We spent the last six days in a tiny Montana town. We ate at home in our rental every night rather than risk restaurants, and I purchased wine for dinner at the local grocer. Knowing that Barry will drink wine but has zero reference point except a slightly socialist preference for not spending a lot, I set $13 as the price point for the wines I bought. Here are the standouts:
2020 Charles Krug Winery (Peter Mondavi Family) Sauvignon Blanc St. Helena
A highlight of a week of "no wine over $13" in a small Montana town: classic California flavors, a little citrus, a little vegetable, a little newly cut grass, not too ripe or too green. Perfect balance and refreshment--porch pounder whites don't get much better than this at the price. I will look for this locally when I get home.
2015 E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône Red Rhone Blend
Yup, I liked it. I REALLY liked it. Salvaged from a clearance bin in a tiny Montana town, this reminded me of the good old days of Guigal CdR with moderate amiable red fruit augmented by the mild funk and leather that come with bottle age. Absolutely delightful. If I lived there or were settling in for a longer stay, I'd have bought every bottle.
2019 Domaine d'E Croce (Yves Leccia) Rosé Cuvée YL Île de Beauté Rosé Blend
Frisky young fruit with balanced dryness. Terrific.
Not-worth-mentioning, totally forgettable: a vapid A-Z chardonnay from Oregon and a fleshy Rodney Strong chardonnay from California.