Tasting Highlights' wine reviews are fresh out of the tasting room, offering a sneak peek of our editors' most recent scores and notes to WineSpectator.com members.
The wine world is vast, and choosing a wine for a special occasion, or even just a Tuesday, can often be a daunting task. That's why it's a good idea to have a go-to wine to keep in the house for everyday enjoyment, or one to pop open when guests come over. We're here to help! You'll want something that is high quality but affordable, interesting yet approachable. Here is a diverse selection of reds and whites from across the globe, made from various grapes. All of these wines scored 90 points or higher and cost $18 or less. They're sure to please everyone at your table.
PETRA Toscana Zingari 2015
WS review: The bright, ripe cherry and plum fruit flavors offset the savory tobacco, earth and herb notes in this plump red. Balanced despite the exuberant tannins, while vivid acidity keeps the long aftertaste focused. Merlot, Sangiovese, Petit Verdot and Syrah. Best from 2022 through 2033. 6,000 cases imported.
Why it's of note: This Petra cuvée is a great choice for Italian wine lovers. A super Tuscan, it's made with equal parts Merlot, Sangiovese, Syrah and Petit Verdot. Vittorio Moretti and his daughter Francesca, who run the winery, are experimenting with vinification techniques, including the use of a French micro-oxygenation machine that is said to help soften the structure and the more intense flavors in the wine.
MERCER Cabernet Sauvignon Horse Heaven Hills 2016
WS review: Broad-shouldered, with a core of refined blackberry, orange peel and sage flavors that take on structure toward big but polished tannins. Best from 2020 through 2026. 9,795 cases made.
Why it's of note: From Columbia Valley in southern Washington State, this Mercer red offers a mix of classic Cabernet characteristics that are found in both California and Left Bank Bordeaux examples. The climate in this region is drier than the Médoc but cooler than Napa Valley, yielding a unique expression of the grape. The 2016 growing season was cool, which gave the grapes extra time to develop on the vines.
NORFOLK RISE Shiraz Mount Benson 2017
WS review: Supple and juicy on an open-knit frame, this is very distinctive. Pure blueberry and white pepper notes are transparent and fresh, showing purity and clarity through the finish. Drink now through 2029. 1,000 cases imported.
Why it's of note: Lovers of bold, spicy red wines: Look no further. Norfolk Rise, made by Kreglinger Wine Estates, is located in South Australia's Limestone Coast and capitalizes on the unique terroir of Mount Benson, one of the smaller subzones of the region. This red has classic Australian Shiraz characteristics. It was aged in a mix of neutral and new French oak.
RAVOIRE & FILS Côtes du Rhône White Rhône to the Bone 2017
WS review: Bright makrut lime, green apple and star fruit flavors race through here, with verbena and salted butter notes providing for a thirst-slaking finish. Grenache Blanc and Viognier. Drink now through 2021. 850 cases imported.
Why it's of note: This bottling from Ravoire & Fils is a good one for Chardonnay fans looking to try something new, with its mix of butter and zippy fruit flavors. Winemaker Pierre Vieillescazes, with the help of consultant Philippe Cambie, blends Grenache Blanc and Viognier grapes from Southern Rhône vineyards to create this refreshing white. After a cold, direct press, fermentation occurred on the lees over 10 days. The wine remained in contact with the lees as it aged for six months in stainless steel.
VIÑA SANTA CAROLINA Pinot Noir Leyda Valley Carolina Reserva 2018
WS review: There's good weight to the finely textured flavors of dark cherry, raspberry and beef tartare in this red, which is creamy and spicy on the rich finish. Drink now through 2022. 6,818 cases imported.
Why it's of note: Just inland from the Pacific Ocean and west of Chile's capital of Santiago, the Leyda Valley benefits from the cool ocean influence and the area's latitude. This combination makes its terroir perfectly suited to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Although wine production here is fairly new, starting in the 1990s, the appellation's reputation for high-quality wines has grown rapidly. The grapes for this Viña Santa Carolina Pinot were hand-harvested, the juice was fermented in open vats that allow it to be pumped over the skins, and it was then aged for six months in French oak. This one's for lovers of Pinot with a little more oomph.
TESCH Riesling Nahe Löhrer Berg 2017
WS review: Fine and graceful, this shows a filigreed profile, with notes of cardamom and coriander framing the core of passion fruit and tangerine flavors. Silky in texture and firm in structure, with prominent but well-integrated acidity for balance. Drink now through 2026. 400 cases imported.
Why it's of note: The grapes for this Tesch Riesling hail from the Löhrer Berg vineyard, one of the oldest in the Nahe region. The vines are over 40 years old and grow in loamy, gravelly soils with excellent drainage. German Rieslings range in sweetness levels; this version is made in a dry style, known as "trocken."
THREE BROOMS Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough Single Vineyard 2018
WS review: Pear, pineapple and ruby grapefruit flavors are vibrant and refreshing, showing purity and intensity on the long, intense finish. Drink now. 12,000 cases imported.
Why it's of note: Simon and Vanessa Barker run Barker's Marque Wines in New Zealand, whose portfolio includes this Three Brooms single-vineyard Sauvignon Blanc. The winery practices sustainable farming and winemaking. The natural flavors of Sauvignon Blanc and the unique Marlborough terroir shine through this white. More traditional techniques are also incorporated into the winemaking, like bâtonnage and the use of French yeast.