Had lunch with my kids on the weekend, and they asked me for some advice about good wines around 5 – 7 dollars. They’re all professionals in their fields, but the rising interest rates have caused them serious mortgage stress, and the rising cost of everything else has added to that. They all have teenage kids.
Finding great wines under $20 is hard enough but under $7 is a very different ballgame. For one, we have to include cask wines. Few wine scribes review these kinds of wines, and I don’t really feel like tasting a bunch of wines that could leave splinters in my taste buds. Over the years, I’ve found that user riews at Dan Murphy’s are fairly reliable – there are many of them, and the average ratings are is a pretty good guide. I’ve also learnt to read between the lines.
These wines are mostly sold by the big chains, who can’t bothered to show us us the wines’ vintage. That’s not so important at this end of the market, and most cask wines don’t carry vintage years anyway. The top of the line 2-litre casks are the exception. So here goes.
CASKS
In this area, it pays to stick with known brands since they rarely make bad wines these days.
Banrock Station Chardonnay2L – $12 at DM’s. This is a well-established winery, and the wine gets great reviews from the punters.
De Bortoli Premium Pinot Grigio 4L cask – $21 at DM’s. These guys rarely make bad wine, even at this price – around $4 a bottle. The cask holds over five 750ml bottles. Here’s the full range
Brown Brothers Milawa Dry Red Cask 10L – $60 at DM’s. hey, that’s a big one, and it gets rave reviews that suggest it’s more than worth $6 a bottle. Just the ticket for a big party or massive picnic.
Winesmiths Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2L – $13 at Vintage Cellars. This is a range of quality casks made by Hill-Smith-Estates, which owns Yalumba among many other brands. Both winemaking and packaging aim for a low carbon footprint, and many of the wines suit vegans. There’s a line of quality organic wines as well, with $20+ price tags. Check my reviews of the 2021s.
BEST WINES UNDER $7
Whites
Soft White Clean Skin – $4 at DM’s. Serious rave reviews. Note to me: Must check this out.
Cleanskin Semillon Sauvignon Blanc – $5 at DM’s. More big raves
Cleanskin Rosé – $6 at DM’s. Huge raves from the punters
De Bortoli Sacred Hill Chardonnay 2022 – $5 at DM’s. The surprise is that it’s drinkable, and well-made. 86 points.
Lindemans Bin 65 Chardonnay – $6 at LL. I bought this for cooking, and discovered it was pleasant enough drinking. Used to drink this on occasion in the 1980s years, when it was really popular. They must’ve kept the recipe, because it rings a bell in the archive of my wine memories. Ripe fruit and some oak chips make , but well done. 88 points.
Wolf Blass Red Label Chardonnay 2022 – $7 at DM’s. It doesn’t have a lot of character, but it’s a smooth all-rounder with more polish than you’d expect for the price. 88 points.
Queen Snapper Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2020 – $7 at DM’s. An inoffensive SSB blend from Margaret River. Crisp and clean. The straight savvy has more flavour but they seem to have run out of that one. 87 points
Wolf Blass Red Label Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2022 – $7 at LL. Haven’t tried this but it gets tons of raves from customers.
Wolf Blass Red Label Chardonnay 2022 – $7 at LL. Clever winemaking here, smooth polish rather than contrived flavours. More than drinkable, and certainly good enough for cooking. 88 points.
Houghton White Classic 2022 – $7.50 at Kemenys. It’s changed over the years but it’s still a good drink, and a bargain at this price. 90 points.
Rewild Sustainably Made Chardonnay 2022 – $8 at DM’s. Newish brand from the Riverland, better than average wines, pretty labels, what’s not to like? 89 points.
Yalumba Y series Chardonnay 2022 – $10 at Our Cellar. Unwooded Chardonnay, mostly from Riverland material. Fruity as you’d expect – pineapple, peach, a squeeze of lemon and a pinch of herbs. Well-made, nothing overdone. 90 points.
Paul Mas Marsanne 2020 – $10 at DM’s. A lovely crisp white from the Languedoc in the south of France, savoury with good line and length. 92 points.
Reds
Cleanskin Big & Bold SEA Shiraz – $5.50 at LL. Lots of serious raves from the punters. Check it out.
Jamiesons Run Grazier Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 – $ 6 at LL (2 for $12). A smooth 6 dollar red that’s actually pleasant drinking. No rough edges, perfect for pasta, pizza and simple barbies. 88 points.
I bought these samples recently, so I know the vintage. I give spare samples to my neighbours who’re not serious wine drinkers, and they said this was one of the best reds I’d given them.
Jamiesons Run Grazier Shiraz 2021 – $6 at LL (2 for $12). Same comments apply. What’s impressive here is that the 2 wines are noticeably different, the Cabernet cooler and more restrained, the Shiraz warmer and spicy. That’s unusual at this price point. 88 points.
CleanskinNo 49 Soft Merlot – $7 at DM’s. Plush and velvety, easy on the gums, well-done in the soft Merlot style.
Rabo De Gala Tinto 2020 – $8 at DM’s, member offer. I find a bit too much ripe fruit in this Portuguese red, but there’s no denying the attraction if you like the plush, soft and juicy style of red. 90 points.
Houghton Red Classic – $8.50 at 1st Choice. You won’t find many better reds at this price point. I haven’t tasted the latest crop, but the wines have been winning gold medals against much more expensive competition for years. I don’t know how the guys at Houghton do it at this price.
Much of the fruit comes from Frankland River in the west, where Houghton has extensive vineyards that produce vibrant, highly aromatic fruit in the cherry / blueberry spectrum.
Houghton Cabernet Sauvignon – $8.50 at 1st Choice. As above.
2017 Ryder Cabernet Sauvignon – $10 at Nicks. Big, rich Clare Valley Shiraz. High alcohol. Just the ticket for a cold winter’s night.
OTHER WINES
No 10 Sparkling Chardonnay Pinot Cuvee NV – $7 at DM’s. Surprising bubbly for the money, no rough edges, easy-on-the gums. 88 points
Wolf Blass Red Label Chardonnay Pinot Noir NV- $7 at Liquorland or $6 in a 6-pack at 1st Choice. This has been Tyson (Mr Bubbles) Stelzer’s top recommendation for a cheapie for years. I haven’t tried it recently.
Buller Wines Premium Fine Muscat 375ml – $10.50 at DM’s. Great with traditional puddings, sweet minced pies, Pavlovas and chocolate cake. Or give it a chill and pour it over your special ice cream. 94 points. Bargain!