TOP 100 BEST BUYS 2017

As the year winds down and we prepare for the joy of the holidays, the occasional stress of hosting gatherings and the seemingly endless parade of thirsty guests seems to creep in as well. On top of that are all the other parties and get-togethers to attend, and nothing’s worse than arriving empty-handed. Inevitably, this is the time of year to stop buying wine by the bottle—and start buying by the case. Thankfully, our list of the Top 100 Best Buys makes holiday wine shopping a bit easier to swallow, without compromising quality. These are the bottles to stock up on now, perfect for any need or occasion.

This list highlights some of the most exciting and affordable wines we reviewed in 2017. All of our Best Buys—and there are many—are priced at $15 or less and must meet a high quality-to-price ratio. Culled from the more than 1,450 wines awarded the Best Buy designation this year, these are the 100 wines that rise above the rest.

As always, we’ve embraced diversity here. You’ll find selections hailing from 17 countries, and more than 35 different grape varieties. Moldova makes its debut appearance, though other traditional, high-quality winemaking regions, like Jumilla and the Willamette Valley, are also present.

For our savviest shoppers, this is the list you’ve been thirsting for.


TOP 100 BEST BUYS 2017
PDF:Top 100 Best Buys 2017

100 Kono 2016 Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough)
A sizable 70,000 cases of this bargain were imported, so it should ...
89 Points New Zealand $14 Best Buy
99 Glenora 2015 Riesling (Finger Lakes)
Equal parts fresh fruit and earthy complexity, this elegant off-dry wine offers ...
89 Points Finger Lakes $14 Best Buy
98 Teso La Monja 2014 Romanico (Toro)
Despite showing reduced black plum and blackberry aromas, this displays grippy tannins ...
89 Points Northern Spain $14 Best Buy
97 Estancia 2015 Pinot Noir (Monterey County)
Light pomegranate, red plum, cranberry and rose petals eventually show on the ...
89 Points Central Coast $14 Best Buy
96 Duck Pond 2016 Pinot Gris (Willamette Valley)
Light tawny in color, this palate-pleasing effort boasts stone fruit, orange blossom ...
89 Points Willamette Valley $14 Best Buy
95 Le Casematte 2015 Nero d'Avola (Terre Siciliane)
This Nero d'Avola opens with blue flower and black-skinned berry aromas. The ...
89 Points Sicily & Sardinia $14 Best Buy
94 Cono Sur 2015 Organically Grown Grapes Cabernet Sauvignon-Carmenere-Syrah Red (Chile)
Saucy black-fruit aromas are beefy, dense and spicy. In the mouth, this ...
89 Points Chile $14 Best Buy
93 Yalumba 2016 The Y Series Unwooded Chardonnay (South Australia)
A solid effort at a bargain price makes this Chardonnay doubly appealing. ...
89 Points South Australia $13 Best Buy
92 Pemartín NV Fino Palomino (Jerez)
Mild aromas of butter, hay and sea water feed into a crisp ...
89 Points Andalucia $13 Best Buy
91 Grayson 2016 Lot 11 Chardonnay (California)
Exotic floral and lemon-zest aromas are backed up by nice ripe fruit ...
88 Points California Other $11 Best Buy
90 Kirkland Signature 2016 Rosé (Côtes de Provence)
Produced with advice from consultant Michel Rolland, this delicious, easygoing rosé is ...
88 Points Provence $9 Best Buy
89 Santa Julia 2016 [+] Torrontés (Mendoza)
Exotic citrus and orange blossom aromas are lively and a touch oily. ...
88 Points Mendoza Province $11 Best Buy
88 Bodegas Aragonesas 2015 Viña Temprana Old Vines Garnacha (Campo de Borja)
Earthy black cherry and plum flavors are solid and steady, as is ...
87 Points Northern Spain $8 Best Buy
87 Kendall-Jackson 2015 Vintner's Reserve Sauvignon Blanc (California)
Nicely ripe fruit flavors and a full rounded texture give this affordably ...
89 Points California Other $13 Best Buy
86 Milbrandt 2015 Traditions Chardonnay (Columbia Valley (WA))
Aromas of crème brûlée, apple, vanilla and spice lead to broad-feeling fruit ...
89 Points Columbia Valley $13 Best Buy
85 Quinta de Soalheiro 2016 Allo Loureiro-Alvarinho White (Minho)
The blend of Vinho Verde's two top grapes brings out great swathes ...
