Best Import Bets <$15

WHITES

 

Wine Flagstone Noon Gun Riesling - Chenin Blanc - Chardonnay - Pinot Blanc - Sauvignon Blanc - Semillon 2004, Western Cape, South Africa

Price $12.99

UPC 6009650560555

Score 87/100

Remarks    Another 'everything but the kitchen sink' white blend made from six grapes. The nose is fresh and cool with a hint of menthol. On the palate it refreshes with limey, fresh fruit flavours. It finishes drier than most of its peers in the price range leaving it in a better position to accompany a wide variety of dishes ― not just spicy Asian. Solid effort at a fair price. The blend is: riesling 33%, chenin blanc 33%, chardonnay 17%, pinot blanc - sauvignon blanc 7%, sémillon 2%.

 

Wine Miguel Torres Sauvignon Blanc Santa Digna 2003, Valle del Curicó, Region del Valle Central, Chile

Price $13.99

UPC 8410113005213

Score 87/100

Remarks    Slate-y mineral, lime rind, wet wool notes mark the nose with a smattering of butter, melon and gooseberry and light, bell pepper notes. Rich, round, fresh and elegant with fine grapefruit, mineral, gooseberry, Granny Smith apple flavours and a slight bell pepper, grassy finish. Zippy, fresh and a big step up over the last 2 vintages.

 

Wine Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Cava Macabeo - Parellada - Xarello N/V, Penedès, Cataluna, Spain

Price $14.99

UPC 033293690009

Score 87/100

Remarks    This consistently good cava has a nutty, lemon, pear mineral, toasty biscuit nose with a floral note in the background. It's fresh, clean, round and dry with baked pear, citrus, apple, nutty honey almond flavours. Good drier brut style with lots of flavour. A solid sparkler for the money and one to drink just any old time.

 

Wine Serame Viognier 2003, Languedoc, South of France, France

Price $11.40

UPC 3258691206646

Score 87/100

Remarks    The latest edition of viognier from Serame may be even better than the first. This is first-class inexpensive viognier with a clean floral nose streaked with honey and mineral all of which carries thorough on the palate. This quiet understated introductory Euro-style viognier. Great value.

 

Wine St. Hallett Poacher's Blend Sémillon - Chenin Blanc - Sauvignon Blanc - Riesling - Colombard 2003, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia

Price $12.95

UPC 9316920000329

Score 87/100

Remarks    We always liked Poachers Blend with its attractive mineral, floral, honey, earthy aromas and herbal, gooseberry notes but at $4 less it has become a serious best buy. The entry is round and sweet with citrus butter, melon, mineral, honey and kiwi flavours. A nice crisp finish keeps it balanced and fresh. Great value.

 

Wine Talus Collection Chardonnay 2003, California, United States

Price $12.98

UPC 088232003556

Score 87/100

Remarks    Talus has always been a good value brand but the new 2003 chardonnay adds a much need update to the California chardonnay category. The wine sports a new label but it's the fresh fruit and zippy flavours that are more attractive. Ponderous oaky chardonnay is dead and the Americans seemed to be the last wine drinkers to get it. Look for a citrus pineapple honey fruit flavoured wine with a clean fresh demeanour. Love the price.

 

Wine Carmen Sauvignon Blanc 2004, Region del Valle Central, Chile

Price $13.50

UPC 83300097604

Score 86/100

Remarks    Passion fruit, kiwi, grapefruit rind, mineral aromas with some floral and green apple notes. Fresh, round, elegant and fairly dry wit grassy, grapefruit, passion fruit and mineral flavours. Very clean, crisp style with a grassy, citrus finish. Nicely done, good value.

 

Wine Carmen Gewurztraminer 2004, Valle del Curicó, Region del Valle Central, Chile

Price $13.95

UPC

Score 86/100

Remarks    Carmen gewürztraminer is made with mostly Lontué fruit but their can be up to 15 per cent of Casablanca-based grapes in the blend and up to 5 per cent sémillon. The nose is classic rose petal and litchi nut fruit aromas. It's fairly rich on the palate, almost cloying with more intense oily litchi nut fruit flavours and a spicy warm finish. Serve well chilled with Thai or Chinese food.

