12 impressive California wines for $12 or less

What’s the secret in buying a bottle of wine for the price of a couple of lattes at Starbucks?

Targeting blends.

Wines crafted from several varietals are 20% to 30% lower in price than straight varietals, according to Barry Herbst, wine director of Santa Rosa’s Bottle Barn.

The reasons, Herbst explained, are threefold: First, blends are made from varietals that have higher yields; and, the grapes in blends are groomed in less expensive appellations; and finally, blends are less expensive to produce.

One blend that continues to gain in popularity is GSM — grenache, syrah and mourvedre. But the traditional Bordeaux red blend has never lost its appeal and it’s made from some or all of these varietals: cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, petit verdot and malbec. See our Fact Box for a detailed list of some of the most iconic red blends.

What follows is our curated list of 12 quality red blends priced at $12 or under, most of which have been vetted in Press Democrat blind tastings.

While these bottlings may be priced higher on their winery websites, they can be found priced at $12 or less and in good supply from local wine retailers and from online wine retailers:

1. Shebang, NV California Red, $11.50. This jammy red packs a wallop with intense dark fruit flavors. Generous. Striking.

2. Friends, 2022 California Red, $11.50. Lightly toasted, this red blend has generous notes of cherry, blackberry and black plum. Supple texture, rich and round. Impressive.

3. Colby Red, NV, $11.50. This zesty blend has bright red fruit with a kick of cracked black pepper. Generous fruit. Well crafted.

4. CK Mondavi Red Blend, $6. Full-bodied, with notes of plum and boysenberry. Balanced, with a supple texture. Pretty.

5. Ca Momi Rosso, 2021, $12. A tasty compote of plums, raspberries and cherries, with a kiss of vanilla on the finish. Lovely.

6. Rare Red, NV California, $8.50. Zesty and fruit forward with a tap dance of spice. This blend is medium bodied with nice length. Top rate.

7. Bogle Vineyards Essential Red Blend, $11. A supple red that has layered notes of blueberry and blackberry. A vibrant red with a lingering finish. Impressive.

8).Sterling, 2016 Vintners Collection Dark Red, California, $12. Concentrated notes of blackberry and black plum. Firm tannins. Rich, yet balanced.

9. Gnarly Head, 2021 Double Black Red Wine Blend, $10. A complex red with notes of blackberry, cocoa and caramel. Great intensity.

10. Apothic Dark Red Blend, $10. Generous fruit of blackberry, blueberry and plum. Hint of dark chocolate in the mix. Solid.

11. Kirkland Signature, 2016 Napa Valley Red, $11. A tasty red with notes of black cherry, cedar and cracked black pepper. Silky tannins. Lovely.

12. Coppola Rosso, NV, $10.50. Jammy fruit – strawberry, boysenberry and plum – coupled with a kick of cracked black pepper and a dollop of vanilla. This charmer won’t disappoint.

You can reach wine writer Peg Melnik at 707-521-5310 or peg.melnik@pressdemocrat.com. On X (Twitter) @pegmelnik.