Your ultimate holiday wine guide: 50+ budget friendly bottles you can find at Dallas stores.

Your ultimate holiday wine guide: 50+ budget friendly bottles you can find at Dallas stores.

Slightly darker in colour, fuller in body, and a touch more on the dry side, this Pinot still qualifies as medium-bodied but carries more weight with plenty of black fruit on the nose. The flavour is a complex melange of sweet and sour cherries along with raspberry and that characteristic metallic finish. Its well-structured and lasting acidity would cut the richness of mushroom risotto or grilled pork beautifully.

From home vineyard Fijnbosch & 4 others in Stellenbosch. 2019 refined, poised; less overt oak (30% new) focuses supple-textured layers of fruit, energised by bright lemon acid. Beautifully proportioned & drinking well in youth, like 2018 (4.5 stars, 93 pts).

Single parcel, named for fynbos surround, at 640 m one of highest in Stellenbosch. Lofty quality too, 2016 complex & detailed, dried orange peel & spice woven into rich texture with lees & harmonious oak, 50% new. All fused, brought into focus by fine acidity. Enjoy now, can confidently be cellared ±5 years. 2015 (5 stars, 95 pts) was debut vintage.

The 2018 ‘Emery’ is sourced from a ridgeline site near the crest of the WillaKenzie Estate. Salty tones mark the nose alongside bright red currants, tobacco and suggestions of wild mushroom. The palate is dense and plush with brilliant finesse and a beautiful core of ripe red fruits. Slowly moving into secondary characteristics, this outstanding salty and savory Pinot Noir is only starting to hit its stride.

Delectable, purity, expressive.This delectable Pinot Noir comes from Hartford Court estate vineyards adjacent to the Pacific coastline along the Sonoma coastal mountains; the winery is just one of the outstanding wineries owned by Jackson Family Wines.It's a ripe one at 14.9% alc. but it holds its own; classic notes of forest floor and raspberry, cherries and star anise are layered with cardamom, vanilla, cocoa, pipe tobacco and coconut. It has a sweet bouncy character and lovely fruit purity; in this bottle there is more fruit than earth. Expressive and elegant overall, it has a long sweet cola finish with a bit of heat.

Delicate aromas of warm citrus and thyme with underlying mineral character. Medium-bodied. Very nuanced on the palate with the mineral character continuing to color the white-tea and herbaceous flavors. Wonderfully elegant. A real delight. Drink now.

From several sites, including Stellenbosch home-farm. 2018 ripe lemon-lime marmalade tones with lees & complementary vanilla oak, 38% new. Sleek & silky, braced & lengthened by pronounced thread of salty acid.

A brilliant new wine by Erik Kramer, this shows off a pretty core of tart red fruits alongside a great combination of viscosity and tension. The rich mouthfeel entices here. Finishing long with tilled soils and red fruits alongside copious minerals, this is a beautiful 2018 Pinot Noir that is built for the cellar.

Classic, value, juicy.Carmel Road is nestled in the foothills of the Santa Lucia Mountains in Monterey's Arroyo Seco appellation. It is just one of the several dozen outstanding wineries in the Jackson Family Wines (Kendall-Jackson, La Crema, Freemark Abbey, Arrowood, etc.) portfolio.At under $20 this wine offers exceptional value. It has initial earthy and spicy notes, that roll into classic red cherry and rhubarb, pomegranate, red apple peel, fine white pepper, bacon fat and leather. It has a juicy palate with lively red fruits underscored by fine aromatic spices and forest floor flavours. It's got excellent bones and true pinosity.

A floral and herbaceous nose of roses, violets and sage with notes of ripe red cherries and black licorice as well. Medium-bodied with well-integrated tannins and good, steady intensity. Sweet red fruit and fresh mint on the palate. Very attractive. A lovely line of balsamic on the finish. Drink now.

Pleasant aromas of red fruit and berries, ground spice and peppermint. Medium-bodied with fine, well-integrated tannins and nice presence on the palate. While gentle and delicate, there is still good depth of flavor and length. Drink now.

Aromas of green apple, lemon rind, honeysuckle and wet stone. Medium-bodied and very clear and lean in its delivery. There is really precise balance here with steady acidity. Lovely savory character develops on the palate. Elegant and refined. Drink now.

A pretty nose of ripe red fruit and berries, dried herbs and subtle spice. Medium-bodied with well-integrated tannins. Graceful, with a light touch on the palate. Ripe raspberry and rooibos come though. A lighter-feeling style of California pinot. Drink now.

An inviting nose of red cherries, rose petals and red licorice. Medium-bodied with well-integrated tannins. Juicy and vibrant on the palate with underlying floral character. Well balanced and with good intensity. Drink now.

Lemon zest notes flank the concentrated apple pastry and white peach flavors that are supported by fresh acidity. Shows creamy accents midpalate, with a vibrant, mineral-filled finish. Best from 2022 through 2026.

Captures the best of Willamette Valley, with a layered structure that’s crisp yet supple with plump raspberry, orange peel and Darjeeling accents that glide toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2029.

Broad-textured Gala apple and white peach flavors show lemongrass notes, with firm minerality midpalate, followed by accents of dried savory spices on the pure and direct finish. Drink now through 2025.

A savory style, with vibrant acidity to the fresh-cut green apple and ruby grapefruit flavors that are layered with dried tarragon acidity. Shows minerally richness on the lithe finish.

Plush and well-spiced, with a creamy texture to the ripe apple and peach pastry flavors. The finish is loaded with buttered toast accents that glide across the palate.

Well-structured, with crunchy green apple and yellow plum flavors, which are backed by fresh acidity. Minerally snap on the finish with savory accents. Drink now through 2024.

Vibrant and fresh-tasting, with green apple and ruby grapefruit flavors that show dried tarragon accents, finishing with hints of sea salt.

Leads off on a pretty floral note, followed quickly by a display of fresh cassis and plum purée. Ends with light-handed toast and herb on the finish. Drink now through 2023.

A streamlined style, with cassis and black cherry puree notes, laced with light graphite and vanilla-accented toast hints. Drink now through 2022.