Originally Posted by
u600213
First a caveat:
I like Zinfandel, Cabernet and Shiraz. I tend to prefer wines that have less oak and are on the relatively sweeter/fruity end of "dry" and these two are not quite sweet/fuity as I can go for.
So for under $12 my current favorite is
Gnarly Head Zinfandel 2005 which I have seen online for $6.99 and is $8.99 locally.
This wine blog did not like the 2004 but YMMV:
http://purplelipswinelog.blogspot.co...l-2004_07.html
The Las Vegas Journal Review liked it somewhat more:
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_ho...g/2128124.html
I also Like Chilean Santa Rita Cabernet 2005 which I got for $59.99 a case online, free shipping, no tax.
In the more expensive $15 category I like Seghesio Zinfandel, any year.
For $25-30 my favorite wines are Rombauer Zinfandel of any vintage, Rombauer Cabernet of any vintage and Penfolds Bin 28 any vintage in that order.
Over that $ Someone else is paying :-)
If anyone has a suggestion for a less expensive replacement for my Rombauer Zinfandel, my wallet and I will thank you.
Ever tried the Rosenblum Paso Robles or San Francisco Bay zins? If you can find it, give the Cline zin a shot too, they have a similar flavor profile to the Rombauer but cost way less.
To answer the question for under 12$ bottles, right now I'm greedily drinking up the Castle Rock Sonoma County Pinot Noir 2005 and the Sebastiani 2004 Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon.