So excited to see you highlight K Vintners, Charles Smith, and Motor City Kitty! We have been enjoying it for years, but the 2021 vintage is lights out fantastic. And for $40!
Wonderful list. I would add Chateau La Tour Figeac, which normally sells at around this price point. This is a silky and refined wine that shouldn’t be overlooked. Just tried the 2022, which is already accessible but will be very age-worthy.
Excellent recommendations! I have added them to my next shopping list. Some other Spanish recommendations on that price range: Viña Ardanza Reserva, Aalto, PSI, Comando G Navatalgordo, Terroir al Limit Terra de Cuques Negre, Remelluri Blanco…
Thanks very much! Excellent suggestions! I have featured Viña Ardanza, Psi, Remelluri Blanco and Commando G on the channel before and completely agree with you!
Thank you for a nice compilation of excellent wines. In answer to your question, one of the 50 dollar (in my case 50 Euro) wines I really like is Chateau Petit-Figeac. Another (somewhat cheaper) wine which, in my humble opinion is of excellent quality is Chateau Sociando-Mallet. Especially the 2018 vintage is quite excellent.
Absolutely knock this one out of the park! My 2025 wine goal (thanks for giving that advice as well) is to focus on sub $50 bottles this year as a sort of protest against crazy prices.
Thank you for the video! Been a fan of your content for a while. Do you have any recommendations for a wine newbie wanting to learn more? UA-cam channels, books, and/or some wisdom. What price point do you think I should target for learning differences in terroir and varietals?
Thanks very much! I have definitely tried to publish lots of educational content on UA-cam on a wide variety of topics. Other than that, I think the best way to learn is by tasting widely and trying new wines both at home, at restaurants and tastings and by traveling to wine regions. There are also events like the Wine Spectator Grand Tastings or various events put on by James Suckling or even the Barolo and Barbaresco Consorzio that allow you to try numerous wines at their events for an entrance fee. You can taste very broadly at these events. The level 1 and level 2 WSET courses provide a good overview to some of the basics about wine and will give you a good starting point. Level 1 is quite easy and fast. You might see if there is a provider near where you live. In-person classes are definitely best! Prices will vary quite a bit by region. You can taste some nice German Riesling, for example, for $20-25 in the US, but that won't get you very far in Napa Valley. So unfortunately, there is not one simple answer. I would also encourage you to get some like-minded friends together and form a tasting group. You can pick a theme for a tasting and each bring a bottle to the tasting. That way you could try 6-8 different wines from a region while paying for just one bottle.
Just did a comparison of the "district series" of napa cabs. Made by precision wine.....found at total wine. The mid levels werent very notable.... but their Alexander valley for 18 bux was sufficiently close to silver oak. The 2020 stags leap one at 49 bux is surprisingly drinkable now. It had the fruit and the length!
@@thecanuck11 A fantastic wine! It depends to some extent on your personal preference. If you enjoy them young, you could try one now and then see how you like it. But there is no rush and it will keep getting better with additional age.
Great question! I have not tried the 20, but based on what I'm reading online it looks to be quite similar in terms of quality so I would not hesitate to get the 2020 vintage either. In this video, I tried hard to recommend wines that are consistently high quality regardless of vintage. The only issue may be that some of them could cost more in vintages that are considered to be stronger vintages (e.g., Le Vieux Donjon).
Outstanding video! With such a well-curated selection, this is a list I can wholeheartedly recommend to wine enthusiasts of all levels and preferences. For anyone seeking wines that impress without straining the wallet, I believe this video offers a formidable shopping list. I’m especially delighted to see three of my go-to producers for cellar defenders - Muga, Col d’Orcia, and Chateau Cantenac Brown. In fact, several of my own cellar defenders have been directly inspired by your thoughtful recommendations. I have many favorites, but two of the standout bottles under $50 that I have recently enjoyed are the 2019 Château Brane-Cantenac - Margaux de Brane (a superb wine that, in my opinion, rivals the second wine and even stands strong alongside the grand vin) and the 2018 Château Malartic-Lagravière La Réserve. Both were excellent, though Malartic consistently delivers, especially with their first wine. Thank you, John, for continuing to share such excellent wine recommendations at friendly price points.
