Top 20 Value Wines of the Year

We've selected the top 20 wines for 2015 that we feel represent the best value to the consumer. Though all wines selected are priced at $20 or less, with this list we allowed ourselves to be subjective as to what "value" represents. Prices shown do not include taxes unless marked.

#1 - Bodegas Catena 2013 Alamos Chardonnay - $13.99
Offers fantastic value, keeping it simple with a focus on the balance of  clean, crisp orchard fruit and rich, malolactic and barrel fermentation characters. Sourced from the high altitude vineyards of Mendoza, the wine does spend 6 months in a combination of American and French oak, imparting a myriad of spices on the finish and texture on the palate, balancing the bright, apple and peach flavours. 
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#2 - Cellar Hand 2014 Free Run White - $15.90 (including tax)
The nose offers ripe, delicate aromas of tropical and orchard fruit, most notably: pineapple, mango, apricot and nectarine. The medium-bodied palate follows with similar fruit flavours and added citrus notes and acidity.
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#3 - Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2014 Gewurztraminer - $14.99
Aromas and flavours of peaches, lemons, apples, oranges blossoms, stonefruit and spice on the rounded, pleasant nose and the well-balanced, long-lasting, off-dry palate.
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#4 - Chateau Des Charmes 2012 Gamay Noir 'Droit' - $16.95 (including tax)
An excellent Gamay with a rich nose of black cherry, cola, mineral and warm, spicy earth aromas. On the palate, despite the 3.5g/l of residual sugar (adding texture and body), a thin vein of citrus acidity runs through to the Christmas Cake and oak-infused finish, contrasting the ripe, spicy raspberry flavours.
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#5 - The Painted Wolf Wines 2014 The Den Chenin Blanc - $13.29
A refreshing, well-balanced and extremely well-priced Chenin Blanc from South Africa with zesty citrus, rich apple and light mineral aromas on the nose. The palate opens with a kick of zesty citrus fruit that quickly transitions to creamy, off-dry texture mid-palate and then circles back to tongue-tingling citrus zest for the (slightly) spicy finish.
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Top 25 Value Wines of the Year

We've selected the top 25 wines for 2013 that we feel represent the best value to the consumer. No price limit was applied to the list, nor was a simple price-to-points equation used. With this list we allowed ourselves to be subjective as to what "value" represents.

