Turner Cheap Wine of the Year 2024 shortlist
by Wine Curmudgeon Posted On
One of these six wines will be named the Mack Turner 2024 Cheap Wine of the Year
The 2024 Turner Cheap Wine of the Year shortlist only has one red wine, but that’s probably not surprising. It has always been more difficult to make quality red wine for less than $15, and — given wine’s trends — it seems there is less reason to do so.
The award’s selection process and eligibility rules are here. I considered wines that cost as much as $15 to take into account price creep and regional pricing differences. The award is named for the late Mack Turner, to honor one of the WC’s dearest friends and a terrific cheap wine advocate. Mack (known on the blog as The Big Guy) died at the end of 2022, and he has been much missed.
Three South African wines are on the list, but it’s in no particular order; the winner will be announced Jan. 11:
• Stemmari Grillo 2022 ($8, purchased, 13%): My tasting note is simple: “Damn.” I haven’t had a grillo, the Sicilian white grape, that tasted this good in years.
• The Wolftrap White 2021 ($10, purchased, 13%): How can this Rhone-ish white blend from South Africa be so layered and fresh and yet cost only $10?
• Moulin de Gassac Guilhem Blanc 2022 ($11, purchased, 12.5%): This vintage of the French white blend is even better than usual, and it’s always top notch.
• Excelsior Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 ($9, purchased, 14%): Another South African gem — $10 cabernet that tastes like cabernet, and how often do we see that?
• La Vieille Ferme Blanc 2022 ($9, purchased, 13%): This French white blend from one of my favorite producers elicited this tasting note: “Oh, baby!”
• The Curator White 2021 ($12, purchased, 13): White South African blend (mostly chenin blanc and chardonnnay) that is both oily, fruity (stone fruit), and fresh.
More Turner Cheap Wine of the Year:
• 2023 Turner Cheap Wine of the Year: Matchbook Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
• 2022 Turner Cheap Wine of the Year: Scaia Rosato 2020
• 2021 Turner Cheap Wine of the Year: MAN Chenin Blanc 2019