Top 15 Value Wines of the Year

We've selected the top 15 wines for 2018 that we feel represent the best value to the consumer. Though all wines selected are priced at $25 or less, with this list we allowed ourselves to be subjective as to what "value" represents. Prices shown do not include taxes unless marked.

With the rising costs of wine in the BC market, we've had to consider the pre-tax cost of the wine in our (admittedly arbitrary) $25 limit.

#1 - KWV Winery 2015 Cathedral Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon - $14
If you don't like a bit of smoke in your wine then you'll want to steer clear of this Cabernet Sauvignon from KWV whose plummy-chocolate-herbal nose is practically smoldering. The combination carries through to the full-bodied, slightly off-dry palate (to this reviewer's delight).
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#2 - Doña Paula 2016 Estate Malbec - $16
A typical, fruity/juicy/fresh Malbec from the Valle De Uco in the Mendoza, but happily, with some smokey goodness on appealing, blackberry and violet infused nose and with beautifully integrated spice on the lively, black fruit dominant palate. A drink now Malbec, lacking the tannin structure for a long life, but a well balanced, food-friendly wine that would pair nicely with spicy, grilled meats.
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#3 - Chateau D'Aqueria 2016 Rosé - $18
A 'pretty' rosé with an attractive, strawberry-orange colour and an abundance of strawberry-cola and floral aromas on the medium intense nose and a blend of similar flavours with lifted cran-watermelon notes adding freshness to the spice-infused palate.
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#4 - Stag's Hollow Winery 2017 Albariño - $19
Still priced at under $20 and fulfilling that inner desire for something a little different, the Stag's Hollow Albariño is the wine you need tonight. A textural pleasure, this wine is both fleshy and firm with mouth-watering citrus and chubby melon characters coexisting beautifully. Sprinkle in some spice and exotic fruit notes and you have one complex, long-lasting white, perfect on its own or with your favourite white fish dish.
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#5 - Marchesi Antinori 2016 Bramito Chardonnay - $19
Far from a 'showy' or bombastic Chardonnay, Antinori's Bramito, meaning the call of a deer in Italian, is subtle on the pitaya and Meyer lemon scented nose and on the well-balanced, citrus'n'spice kissed, medium-bodied palate where oak and melon flavours play only a supporting role to the leading spice and acidity layers. 
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Top 25 Value Wines of 2014

We've selected the top 25 wines for 2014 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.

#1 
Bodegas Atalaya 2012 Laya - $14
A blend of 70% Garnacha and 30% Monastrell with bold, dark cherry and Christmas cake aromas on the expressive nose. Tangy and mouth watering, the palate packs a punch with dark fruit, cured meat and French oak flavours.
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#2 
Les Vins Bonhomme 2012 El Petit Bonhomme Tinto - $15
Fruity on the nose with aromas of cherry and blackcurrant supported by savoury notes like pipe tobacco, menthol, anise, oak and spices. The palate offers similar flavours and rounded tannins and tangy, citrus acidity.
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#3
Maverick Estate Winery 2013 Origin - $16
This blend of Gewürztraminer and Sauvignon Blanc (60/40 respectively) showcases classic characters of both varieties, balancing sweet, tropical fruit notes and unctuous texture from the Gewurz with crisp citrus fruit and cool mineral elements from the Sauv Blanc.
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#4
Les Vins Bonhomme 2012 El Petit Bonhomme Blanco - $14
A crisp, fruity and vibrant wine made from 100% Verdejo sourced from the Northwest Spanish region of Rueda offering nectarine, peach pit and passion-fruit aromas on the nose and tangy citrus and ripe melon flavours on the mineral-infused palate. Finishes a bit 'hot', though the lingering spicy notes are memorable and help this 'fresh white' stand-out from the crowd.
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#5
Quails' Gate Estate Winery 2013 Dry Riesling - $17
Pale straw in colour, this Riesling from West Kelowna's iconic Quails' Gate Winery is crisp and vibrant delivering apple, pear, pinapple and citrus fruit aromas and flavours grounded by a strong backbone of stonefruit.
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#6
Calliope Wines 2013 Figure Eight White - $16
On of the things the BC wine industry does very well is create budget conscious, over-achieving, white blends that deliver all the complexity, balance and ease-of-drink that you could possibly hope to get from a wine only a cough above $15.
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#7
Mt. Boucherie Winery 2011 Sémillon - $15.50
A refreshing and crisp version of the Bordeaux variety that offers a nice blend of tangy citrus, juicy peach and mouth watering green apple flavours after a similarly themed, yet, fuller, citrus and nectarine infused nose. Finishes a tad sharp, though, lingering mineral and lime peel notes add to its inherent liveliness.
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#8
Pascual Toso 2012 Malbec - $15

This easy-drinking, fruit-forward Malbec offers plenty of juicy, ripe cherry and tangy wild-blackberry fruit on the otherwise spicy-vanilla nose and the mild-mannered palate where light tannins and acidity play a supporting role to the hero of the wine, its tangy, fleshy fruit.