#1
Anciano 2005 Gran Reserva 7yrs - $13
There's a whole lot to like and pick-out on the nose of this Spanish gem that was aged for 7 years prior to its release. The palate offers a nice balance of oak influenced spice and toasted flavours complimenting bright, red fruit characters through to a moderate finish with both lingering savoury tannins and mouth watering acid.
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#2 
Generation Seven Wines 2013 Nouveau - $12
All the raw, fruity, rustic charm of Beaujolais Nouveau. Maraschino cherry, clove and raspberry jam aromas on the vibrant, nose. Fruity and bright on the youthful, low-tannin, satin textured, red fruit-infused palate where spice and earthy notes linger on the moderate finish. Certainly a wine to buy by the case.
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#3 
Erath Winery 2012 Pinot Gris - $12 (US)
Tricky inclusion on this list as we're basing its value on its US price, but the wine was too good not to include. Oregon may be world renowned for producing some of the best New World examples of Pinot Noir but locally wine lovers are swooning for the State's crisp, well balanced Pinot Gris often produced with little-to-no oak contact or secondary malolactic fermentation for a pure expression of the variety.
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#4 
Chateau Des Charmes 2011 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay - $14
Lovers of toasty, buttery Chardonnay look no further, this barrel fermented example offers all the big peaches'n'cream aromas you crave at the impressive under $15 price point.
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#5 
Bodega Norton 2010 Barrel Select Malbec - $15
Impressive concentration of blue fruit flavours and loads of cooking spice dress up the full palate which oozes glycerol texture through to a sweet'n'tart wild berry and toasted oak finish where a touch of citrus acidity lingers. Enjoy this well made, entry-level Malbec in its youth.
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#6 
Chateau Des Charmes 2010 ‘Old Vines’ Riesling - $17
Though the balance is dry with nice lemon/lime acidity providing crispness the overall impression of this tasty Riesling from Chateau Des Charmes is of an intense, juicy wine with inviting aromas of stonefruit on the nose and concentrated flavours of ripe green apple, minerals and nectarine on the palate.
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#7 
Bench 1775 Winery 2012 Chill - $16
A fun, off-dry blend of 46% Pinot Gris, 25% Chardonnay, 11% Sauvignon Blanc and 6% each of Pinot Blanc, Viognier and Gewurztraminer offering loads of tropical fruit and mineral characters with a summertime afternoon-drinking-friendly level of alcohol; you could sip this tasty wine all day!
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#8 
Maverick Estate Winery 2011 Origin - $16
Opens with a vibrant and attention grabbing aromatic nose of sweet mandarin, lychee, orange blossom, fresh grass, lime rind and papaya aromas. A subtle, food-friendly palate follows with a simpler flavour profile focusing on apple and citrus fruit supported by the right amount of acid to keep your mouth fresh and wanting more.
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#9 
Bodega Norton 2010 Reserva Malbec - $18
Warm, inviting and layered, the Reserva from Bodegas Norton is the Malbec for lovers of red wines with character, a sense of place and bold fruit but without the residual sweetness all too common among red wines these days.
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#10 
La Frenz Winery 2012 Riesling - $20
Off-dry levels of residual sugar are well-balanced by the mouth-watering green apple and pineapple acidity on the palate adorned with boisterous orchard and tropical fruit flavours. A nice vein of minerals runs through the palate to the long, balanced finish where just a hint of spice is perceptible.
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#11 
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2012 Gewurztraminer - $18
Leaner and meaner than your average plump "Goo", delivering more acid and minerality than often seen in the Okanagan Valley - the perfect option for those who find BC Gewurztraminer too "fat" for their liking. 
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#12 
Cellar Hand 2012 Free Run White - $16
The Free Run White offers amazing value for the price, with a food-friendly profile making it a sure thing for any dinner party due to its food-pairing diversity and supreme drinkability. Enjoy this wine in its youth.
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#13 
Fort Berens Estate Winery 2012 Riesling - $18
This Lillooet produced Riesling offers a range of aromas on the intriguing nose from grapefruit and kiwi fruit to orange blossoms and stonefruit minerality. The delightfully tangy palate starts with sweet, juicy apples and nectarine flavours before quickly resolving into a crisp explosion of mouth-watering, yet balanced, citrus acidity.
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#14 
Little Straw Vineyards 2012 Tapestry - $18
Though a blend of Riesling, Auxerrois, Gewurztraminer, Siegerrebe and Schonburger, it's the Gewurztraminer that plays the lead character in 2012 with lush tropical fruit on the floral nose and the off-dry palate which starts with a chewy (gooey) texture and then finishes crisp and tangy thanks to its pronounced grapefruit acidity.
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#15 Fort Berens Estate Winery 2012 Chardonnay - $19
Upon entry, this Chard comes across as crisp and un-oaked with orchard and citrus fruit leading the way, but, as it flows over the palate the rich notes and oak influence comes forth and carries through to the long finish.
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#16 
SynchroMesh Wines 2012 Thorny Vines Vineyard Riesling - $19
The Thorny Vines Riesling hails from a youthful, 3rd leaf Naramata Bench vineyard and is more assessable to the casual Riesling fan, both in character (a fruity, tangy, off-dry charmer) and price (impressive quality for under $20).
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#17 
Celler De Capcanes 2010 Mas Donis Barrica - $20
A blend of 85% Grenache and 15% Syrah, red fruit and herbs mix well to create a modern, Old World vibe with a refined/rustic dichotomy. A long finish with lingering spice and oak notes will carry through to your next bite of grilled Picanha.
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#18 
Howling Bluff Estate Winery 2012 Summa Quies Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc Sémillon - $20
Howling Bluff uses a whopping 15% Sémillon resulting in added textural elements as well since Sémillon has a natural fuller body. Clean, crisp, complex and long, the Summa Quies Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc Sémillon will delight as a stand-alone Summer Sipper.
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#19 
Cassini Cellars 2011 Merlot - $19
A great style for BC which has been guilty, from time-to-time, of over-oaking under-ripe Merlot, turning the Bordeaux varietal into a mere conduit for French or American oak flavours rather than letting the fruit speak for itself.
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#20 
Stag's Hollow Winery 2012 Syrah Rosé - $20
he 2012 edition of this excellent Syrah rosé from Stag's Hollow sees only a nominal amount of Orange Muscat and Viognier (2% and 1% respectively) added to the blend but the effect is impressive with gorgeous, sweet, floral and tangy aromas of cherry, rose petals, tangerine, lime rind and rhubarb characters.
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#21 
Jackson Estate 2011 "Stich" Sauvignon Blanc - $20
This wine wins with its excellent balance of citrus acidity and light residual sugar on the rich, concentrated palate of gooseberry, kiwi fruit and mineral flavours. The finish is impressively long for this price point with lingering, mouth-watering lemon-lime peel notes and just a hint of spice.
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#22 
Fairview Cellars 2012 Sauvignon Blanc - $20
his crisp wine opens with a flash of sweet papaya fruit before quickly transitioning to a medley of stonefruit, green apple and tangy citrus flavours; lemon/lime, quince and mandarin orange. The finish is long and tastefully tart with lingering lime rind notes and just a hint of spice.
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#23 
Cellar Hand 2011 Punch Down Red - $20
'Cellar Hand' is the second label of Black Hills Estate Winery and aims to create drink-now wines, appropriate for passing the time while you wait for your coveted caché of Nota Bene to mature. The palate is easy-going with smooth, light tannins, ripe berry and plum fruit flavours and a kick of both cooking spice and field berry acidity on the moderate finish.
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#24 
Gold Hill Winery 2012 Gewurztraminer II - $18
A big, boistrous, brass-hued Gewurztraminer with intense, fat, fruit aromas of lychee, apricots and peaches with light lime rind notes. The palate is equally fat with silimar flavours and loads of body from ultra ripe fruit and off-dry levels of residual sugar.
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#25 
Backyard Vineyards 2012 Nosey Neighbour White - $15
An easy-going blend of Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sigerrebe and Gewurztraminer, benefiting from the warm 2012 growing season resulting in heightened aromatics on the nose and ripe, tropical fruit on the dry, mouth watering palate.
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 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Top 25 Value Wines of 2012