 

Wine Columbia Crest Two Vines Sauvignon Blanc 2002, Columbia Valley, Washington, United States

Price $13.99

UPC 088586430862

Score 86/100

Remarks    Floral, candied grapefruit rind, mineral, butter aromas. Soft, round, friendly style with grapefruit, smoky bell pepper, mineral, apple skin flavours with a dry, crisp finish. Good value for the rounder, riper, American style sauvignon.

 

Wine Freixenet Ash Tree Estate Chardonnay Macabeo Chardonnay - Macabeo 2003, Spain

Price $11.95

UPC 33293763000

Score 86/100

Remarks    Freixenet has come a long way from its 1861 beginnings in 'La Freixeneda' ― a place where ash trees grow. Its latest series of still wine honour the past yet taste very much like the future. Look for a light, bright zippy white with quiet fruit and lemon/almond undercurrents. Grilled lemon chicken would be a perfect match or a wide variety of classic Spanish tapas. Good value

 

Wine Hardys Nottage Hill Chardonnay 2003, South Eastern Australia, Australia

Price $10.99

UPC 9311043057144

Score 86/100

Remarks    Inviting honey, floral, peach aromas streaked with citrus butter. Ripe, round, smooth entry with just a hint of oiliness. A touch sweet with good buttery, vanilla, peach and green apple skin flavours. Good clean, solid Oz chardonnay at an affordable price.

 

Wine Kendermanns Dry Riesling 2002, Pfalz, Germany

Price $9.95

UPC 785859245122

Score 86/100

Remarks    Ripe peach, floral, mineral, honey, baked apple aromas. Fresh, round, elegant style with green apple, citrus, mineral, creamy peach flavours. Well balanced, citrus style that should go well with lighter seafood, chicken or just sipping. Very solid and good value.

 

Wine Lindemans Bin 65 Chardonnay 2004, South Eastern Australia, Australia

Price $11.49

UPC 012354081840

Score 86/100

Remarks    Consistently well made is the story of this expensive chardonnay from Oz. Typical toast butter and melon mark the nose with ripe almost baked apple underneath. Similar flavours with a dusting of mineral lees acid and oak. Good value.

 

Wine Lindemans Bin 95 Sauvignon Blanc 2004, South Eastern Australia, Australia

Price $11.49

UPC 012354081826

Score 86/100

Remarks    Another good example of what a screwcap can do for an ordinary white. Love the (fresh) smoky, floral, mineral, gooseberry, citrus aromas you wouldn't get with a cork closure. Round, delicate and balanced with mineral, grapefruit rind, smoky mineral, grassy flavours. Simple, fresh and tasty for seafood. Good value.

 

Wine Oxford Landing Chardonnay 2003, South Australia, Australia

Price $11.99

UPC 9311789279329

Score 86/100

Remarks    Ripe melon, butter, honey pear aromas with a mineral streak. Ripe, round, elegant and dry with buttery, citrus rind, mineral, apple skin flavours. Solid, dryer style with a touch of bitter grapefruit rind on the finish.

 

Wine Painter Bridge Chardonnay 2003, California, United States

Price $14.99

UPC 089121158524

Score 86/100

Remarks    Spicy orange creamsicle, mineral, honey and baked apple aromas. Soft, round, sweet on entry with and creamy/buttery, honey, marmalade, melon and mineral flavours. The finish is slightly warm (alcoholic) and sour. There is lots of flavour here but somewhat too sweet and sour in the balance for our liking.

 

Wine Pascual Toso Sauvignon Blanc 2004, Maipu, Mendoza, Argentina

Price $11.99

UPC 718742001901

Score 86/100

Remarks    Grapefruit, kiwi, melon, grassy mineral aromas. Fresh, soft, round and a bit sweet with melon, grapefruit rind, butter, mineral and passion fruit flavours. Good fruit and nose but somewhat sweet, a good introductory style.

