Sonoma County is famous for is wine and, while one can spend a small fortune on bottles from the region, one doesn’t need to shell out more than $20 to enjoy its quality.  Thankfully there are a number of great values that over deliver for the price. Here are four our tasting panel enjoyed: 

St. Francis 2014 “Claret” Blend

Grape(s): 50% Merlot, 30% Malbec, & 20% Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Sonoma County, Ca

Price: 15-20

Tasting Notes:

Dark berry and plum aromas combine with expressions of dark chocolate and minerals on the nose. Elements of blackberries, currants, and plums mingle with notes of anise, cocoa, and earth on the palate. An “old school” style blend, that’s not overly lush and fruity, fans of classic claret will enjoy.

Rating: 89

 

Dry Creek Vineyard 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon

Grape(s): 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec, & 2% Merlot

Region: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County

Price: 15-20

Tasting Notes:

Blackberries, cherries, and cassis weave together among whispers of cocoa and violets on the nose. Flavors of dark cherry, bramble berry, and currant flow into allusions of dark chocolate, herbs, and violets on the palate. Layered and balanced with plush tannins, it’s a nice bottle of wine for the price.

Rating: 90

Pedroncelli 2015 “Mother Clone” Zinfandel

Grape(s): 88% Zinfandel & 12% Petite Sirah

Region: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County

Price: 15-20

Tasting Notes:

Blackberries, cherries, and plums mingle with notes of vanilla and nutmeg on the nose. The palate brings together flavors of bramble berry and cherry with suggestions of clove, minerals, and vanilla. Supple with good fruit, open a bottle with a BBQ burger.

Rating: 90

Ferrari-Carano 2015 Chardonnay

Grape(s): 100% Chardonnay

Region: Sonoma County, Ca

Price: 15-20

Tasting Notes:

Elements of pears, peaches, and tart apple come together with suggestions of buttered popcorn and pie crust on the nose. Flavors of peach, pear, and lemon mingle among highlights of buttery popcorn and fresh bread on the palate. There’s a nice acidity to balance out the creamy components a bit, but this is a wine that fans of butter Chard are most likely to enjoy.

Rating: 89