Retailer wine selections: the Cheers National Wine Panel recommends a lineup of top value-oriented red wines

Cheers, Jan-Feb, 2005

This year, Cheers will be presenting the selections of our wine panel organized not by varietal or region, but by price. At a time when sourcing good quality wines at value prices is increasingly difficult, we think it's particularly useful to share the insights of our panel and spread the word that wines can be appreciated at any price point. This month, the panel looks at red wines with a retail price around $15 and under. Later this year, the panel will recommend value whites, and we will climb the price ladder as the year goes on. As always, these selections include brief tasting notes, a numerical rating and the wine's suggested retail price (which varies market to market).

FIVE STARS

***** (95) 2002 Yangarra Park Old Vine Grenache (Australia). A rich, ripe and massively powerful grenache overflowing with fruit flavors of plum, blackberries and blueberries that cascade over the palate; it maintains enough texture and grace to make it possible to warm up to this monster; long-lasting finish. ($14)

***** (95) 2003 Da Luca Primitivo/Merlot IGT (Italy). Earthy truffle/tobacco aromas and flavors of the primitivo are balanced with berry, currant and soft tannins of merlot; great mouth-feel and length; an excellent value. ($10)

***** (94) 2001 Colombier Vacqueyras (France). This estate-bottled southern Rhone blend is made from 50-year-old vines and could easily be mistaken for a Chateauneuf du Pape; hand-crafted with an artist's touch, it is full of soft, ripe flavors of blackberry and raspberry with hints of spice and white pepper; velvety tannins on the finish. ($15)

***** (93) 1997 Terra Nostra Chianti Riserva (Italy). The vintage was sensational and this wine drinks like a wine at three times the price; a heady bouquet of strawberries and violets with lots of ripe cherry flavors. ($14)

***** (93) 2004 Pierre Dupond Beaujolais Nouveau (France). Nouveau perfection, the effusively fruity and charming '04 Pierre Dupond Beaujolais Nouveau stays true to type; scintillating and generous; serve slightly chilled and enjoy. ($8)

***** (92) 2002 Hartford Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir (California). Aromas of blackberries, boysenberry, nutmeg and smoke are followed by flavors of bing cherries, roasted plum, cinnamon and allspice; complex aromas; a dense, sweet and juicy mouth-feel supported by centered acidity, fine tannins and a complex finish. ($14)

***** (92) 2001 Luis Felipe Edwards Carmenere Gran Reserva (Chile). Deep ruby color; elegant mouthful of carmenere, cabernet and merlot; rich, dark plum fruits with a hint of chocolate and spice; long finish. ($13)

***** (92) 2003 Thorn-Clarke Shiraz Barossa Valley, "Terra Barossa" (Australia). Dark purple in color, with a bouquet that displays an earthy frame to aromas of baked cherry, cranberry and spice and a touch of mint; explosive on the palate, with rich, ripe flavors of black cherry, plum, cassis, cocoa and the lightest touch of cinnamon; ample tannin, good acidity, beautiful balance and a long, luscious finish wrap things up beautifully. ($10)

***** (92) 2001 Vina Rubican Crianza Navarra (Spain). Fresh fruit with ripe tannins, this Crianza is a barrelaged tempranillo-based blend sourced from Spain's Navarra region; ruby red in color with a complex nose and red fruit flavors; this well-structured Crianza has a good balance between fruit and wood, making it a good selection for rich meat and cheese dishes. ($12)

***** (92) 2002 Valley of the Moon Pinot Noir (California). Everything you want from a pinot at this price; black cherry with hints of strawberry and spice; lots of flavor with a supple finish. ($15)

***** (92) 2004 Joseph Drouhin Beaujolais Nouveau (France). Pretty and enticing, the substantially built '04 Joseph Drouhin Beaujolais Nouveau stays pert and elegant on the palate; a simply scrumptious effort; great with turkey or ham. ($10)

FOUR STARS

**** (91) 2000 Barbier Gely Vin de Pays de Caux (France). Great blend of old vine cabernet and syrah; good body, touch of oak and easy black fruits; drinks like an expensive Rhone.($10)

**** (91) 2001 Chateau Virecourt Pillebourse Bordeaux Superior (France). Not a heavyweight, but well balanced and well made; easy drinking, minimal tannins and bright cherry fruit; good Bordeaux bargain. ($11)

**** (90) 2003 Chateau Belingard Bergerac (France). Fantastic estate bottled Cabernet-based wine that drinks like a $15 Haut-Medoc. Rich cherry and currant flavors are presented elegantly through the medium format with hints of spice and earth. ($11)

**** (90) 2002 Prospero California Zinfandel (California). Blackberry, currant, spice and hints of coffee; old-fashioned "briar" quality; nice mouthful; easy drinking red. ($10)

**** (90) 2003 Domaine Des Amouriers Vin de Pays (France). Soft and supple with a beautiful bouquet of violets and blueberries; 50% grenache, 30% merlot; 20% syrah; elegant and stylish with a long, ripe velvety finish. ($13)

**** (90) 2001 Finca Urquiza Malbec (Argentina). A gorgeous purple color; lush, intense floral nose; ripe, almost sweet black fruit flavors are balanced by soft tannins. ($12)