 

Wine Penascal Sauvignon Blanc 2003, Castilla-Leon, Spain

Price $11.99

UPC 084159000180

Score 86/100

Remarks    Spanish Sauvignon is catching on. Look for a grassy, grapefruit rind, mineral, passion fruit nose wrapped up in a Euro-dry, elegant, fresh, clean style with mineral, green apple skin, grassy, grapefruit flavours. This is solid sauvignon albeit in a slightly austere, crisp style but it's balanced. Try with clams or oysters. Good value. Consistent, tasted twice this year.

 

Wine Saltram Mamre Brook Barossa Chardonnay 2003, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia

Price $14.99

UPC 9300770062446

Score 86/100

Remarks    Vanilla mixed with a dried lees character mineral, honey, citrus and smoky aromas. Soft, round, fat style with honey, buttery vanilla, citrus and baked apple flavours. Easy-drinking. Older style chardonnay with some acidity on the finish.

 

Wine Santa Rita Chardonnay 120 2003, Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, Chile

Price $10.99

UPC 089419007183

Score 86/100

Remarks    Open grapefruit, kiwi, peach, mineral aromas. Very fresh, round, somewhat soft entry with lemon, mineral, peach pit, grapefruit rind flavours with a warm, zesty finish. Cool style but somewhat sauvignon like.

 

Wine Tamaya Muscat of Alexandria 2003, Limari Valley, Chile

Price $14.00

UPC 7808731000145

Score 86/100

Remarks    Typical floral, mineral, dried lychee, vinyl curtain, sausage aromas. Fairly rich, round, sweet and somewhat fat with mineral, orange rind, lychee, perfumed floral vinyl flavours. Fairly intense with a slightly bitter orange rind and soapy finish.

 

Wine Terra Andina Sauvignon Blanc 2003, Region del Valle Central, Chile

Price $12.95

UPC 830212000105

Score 86/100

Remarks    Smoky mineral, grapefruit rind, grassy, garlic lees aromas. Very fresh, round, crisp, moderately dry style with nice grapefruit, mineral, grassy, gooseberry, smoky lees flavours. Quite crisp on the finish, a fine match for mussels and clams.

 

Wine Willowglen Riesling 2004, South Eastern Australia, Australia

Price $12.90

UPC 9300752370415

Score 86/100

Remarks    Dry lime rind, mineral, apple skin aromas with a hint of diesel. Dry, round, elegant entry with good acidity and nice floral, mineral, lime, green apple, nectarine flavours. A bit warm and dry on the finish but there is good fruit and crispness. Good value. Try with spicy Asian dishes.

 

REDS

Wine Cuvée de Pena Carignan - Grenache - Syrah 2003, Les Pyrénées Orientales, Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, South of France, France

Price $14.99

UPC 97871001366

Score 87/100

Remarks    You can excuse Cuvée de Pena for sounding more Spanish than French given its location so near Perpignan and the Spanish border. In fact the everyday hard working vins de pays rouge is French and well worth considering. The blend is suitably carignan, syrah, grenache and mourvèdre; the textures smooth; the flavours strong and rustic. A smoky earthy, peppery red that will suit most grilled meat recipes.

 

Wine Mad Dogs and Englishman Jumilla Shiraz - Cabernet - Monastrell 2003, Jumilla, Valencia and Murcia, Spain

Price $14.99

UPC 898854000068

Score 88/100

Remarks    Look for a soft savoury deliciously fruity red with just enough Euro savoir fair to have everyone running for dinner. This is killer value. Love the balance and the polite alcohol levels. Buy this shiraz, cabernet mourvèdre blend by the case.

 

Wine Dominio de la Peseta Roble Monastrell - Tempranillo - Merlot 2003, Alicante, Valencia and Murcia, Spain

Price $14.99

UPC 8437005096059

Score 87/100

Remarks    Big peppery, black cherry, licorice, spicy, smoky black olive aromas with a meaty, floral note. Smooth, dry, round palate with light, rustic tannins. Lots of black cherry, plum, spicy, peppery, licorice flavours with a cola and game note. A touch dry and young with fine fruit intensity and length. Good value, worth trying.

