Top 10 Wines of 2014

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Green's Top 10 Wine Values for 2014
It’s been 24 years now since we began the Top 10 Green’s Wine Values of the Year holiday
special. That’s 240 Top 10 selections we’ve made, based on thousands of tastings over the
decades. The TOP 10 continue to be Green’s most popular offering of the year. If you’re a
first time customer, find out why we have sold over 30,000 cases of these wines since its
inception. Every year we taste through hundreds of wines to find the ten that exhibit the
best quality and price ratio. 2014’s selection includes wines from five countries: 4 from the
U.S. (California, Washington State), two selections from France, and two from Spain.
Single choices picked from Argentina and Italy round out this selection, making this version
of our Top 10 Wine Values the first in memory where California came in as our #1 source of
wines. There is a good reason for that. 2012 and 2013 were exceptional vintages
throughout the state. We know how important it is to get the most value for your dollar on
any item. Finding a good bottle of wine is only half the battle to us. Finding one that tastes
good and sells for a modest price is our goal.
Have a safe and happy holiday season this year and thank you for being a Green’s
customer.
- Doug Werner, Greens South Carolina Wine Buyer
Aia Vecchia Lagone Toscana 2011
Green's Cash Sale Price:
When one thinks of "Super Tuscan" wine, one normally thinks of two things:
(1)-An Italian red wine made from Sangiovese and/or a selection of several international grape
varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc.
(2)-EXPENSIVE. Aia Vecchia Lagone fulfills one of these two criteria; it is a blend of 60% Merlot,
30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Cabernet Franc. However, it is modestly priced and is one of
the great values in this category. This estate is situated in one of Tuscany's brightest up and
coming stars, Bolgheri, located in western Tuscany, not very far from the sea. To me, this wine is
a dead ringer for a "right bank" Bordeaux. It possesses a touch of that lush chocolate character
one finds in a good St. Emilion, for example. The wine critics are all over this wine. I present their
reviews below:
"Lagone is a super ripe and soft wine with jammy aromas of blackberry and prune backed by milk
chocolate and tobacco...the wine presents supple and velvety characteristics. It's a terrific
value." Rated 89 Points -Wine Advocate
"(...Lovely violet lift to the aromas of strawberry, sweet brown spices and tobacco...Suave, smooth
and aromatic in the mouth, with flavors of redcurrant, plum and licorice joined by a hint of
cinnamon on the back." Rated 90 Points -Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
Whether you think it's a great example of "right bank" Bordeaux or a "Super Tuscan," there aren't
many wines out there at $15 that delivers this much quality.
Joel Gott Chardonnay Monterey-Sonoma-Napa Unoaked 2013
Green's Cash Sale Price:
We at Green's have been impressed over the last 3 years with the consistent quality and value
one finds in Joel Gott wines. We've selected them as Winery of the Year in 2012 and their
Sauvignon Blanc as a Top 10 wine value last year. Well, here we go again!
Joel Gott became a winemaker the old fashioned way; he's a 5th generation California vintner.
Struck by the winemaking bug in 1996, Joel purchased several tons of Zinfandel from family friend
and grape grower Tom Dillian. He made the wine with the help of his then-girlfriend (now wife) and
winemaker Sarah. Praised by the Wine Spectator, the Wine Advocate and the New York Times,
Zinfandel helped put Joel Gott wines of the map, and gave Joel the chance to produce additional
varietals. Today Sarah is Director of Winemaking for Joel Gott Wines. Having studied at the
University of California at Davis where she graduated in 1993 with a degree in Fermentation
Sciences, she has made wine for Joseph Phelps Vineyards and Quintessa.
You'll find none of that smoky, vanillin flavor here, as this Chardonnay has never been aged in
oak barrels. It's just the pure expression of white fruits and balancing acidity. Fresh pears and
apples in the bouquet, there is a touch of minerality that blends in with the orchard fruit character
on the palate, and a lightly crisp finish, giving this modestly priced wine amazing complexity for its
low price.