@@vinvoyage Thanks very much for weighing in! Glad you enjoy them too. Certainly a terrific trio! Appreciate the support! Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend! Cheers!
Thanks for weighing in. I know some people feel strongly about that so I always try to provide that information. The Champagne was only 12.5%. It is difficult for wines with a lot of Grenache to stay below 14%. Similarly, in areas with lots of sunshine such as California, the grapes tend to have higher potential ABV unless the producers harvest the grapes before they are ripe. Having said that, with devices such as the Coravin, you can always do small tasting pours of wines and then save the rest of the bottle for another taste in the future.
So excited to see you highlight K Vintners, Charles Smith, and Motor City Kitty! We have been enjoying it for years, but the 2021 vintage is lights out fantastic. And for $40!
Thank you! Much appreciated. Very glad you enjoy this producer as well! Completely agree that this wine is a phenomenal value at $39!
Wonderful list. I would add Chateau La Tour Figeac, which normally sells at around this price point. This is a silky and refined wine that shouldn’t be overlooked. Just tried the 2022, which is already accessible but will be very age-worthy.
Thank you! And thank you too for this very worthy addition! It sounds terrific and 2022 is definitely shaping up to be a tremendous vintage!
Great video; perhaps the most valuable type you produce. Can’t wait to try some of these, and I look forward to your next video, as always!
Thanks very much! Very glad you enjoy the top wine videos!
Love these videos! So helpful
@@kid_a6859 Thank you! Appreciate the kind feedback! Cheers!
Another super insightful video thank you!!
@@nealbergano1149 Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you!
Excellent recommendations! I have added them to my next shopping list. Some other Spanish recommendations on that price range: Viña Ardanza Reserva, Aalto, PSI, Comando G Navatalgordo, Terroir al Limit Terra de Cuques Negre, Remelluri Blanco…
Thanks very much! Excellent suggestions! I have featured Viña Ardanza, Psi, Remelluri Blanco and Commando G on the channel before and completely agree with you!
Have you tasted Château Martet? It's a Sainte-Foy Cotes de Bordeaux that I first tasted in 2023 in St. Emilion. Excellent value for a 100% merlot.
I don't believe that I have tried that one yet, but will definitely keep an eye out. Appreciate the tip! Sounds terrific!
Thank you for a nice compilation of excellent wines. In answer to your question, one of the 50 dollar (in my case 50 Euro) wines I really like is Chateau Petit-Figeac. Another (somewhat cheaper) wine which, in my humble opinion is of excellent quality is Chateau Sociando-Mallet. Especially the 2018 vintage is quite excellent.
Thanks very much! Appreciate you weighing in. I'll have to try that one again. It has been a while since I last tried it.
@@AttorneySomm let us know what you think when you try it again ☺
@@rickwezenaar Thanks! Will do.
Absolutely knock this one out of the park! My 2025 wine goal (thanks for giving that advice as well) is to focus on sub $50 bottles this year as a sort of protest against crazy prices.
@@wakes_inc Thank you! Sounds like a plan. Glad you enjoyed the picks! 👍🍷
Le vieux donjon is one of my “go to’s”
Glad to hear it! Such a fantastic wine. Thanks!
Great video, once again. Question: Is the Muga Reserva Selección Especial 2020 worth it for 36 euro's? Unfortunatly Decantalo is out of 2019.
Good vintage too
Thanks! I have a slight preference for the 2019, but the 2020 is excellent too! And that is a nice price. Cheers!
Thank you for the video! Been a fan of your content for a while.
Do you have any recommendations for a wine newbie wanting to learn more? UA-cam channels, books, and/or some wisdom.
What price point do you think I should target for learning differences in terroir and varietals?
Thanks very much! I have definitely tried to publish lots of educational content on UA-cam on a wide variety of topics.
