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Best Buys on a Budget

Here we're listing a selection of great value affordable wines. Some are "bin ends" which we are discontinuing. Others are simply good wines at the right price which we keep in stock, and others may be parcels of wine which we were able to buy on a good deal.

Either way all these wines are good value and most importantly good quality.
 
 

Indaba Mosaic 2012 75cl
Indaba in the Western Cape is a brand of wine created to celebrate the democratization of South Africa. Indaba is derived from a Zulu word for a "meeting of tribal chiefs to discuss something important". Their wines are actually made by Cape Classics and overseen by Bruwer Raats from Raats winery. They've not gone for high end wines but instead are producing some very good every day wines at excellent prices, and they've won numerous "best value" awards.

They source grapes from various regions including Robertson and Breede River Valley. A significant proportion of their profits go towards a scholarship programme for people from disadvantaged communities to train in wine related studies.

This Mosaic impressed me. It's a blend of Cabernet, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verot. There's strong red fruit on the nose with a rich oaky flavour and a slightly savoury finish. For the money it is great value.



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Price: £8.99



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Indaba Mosaic 2012 75cl
 
 

Zevenwacht Zeven Rood Stellenbosch 2009 75cl

This new release has not yet been rated but the 08 won Veritas Wine Awards - Bronze Medal, and both the 07 and 08 were featured in the Wine Magazine Best Value Wine Guide.

What a great wine for showing what can be achieved but still be affordable for everyday drinking! I was with Denise at the London Wine Fair tasting through her range. Normally I don't bother with wines at this price point, as I have to keep a fresh palate for the more expensive stuff, but on this occassion she persuaded me to give it a go.

It was full of different flavours - chocolate, red berries, spice, coffee - and overall lovely. I started espousing the flavours I was getting when Denise smuggly turned the bottle round and showed me the back label. It simply lists "Spice, Berries, Chocolate etc etc". There's no text explaining the growing or winemaking or even which grapes it's made from! It's good wine, enjoyed for it's own sake - no nonsense.

However I will tell you that it's made from 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Shiraz, 16% Merlot, 4% Mouvedre, 2% Primitivo, and 1% Grenache. Value for money it's one of the best wines on our site, and I heartily recommend it.

Zevenwacht Website

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Zevenwacht Zeven Rood Stellenbosch 2009 75cl
 
 

Zevenwacht Cabernet Sauvignon Stellenbosch 2008 75cl
Veritas Wine Awards - Bronze Medal 2010. Old Mutual Trophy 09 - Bronze Medal & John Platter 3.5 Stars for the 2007

Official tasting notes state - The wine is big, bold and full-bodied with intense aromas of black cherries, and blackcurrants, tobacco and herbaceous undertones. Oak aromas are well integrated and add to the complexity of the wine with underlying cedar and cigar box notes. Dark blackberry and plum flavours dominate the palate, followed by hints of coffee and cacao, a firm yet well integrated tannin structure and lingering finish. I'll add my notes asap.

Zevenwacht Website

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Price: £10.38



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Zevenwacht Cabernet Sauvignon Stellenbosch 2008 75cl
 
 

Jordan Chameleon Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Stellenbosch 2009/10 75cl
John Platter 3 Stars.

This cheaper priced wine from Jordans is superb. While we focus on the higher end wines from all our producers we couldn't leave this wine off the site. It's a delicious blend, having spent 20 months in oak, which is soft and smooth with red and black fruit flavours with that unmistakeable hot climate South African style. It's great easy drinking every day wine and is superb value.

Jordan Website

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Jordan Chameleon Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Stellenbosch 2009/10 75cl
 
 

Espiritu de Argentina Bonarda 2011 75cl
Espiritu de Argentina is a joint venture between Aresti of Chile - a winery who we also represent who produce excellent affordable wines - and Finca Agostino. These wines are fruit driven, easy drinking in style, and excellent value for money.

Bonarda, although not well known over here, has great success in Argentina as it needs a significant difference between night and day time temperatures to flourish. There's a strong nose of raspberry. Plenty of raspberry and cherry flavour on the palate with some nicely integrated oak (5 months). It's fairly light in body, very easy drinking, and all round a very pleasant affordable wine. If you enjoy Chilean oaked Pinot Noir you'll like this!

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Price: £8.99



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Espiritu de Argentina Bonarda 2011 75cl
 
 

Espiritu de Argentina Malbec 2011 75cl
Espiritu de Argentina is a joint venture between Aresti of Chile - a winery who we also represent who produce excellent affordable wines - and Finca Agostino. These wines are fruit driven, easy drinking in style, and excellent value for money.

This is a great introduction to good Malbec at this price. It has plenty of fruit with a little chocolate on the finish. It's medium bodied, well balanced and smooth. Very easy drinking, and very affordable at his price.

