Wine Ratings & Reviews Under $20
The Wine Site for Everyone
Price: $8.30
Tastes Like:
Licorice, Raspberry, Oak, Plum
Serve With:
Chocolate, Mexican, Tapas
Chuck’s Take
Here’s a good value pickup to have around when you need a weekday wine. It’s a balanced blend of tempranillo and merlot where the best of both come through. The spicy/earthy side of tempranillo against the round/juicy side of merlot. The price is pretty much the lowest you can find a bottle of red for in my area. Overall I’d say that for the price this wine does punch above it’s weight. It also just so happens to go well with a box of chocolates!
The label is not only full of useless knowledge of bulls (and things of bull related nature), but Sean and I also noticed that his bottle had a “sticker score” of 94 and mine had one saying 90. Shady? What’s in a sticker anyways? Listen to me us. Online strangers have mentioned theirs didn’t live up to the rating of 96. Do I again need to say the bottle is under $9?
Sean’s Take
This wine gets a lot of hype, especially after being featured in a major newspaper. Medium bodied, easy to drink with or without food. I think the Merlot is there to round the edges off the Tempranillo and it worked perfectly. Raspberry, red berries, and a bit of spice. A very well made wine at a great price. Will become a house staple.
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Price: $15.95
Tastes Like:
Lime, Green Apple, White Grapefruit
Serve With:
Pasta Primavera, Salads
Chuck’s Take
Extra dry with big acidity gives this new world riesling from Niagara, Ontario a nice tartness that finishes quick and clean. It’s very different from an old world German riesling, but good it it’s own Canadian limestone and clay soil kind of way.
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Adobe Reserva Sauvignon Blanc Organic 2020
Adobe Reserva Sauvignon Blanc Organic 2020 Adobe Reserva Sauvignon Blanc Organic 2020
Adobe Reserva Sauvignon Blanc Organic 2020
Price: $13.95
Tastes Like:
Citrus, Pineapple, Mineral, Honeydew
Serve With:
Fresh Fruit, Asparagus Pasta
Chuck’s Take
When looking for a Sauvignon Blanc I’d typically go New Zealand but this Organic, non-GMO vegan wine from Chile is a hit for the price point. Light-medium body, extra dry with a lime zest finish.
Sean’s Take
First thing notice is how inviting the smell is. Bright and clean taste with a nice balanced aftertaste. Light touch of pepper makes it very interesting! Summer crowd pleaser & patio sipper. Organic wine bonus points.
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Ironstone Vineyards Old Vine Zinfandel 2018
Ironstone Vineyards Old Vine Zinfandel 2018 Ironstone Vineyards Old Vine Zinfandel 2018
Ironstone Vineyards Old Vine Zinfandel 2018
Price: $17.95
Tastes Like:
Leather, Smoke, Oak, Spice, Black Currant
Serve With:
BBQ Ribs, Charcuterie Board
Chuck’s Take
A big, round and juicy California Zinfandel. Extra dry with an oaky finish. If you could imagine what 50% California Cabernet and 50% Aussie Shiraz tastes like, you just virtually tasted this wine.
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Campo Viejo Rioja Tempranillo 2019
Campo Viejo Rioja Tempranillo 2019 Campo Viejo Rioja Tempranillo 2019
Campo Viejo Rioja Tempranillo 2019
Price: $14.95
Tastes Like:
Sour Cherry, Red Plum, Violet
Serve With:
Tapas
Chuck’s Take
Medium-light body with a dry finish and medium tannins that hit the middle of your tongue (not so much on the gums).
Today I learned that Rioja style is to Spain what Bordeaux style is to France. Tempranillo being the main grape.
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Casa Todelano Tempranillo 2018
Casa Todelano Tempranillo 2018 Casa Todelano Tempranillo 2018
Casa Todelano Tempranillo 2018
Price: $8.30
Tastes Like:
Strawberry Jam, Raspberry Jam, Light Oak
Serve With:
BBQ, Tapas
Chuck’s Take
My impression was that it smelled artificial and manufactured. A one dimensional juicy, jammy red upfront, with an oak driven tannic finish. Not the value find I thought it might have been. However, if you love-love-love value reds, I’ve had waaaaay worse, roll the dice on a cheap-de-la-cheap weekday pizza wine if that’s your game.
