Tags
Cork & Cracker, Grapevine Cottage, Melipal, Michel Chapoutier., Sebastiani, Simple Life, Velvet Palate
Time again to catch up with some great value wines found over the past few weeks. For variety’s sake, here are great values in a red, white, and Rose’.
I sporadically mention where I personally purchase wine. After several requests, I’ll try to be more consistent. I buy 99 percent of my wine in Central Indiana or online but if this helps people find the good stuff in the Midwest, I’m happy to comply.
Simple Life 2011 Pinot Noir – It’s always exciting to find a value Pinot to recommend for those who keep their wine purchases below the $15 price point. This simple Pinot is one of best I’ve tasted for under $13 bucks.
The wine is made by the iconic Sebastiani family under the Don Sebastiani & Sons flag and Simple Life Winery label. Sebastiani is one of the oldest names in Sonoma.
This is easy to drink Pinot. It’s a little fruity on the palate and smoky on the finish. I can dive into the fine nuance of an Oregon Pinot, at a much higher price point, with anyone but this is a simple little wine. But the beauty of this bottle is its simplicity. It’s well made Pinot at a super-low price – don’t over think it, just drink it!
Simple Life 2011 Pinot Noir, $12.99, Cork & Cracker, Indianapolis, Recommended.
Les Vignes De Bila-Haut Cotes du Roussillon – For the past two years I’ve been digging into these inexpensive French white wines and loving them. I have found the Cotes du Rhone and Languedoc whites uncomplicated but delightful sippers.
The Michel Chapoutier wine has understated citrus, white fruit and awonderful mouth feel. The veteran Rhone winemaker blends Roussillon grenache blanc, grenache gris and macabeu (Spain’s Cava grape) to make this tasty sipper.
Les Vignes De Bila-Haut Cotes du Roussillon, $11, Grapevine Cottage, Zionsville, Recommended.
Melipal 2011 Malbec Rose’ – Malbec Rose’ has never appealed to my palate. I purchased a glass in an Indianapolis restaurant at lunch recently and it was insipid, at best. But I recently won a case of wine as part of an online site promotion and inside was some Spanish and this one Argentinian Rose’.
To my delight the Melpal was quite tasty – hints of cherry and raspberry and a wonderful white-wine crispness. These Rose’ wines with a more of a mouth feel than a Provence make better food wines than the lighter French styles. I’d serve with light appetizers or a salad.
Melipal 2011 Malbec Rose’, $12-$14, Velvet Palate, Recommended.
Howard W. Hewitt 