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Tenuta Sassoregale Sangiovese 2010 IGT Toscana 75cl
Tenuta Sassoregale is a small winery in Civitella Paganico in Maremma in the south of Tuscany. Their vineyards of 30 hectares are at an altitude of between 120 to 150 metres in a bowl shape facing the sea (south and south west) with the hills behind separating them from Montalcino. Fertile alluvial soils of sand and clay infuse the wines with mineral qualities while the abundant sunshine and microclimate ensure strong fruit flavours and power.

This Sangiovese is delicious. It's velvet smooth with strong fruit flavours exhibiting both power and elegance at the same time. It's medium bodied with soft tannins and already very approachable and drinking beautifully. Thanks to Sassoregale's low intervention vineyard methods and their careful approach in the cellar the sulphur levels are kept low too. This is great value wine, a super alternative to good Chianti.

Tenuta Sassoregale Website

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Price: £11.99


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Free Sulphur (Current)
33 mg/l
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Tenuta Sassoregale Sangiovese 2010 IGT Toscana 75cl
 
 

Tenuta Sassoregale Syrah 2010 IGT Toscana 75cl
Tenuta Sassoregale is a small winery in Civitella Paganico in Maremma in the south of Tuscany. Their vineyards of 30 hectares are at an altitude of between 120 to 150 metres in a bowl shape facing the sea (south and south west) with the hills behind separating them from Montalcino. Fertile alluvial soils of sand and clay infuse the wines with mineral qualities while the abundant sunshine and microclimate ensure strong fruit flavours and power.

These Syrah vines were specifically imported from Sicily where this particular clone thrived in the heat. Sassoregale are very proud of this wine as they believe they have matched the vine to the specific terroir to produce an outstanding wine. It has power and spice of course but also aromatics with nuances of local herbs. It's medium bodied well structured with elegance and power combined.

Tenuta Sassoregale Website

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Price: £11.99


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36 mg/l
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Tenuta Sassoregale Syrah 2010 IGT Toscana 75cl
 
 

Le Malbec 2010 75cl
We're massive fans of Argentine Malbec so we couldn't resist trying this one from the Languedoc as it is being imported by an Argentine wine company! They discovered this wine made by Boris Kovac in the Minervois, and were so impressed they decided to import it to show both the differences and similarities achieved for Malbec in the different climates. Normally Boris uses his Malbec in blends so a new label was produced - hence the somewhat Latin presentation, and the amusing name!

The wine itself is surprisingly good! Deep purple in colour. It's a rich, smooth wine, full in the mouth and packed with ripe fruit flavours. Not a big hitter like the powerful Malbecs of Mendoza, more of an every day glugging wine - but a very good one! Very enjoyable with food, or equally lovely on it's own on a sunny afternoon.

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Price: £7.99



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Le Malbec 2010 75cl
 
 

Aresti Estates Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 75cl
Previous vintages were awarded 88 Points Wine Spectator for 07, IWC Silver and Decanter Bronze for the 05.

This is a great limited production wine from the Curico Valley. Selected vines were hand harvested with gentle destemming by hand. 20% of the grapes were fermented in French oak. The resulting wine is superb, really showcasing Chile's value for money. I was very impressed with the quality, even more so when I found out the price. Being a hand made, limited production wine it's also very low in free sulphur. It's deep ruby red, hinting at at what's to come! A strong nose with fruit, eucalyptus and a little spice. On the palate it has rich fruit flavours with a full mouthfeel and good body. Very very smooth with a long lingering finish. A great example of Cab Sauv at a super price. Beautiful on it's own, even better with food.

Aresti Website

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Price: £10.16


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90 Points

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Aresti Estates Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 75cl
 
 

Aresti Estates Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 75cl
The 05 was awarded a Bronze Medal at the Wines of Chile Awards.

Another delicious wine from Aresti ideal for every day drinking at this price. Again the grapes were hand harvested and aged in French and American oak. Also low in sulphur so Jane could drink it without any reaction - a lot of Chilean wines are comparatively high in free sulphur so we were both delighted and surprised to find one at this price point which was so low. Smooth, good fruit flavours with medium body, well balanced with a dryish finish. Simply good every day wine, well made and at a great price.

Aresti Website

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Price: £7.99



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Aresti Estates Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 75cl
 
 

Aresti Estate Selection Chardonnay 2011 75cl
Hand harvested grapes from two of Aresti's vineyards, again cold fermented to retain freshness and flavour. A portion of the blend was then aged in oak. Good wine.

Please note the current batch of this wine is bottled in tall slim bottles as with the Sauvignon Blanc below, not in the Burgundy shape as displayed here.

Aresti Website

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Price: £7.99



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Aresti Estate Selection Chardonnay 2011 75cl
 
 

Aresti Estate Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2012 75cl
Hand harvested grapes cold fermented to retain freshness and flavour. A fresh and fruity Sauvignon, very easy drinking. Not as sharp and acidic as many, more rounded and enjoyable on it's own, not requiring food to balance the acidity. Good wine at this price.

