2011 Wine Under $10

Apothic Red is bold and enchanting, as it captures the dark fruit characteristics of Syrah and Zinfandel. These jammy flavors blend well with the elegant blackberry and black cherry characteristics of the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. The wine is further enhanced by undertones of mocha and vanilla.

Soft, round fruit fills the mouth with ripe, juicy flavors. A long finish glides into flavors of ripe apples and lichee nuts. A wine to be enjoyed alone, as an apéritif, or with shellfish, fowl and light meals that include vegetarian dishes.

Bright lemon zest, apple, pineapple, star fruit and mineral aromas and mouth-filling lemon curd, apple and butterscotch flavors.

It �lls me with a great deal of pride that we produced the original Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and we are as excited today with the 2010 wine as we were with the �rst one in 1979. Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is now known as one of the world’s most remarkable wines. Essentially we have the right grape variety in the right place so it is no surprise therefore that, year after year the wine excels on the world stage. 2010 continues this long line of excellence.

Whether you are a White Burgundy lover on a budget, or just someone looking for a great house white for everyday imbibing or for parties/weddings/social functions, Cave de Lugny Macon-Villages "La Cote Blanche" is as close to a no-brainer as anything I've ever come across. Despite the absurdly low price, it gives me the sophistication I look for in $25 White Burgundies – nervy, energetic fruit, subtle minerality, and, most elusively of all, the sheer joie de vivre that only well-made White Burgundy can convey. A virtual clone of the 2010 vintage, named Decanter’s #1 Chardonnay under $15, the 2011 "La Cote Blanche" offers up fresh, Chablis-like mineral, yellow fruit and floral notes, followed on the palate, by light, bright, flavors of fresh cut apple, pear, and white flowers. Completely unoaked, it has a sneaky intensity of flavor that persists right through to the energetic finish.
-- Ben Giliberti, CW Director of Wine Education