1. Glaetzer Wallace Shiraz Grenache - For $27 you will be hard pressed to find a wine this thick, voluptuous and fruity. You can drink it now or you can decide to cellar it for 5-7 years. Great wine for the price.
2. Torus - An entry level effort from famed wine maker Alain Brumont for $22. From the Madiran region of France this drinks like nice Bordeaux….without the price. Brumont’s wines are fabulous and very approachable for people wanting to trying the French juice without the hefty price tag.
3. Heartland Stickleback ($14) – An entry level effort from winemaker Australian winemaker Ben Glaetzer (he produces many high-end wines). This red is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Grenache. Unbeatable for this price so buy lots for the relatives. Glaetzer’s high-end wines are among the most sought after from down under.
4. Shooting Star Zinfandel ($19) - An incredible value and great way to introduce yourself to Zinfandel. You never feel guilty about opening a bottle "just because"! No tannins=no mouth pucker and lots of fruit on the palate.
5. Lamura Nero d'Avola - Proof that not all Italilan wines are pricey...$12 and will go well with any red sauce or meat lover's pizza you care to match it with.
6. Atteca Old Vines Grenacha (Spain) - Drink now or wait a few years...either way you'll be impressed with this spiced fruit bomb for $27.
7. Marquis Philips Shiraz - A $25 bottle that creates purple tongues! It's a big, inky, fruity shiraz. Great value.
8. Codice - Big Fred said if wine could taste like Candy Floss...this would be it. For about $12 you can't beat it. Bin 905 always has a stack of it on the shelves.
9. Glen Carlou Shiraz - A $27 bottle of wine that tastes like $40. A lovely South African effort that I have hooked many a new wine drinker on.
10. Seven Deadly Zins, Zinfandel ($24) - This isn't your parents Zinfandel...no pink here...just a full bodied wine that goes great with any grilled red meats.
Top 10 White Wine Values
1. Heartland Stickleback ($14) - Ben Glaetzer’s white “ying” to his Stickleback red “yang”! A marvelous blend of Semillon, Chardonnay, and Verdelho. Richmond Hill and JWebb only.
2. Donhoff Riesling ($29) - This was the wine that got me to start drinking riesling. A fantastic intoduction for anyone.
3. Shaw & Smith M3 Chardonnay ($35) - Not the over oaked yucky chardonnay that made you think you'll never like it. Loads of fruit jump on to your tongue like a spastic cheer team!
4. Quails' Gate Family Reserve Chardonnay ($29) – One of the best chardonnay's I've tasted for under $30. A wonderful domestic effort! I haven't seen it anywhere besides Bin 905.
5. Brokenwood Semillon ($23) - This toasty little number cools you off faster than Rosie O'Donnell in a bikini. The Hunter Valley is known for this grape and it's a favorite of mine. Bin 905 only.
6. Wine by Joe, Pinot Blanc ($20) - Super crisp but not too sweet. From Oregon, it's versatile and suits many palates.
7. Craggy Range Sauvignon Blanc ($30) - Yes I know, everyone loves Cloudy Bay but give this a chance and you won't be disappointed.
8. Highfield Sauvignon Blanc ($25)- Ever had someone inject you with Passion Fruit?
9. d'Arenberg Hermit Crab Marsanne ($20) - Quite a bizarre name but order it like it's no biggie and you'll look even cooler after people taste it.
10. Rolf Binder Helios Semillon ($18)- I love semillon and you will too. A little cheaper than Brokenwood but still a great buy from Hunter Valley.