Past Issues: Bargain Wine, feb/mar 2005 --
Stone Cellars by Beringer

In this regular feature, we spotlight those wines that offer great bang for the buck -- under $15 bucks, to be exact. Here you'll find our everyday wines, house pours, and occasionally a great new find. Have a favorite Bargain Wine? Tell us about it at editor@wineskinny.com! 

Inspired by the wine cellars where Beringer's 125 years of winemaking began, Stone Cellars by Beringer offers "full-flavored, handcrafted wines made to complement life." They are easy drinking, approachable, fruity wines - and are line-priced at just eight bucks a bottle. Sounded like a perfect candidate for our Bargain Wine series, so we gave 'em a whirl!

Stone Cellars 2003 Pinot Grigio California ($8). Easily our favorite white of the lineup, with a fresh, citrusy bouquet introducing medium-bodied, juicy citrus and tropical flavors and a touch of minerality. Quaffable and refreshing. Ready to drink now.

Stone Cellars 2003 Sauvignon Blanc California ($8). On the simple side, with canned pear juice flavors dominating some underlying citrus and grassy notes. Ready to drink now.

Stone Cellars 2003 Chardonnay California ($8). Smoky oak shades pear and apple fruit flavors and aromas, with just a touch of creamy vanilla on the finish. Nothing complex, but shows some depth. Ready to drink now.

Stone Cellars 2002 Merlot California ($8). Candied cherry vanilla flavors introduce more appealing and smooth plum and cherry fruit along with some warm spice notes, then goes back to the cherry vanilla cola character on the finish. Ready to drink now.

Stone Cellars 2001 Shiraz-Cabernet California ($8). All the warmth and ripeness of a comparably priced Australian Shiraz, with rich, concentrated red currant and cherry fruit accented with mocha and black pepper. Easy to drink now.

Stone Cellars 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon California ($8). Smooth red cherry and blackberry fruit are laced with touches of spice and toasty oak. Easy and appealing and ready to drink now.

To learn more about Stone Cellars by Beringer, visit www.beringer.com.

Check out previous Bargain Wines selections!
This now-fabulously-named column used to be called Easy To Find One Figure Wines, for reasons that we cannot currently remember but were surely enthusiastic about at the time. Anyhoo, check out our Past Issue Index for more great value-priced wine selections!