90 Points Portugal $15 Best Buy
84 Bodega Belgrano NV Malbec (Argentina)
Basic dark-fruit aromas are clean and a touch peppery. This feels solid ...
87 Points Other $8 Best Buy
83 12 Linajes 2015 Verdejo (Rueda)
This Verdejo hits the sweet spot, with a crisp nose focused on ...
89 Points Northern Spain $13 Best Buy
82 Cline 2016 Viognier (North Coast)
A light-straw color and aromas like magnolia and white roses lead into ...
88 Points North Coast $11 Best Buy
81 Cantina di Sorbara NV Omaggio a Gino Friedmann (Lambrusco di Sorbara)
Violet, red berry and crushed herb aromas lead the nose while the ...
89 Points Central Italy $14 Best Buy
80 Vinaria din Vale 2015 Alb Chardonnay (Moldova)
This Chardonnay has aromas of grapefruit pith and buttery pastry crust that ...
88 Points Moldova $10 Best Buy
79 Fetzer 2015 Eagle Peak Merlot (California)
Pure and fruity, this medium-bodied wine is supersmooth in texture, quietly flavorful ...
88 Points California Other $10 Best Buy
78 Teanum 2016 Favugne Rosato Montepulciano
Aromas of wild red berry and Mediterranean brush take center stage while ...
88 Points Southern Italy $10 Best Buy
77 Maison de la Villette 2015 Grenache-Syrah-Mourvèdre Red (Vin de France)
There's a warm character to this wine, with ripe black-plum and blackberry ...
88 Points France Other $10 Best Buy
76 Pittacum 2015 Petit Pittacum Mencía (Bierzo)
Slightly rustic, meaty aromas of berry fruits are savory and include notes ...
89 Points Northern Spain $13 Best Buy
75 Sogrape 2015 Silk & Spice Red (Portuguese Table Wine)
This blend of wines from Dão, Bairrada and Lisboa is ripe, full ...
90 Points Portugal $15 Best Buy
74 Dr. Konstantin Frank 2015 Dry Riesling (Finger Lakes)
Bright mango and pineapple tones are cut by laser-sharp edges of lime ...
90 Points Finger Lakes $15 Best Buy
73 Sokol Blosser NV Evolution Fifth edition Winemaker's Big Time Red (America)
Like the Evolution White, this nonvintage blend is labeled by edition, this ...
90 Points US $15 Best Buy
72 The Crusher 2013 Grower's Selection Petite Sirah (Clarksburg)
In a field of sometimes tough wines, this one is remarkably approachable, ...
90 Points Central Valley $15 Best Buy
71 Huguet de Can Feixes 2016 Blanc Selecció White (Penedès)
Apple, melon and apricot aromas are pure and come with zero interference ...
90 Points Catalonia $15 Best Buy
70 Kiona 2014 Estate Bottled Lemberger (Red Mountain)
This wine has become a signature variety for this winery, and this ...
90 Points Columbia Valley $15 Best Buy
69 Buitenverwachting 2016 Bayten Sauvignon Blanc (Constantia)
Solid aromas of white peach, gooseberry, sweet grass and lime leaf lead ...
90 Points South Africa $15 Best Buy
68 Zacharias 2015 Ambelos Phos Roditis-Moschofilero (Peloponnese)
This blend of Moschofilero and another indigenous variety, Roditis, marries aromatic and ...
88 Points Greece $11 Best Buy
67 Tre Monti 2015 SoNo Sangiovese (Romagna)
Made with organically grown Sangiovese grapes and without added sulfites, this offers ...
90 Points Central Italy $15 Best Buy
66 Château Peyros 2012 Tannat-Cabernet (Madiran)
This is a fine combination of ripe berry fruits and powerful tannins. ...
90 Points Southwest France $15 Best Buy
65 Jezebel 2015 White (Oregon)
Roughly equal percentages of Gewürztraminer, Pinot Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Gris (with ...
90 Points Oregon Other $14 Best Buy
64 J. Lohr 2014 Estates South Ridge Syrah (Paso Robles)
This bottling offers gingerbread cake, baked blueberry and smoked pork on the ...
91 Points Central Coast $15 Best Buy
63 Franklin Tate 2015 Tate Cabernet Merlot (Margaret River)
This is classic Margaret River Cabernet-Merlot. Cassis, mint, cedar and vanilla all ...
90 Points Western Australia $15 Best Buy
62 Barton & Guestier 2016 Passeport Bordeaux Blanc by Laurent Prada (Bordeaux Blanc)
Lightly perfumed, this soft, ripe wine has attractive acidity that is balanced ...
88 Points Bordeaux $10 Best Buy
61 Hacormim 2014 Adi 13 Shiraz (Israel)
Aromas of black cherry and dark chocolate prime the palate for flavors ...
