Tomorrow, we’ll be raising a glass in honor of National Drink Wine Day. In preparation for one of our favorite holidays, we wanted to let you know about some fantastic wines from Total Wine & More that boast sky-high ratings – but won’t break the bank.
California’s Russian River Valley produces remarkable red and white wines that have helped the region accrue a reputation that can compete with more famous neighbors like the Napa Valley. With a 90-point rating from Wine Enthusiast, the 2013 Martin Ray Chardonnay from the Russian River Valley is a perfect example of the quality that’s become synonymous with the area. With balanced flavors of pear and lemon and bright acidity, this wine also offers an inviting hint of orange blossom and caramel on the finish.
Another region that’s experiencing a rapid growth in popularity is Columbia Valley, which sits in southern Washington. Boasting a 90-point rating from Wine Spectator, Waterbrook Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2012 offers flavors of cherry, cinnamon and cream that lead into a long and expressive finish. From Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah to Chardonnay and even Riesling, the state of Washington is becoming a leader in American winemaking.
While the most renowned Old World wines can bear high price tags, we found plenty that offer incredible quality at equally incredible value. Portugal’s Douro Valley is producing fantastic red blends like Quinta das Carvalhas Reserva 2011, which has a 91-point rating from Wine Enthusiast. This powerful wine offers firm tannins and flavors of dark berry fruits and spice.
Bordeaux, source of some of the world’s most sought-after wines, can produce pricey bottlings. But we carry a variety of exceptional Bordeaux that won’t cause sticker shock. The 2009 Chateau Feret Lambert Bordeaux Superieur is a full-bodied red rated 90 points by Wine Spectator, thanks to its concentrated flavors of cassis and blackberry fruit framed by hints of toasty mocha and espresso.
To round out our favorites, we’re traveling to southern Australia. Jip Jip Rocks produces a range of wonderful wines, including a 2012 Shiraz/Cabernet blend that earned a score of 93 from internationally renowned Australian wine critic James Halliday. This fruit-driven wine offers fragrant aromas of red and black fruits, and speaks to how far Australian winemakers have come over the past decade.
With over 8,000 wines from which to choose, there’s no place better to shop exceptional wines at exceptional values than Total Wine & More.
“Each has elements of winemaking style that has made California famous,” says Taylor Barneby of Total Wine & More’s wine-buying team.