Other than that, I think the best way to learn is by tasting widely and trying new wines both at home, at restaurants and tastings and by traveling to wine regions. There are also events like the Wine Spectator Grand Tastings or various events put on by James Suckling or even the Barolo and Barbaresco Consorzio that allow you to try numerous wines at their events for an entrance fee. You can taste very broadly at these events.
The level 1 and level 2 WSET courses provide a good overview to some of the basics about wine and will give you a good starting point. Level 1 is quite easy and fast. You might see if there is a provider near where you live. In-person classes are definitely best!
Prices will vary quite a bit by region. You can taste some nice German Riesling, for example, for $20-25 in the US, but that won't get you very far in Napa Valley. So unfortunately, there is not one simple answer.
I would also encourage you to get some like-minded friends together and form a tasting group. You can pick a theme for a tasting and each bring a bottle to the tasting. That way you could try 6-8 different wines from a region while paying for just one bottle.
Just did a comparison of the "district series" of napa cabs. Made by precision wine.....found at total wine. The mid levels werent very notable.... but their Alexander valley for 18 bux was sufficiently close to silver oak. The 2020 stags leap one at 49 bux is surprisingly drinkable now. It had the fruit and the length!
Thanks very much for weighing in! Greatly appreciated. 👍🍷
@@AttorneySomm im always looking for napa cab for reasonable money that is readily available and drinkable now. Turns out thats a tall order.
@ Yes it can be difficult. I’ll be there next month and see what I can find!
I have a couple bottles of 2016 Cantenac Brown, when do you recommend I open them?
@@thecanuck11 A fantastic wine! It depends to some extent on your personal preference. If you enjoy them young, you could try one now and then see how you like it. But there is no rush and it will keep getting better with additional age.
Have you tried / would you rec the 2020 Giodo as well?
Great question! I have not tried the 20, but based on what I'm reading online it looks to be quite similar in terms of quality so I would not hesitate to get the 2020 vintage either. In this video, I tried hard to recommend wines that are consistently high quality regardless of vintage. The only issue may be that some of them could cost more in vintages that are considered to be stronger vintages (e.g., Le Vieux Donjon).
Some really good picks.
Ill see if i can finde a Motor city Shiras. if its like Northern Rhone, it might be interesting to try.
@@henriklindhansen6456 thanks very much! Hope you enjoy it!
Outstanding video! With such a well-curated selection, this is a list I can wholeheartedly recommend to wine enthusiasts of all levels and preferences. For anyone seeking wines that impress without straining the wallet, I believe this video offers a formidable shopping list. I’m especially delighted to see three of my go-to producers for cellar defenders - Muga, Col d’Orcia, and Chateau Cantenac Brown. In fact, several of my own cellar defenders have been directly inspired by your thoughtful recommendations. I have many favorites, but two of the standout bottles under $50 that I have recently enjoyed are the 2019 Château Brane-Cantenac - Margaux de Brane (a superb wine that, in my opinion, rivals the second wine and even stands strong alongside the grand vin) and the 2018 Château Malartic-Lagravière La Réserve. Both were excellent, though Malartic consistently delivers, especially with their first wine.
Thank you, John, for continuing to share such excellent wine recommendations at friendly price points.
@@vinvoyage Thanks very much for weighing in! Glad you enjoy them too. Certainly a terrific trio! Appreciate the support! Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend! Cheers!
Thank you
My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed it. Have a great weekend!
I am not into 14+ alcohol wines; most of your Rhone and California wines exceed this level; for me these are wines to taste not to drink
Thanks for weighing in. I know some people feel strongly about that so I always try to provide that information. The Champagne was only 12.5%.
It is difficult for wines with a lot of Grenache to stay below 14%. Similarly, in areas with lots of sunshine such as California, the grapes tend to have higher potential ABV unless the producers harvest the grapes before they are ripe.
Having said that, with devices such as the Coravin, you can always do small tasting pours of wines and then save the rest of the bottle for another taste in the future.
Ch. Mont-Redon Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2020 is also amazing for 40-50$
@@magnuseveb8305 Thank you! Yea they do a nice job! 👍🍷