#9 on The Washington Post 12 Best Bargain Wines of 2023

 Karl Kaspar Riesling Kabinett 2021

“This wine should help convince riesling skeptics: fruity, beautifully balanced”

EXCELLENT-EXTRAORDINARY! GREAT VALUE!

“This wine should help convince riesling skeptics: fruity, beautifully balanced between sweetness and acidity, and low-alcohol. Try this with spicy food, garlicky dips, grilled seafood — or just about anything. Most of all, don’t worry about sweetness — the key is the balance with the fruit and acidity. Alcohol by volume: 8 percent. Bottle weight: 400 grams (Light).”

_{Rated #9 in the #12  Best Bargain wines of 2023 by Dave McIntyre in the Washington Post 12.21.2023}

_{first reviewed by Dave McIntyre in the Washington Post 06.15.23}

Acuma by Ego Bodegas Red Blend 2020

“Top-notch, reasonably priced”

EXCELLENT – EXTRAORDINARY!

“This juicy red blend is based on monastrell, with minor roles for syrah and petit verdot. It has enough heft to match burgers or steaks, offering flavors of tea, olives and sarsaparilla over blackberry and plum. Vegan. ABV: 14.5 percent. BW: 650 grams (Average).”

_{reviewed by Dave McIntyre in the Washington Post 10.19.23}

Cartuxa Évora Branco 2021

“A white blend of stunning complexity”

EXTRAORDINARY-SUBLIME!

“a mineral-driven wine with flavors of white flowers, citrus and quince and a complex finish that lasts so long your food may get cold waiting for you to take the next bite.”

“This belongs among the top tier of the world’s white wines at this price level.”

“Portugal’s Alentejo region is best known for affordable value wines, but it can climb the wow ladder when it wants to. The Cartuxa wines, including a deep, savory Tinto (red), demonstrate Alentejo’s ability to produce extraordinary wines while maintaining good value for the price. (Though the extravagant bottle most likely adds extra cost without contributing value.) The winery takes its name from a Carthusian monastery dating to the late 16th century, where monks lived a vow of silence. They may have been contemplating wines like these. The Branco is a blend of antão vaz, arinto and roupeiro grape varieties fermented and aged without oak. The result is a mineral-driven wine with flavors of white flowers, citrus and quince and a complex finish that lasts so long your food may get cold waiting for you to take the next bite. This belongs among the top tier of the world’s white wines at this price level.”
ABV: 13 percent. BW: 700 grams (Heavy).

_{reviewed by Dave McIntyre in the Washington Post 09.21.23}

EA Red Blend 2020
“As wine prices rise, this $15 Portuguese red shows bargains do exist”

EXCELLENT! GREAT VALUE!

” “This delicious red blend demonstrates why Portugal, and especially its Alentejo region, is a reliable source of bargain wines. This is good burger wine. Spaghetti wine. Weeknight wine. Alcohol by volume: 14 percent. BW: 415 grams (Light).”

_{reviewed by Dave McIntyre in the Washington Post 09.07.23}

Quarisa Mrs. Q Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
“This fruity $17 cabernet sauvignon is a great intro to Australian wine”

EXCELLENT!

“Coonawarra is one of Australia’s best-known regions for cabernet sauvignon. This wine is a good introduction — sweet blackberry and cherry flavors wrap themselves around a tannic core. This is a wine for burgers or something simple off the grill. Or crack the screw top open when you place the Grubhub order. Alcohol by volume: 14 percent. BW: 530 grams (Average).”

_{reviewed by Dave McIntyre in the Washington Post 08.24.23}

Vini Ocone Bozzovich Bianco 2021

A “delightful white wine”

EXTRAORDINARY!

“This is a field blend of Italian white grape varieties, mainly falanghina, fiano and greco. As such, it speaks of ancient winemaking before grape varieties were isolated and bottled alone, even if the art on the label shows a more modern sensibility. Jasmine, hyacinth and lemongrass highlight the aromas, with nectarine and sage filling out the palate. ABV: 13 percent. BW: 625 grams”

_{reviewed by Dave McIntyre in the Washington Post 07.26.23}

Lab Vinho Verde Rosé NV

“Here’s a good, simple vinho verde rosé“

EXCELLENT! GREAT VALUE!

” Here’s a good, simple vinho verde rosé, slightly spritzy, not particularly sweet, and refreshing with tart strawberry and watermelon flavors. Vegan friendly. Alcohol by volume: 11 percent. Bottle weight: 480 grams (Light).”

_{reviewed by Dave McIntyre in the Washington Post 06.22.23}

Vinha da Coutada Velha Red Blend 2020

“This $15 Portuguese red is full of fruity, earthy flavors”

EXTRAORDINARY!

GREAT VALUE!

“Every time I sing Portugal’s praises for producing great quality and affordable wine, another example drives the point home. This is a blend of aragonez (a Portuguese name for tempranillo), trincadeira, syrah and cabernet sauvignon, so it combines native grapes with international standards. The result is a spicy mix of red and dark fruit flavors, anchored by an appealing earthiness. This wine is delicious by itself but really calls for hearty meats and sausages.”

_{reviewed by Dave McIntyre in the Washington Post 1-12-2023}

Viña Palaciega Cava Brut

“Flavors of ripe peach, lime zest and crystallized ginger lead to a soft finish that can only end with a smile”

EXTRAORDINARY & GREAT VALUE!

“Here’s a bargain bubbly to get any evening off to a good start. Flavors of ripe peach, lime zest and crystallized ginger lead to a soft finish that can only end with a smile. The cava brut designation means it was aged a minimum of nine months on the lees.”

_{reviewed by Dave McIntyre in the Washington Post 12-08-2022}