88 Points Israel $10 Best Buy
60 Wagner 2016 Unoaked Chardonnay (Finger Lakes)
Saline and sea breeze lend refreshing, nautical appeal to this elegant unoaked ...
89 Points Finger Lakes $12 Best Buy
59 Adega Vila Real 2013 Reserva Red (Douro)
New wood and vanilla show strongly over the red-berry fruits. This wine ...
90 Points Portugal $12 Best Buy
58 St. Christopher 2016 Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Spätlese Riesling (Mosel)
Pristine peach, tangerine and blossom notes form the core of this fragrant ...
89 Points Germany $12 Best Buy
57 Gnarly Head 2015 Old Vine Zin Zinfandel (Lodi)
Intensely ripe, jammy and toasty aromas and equally effusive fruit flavors make ...
89 Points Central Valley $12 Best Buy
56 Valmiñor 2016 Edición Especial 10 Años Albariño (Rías Baixas)
Dry aromas of pithy citrus fruits come with a hint of fresh-cut ...
90 Points Galicia $14 Best Buy
55 Santa Rita 2016 120 Reserva Especial Chardonnay (Central Valley)
No, this is not a misprint. This $6 Chardonnay is a quaffer's ...
87 Points Chile $6 Best Buy
54 J. Portugal Ramos 2015 Ramos Reserva Red (Alentejano)
This is a rich wine, full of dark fruits and generous tannins. ...
90 Points Portugal $12 Best Buy
53 Producteurs Plaimont 2014 Beret Noir (Saint-Mont)
This is a bold ripe wine that is dominated by firm while ...
90 Points Southwest France $14 Best Buy
52 Schloss Gobelsburg 2016 Cistercien Rosé (Niederösterreich)
Loads of fruit show on the nose of this wine: green and ...
90 Points Austria $14 Best Buy
51 Finca El Origen 2016 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza)
Raspberry and plum aromas include notes of brown sugar and warm pavement. ...
88 Points Mendoza Province $10 Best Buy
50 Pacific Rim 2016 Sweet Riesling (Columbia Valley (WA))
This wine leaves no doubt about the variety, with its freshly peeled ...
89 Points Columbia Valley $11 Best Buy
49 San Pedro 2016 Castillo de Molina Reserva Sauvignon Blanc (Elqui Valley)
Pungent, pure aromas of citrus and tarragon are appealing. This feels upright ...
89 Points Chile $11 Best Buy
48 Now Presenting... 2014 Red (Paso Robles)
This is quite a dynamic and layered wine, especially for the bargain ...
90 Points Central Coast $12 Best Buy
47 Mas des Bressades 2015 Cuvée Tradition Syrah-Grenache (Costières de Nîmes)
This wine is a perennial overachiever, but the 2015 is even more ...
91 Points Rhône Valley $14 Best Buy
46 Boutari 2015 Kretikos Vilana (Crete)
Bright lemon and apple aromas lead into a wave of rich pear ...
89 Points Greece $14 Best Buy
45 La Braccesca 2015 Sabazio (Rosso di Montepulciano)
Leather, truffle and ripe black-skinned fruit and herb aromas lead the nose ...
89 Points Tuscany $14 Best Buy
44 P.J. Valckenberg 2015 Undone Pinot Noir (Rheinhessen)
Fresh, primary red cherry and raspberry flavors are punchy and bright on ...
89 Points Germany $11 Best Buy
43 Domaine de la Gaverie 2015 Sec (Vouvray)
Thirty-year-old vines and short wood aging have produced a well-balanced, rich wine ...
90 Points Loire Valley $13 Best Buy
42 Finca Constancia 2011 Red (Vino de la Tierra de Castilla)
Aromas of rubber, coffee, lemon peel and cherry are good but lack ...
90 Points Central Spain $15 Best Buy
41 Castle Rock 2016 Sauvignon Blanc (Mendocino County)
Vivid grapefruit and crisp apple notes give a big personality to this ...
89 Points Mendocino/Lake Counties $10 Best Buy
40 Château le Payral 2015 Red (Bergerac)
This ripe wine from a very fine vintage in Bergerac, is fully ...
90 Points Southwest France $13 Best Buy
39 DFJ Vinhos 2016 Grand'Arte Alvarinho (Lisboa)
This is a southern and warmer take on Alvarinho than is found ...
90 Points Portugal $13 Best Buy
38 Bulgariana 2015 Gamza (Danube River Plains)
This garnet-red-colored wine has aromas of red summer fruits, especially red raspberry, ...
89 Points Bulgaria $11 Best Buy
37 Alpamanta 2013 Estate Cabernet Franc (Mendoza)
Initial aromas of stewy prune and raisin freshen up with airing. This ...
90 Points Mendoza Province $13 Best Buy
36 Polkura 2013 Lote D Syrah (Marchigue)
