Vinous Favorites

Delicious wines for less than $25 chosen by Vinous critics

8.9

Marketing genius Charles Smith offers a superb Cabernet value. Made with wild yeasts and aged on its lees, this juicy, pliant wine displays lively aromas of black raspberry, licorice, flowers, espresso and mint. The lightly saline palate delivers striking complexity for the price. (ST) — 9 years ago

Richard Steinberg

9.6

Mike Smith is a genius. Bold black and blue flavors. Laser focused. Hedonistic. 2010 vintage — 11 years ago

John Kemper

9.9

A dense glass-staining purple, the '06 Charles Smith Syrah 'Royal City' is a monumental wine. Big, pungent aromas of game, truffles, black olives and dried fruits exploded from the glass. Complex, but still seamlessly balanced. The tastes stayed on the palate for a seemingly infinite length of time. Simply wonderful! — 12 years ago

Clifton Jackson

9.2

Wonderful ... Ready to drink with no aeration needed ... Nose of mixed cherry and black fruits is not shy ... Palate of darker fruits with cocoa undertones. SLH is a great Pinot appellation! — 9 years ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.2

This has reached a lovely phase for drinking . Very long and balanced , fig, licorice , spice and dried red fruits. Just a joy now. — 11 years ago

Cory Bolton

9.5

Mike Smith never disappoints. This is a superb tasting wine. (2012 vintage) — 11 years ago

Colby Watson

9.1

With a wine maker that looks like Sammy Hagar how can you go wrong, crisp apple chard from Washington — 13 years ago

Lyn Farmer

9.1

Pretty medium garnet color, vibrant acidity and bright fresh berry character. No jamminess or white pepper here, just delicious fruit and 12.5% abv. Seductive in its appeal. Well judged oak that never intrudes on the fruit. Dekicious and a benchmark in cool climate shiraz — 10 years ago

Juan Falcon

9.9

Brakefast in a beer. I wont dare to describe not to offend conosieurs? Just that I like dark beers just as much and this is the best Ive ever had. — 11 years ago

Kevin Baldacci

9.7

Great tannin structure, alcohol content compliments it well, beautiful color: nothing inky, great mountain fruit: deep with a long finish. — 12 years ago