Welcome to my semi-annual list of Best Buy wines for the summer of 2020. For past lists, I used $25 as the maximum cutoff price including taxes (which add another 15% to your final price, dear consumer). However this year I have decided to up the cut-off to $30 maximum, in recognition of two trends: the relentless rise in wine prices here in British Columbia, and consumers’ apparent openness to try better-quality wines during our coronavirus lockdown and slow recovery. This gives you more to choose from.
As with previous lists, I’ve limited my current list to wines that are available at BC government liquor stores, so that you have a reasonable chance of finding them. However, not all of these wines will be available at all stores, and some wines are currently on sale (as noted), so grab them while you can. And just a reminder that these are my own personal selections: no one has paid me or provided free samples to taste and list these particular wines.
Wines are listed by ascending price, not by preference or ranking. Unless specifically noted, I have not provided vintages, since these wines are ready to drink now and in most cases you will find whatever is the current year on the shelf. The prices noted are currently correct, and include all taxes.
1. Alvear Fino, Montilla-Moriles, Andalucia, Spain $23.00 (-$2) This is a great standby in the bone-dry Sherry style, so refreshing and beguiling with tangy olive, almond, green apple and citrus notes. Perfect for summer sipping as an aperitif. 15% alcohol. From the Montilla-Moriles region.
2. Umani Ronchi Casal di Serra, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi, Italy $23.00 A long-standing favourite carried over from last year and still excellent value for money, this Verdicchio gives real pleasure now but is also capable of developing honeyed complexity with some bottle age.
3. Bartier Bros. Semillon 2019, Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada $23.00 A new BCL listing of this rather unusual white varietal, but all the better for it. Offers up peach, green apple and apricot aromas, followed by a rich yet refreshing, tangy taste.
4. Pewsey Vale Eden Valley Riesling, South Australia, Australia $23.00 (-$2) Another long-time standard bearer on my table, this is a classic, crisp, citrusy, racy yet elegant bone-dry Aussie Riesling from the highly-regarded higher altitude Eden Valley region. Sings beautifully with a plate of oysters.
5. Monte del Fra Ca Del Magro, Custoza Superiore DOC, Italy $25.30 A dry yet aromatic white blend that is full-bodied and rich, offering up tropical fruits and wild flowers on a well-judged acidic backbone.
6. Basilisco Teodosio Aglianico del Vulture, Basilicata, Italy $25.30 A rich, complex, full-bodied, dark-fruited, spicy red made from southern Italy’s best native grape variety, at a ridiculously good price point. Long finish and dusty, chalky tannins augur well for aging.
7. Frescobaldi Nipozzano Chianti Rufina Riserva, Tuscany, Italy $26.45 (-$2) Another consistently great-value quality red wine from Tuscany’s Chianti heartland. Think red and dark cherry, blackberry, violets, liquorice, and fine acidity alongside suave, velvety tannins.
8. CVNE Viña Real Rioja Crianza, Spain $26.45 A delicious, ripe-fruited if medium-bodied, earlier-drinking Rioja red. From primarily Tempranillo grapes, this is smoothly textured, elegant, layered and well-balanced with soft tannins.
9. Norton Privada, Mendoza, Argentina $28.20 An elegant, highly reliable blend of Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, this is smooth with fine-grained tannins, black fruits, spice and chocolate notes from the well-judged oak. A great value Bordeaux style red.
10. Stellenbosch Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Stellenbosch, South Africa $28.70 (-$3) This beautiful wine is produced by the famous Engelbrecht family, owners of top-ranked South African wine estate Rust en Vrede. This is sumptuous, voluptuous, smooth, velvety, savoury Cabernet of the highest quality, at a crazy price. Get it while you can.
And one more extra bonus wine that I couldn’t leave off the list…
11. Chateau des Capitans Julienas, Beaujolais, France $29.90 A very good example of just how terrific wines from the top-ranked Beaujolais Crus (designated villages) can be. Intense, ripe and plummy, with refreshing acidity coursing underneath those smooth tannins. Ageworthy. Chill down for a few minutes before opening. Really.