Welcome to one of the few South American Syrahs that combine excellence ...
91 Points Chile $15 Best Buy
35 Foris 2016 Dry Gewürztraminer (Rogue Valley)
This outstanding wine should earn the somewhat difficult grape many new fans. ...
91 Points Southern Oregon $15 Best Buy
34 Casa Agricola Santos Jorge 2014 Morgado da Canita Tinto Red (Alentejano)
Soft, rich and fruity, this is the epitome of an accessible Alentejo. ...
88 Points Portugal $8 Best Buy
33 Hogue 2014 Red (Columbia Valley (WA))
Light aromas of ash, herb, berry, vanilla and cherry lead to sweet ...
88 Points Columbia Valley $8 Best Buy
32 Glazebrook 2016 0410S 1740E Regional Reserve Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough)
These entry-level Sauvignons rarely improve with age, so drink this one up ...
90 Points New Zealand $15 Best Buy
31 Gruber Röschitz 2016 Grüner Veltliner (Weinviertel)
A subdued nose gives mere hints of ripe, yellow Mirabelle plums. The ...
90 Points Austria $13 Best Buy
30 Bogle 2014 Essential Red (California)
A sleek texture and delicious, focused fruit flavors like cranberry and black ...
90 Points California Other $12 Best Buy
29 St. Urbans-Hof 2015 Nik Weis Selection Urban Riesling (Mosel)
Smoky veins of struck flint and slate lend a savory mineral tone ...
90 Points Germany $12 Best Buy
28 L'Ostal Cazes 2016 Rosé (Pays d'Oc)
A blend of 50% Syrah and 50% Grenache, this is an attractive ...
90 Points Languedoc-Roussillon $12 Best Buy
27 Four Vines 2014 Old Vine Zinfandel (Lodi)
This beautiful wine has aromas as ripe as dried figs, flavors as ...
91 Points Central Valley $13 Best Buy
26 Château Bois Malot 2016 Bordeaux Blanc
This Meynard family wine is ripe and soft with a smooth, creamy ...
91 Points Bordeaux $13 Best Buy
25 Wines & Winemakers 2015 Lua Cheia em Vinhas Velhas Red (Douro)
This perfumed old-vine field blend is rich and stylish. It has weight ...
90 Points Portugal $14 Best Buy
24 Lujon 2015 Riesling (Willamette Valley)
This contends for the best $10 Riesling in the country. It's off ...
91 Points Willamette Valley $10 Best Buy
23 Wakefield Estate 2015 Promised Land Cabernet Sauvignon (South Australia)
For the price, this is an impressively detailed and complex wine. Floral ...
90 Points South Australia $13 Best Buy
22 Stemmari 2016 Estate Grown Grillo (Sicilia)
Heady aromas suggesting tropical fruit, honeysuckle and citrus zest lead the nose. ...
88 Points Sicily & Sardinia $10 Best Buy
21 Giocato 2015 Sauvignon Blanc (Primorska)
Aromas of freshly mowed grass, lemon pith, and lemon grass open for ...
90 Points Slovenia $12 Best Buy
20 Meinklang 2015 Burgenlandrot Red (Burgenland)
Ripe blackberry notes dominate this wine's nose and palate. Their ripe, tart ...
90 Points Austria $15 Best Buy
19 Casa da Passarella 2016 Branco White (Dão)
With creamy Encruzado and perfumed Malvasia in the blend, this is a ...
90 Points Portugal $14 Best Buy
18 Dry Creek Vineyard 2016 Dry Chenin Blanc (Clarksburg)
Orange-marmalade aromas set the stage for a rather full-bodied, dry and flavorful ...
91 Points Central Valley $15 Best Buy
17 Wondrous 2013 Red I.Q. Red (Columbia Valley (WA))
This Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot dominant blend comes from some top quality ...
91 Points Columbia Valley $14 Best Buy
16 Pierre Sparr 2015 One White (Alsace)
The rosy floral overtones of Muscat are very evident on the fragrant ...
90 Points Alsace $15 Best Buy
15 Villa Wolf 2015 Pinot Gris (Pfalz)
Zesty lemon and grapefruit aromas awaken the senses in this sunny, dry-style ...
90 Points Germany $12 Best Buy
14 Fattoria Ambra 2015 Barco Reale di Carmignano
Fruity aromas of wild berry meld together with whiffs of violet, tilled ...
89 Points Tuscany $12 Best Buy
13 Three Thieves 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon (California)
This is a sturdy, well-made wine that is truly great for the ...
89 Points California Other $8 Best Buy
12 Casa Castillo 2015 Monastrell (Jumilla)
This Monastrell gets going with roasted plum and berry aromas, with side ...
90  Points Levante $12 Best Buy

