Our tasting panel sampled more than 300 inexpensive American wines, said Ray Isle in Food & Wine. These under-$15 bottles should be bought “by the case for everyday drinking or casual entertaining.”
Chardonnay
2005 Pine & Post Washington Chardonnay ($6) “A steal of a Chardonnay in a terrific vintage.”
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Sauvignon Blanc
2006 Estancia Pinnacles Ranches Sauvignon Blanc ($12) “A perennial white wine value.”
2006 Rodney Strong Charlotte’s Home Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc ($14) A percentage is aged in oak barrels to add “a little bit of lushness to the crisp texture.”
Cabernet Sauvignon
2005 Beaulieu Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($15) Full-bodied and affordable from a premium producer.
2005 Hawk Crest Cabernet Sauvignon ($14) This secondary label from Stag’s Leap “shows the winery’s skills with California’s premier red grape.”
Merlot and Pinot Noir
2005 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Columbia Valley Merlot ($11) “So luscious that it’s hard to stop drinking it.”
2006 Castle Rock Mendocino Pinot Noir ($12) This bottling is the “brightest,” best-value Pinot around.
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