Inexpensive California red wines?

[recycled sixtie]

Hi all. Not a big drinker but enjoy a glass of red wine a day. Seeing that there are so many Californians on this forum could you recommend drinkable red wines priced between $10 and 18 US?
Thanks in advance!

[Jim Richards]

How 'bout some Two-Buck Chuck?

https://www.traderjoes.com/FearlessFlyer/Article/3747


I'm terrible for wine advice...I don't drink.

[Gogar]

Josh Cabernet is ok for the money

[masraum]

It really depends upon your taste. You can have 3 different red wines that give 3 radically different drinking experiences.

My wife and I like:
more her pref, but I like it too


and


I think both of those are $15-18 at the big liquor store around here.

We've had several different wines recommended to us by various people at various stores with recommendations like "everyone always loves this stuff." When we try those recommendations, we always think they have no flavor. I'm assuming that we like our wines to be more strongly flavored than most people do. The same vineyard makes more expensive versions and those are even better.

[mreid]

2014 Rodney Strong Cabernet. For ~$13/bottle you will be hard pressed to find a better cab.

Now my wife will kill me for letting you in on our secret. We go through about two cases a month!

Rodney Strong Cabernet Sonoma | Total Wine & More

[LWJ]

I like big reds. Southern Oregon cabs, Tempranillo, and syrahs can be a great value.

[motion]

I'm gonna catch a lot of flak for this....

IMHO, anything under $50 a bottle from California is not worth drinking. Its all fruit bomb and sulfites. I know that's what the American consumer wants, but its awful. Seek out an independent or big box wine store in your area and check out the offerings from Spain, France, Italy, etc. Just do yourself that favor!

[recycled sixtie]

Originally Posted by motion

I'm gonna catch a lot of flak for this....

IMHO, anything under $50 a bottle from California is not worth drinking. Its all fruit bomb and sulfites. I know that's what the American consumer wants, but its awful. Seek out an independent or big box wine store in your area and check out the offerings from Spain, France, Italy, etc. Just do yourself that favor!

You got expensive taste in wine Richard. Having said that I do like cheapo ($8 us) Spanish wines like Rioja.

[scottmandue]

No disrespect to Mr. Motion but some of us (me) like "fruit bombs"
If that is to your liking try:

Dancing bull
Smoking loon

And those two are very reasonably priced (I live on a tight budget)

[Cajundaddy]

This is a friendly table wine that we like. Balanced, greatly enhances a meal with red meat or pasta, low price.
Bogle Pinot Noir California | Total Wine & More

FWIW, one of my kids spent 2 years living in the Rhone River Valley of France with a family who have been vintners for 50 generations. We were able to sample some of their finest wines, and simple every day table wines. As a result I have little use for any wine over $50/bottle. Not my thing.

YMMV

[masraum]

Originally Posted by LWJ

I like big reds. Southern Oregon cabs, Tempranillo, and syrahs can be a great value.

I've had some good Tempranillos.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by motion

I'm gonna catch a lot of flak for this....

IMHO, anything under $50 a bottle from California is not worth drinking. Its all fruit bomb and sulfites. I know that's what the American consumer wants, but its awful. Seek out an independent or big box wine store in your area and check out the offerings from Spain, France, Italy, etc. Just do yourself that favor!

I've got to say, we do prefer the stuff as it gets more expensive. It's gets smoother and easier to drink. We usually top out at about $50-70, and even that's a rare treat. Our norm is probably $15-35.

[berettafan]

Any $10 red from Spain, etc.

Also love Pinot noirs. Good ol mark West is fine.

The Tempranillo, rioja and such are super good with brownies. I mean like really really good.


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[gduke2010]

Originally Posted by masraum

It really depends upon your taste. You can have 3 different red wines that give 3 radically different drinking experiences.

My wife and I like:
more her pref, but I like it too


and


I think both of those are $15-18 at the big liquor store around here.