Chateau Cambis Cotes du Rhone Villages 2012
Green's Cash Sale Price:
This gold medal winning wine (2011 and 2012 vintages) at the Concours des vins Avignon is one
of the best values I have tasted from France this year. It is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and old
vine Carignan. The quality tastes more like a Grand Cru (Vacqueyras or Gigondas) than a Cotes
du Rhone Villages, and at a modest price too.
This estate goes back to the 14th century, during the time of the Avignon popes and Florentine
aristocracy. Today, 40 hectares (approximately 100 acres) of vines are situated on clay-limestone
slopes with good sun exposure. The Verdier family looks after each plot with the greatest of care
and does everything by hand to reflect the best of their fine terroir.
Possesses a garrigue, red fruit aroma, the flavor is soft and ready-to-drink. One picks up spices
and red cherries on the palate. This dry, flavorful wine has amazing complexity for something that
retails for $12.
Chateau Courneau Medoc 2010
Green's Cash Sale Price:
This value priced red wine over-delivers in quality for a wine that sells for $13. Located just north
of St. Estèphe in the northern Médoc, it is called a "petit château." It bears no fancy Grand Cru or
even Cru Bourgeois status; it is unclassified Bordeaux that happened to make a very good wine in
a spectacular vintage.
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, it possesses classic Médoc-like
characteristics. Smoke cassis on the bouquet, this wine has a good fruit entry and mid-palate,
hints of tobacco, and modest tannins in the aftertaste. Delicious for drinking today, it will easily
cellar an additional one to two years.
Matthew Fritz Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley 2013
Green's Cash Sale Price:
Matt Bonanno and Fritz Stuhlmuller (of Stuhlmuller Vineyards) joined forces in 2010 to create
Matthew Fritz, MF, to consistently deliver premium wines from top notch appellations (like Napa
Valley!) at outstanding prices. Matt and Fritz leverage their access to inside offerings, their wine
expertise and wine producing capabilities to consistently deliver quality wine well below the
average market price.
100% from the Napa Valley appellation, with 25% of the grapes coming from the acclaimed subappellation of Calistoga, the provenance of these grapes is protected by non-disclosure
agreements, as the fruit in this wine regularly goes into Sauvignon Blanc that retails for $22!
Melon, lemon, grapefruit, and spicy herbs greet you in the bouquet. It has a vibrant, refreshing
flavor with superb balance between fruit and acidity. There were only 3000 cases of this wine
produced. Get your share before it's all gone!
Herencia Altes Garnatxa Negra 2012
Green's Cash Sale Price:
This Spanish red wine is made from Grenache, the grape that made the southern Rhone wines of
France famous. Sourced from Terra Alta, a relatively obscure region tucked away in the
southeastern corner of Catalonia, it borders Aragón and Valencia. Some of the vines this wine is
made from are 100 years old! Obviously, I thought this was an impressive wine for the money, but
I'll let the Wine Mavens do the reviews:
"...this is an unreal value made from 100% Grenache from vines planted nearly 100 years
ago...flowery perfume revealing raspberries and strawberries. Medium-bodied, ethereal as well as
sublime, this finesse-styled Grenache possesses a delicacy that is difficult to believe for such
intensity. Consume it over the next 3-4 years." Rated 91 Points -Robert Parker
"...cherry, Indian spices and licorice on the smoky nose. Then dense but nicely delineated, with
bright acidity and a floral element providing lift to bitter cherry and dark chocolate flavors. Closes
on a spicy note, with good cut, focus and cling. In a more grown-up style than most wines at this
price point." Rated 89 Points -Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
O. Fournier Urban Uco Malbec Mendoza 2012
Green's Cash Sale Price:
Founded in 2000, O. Fournier is an international group that produces wine in three countries:
Argentina, Chile and Spain. Their wines have received extraordinary acclaim, for both quality and
value. Read comments below on the Urban Uco Malbec 2012:
"The bouquet is well-defined with blackberry, boysenberry, touches of dark chocolate and anise.
