Cellar No. 8 continues to be a very good bargain band. Each bottle is priced in the $10 range and finessed to be quite approachable. While they may not present the complexity and nuance for a dinner party, the wines are certainly ideal for everyday enjoyment. Our tasting panel recently reviewed a couple of their current releases.

 

Winery: Cellar No. 8

Grape(s): Chardonnay

Region: California

Year: 2009

Price: 10-15

Review:

Aromas of tropical fruit, apple, and vanilla greet the senses. Pineapple and peach flavors flow into hints of citrus and vanilla on the palate. A wine with rich fruit, but it still has a nice bit of acidity. It’s certainly drinkable and has good balance. Try a bottle if you’re looking for an everyday kind of Chardonnay.

Rating: 89

Character: supple mouthfeel, nice acidity, lush fruit

Winery: Cellar No. 8

Grape(s): Pinot Noir

Region: California

Year: 2009

Price: 10-15

Review:

A bouquet of cherries, raspberries, and bacon rises from a glass. Flavors of cherry and raspberry are accented by hints of spice and smoked meat on the palate. A wine that’s quite light, somewhat bright, it has soft, good fruit with a few nice more interesting accents. Easy to sip on, it makes for a good bargain if you’re a fan of light Pinots.

Rating: 88

Character: red fruit, bright mouthfeel, light tannins