We've had several different wines recommended to us by various people at various stores with recommendations like "everyone always loves this stuff." When we try those recommendations, we always think they have no flavor. I'm assuming that we like our wines to be more strongly flavored than most people do. The same vineyard makes more expensive versions and those are even better.

Kevin & Debra Bucklers have a vineyard in Petaluma, and it’s in the Dry Creek area. I bought a $100 bottle of cab. a few years ago from for a lady friends birthday. Yes, it was real top shelf quality wine. They were taking their wine to Amelia Island that year.

Also, the wine room and tasting is in the same building as the race car shop. The team was between events so, all the cars were at the shop during a that visit. We toured the shop, then tasted and bought wine.

Was it from Kevin and Debra B’s vineyard? Good wines from that area.

I’m a member of a couple clubs near Placerville, Ca.

I would recommend looking for wines made the old Eurpean way with no sulfates or added sugars. They’re the wines you can put away for years. I’m going to pick up a couple cases one of these week ends. Pm me if you want me to arrange for a bottle to be sent.

Gary

[Danimal16]

Originally Posted by motion

I'm gonna catch a lot of flak for this....

IMHO, anything under $50 a bottle from California is not worth drinking. Its all fruit bomb and sulfites. I know that's what the American consumer wants, but its awful. Seek out an independent or big box wine store in your area and check out the offerings from Spain, France, Italy, etc. Just do yourself that favor!

Motion, that is not what the OP asked.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

For drinkable reds, Merlot and Cabernet, I’ve found Chateau Ste. Michelle to be a reliable choice for years

[Tobra]

What do you mean by "inexpensive?" What sort of red wine do you prefer?

Ravenswood, Stag's Leap, Markham, Folie a Deux, Rodney Strong, Alexander Valley Vineyards all make fine red wines.

That Dry Creek Zin is a great bottle of wine. That with a good steak or pork chop.

I am spoiled here, I have pretty good selection at the grocery store

[gduke2010]

Originally Posted by Tobra

What do you mean by "inexpensive?" What sort of red wine do you prefer?

Ravenswood, Stag's Leap, Markham, Folie a Deux, Rodney Strong, Alexander Valley Vineyards all make fine red wines.

That Dry Creek Zin is a great bottle of wine. That with a good steak or pork chop.

I am spoiled here, I have pretty good selection at the grocery store

I live just over the mountains from the best food and wine. A trip to Placerville is a few vineyard stops and a stop at a fruit stand. Seen some cherries in the grocery store. Have to get over the mountain soon

[masraum]

Originally Posted by gduke2010

Kevin & Debra Bucklers have a vineyard in Petaluma, and it’s in the Dry Creek area. I bought a $100 bottle of cab. a few years ago from for a lady friends birthday. Yes, it was real top shelf quality wine. They were taking their wine to Amelia Island that year.

Also, the wine room and tasting is in the same building as the race car shop. The team was between events so, all the cars were at the shop during a that visit. We toured the shop, then tasted and bought wine.

Was it from Kevin and Debra B’s vineyard? Good wines from that area.

I don't think it's from them, but I don't know the folks personally. Their website doesn't mention any Bucklers.
Wines from Dry Creek Vineyard, located in the heart of Sonoma county

I’m a member of a couple clubs near Placerville, Ca.

I would recommend looking for wines made the old Eurpean way with no sulfates or added sugars. They’re the wines you can put away for years. I’m going to pick up a couple cases one of these week ends. Pm me if you want me to arrange for a bottle to be sent.

Gary

How do you find the wines made that way?

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Tobra

What do you mean by "inexpensive?" What sort of red wine do you prefer?

Ravenswood, Stag's Leap, Markham, Folie a Deux, Rodney Strong, Alexander Valley Vineyards all make fine red wines.

That Dry Creek Zin is a great bottle of wine. That with a good steak or pork chop.

I am spoiled here, I have pretty good selection at the grocery store

I absolutely love it with a good cut of meat.

We also occasionally get their Mariner (meritage), Old Vine Zin and Endeavor (Cab) which are the more expensive versions. They are even better, but the inexpensive versions are also very good to us.