Aresti Website

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Aresti Estate Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2012 75cl
 
 

Zevenwacht Zeven Blanc 2011 Stellenbosch 75cl

Veritas Awards - Bronze Medal

This is a very pleasant easy drinking wine for a summer's day. It's 75% Sauvignon Blanc with 20% Semillon (barrel fermented) and a little Nouvelle (it's a new grape to me too!). It's fresh and light with plenty of zingy fruit and a little weight on the palate from the Semillon. They sell loads of this at the winery restaurant out on the terrace as it's a perfect wine to enjoy on a hot day.

Zevenwacht Website

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Zevenwacht Zeven Blanc 2011 Stellenbosch 75cl
 
 

Torresella Pinot Grigio IGT Veneto 2011 75cl
This is a lovely fresh Pinot Grigio. Floral nose with hints of pear. It's full and round in the mouth with flavours of pear and apple. It's well balanced, easy drinking with a long, clean crisp finish.

Check out their Pinot Grigio Rose too!

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Price: £8.99


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Free Sulphur (Current)
36 mg/l

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Torresella Pinot Grigio IGT Veneto 2011 75cl
 
 

Torresella Chardonnay IGT Veneto 2011 75cl
This is a delicious Chardonnay. Veneto is a great region for this varietal as the climate brings out the fruit but retains the freshness too. The wine is full and rich with good body and tropical fruit flavours with some butter notes on the long finish.

Great with a range of foods from pasta to fish, or just to enjoy on it's own.

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Price: £8.99


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Free Sulphur (Current)
38 mg/l

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Torresella Chardonnay IGT Veneto 2011 75cl
 
 

Pinot Grigio delle Venezie IGT Ardesia 2011 75cl
Packed with fruit, this Pinot is delicious. Ideal for drinking on it's own or pair with seafood, chicken or salads.

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Price: £7.49



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Pinot Grigio delle Venezie IGT Ardesia 2011 75cl
 
 

Pinot Grigio delle Venezie IGT Sentito 2011 75cl
A decent Pinot Grigio at this price. Ideal for summer barbeques. Jane can drink this one with no ill effects, but if you are sensitive to sulphites I'd recommend going for the Ardesia Pinot Grigio to be on the safe side.

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Pinot Grigio delle Venezie IGT Sentito 2011 75cl
 
 

Moncaro Trebbiano 2011 75cl
Silver List at Sommelier Wine Awards 2010 for the 2009. IWC - Bronze for 2008.

The grapes for this wine are selected from the best vineyards on the hillsides of Italy's Marche region. They are gently pressed and fermented under temperature control. 15% Verdicchio grapes are added to the Trebbiano grapes to soften the sharpness and give more body. The wine is fresh and packed with fruit, with a floral bouquet. Great value.

Moncaro Website

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Price: £6.98



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Moncaro Trebbiano 2011 75cl
 
 

Torresella Pinot Grigio Rose IGT Veneto 2011 75cl
A delicious Pinot Grigio Rose, ideal for the warmer weather (if we get any!). Plenty of light strawberry fruit with a full, creamy mouthfeel, and a dry finish. Perfect to enjoy as a glass of wine on it's own, or to accompany light meals like salads.

Last five bottles until new stock arrives!

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Price: £8.99


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Free Sulphur (Current)
41 mg/l

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Torresella Pinot Grigio Rose IGT Veneto 2011 75cl
 
 

Malbrontes Rose 2010 75cl
A very interesting concept from renowned Argentine winemaker Mauricio Lorca, with a little inspiration from the UK. Malbrontes is a blend of the two great Argentine grapes Malbec and Torrontes. I was sceptical at first, and even more sceptical when I saw the label - we found out the hard way that Mauricio's wife takes great pride in her wine labels though, so we said nothing (this time)! The wine however is a real winner. The blend really works producing a rich, full wine with an almost creamy texture. There's delicious strawberry fruit, not sweet, making it the perfect aperitif or companion to summer foods like salads. The sulphur levels are also low which is unusual for a Rose at this price point, and goes to show it was well made with quality fruit.

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Price: £9.18



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Malbrontes Rose 2010 75cl
 
 

Aresti Estates Selection Rose 2011 75cl
Chile. 13.5% abv. Aresti have blended in some Carmenere to the Cabernet Sauvignon for this vintage, although they've kept the style and flavour of the wine virtually identical to the 2007 Cab Sauv. It's still strawberry red in colour with good strong fruit flavours, dry finish and great length. This wine is delicious, one of the nicest roses I've had for a long time. Very similar in style to good Spanish. Recommended.

The sulphite content is a little higher though, although way lower than a factory produced wine. Jane had a very mild reaction to this one so we've given it a medium rating. If you're sensitive to sulphites I advise giving it a miss. If like me, sulphites have no obvious affect on you, this is a great wine for an aperitif or to accompany white meats.

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Price: £7.98



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Aresti Estates Selection Rose 2011 75cl