone and without the over-oaked, buttery offerings of many California Chardonnays. The Smoking Loon Chard was recently selected by the Wine Spectator editors as their Best Buy of the Week, with James Laube singing the praises of the domestic white: “It sings and dances from start to finish,” while awarding the wine an impressive 89 rating.

Classic Sauvignon Blanc from Napa

I had the pleasure of tasting the crisp, refreshing 2012 Charles Krug Sauvignon Blanc as an aperitif before the spectacular 2014 Taste of Howell Mountain festival recently in Napa Valley. Not only did this stellar Charles Krug Sav Blanc serve as a delicious way to prepare my palate for the world-class Howell Mountain Cabs that were featured at the festival, but it had the complexity and smooth finish to bring me back for just one more glass on the way out!

A Smoking Value in Chardonnay

White wine fans are currently celebrating the ebb of summer with their favorite chilled whites. The pool season often brings our thirsty friends to our homes in search of copious quantities of refreshing, crisp whites. Since the key word here is “copious”, it makes good sense to find and acquire a great value white wine for your guests. Your friendly Wine Bargain Sleuth has a recommendation that every wallet will embrace this month: the 2012 Smoking Loon Chardonnay California Steelbird Unoaked.

Great Chardonnay from Washington State

This is a very balanced and nuanced white wine, showing hints of both lime and pear on the nose while showing spice on the finish, and generally giving one the impression of a much more expensive Chard. It pairs beautifully with a light shrimp or crawfish dish, as well as baked chicken.

A True Value from Edna Valley

The Edna Valley has consistently produced remarkable Pinot Noirs, but in this case the True Myth Chardonnay 2012 truly shines. The grapes of this True Myth beauty are sourced from the Paragon Vineyard, considered one of the top vineyards in Edna Valley. The flavor profile on the True Myth Chard hints of pears, pineapples and citrus, with a finish of vanilla and light oak.

Great Value from Germany

German wines have the reputation of being overly sweet, but that is a gross oversimplification of some of the finest whites in the world. The reality is that there are many categories of German Riesling, some dry as a bone, others intentionally sweet and designed to be dessert wines. Retailing at only an astounding $12, the Loosen Bros Riesling was picked by Wine Spectator as a Best Value and awarded a solid 91 rating.

Sonoma Coast Chard Beauty

If your budget doesn’t allow a classic White Burgundy but you want to step up your game a bit for friends and family, then look no further that the 2011 Failla Chardonnay Sonoma Coast. This domestic Chard from the next valley west of Napa makes an excellent pairing with your Thanksgiving or holiday meal. Its flavor profile is one of crisp apples and pears, with just a hint of citrus.

The Original Fume Blanc

Do you and your guests prefer a crisper yet still nuanced white wine? Try a California original: the 2011 Robert Mondavi Fume Blanc (Oakville). Years ago Mondavi opted to call its Sauvignon Blanc wines “Fume Blanc”, and this 2011 Oakville offering is their best of the year sourced from classic Napa Valley vines, and in the view of Wine Enthusiast, “one of their best ever.”

Classic Bubbly from Reims!

The Piper-Heidsieck Brut NV features a satisfying toasty finish with the telltale tiny bubbles that give its drinker a smooth, balanced mouthful. Never harsh, yet retaining a touch of crisp acidity, the Piper-Heidsieck has been a house favorite for several years.

Value Wine: A Classic White from South Africa

This lovely South African Sav Blanc displays the typical varietal citrus flavors, although it leans more toward lime that a more frequently detected grapefruit, with a touch of sea salt and even a touch of white asparagus to tickle those taste buds. The 2012 Graham Beck would be a terrific pairing for ceviche, scallops or even a baked white fish.