We've selected the top 25 wines for 2012 that we feel represent the best value to the consumer. No price limit was applied to the list, nor was a simple price-to-points equation used. With this list we allowed ourselves to be subjective as to what "value" represents.

#1
MezzoMondo 2010 Negroamaro - $10
A very consistent bargain red from the South East of Italy using the Negroamaro grape native to the region, which year-after-year delivers excellent value for money with an expressive nose of black cherry, dried cranberry, prune, toasted oak and Christmas spice aromas.
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#2
Generation Seven Wines 2012 Nouveau - $12
Fruity and bright on the ultra-youthful, low-tannin palate, staying true to the varietal with nice spice and a hint of cured meat flavours beneath the prominent red fruit. A wine to be enjoyed in its youth, by the case throughout the holiday season - incredible value!
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#3
Chateau Des Charmes 2009 Cabernet-Merlot - $13
An impressive "budget" blend that over-delivers for the price with a nice nose of cassis, blackberry, vanilla spice and oak aromas followed by a medium-bodied, smooth-tannin palate with a good balance of mature dark fruit and savoury herbs'n'spice flavours.
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#4
Finca Sophenia 2009 Reserve Malbec - $14
This is the wine to seek out for folks who are tired of overly juicy and predictable Mendoza Malbecs that are generally available at this price point. Textured and well balanced with concentrated plum fruit and French oak characters of spicy vanilla.
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#5
Road 13 Vineyards 2010 Stemwinder - $15
Originally this wine was released at $22, several dollars more than the firm's popular Honest John's Blends. Seen, at the time, as a step-up in complexity and part of their plan to focus more on proprietary blends than on a large portfolio of single varietal wines.
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#6
Cellar Besllum 2008 Montsant - $20
This offering, a blend of equal parts Carignan and Garnache, has plenty of character on the layered nose and smooth palate. The tannins are fine and well balanced with good acidity resulting in a silky texture and long finish.
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#7
Gemtree Vineyards 2009 Bloodstone Shiraz - $16
McLaren Vale product has an appealing nose of sweet cherry fruit, menthol and mineral notes but it is the intriguingly moderate and terroir-driven palate that makes this a wine worth seeking out.
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#8
Geo Wines 2009 Chono Syrah Reserva - $18
Produced in the Elqui Valley, one of Chile's most northern and driest wine regions, this savoury, terroir expressing Syrah offers a gorgeous palate of oak spice, minerals, smoked meats, leather and dark, brooding fruit.
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#9
Sumac Ridge Estate Winery 2010 Private Reserve Gewurztraminer - $14
best known Gewurztraminer in BC is also one of the most consistently well made with a straight-forward, classic presentation of Goo with nice candied lychee fruit aromas on the pleasant nose and just a touch of residual sugar on the satisfying palate.
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#10
SpierHead Winery 2010 Pinot Noir - $18
Nice sweet cherry notes on the nose blend nicely with light French oak aromas and a hint of vanilla. The dry palate offers similar flavours and a nice vein of acidity. A touch of bitterness on the finish will be masked when served with foods like a Thanksgiving roasted turkey.
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