Cheap Good Red Wine

The beautiful ruby colored 2003 Chateau Souverain Cabernet has aromatics of concentrated blackberry, plum and huckleberry, with a long toasty oak finish.

Winery: Chateau Souverain
Vintage: 2003
Type: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Alexander Valley, California
Ratings: WINE SPECTATOR: 91 points
Price: $21.99

Don’t let the screwtop scare you, this Pillar Box red has gotten some amzing reviews. 53% Shiraz, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot. But drink it now, it’s not for the cellar.

Winery: Pillar Box
Vintage: 2005
Type: Syrah/Shiraz
Region: Padthaway, Australia
Ratings: CLUB BEV: 92 points, WINE ADVOCATE: 91 points
Price: $9.99

The ’05 Terrazas de Los Andes Malbec has a shimmering purple hue; scents of plum and violets; sweet-tart flavors of plum, citrus and grilled meat; fresh finish lush with black fruit. If you haven’t tried a Malbec, this is a great one to start with!

Winery: Terrazas de Los Andes
Vintage: 2005
Type: Malbec
Region: Mendoza, Argentina
Ratings: WINE NEWS: 90 points
Price: $10.79

The polished yet true-to-type ’04 Banfi Chianti Classico delivers flavors of ripe fruit and sweet earth; excellent melding of the new and old worlds. If you enjoyed the ’03 vintage, you’re definitely going to want to give the ’04 a shot.

Winery: Castello Banfi
Vintage: 2004
Type: Chianti
Region: Tuscany, Italy
Ratings: WILFRED WONG: 90 points
Price: $13.29

A wine of excellent generosity, the well-built ’04 Concannon Petite Sirah exhibits excellent ripe fruit flavors that last on the palate. And don’t forget the super-cool bottle!

Winery: Concannon Vineyard
Vintage: 2004
Type: Petite Sirah
Region: Central Coast, CA, USA
Ratings: THE WINE NEWS: 90 points
Price: $12.99

A tasty Italian red, great with pasta and meat sauce, roast and grilled beef, game and hard cheeses. On a scale of 1 to 10, we rate it deliciously fantastic.

Winery: Spadina
Vintage: 2003
Type: Other Reds
Region: Sicily, Italy
Ratings: GOLD, BEST OF CLASS, 2006 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Price: $9.99

The ’04 Falesco Vitiano is a wine with lovely balance and clean plum, berry and chocolate character; medium body and polished tannins; the perfect house wine. And me? The perfect boyfriend. Call me.

Winery: Falesco
Vintage: 2004
Type: Red
Region: Italian
Ratings: WINE SPECTATOR: 90 points
Price: $9.99

The ’02 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Shiraz is very fruity, youthful and packed with brambly berry flavors; this racy, snappy effort shows surprising depth and weight.

Winery: Columbia Crest Winery
Vintage: 2002
Type: Shiraz
Region: Columbia Valley, WA, USA
Ratings: Best Buy: 90 points
Price: $9.99