The palate offers chunky black fruit on the entry... true to what an unadulterated Malbec should
be. For this price: unbeatable." Rated 90 Points -Wine Advocate
"Musky black cherry, minerals, smoke and licorice on the nose, plus a suggestion of chocolate
liqueur... suave and approachable, showing good volume to its crushed blackberry flavor. Finishes
with building tannins and noteworthy length. A superb value." Rated 89 Points -Stephen Tanzer's
International Wine Cellar
Codic Tinto Vino de la Tierra de Castilla, 2011
Green's Cash Sale Price:
Made by Dominio de Eguren, the vineyards are primarily clay and limestone-based soils, planted
in vines that are 30 to 70 years old. Tierra de Castilla is an area located next to Rioja capable of
producing excellent wines at very reasonable prices. Codice is 100% Tempranillo. Just one heck
of a value, the wine gurus agree with me:
"Sexy, oak-spiced aromas of black and blue fruit preserves, potpourri and woodsmoke. Silky and
open-knit, offering juicy dark berry and violet pastille flavors and a touch of mocha. The floral note
carries through on the finish, which features soft tannins and slow-building spiciness. As usual,
this is a fantastic value." Rated 90 Points -Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
"...a fruity, dark berry-scented and flavored, medium-bodied wine with soft tannins and good purity
as well as texture..." -Robert Parker
Castle Rock Pinot Noir Mendocino Co. 2012
Green's Cash Sale Price:
Since its inception in 1994, Castle Rock Winery has built an enviable reputation for producing high
quality wines at affordable prices. I have been particularly impressed with their quality and popular
prices offered over the years by their Pinot Noirs. Speculation like "sold their first born child" or
"made a pact with the devil" have been bandied about, as no one else can seem to achieve the
consistent quality and low pricing that this winery offers with this ever fickle varietal.
Their business model accounts for the friendly pricing. By virtue of having a low overhead, (no
nagging real estate mortgages, no marketing teams or large staff to employ, and no elaborate
facilities) Castle Rock is able to funnel all their capital into making the best possible wine for the
best possible price. They own no vineyards, but buy grapes from approximately 40 grape
growers, all renowned for their expertise and consistency. In each case, vineyard practices are
carried out under the guidance and instruction of Castle Rock's winemaker, Eric Laumann, all to
ensure that quality standard are maintained from start to finish.
The wine critics, as usual, are impressed with this latest version of the 2012 Mendocino Pinot
Noir. See reviews below:
"this red offers lots of dried herb and savory forest floor notes, with dried red berry flavors to
match...Drink now...Smart Buy." Rated 88 Points -The Wine Spectator
"A tasty, lighter style of Pinot Noir, it offers fresh cherry and raspberry aromas, juicy fruit flavors
and a delicate texture. There's enough complexity to keep you coming back for another
sip." Rated 87 Points -The Wine Enthusiast
Incredible quality for $8.95 minus a 15% Case Discount!
Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Chardonnay
Green's Cash Sale Price:
Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Chardonnay, fermented in 28% new American and French.
100% sur-lie aged for five months to integrate the fruit and oak flavors and provide a rich mouthfeel, malolactic fermentation also took place to add softness, balance and depth. Wine maker Bob
Bertheau carefully selects his Indian Wells Chardonnay from vineyards throughout Washington's
Wahluke Slope, their most northern growing area, which is bordered on both the west and the
south by the Columbia River. The region's warm days cause the grapes to assert sweet citrus and
tropical characteristics, while the cool night promote good structure, balance and flavor intensity.
If you've shopped Green's lately you've noticed that we're a big fan of Chateau Ste. Michelle;
early spring we ran a 90+ point article that featured 6 of their highly rated wines of which the
Cateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Chardonnay 2012 was one. Talk about a wine that has a track
record, the previous vintage like 2012 rated 91 points -Wine Enthusiast; 90 points -The Wine
Spectator, 2011 vintage 90 points -Wine Enthusiast; 2010 vintage 90 points -The Wine Spectator.
That's what I call consistency.
There is no wine review out on the 2013 vintage yet, but take my word, it's as good as the
previous three highly rated Chardonnay vintages that I have tested.
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