11 Château Vircoulon 2016 Bordeaux Blanc
This is a ripe and soft blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. ...
90 Points Bordeaux $10 Best Buy

10 Spier 2016 Chenin Blanc (Western Cape)
This highly aromatic wine starts off with bright aromas of white flowers, ...
89 Points South Africa $10 Best Buy
9 The Dot 2016 Austrian Plum St. Laurent (Niederösterreich)
Wonderfully tart, fresh red cherry fruit expands on this wine's nose and ...
91 Points Austria $14 Best Buy
8 Paringa 2015 Shiraz (South Australia)
This is the sort of stereotypical Aussie Shiraz the haters love to ...
90 Points South Australia $12 Best Buy
7 Marisco Vineyards 2016 The Ned Waihopai River Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough)
This medium-bodied Sauvignon Blanc is slightly leafy in style, but balances that ...
91 Points New Zealand $13 Best Buy
6 Vin Vault NV Cabernet Sauvignon (California)
This may be the most serious California boxed wine on the market, ...
88 Points California Other $20 Best Buy
5 A to Z 2016 Riesling (Oregon)
A to Z has almost doubled production of this wine, without a ...
92 Points Oregon Other $15 Best Buy
4 Casa Santos Lima 2014 Stones & Bones Red (Lisboa)
This is a bold wine, full of spice and rich tannins. With ...
90 Points Portugal $9 Best Buy
3 Domaine des Carteresses 2016 Tavel
It's hard to believe it's possible to buy this quality rosé for ...
93 Points Rhône Valley $15 Best Buy
2 Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi 2015 Pinot Noir (California)
The 2015 vintage is a strong one for Woodbridge. Ripe fruit tones, ...
89 Points California Other $8 Best Buy
1 Columbia Crest 2015 Grand Estates Syrah (Columbia Valley (WA))
The aromas in this wine pop, with notes of dried herb, plum, ...
91 Points Columbia Valley $12 Best Buy


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