 

Wine Finca Los Primos Malbec 2003, San Rafael, Mendoza, Argentina

Price $9.95

UPC 7790703167195

Score 87/100

Remarks    Big prune, spicy, black cherry aromas with a strong cigar streak. Rich, round, supple, fat and intense with smoky, peppery, black cherry jam, mushroom and licorice root flavours. Well balanced if a bit warm, excellent value with great intensity. Can't go wrong here.

 

Wine Los Cardos Cabernet Sauvignon 2003, Ugarteche, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina

Price $13.95

UPC 836950000025

Score 87/100

Remarks    Tobacco leaf, spicy, smoky saddle, peppery, savoury/olive aromas. Rich, round, soft and juicy with lots of cassis, smoky tobacco, spicy, olive and cedar flavours. Light smooth tannins on the finish but with some concentration. Serve with grilled pork chop and some applesauce. Good value here.

 

Wine Miral Monte Tinto de Toro 2003, Toro, Castilla-Leon, Spain

Price $13.99

UPC

Score 87/100

Remarks    Sausage, peppery, gamey, mineral, black cherry aromas with some rubbery notes. Rich, round, dry and slightly tannic with big black cherry, raspberry, peppery, spicy, gamey, coriander flavours. Chunky, intense and full bodied but needs a bit of air before drinking.

 

Wine Saltram Barossa Shiraz 2003, South Australia, Australia

Price $14.99

UPC 9300770088255

Score 87/100

Remarks    Rich plummy, black cherry fruit is the story in '03 with just the right amount of oak and spice. There's still that rift of acidity in the sweet finish that makes so many under $15 Oz shiraz taste as if they were made by the same person. Solid everyday red you can use with most grilled meats and poultry.

 

Wine Vina Albali Reserva 1999, Valdepeñas, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain

Price $13.67

UPC 8410702000017

Score 87/100

Remarks    Cherry, spicy, cigar ash, leather, vanilla, licorice aromas with a floral, violet note. Soft, round, dry and elegant with earthy, bright cherry, spicy, black raspberry tobacco flavours. Fresh finish, good fruit and ready to go. Good value.

 

Wine Zonin Nero d'Avola 2002, Sicily, Italy

Price $14.99

UPC 8002235015042

Score 87/100

Remarks    Peppery, chocolate, curry leaf, cardamom, meaty, gamey, black cherry aromas. Rich, round, supple style with light tannins and a touch chunky. Lots of spicy, peppery, black cherry jam, chocolate and licorice root flavours with a touch of almond. Young and well-balanced; perfect for that roast lamb.

 

Wine Bouchard Aîné & Fils Beaujolais Les Coteaux 2002, Beaujolais, Burgundy, France

Price $14.99

UPC 3340180000764

Score 86/100

Remarks    Floral, mineral, cherry jam, minty, earthy aromas. Soft, round, simple and elegant with mineral, strawberry jam, spicy, floral flavours. Delicate and ready to go with balanced acidity.

 

Wine Golden Kaan Shiraz 2003, Western Cape, South Africa

Price $12.95

UPC 748294422299

Score 86/100

Remarks    The Golden Kaan Shiraz wine is a straight-up South African shiraz with a slightly drier edge than its Oz counterparts. Look for spicy peppery fruit and a smooth slightly acidic finish. Golden Kaan was launched as a lifestyle brand and a Euro/SA joint venture between Racke out of Germany and KWV in SA.

 

Wine Little Boomey Shiraz 2003, New South Wales, Australia

Price $12.99

UPC 727115005019

Score 86/100

Remarks    Little Boomey '03 gets its fruit from all across South Australia and this shiraz has about 15 per cent cabernet sauvignon in the mix. Like the 02 this little red has a firm, spicy, fleshy texture with good berry fruit flavours that surprise for the price. Good value.

 

Wine Man Vintners Shiraz 2003, Western Cape, South Africa

Price $13.99

UPC 6009669350444

Score 86/100

Remarks    Tasted twice this year and it remains true to form. Look for a smoky, gamey, peppery nose with some blackberry jam notes. Another soft red with dry smoky, savoury licorice/blackberry flavours. Simple and round with a touch of acidity on the finish. Perfect for with barbeque ribs. Good value.

