A Trio of New York Times Favorites, All Under $25!

In his New York Times column, wine writer Eric Asimov shines a warm light into the world of wine and, with a focus on wines in the $15 to $40 price range, makes some extremely insightful recommendations on bottlings he loves from around the world.

We are HUGE fans of Asimov’s articles because they are so authentic. He is not beholden to anyone and recommends the wines that he really wants the world to experience, which is how we like to do things at Vin Chicago too!

Today, we bring you three wines that have earned a spot in Eric's articles. While so many of his favorites hail from Europe, each of these wines comes from right here in the USA. Each falls into the “natural wine” category, which implies not just a sustainable, organic, biodynamic farming philosophy from the winemakers, but also a lively, fresh and super flavorful taste profile.

All of these wines - a Grenache Rosé, a Sauvignon Blanc and a quite unique Cabernet Sauvignon - go for under 25 bucks, and they’re all delicious! Read on for the details, then hit the Big Yellow Button to check them out for yourself...

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2024 Stolpman "Love You Bunches" Rosé
Santa Barbara County, California
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In a July article titled "20 Wines to Drink Right Now," Eric recommends this fresh and delicious Rosé of Grenache from Peter Stolpman and his team. Fermented in whole bunches and pouring a bright pink with platinum streaks, it is peppery, red fruited, zippy, taut and super fun.

“Stolpman Vineyards is better known for making sturdy, complex wines that age well. This rosé is not one of those. It comes from Stolpman’s So Fresh series: easygoing, lively wines intended for early drinking. Love You Bunches is made from grenache, fermented carbonically in the style of a Beaujolais. It’s dry, smells like flowers and berries, and would make a lovely summer aperitif.”
          - Eric Asimov, New York Times (7/3/2025)

Eric quotes a price of $17. Median online retail is $18. This charismatic wine is a great buy at either of those amounts. Our price makes it even harder to resist!

Vin Chicago Price: 14.99

2023 Florez Wines
"Shangra-Li Mendo Savvy-B" Sauvignon Blanc
Redwood Valley, Mendocino, California
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This lip-smacking Sauvignon Blanc comes from a 50+ year old plot in Upton Vineyard. Instead of the overt tropical tones of a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, this lively white will hit you with tasty notes of pineapple, evergreen, lemon and lime zest. Bottled unfiltered, the hazy, delicious "Savvy-B" drinks clean and is a unique, pure and quite wonderful rendition of old-vine Cali Sauvignon Blanc!

“James Jelks makes small lots of natural wines from different vineyards around the state. This organically grown sauvignon blanc comes from the Upton Vineyard in Mendocino County. It’s savory and pungent but deep as well, with the sort of complexity that, no matter how you try, never quite reveals all its elements.”
          - Eric Asimov, New York Times (8/6/2024)

We love Eric's notes, and we adore everything about this wine from the one-man-show vintner, to the obscure single vineyard geography, the wacky label and, most importantly, the tangy, delicious flavors and energy of the juice! Looking online we found four listings with a median of $27. Our price handily beats them all!

Vin Chicago Price: 23.99

2024 Broc Cellars "The Perfect Red" Cabernet Sauvignon
California
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This very special, very unique wine from Broc Cellars is delicious and, as Asimov states, it does NOT taste like most California Cabs!

Pouring a vibrant ruby with hints of purple and garnet, initial nuances of barnyard and wonderful natty liveliness quickly give way to cassis, strawberry, black cherry, tobacco, olive and pepper, all atop a silky, easy, very alive and incredibly delicious texture and slightly grippy structure. Asimov writes...

“This is not at all a typical California cabernet. It’s made by Broc Cellars, a terrific micro-négociant that scours the state for unusual or neglected vineyards, in collaboration with Selection Massale, an importer and distributor that specializes in natural wines. The Perfect Red is vivid with fruit and lively acidity. It’s a delicious, thirst-quenching wine that is most definitely a chillable red.”
          - Eric Asimov, New York Times (8/6/2024)

This super yummy natural wine is from the 2024 harvest. Asimov’s review is from last year, but his description perfectly applies to this brand new release, so we’ve included it here. Very cool stuff!

Vin Chicago Price: 23.99