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#9

Bench 1775 Winery 2013 Chill - $17
A refreshing, vibrant and juicy blend of 46% Pinot Gris, 25% Chardonnay, 11% Sauvignon Blanc and 6% each of Semillon, Viognier and Gewurztraminer that combines equal parts ripe tropical and cool stonefruit elements on the aromatic nose and the (mostly) dry palate.
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#10
Fort Berens Estate Winery 2013 Riesling - $18
Fort Berens is carving out a nice niche for themselves as producers of one of BC's most consistent and affordable, terroir-driven Rieslings. $18 is a steal for wine that ticks most, if not all of the boxes that Riesling fanatics look for when choosing their next bottle of what Jancis Robertson calls "indisputably the greatest white wine grape in the world...".
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Top 25 Value Wines of 2011

We've selected the top 25 value wines for 2011 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

M. Chapoutier 2009 Les Vignes de Bila-Haut - $15
An easy-drinking, soft-tannin blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan that scores well for its harmony, approachable fruit-forward appeal and long, balanced finish of wild berry and rustic earth characters. Widely available.
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#2

Castaño 2009 Lujuria - $10
Yes, this is a $10 bottle of wine that you will actually want to buy and will likely enjoy - and not just for its value. A blend of Merlot and Monastrell. Widely available.
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#3

Chateau Des Charmes 2008 ‘Old Vines’ Riesling - $17
It's rare to find a Canadian Riesling at this price point that offers the concentration and ageability of this St. David's Bench example. Possibly it's the old vines used to source the grapes that were planted in the early eighties. LCBO.
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#4

Maison Calvet 2009 Reserve - $16
A charming vein of sweetness runs through the nose of this pleasing Bargain Bordeaux. This Merlot heavy blend (80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon) should appeal to wine lovers who enjoy New World-leaning Bordeaux wines. Widely available.
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#5

Errazuriz 2007 Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc - $13
Late Harvest wines offer an excellent and affordable alternative when the impressive funds needed to purchase icewines aren't available. This wine over-delivers. Widely available.
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#6

Stoneboat Vineyards 2009 Pinot Noir - $25
One of only 3 wines above $20 to make the list. Simply the best Pinot Noir available within BC under $30. BC VQA stores.
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#7

L'Etoile de Bergey 2009 Grand Vin - $20
Elegant and polished from the refined, cherry, field berry, cassis and savoury oak infused nose through to the dry, blackberry puree, poppy seed, licorice and rhubarb influenced palate. Costco USA.
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#8

Fairview Cellars 2010 Sauvignon Blanc - $20
More complex than merely a clean, crisp summer sipper with some fullness on the palate from lush, oily Semillon fruit adding a hint of honeydew melon to the mix.
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#9

Snap Dragon Winery 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon - $12
If you like big California Cabs with loads of ripe, dark fruit aromas and flavours with a little residual sugar left in the balance to offset the tannins and acid, than you'll be wise to add this well-priced wine to your rotation. Widely available.
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#10

La Frenz Winery 2009 Montage - $22
What would the Top Value list be without the La Frenz Montage every year? Buy it by the case and make it your house red to the delight of all your guests. Private wine shops.
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#11

St. Hubertus Estate Winery 2009 Dry Riesling - $15
One will be hard pressed to find better value in a BC Riesling. Screw-top enclosure has locked in the freshness. BC VQA stores.
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#12

Chateau Pey La Tour 2009 Grand Vin - $16
The warm and long growing season of 2009 has done wonders for not only Bordeaux’s finest wines but also its most affordable including this blend of 77% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. Widely available.
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#13

Henry’s Drive Vignerons 2009 Morse Code Shiraz - $14
A touch of sweetness resides on the tart, yet mild-mannered palate but rest assured we're miles from Yellowtail territory here. Widely available.
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#14

SummerGate Winery 2009 Riesling Two - $20
Sourced from the certified organic Stohler Family vineyard in Summerland, the secret to this Riesling's success is the inclusion of 5% botrytis affected fruit which adds depth and complexity to the nose and mostly-dry palate. Winery direct.
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#15

Big House Wines 2009 White - $13
Despite the grocery list of ingredients, the wine is not overly complex, yet the crisp, fun and easy-drinking character of the wine make it an easy addition to your summer sipping rotation. Widely available.
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See wines 16-25 after the break.

Top 25 Value Wines of 2010

We've selected the top 25 value wines for 2010. This list features the wines we reviewed in 2010 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

Rollingdale Winery 2007 Reserve Pinot Noir - $24
If you're a Pinot Noir fanatic who finds too-many New World attempts far too fruity then you'll love this Reserve Pinot from Rollingdale. It's a steal at under $25!
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#2

Viñas Centenarias 2006 Sabor Real - $16
This 100% Tempranillo wine may turn out to be the best valued bargain of the year with a rustic bouquet of dark cherry, minerality, dried fruits and loads of toasted oak and earthy notes.
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#3

Chateau Des Charmes 2008 Riesling - $12.50
This pale-straw coloured Riesling is a cool customer with great mouth feel, crisp acidity, a lingering finish and is very easy drinking.
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#4