 

Wine Mezzomondo Salento 2003, Apulia, Italy

Price $9.95

UPC 8032610311346

Score 86/100

Remarks    Spicy, gamey, meaty, smoky prune, black cherry aromas with a chocolate and violet streak. Dry, round, slightly chunky style with some tannins. Chalky, meaty, peppery, spicy, smoky red with chocolate and black cherry flavours. It's warm and rustic on the finish with a touch of acidity but all in all a solid barbecue red. Great value.

 

Wine Penascal Tempranillo 2001, Castilla-Leon, Spain

Price $11.99

UPC 084159000166

Score 86/100

Remarks    Not quite New wave Spanish with its gamey, smoky, black cherry, peppery, saddle leather aromas and underlying garrigue notes. Still we like the soft round, elegant entry and the fresh cherry, spicy, peppery, gamey earthy flavours. A bit acidic but has good fruit flavour intensity. A hamburger or pizza would be a perfect match.

 

Wine R. H. Phillips Cabernet Sauvignon 2002, Dunnigan Hills, Yolo County, California, United States

Price $14.99

UPC 087110310977

Score 86/100

Remarks    Cassis, spicy, mint, herbal, chocolate aromas. Soft, round, smooth palate with berry jam, spicy, minty, cassis and pepper flavours. Easy drinking style, ready to go for any occasion.

 

Wine Rubens Tempranillo 2003, La Mancha, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain

Price $14.99

UPC 8437004820037

Score 86/100

Remarks    Spicy, black raspberry jam, smoky aromas with some gamey animal and reduced rubbery notes. Soft, round, supple entry with chocolate, prunes, black raspberry jam flavours and a coffee, rubbery, meaty finish with some dry dusty tannins. A grilled meat wine or spaghetti and meatballs.

 

Wine Santa Rita Shiraz 120 2003, Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, Chile

Price $11.99

UPC 686586000254

Score 86/100

Remarks    Big minty, gamey, licorice root, blackberry, leather smoky compost aromas. Rich, round, soft and a bit dry with mineral, minty, briary, licorice, smoky prune flavours. Fun but a bit lean on the finish. This will improve in bottle over the next year.

 

Wine St. Hallett Gamekeeper's Reserve Grenache - Shiraz - Touriga - Mourvèdre 2003, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia

Price $14.95

UPC 9316920000077

Score 86/100

Remarks    Black cherry, spicy, gamey, raspberry, licorice, barnyard aromas. Soft, round, somewhat dry with lifted acidity. Black cherry, black raspberry, spicy, white pepper and game flavours with an anise finish. Fresh, frutti-tutti style with some acidity on the finish. Not as rich or meaty as previous versions but is four dollars cheaper.

 

Wine Willowglen Petite Sirah 2003, South Eastern Australia, Australia

Price $12.90

UPC 679940000465

Score 86/100

Remarks    Very dark black cherry colour. Big spicy, black pepper, meaty, blackberry, minty, chocolate nose. Rich, round, supple style with slight acidity but good balance. Lots of chocolate, peppery, spicy, tobacco, blackberry and licorice flavours. Simple but full flavoured, attractive style that has a bit of a chunky finish. Possible BBQ pick of the year. Can't beat it with a steak, good value.

 

 

Wine Castillo de Monseran Garnacha 2003, Cariñena, Aragon, Spain

Price $9.95

UPC 3378630306227

Score 86/100

Remarks    Bright floral, black cherry, black raspberry, peppery, orange peel nose. Soft, round, fresh and juicy with a touch of underlying sweetness. Big black raspberry (grenache) jam, with spicy, orange and red licorice flavours. A bit warm but great fruit and ready to drink. Excellent value. Look to buy this by the case if you can find it.

 

Wine Deakin Estate Merlot 2002, Victoria, Australia

Price $13.99

UPC 636662058228

Score 86/100

Remarks    Cherry, spicy, smoky, tobacco leaf and earth nose. Soft, round and smooth with spicy, black cherry, minty cassis flavours. Fresh finish with good fruit and a bit of cedar-y tannins. Easy drinking commercial style merlot for the barbecue.