Roche Bousseau Anjou Rouge

The Château de la Roche Bousseau is first mentioned in the 15th century, but it was destroyed following the French Revolution. The Regnard family bought their first vines in 1791 around that time, now they own about 200 acres of vines. This is typical of what they produce: absurdly underpriced 100% Cabernet Franc from older vines with bright fruit and slightly herbal notes that are both fascinating and perfect for you to toss chicken on the grill.

Saint Nicolas Pinot Noir

Everybody talks about how difficult Pinot Noir is to grow but, to be honest, it’s not that hard to grow it. It’s just hard to make it taste like Pinot Noir, rather than a generic red wine. You’ve got to grow it in a nice place where things cool off at night, as happens in this little spot of the Languedoc, protected from the afternoon sun. Maybe it won’t change your world, but it will taste like Pinot Noir that makes you want to drink some more.

Saldo Zinfandel

The Prisoner Wine Company needs no introduction; current winemaker Jen Beloz knows Zinfandel like nobody (she was at Ravenswood for years); this Zinfandel is blended from vineyards “here and there” (or “saldo” in Latin) throughout Northern California.

Scout's Honor Red

As consumers look for less expensive offerings, Cali producers have been scrambling to try and show they can produce high quality wine at affordable prices. Venge Estate makes several top notch reds in the $50 plus range and are well known for their high quality wines. For those who think you need to spend a fortune to get a great red wine, this may change your mind.

Sebastiani Cherryblock Cabernet Sauvignon

For decades Cherryblock has been the flagship wine for the Sebastiani family. Samuele Sebastiani emigrated from the Tuscany region of Italy in 1895 and started Sebastiani nine years later. He bought land in Sonoma County and made commercial wine for years; generations later, their oldest and most heralded vineyard is the Cherryblock Vineyard, most recently replanted in 1961. With about 8% Merlot, this is an expression of rich, old-vine Sonoma Cab.

Seigneur Du Feu Cabernet

Throughout the last two centuries of winedom, French wine has been aged in French oak (minus a few years surrounding WWI but we’ll save that history lesson for later). American oak is crucial to many other wine regions: Spain, Australia, the U.S. (maybe even Silver Oak). So this is a southern French Cab with American oak’s lashing of coconut and vanilla – the classic aromas of American oak barrels. An unexpected but happy marriage!

Silverado Solo Cabernet Magnum

Snowvale Cabernet

It's no surprise that I love Snowvale Cabernet. It's classic California; ripe fruit, full-bodied, hints of spice, firm tannins, and an intense yet balanced finish. The surprise is that it's only $13. This is one to buy by the case. Just don't tell your friends how much you paid.

Snowvale Sierra Foothills

Since the 2012 vintage we have been partnering with Banshee Wines to select some insane high end left over barrels from prestigious wineries and bottle them under their Snowvale and Willowlake labels. The results have been pretty eye opening. We’ve seen wine from Dominus, Hidden Ridge, maybe or maybe not Dunn and some other crazy names.

Sombrero Cabernet Sauvignon

Over four generations of winemaking, the Vellas family have slowly assembled a strong group of properties in Languedoc and Roussillon. In beautiful sites like Mas du Pont they have created not only a vast set of vineyards but also farmlands, bull breeding, equestrian centers, olive groves and more. With Cabernet spread out across these sunny and Mediterranean climes, ripeness and aromatics are both in strong supply.

T. Solomon

I am willing to put my professional reputation on the line here and tell you that this may be the best sub $40 Pinot Noir you are ever going to try. Ever.

Tatiana Guillot Beaujolais

Most Americans have no idea how great the Beaujolais region has become. The last two decades have seen it grow, crafting some of the most intriguing AND affordable wines of France. It’s important to understand not all Beaujolais is the same, if you think Beaujolais Nouveau represents the character of Beaujolais, you’re dead wrong. Like the best Beaujolais, Julienas is firm, intense, tannic and nothing at all like the simple fruity wine from past.