St. Hallett 2007 Shiraz - Grenache Gamekeepers Reserve - $15
Great value Australian blend. The nose offers notes of coffee, raspberry, and black licorice. The palate is jammy with raspberry, tar, and expresso. The finish is long and peppery.
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#5

Lake Breeze Vineyards 2009 Pinot Blanc - $18
The soils of the Naramata Bench are well represented here giving this estate-grown wine a sense of place that lesser Pinot Blanc fail to deliver. Well-balanced with a long finish and vivacious mouth feel.
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#6

Haras de Pirque 2008 Equus Carmenere - $16
Good acidity and tannins will keep this wine improving in your cellar for another 1-2 years and will be enjoyable through 2014.
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#7

Generation Seven Wines 2009 White - $14
A bit off-dry to balance the acidity, this blend of Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Gewurztraminer offers fantastic value for money with a lively palate displaying elements of each of the three varietals.
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#8

JL Giguiere 2006 Matchbook Syrah - $17
This wine offers excellent value and would make a great anyday pairing with BBQ meats or good company. Icon Score

#9

La Frenz Winery 2008 Montage - $22
A perennial favourite of IconWines.ca due to its value for money. Yes, the price went from $20 to $22 for the 2008 vintage, but you get a lot of wine for that $22. If I were forced to buy one case of red wine each year (luckily I'm not) this would be the wine.
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#10

Bodega Renacer 2008 Punta Final Malbec - $16
Easy-drinking and friendly with a velvety, soothing texture. A slightly shortened finish is very smooth and does leave your mouth with a lingering and tongue-tingling spice.
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#11

Fairview Cellars 2008 Two Hoots - $25
This is the Fairview Cellars wine to buy a case of each year as it follows a similar script to the big Bear, solid extraction, built to last and develop, but minus the complexity and price tag of the flagship Bordeaux-styled blend.
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#12

Stoneboat Vineyards 2009 Chorus - $18
This is an excellent, aromatic and juicy summer sipper. This wine is a must for next year's sunny patio-parties.
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#13

Road 13 Winery and Vineyards 2009 Honest John's White - $17
dry palate has just a touch of residual sugar which contrasts nicely with the high acidity making this an excellent wine to refresh you (and your guests) on a hot summer day. Offers great value.
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#14

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2007 Oldfield Series 2Bench Red - $30
Getting expensive for a "value" list, but this $30 Meritage blend over delivers for the price.
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#15

Undurraga 2008 Sibaris Pinot Noir - $14
A pleasant Pinot Noir from Chilean producer Undurraga that is easy to drink and easy on the pocket book. Perfect for a night when you want a laid-back, fruity Pinot with a splash of oak and don't want to spend a bunch for something more complex and challenging.
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#16

Tantalus Vineyards 2008 Riesling - $22
Overall this is an extremely fine medium plus bodied wine with near perfect balance. Works well with food.

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#17

Château des Charmes 2008 Gamay Droit - $17
The dry, medium-bodied palate follows with good continuity of flavours with added mineral and earthy notes. This is a quality, easy-drinking wine that will be a great match for roasted turkey dinners.
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#18

Cono Sur 2009 Viognier - $10
Not overly complex with a slightly sharp, short finish, but a very easy-drinking white wine, perfect for the anything-but-Chardonnay crowd and well worth the money.
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#19

Van Westen Vineyards 2008 Vino Grigio - $19
You can taste the Naramata Bench soils in this fully estate-grown wine. When drinking it you can easily imagine a beautiful, hot Okanagan summer day sitting on a sunny deck overlooking the lake.
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#20

La Frenz Winery 2009 Chardonnay - $20
Year-in-year-out the La Frenz "Peaches and Cream" Chardonnay offers astonishing value for what's uncorked, but the 2009 vintage pushes that value just a bit further.
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#21

Stag's Hollow Winery 2008 Simply Noir -$20
An excellent Pinot Noir driven food wine that would pair nicely with tomato-based pasta sauces or stews.
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#22

Herder Winery and Vineyards 2008 Meritage - $20
Aged in French and American oak for 16 months this is a great wine for those looking for a food-matching, BC Meritage around the $20 mark - one of the best at this price range.
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#23

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2009 Chardonnay - $17
Winemaker Sandra Oldfield has created a fun, moderately complex and most importantly, delectable and quenching Chardonnay.
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#24

Thirty Bench Estate Winery 2008 Red - $24
The Thirty Bench "Red", a blend of Merlot (38%), Cabernet Sauvignon (31%) and Cabernet Franc (31%), may not be the powerhouse Meritage blend that fellow Niagara Peninsula producers like Tawse and Hidden Bench produce but at half the price, you get a solid sipper that over-delivers.
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#25

Seven Stones Winery 2007 Standing Rock Meritage - $32
The fruit for the Standing Rock Meritage is completely estate grown in a beautiful 20 acre bench above the valley floor with a soil profile of sandy loam, limestone and clay. Very well priced at under $35.
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 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010

Also see:
Top 10 Value Wines of 2009