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Rosehall Run Chardonnay 2019
Rosehall Run Chardonnay 2019 Rosehall Run Chardonnay 2019
Rosehall Run Chardonnay 2019
Price: $14.95
Tastes Like:
Yellow Pear, White Grapefruit, White Peach, Floral, Pineapple
Serve With:
Pasta Alfredo or Primavera, Lobster Roll
Chuck’s Take
Importantly un-oaked. This crisp and acidic chardonnay keeps your mouth watering for the next sip. If experience has led you to believe that all chardonnays are made into heavy, buttery, barrel aged viscous whites – this one will put un-oaked versions of this varietal back on your shopping list!
Prince Edward County is a newer winemaking region in Ontario that’s certainly growing in popularity. The region produces tends to specialize in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. I bought this bottle directly from the winery in Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada.
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Luccarelli Primitivo Puglia IGT
Luccarelli Primitivo Puglia IGT Luccarelli Primitivo Puglia IGT
Luccarelli Primitivo Puglia IGT
Price: $11.90
Tastes Like:
Dark red fruit, plum, spice, chocolate
Serve With:
Italian Food, Tomato Sauce, Pizza
Chuck’s Take
An easy drinking Italian red that’s great with dinner but also holds up to having a glass on its own. Dry, rich, round with medium tannins.
If you liked this one, you’ll love my similar top value Italian Red.
Sean’s Take
Some words and terms really get people going. For instance “moist” and “mouth feel” make my brain skip a beat. This wine has a really great mouth feel from start to finish. Very lush! (add “lush” to the above list)
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Adesso Merlot 2020
Adesso Merlot 2020 Adesso Merlot 2020
Adesso Merlot 2020
Price: $8.30
Tastes Like:
Red Berry, Red Plum, Light Oak, Light Vanilla
Serve With:
Pizza, Burgers, Hot Dogs
Chuck’s Take
This is a real non-descript middle of the road merlot. I do like merlot from time to time when it has some structure. Merlot isn’t in Italy’s wheelhouse. That’s fine, they have better things growing.
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LCBO | Wine Searcher
Bread & Butter Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Bread & Butter Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 Bread & Butter Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Bread & Butter Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Price: $18.95
Tastes Like:
Black Cherry, Chocolate, Raspberry
Serve With:
Grilled Meats, Lasagna, Stews
Chuck’s Take
Incoming…
Sean’s Take
Need a recommendation on bringing a bottle of wine to a dinner party? Look no further, this is the one.
If you want to taste the a nearly perfect text book definition of Cabernet Sauvignon get a bottle of this wine. I’m going throw out some traditional wine language then translate it. The wine is clean, correct, and integrated. Terrific mouth feel. Translated, no unexpected or unusual flavours. All the smells and tastes are working together. No lingering heat or flavours in the mouth.
I had to dock it a star because I found it a bit light in terms of weight. But, to the people who find Cabs overwhelming, this is a feature, not a bug.
Our earlier Bread & Butter Pinot Noir review was also a strong 4/5. We’re keeping our eye on this winery.
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White Blend Portugal 2020
White Blend Portugal 2020 White Blend Portugal 2020
White Blend Portugal 2020
Price: $8.80
Tastes Like:
Apricot, Peach, Lemon
Serve With:
Garden Salad, Fajitas, Rice & Beans
Sean’s Take
We don’t know what variety of grapes is in this blend, but we do know it’s really good. The wine is light and crisp, very easy sipping wine. There is something tropical but also familiar about the flavours. I settled on peach, but you might get pineapple. Would definitely buy again.
Chuck’s Take
Besides it being an amazing value find – this wine is well balanced, has a nice crisp acidity and ends with a slightly tart finish which I enjoyed. Notes of: pear, white grapefruit & light mineral content.
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LCBO | Wine Searcher
Chapoutier Belleruche 2019
Chapoutier Belleruche 2019 Chapoutier Belleruche 2019
Chapoutier Belleruche 2019
Price: $16.80
Tastes Like:
Lemon, Mineral, Melon, White Grapefruit
Serve With:
Appetizers, Sipping
Chuck’s Take
This is a crisp & refreshing white wine that leans old world in style. Quite dry and medium body. Took a sip and said, ‘ahhh, nicely French!’
Sean’s Take
When I reach for a bottle of white I have some expectations. I want refreshing, easy to drink, and “implied sweetness“. This guy checks all the boxes.
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LCBO | Wine Searcher