10 Essential California Wines for $20 or Less

We tasted our way through cases of wine to find you these affordable California bottles that are perfect for every day.—Ray Isle

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2014 Bogle Petite Sirah ($11)

Bogle, a Petite Sirah specialist, has mastered the trick of expressing the variety’s intense blueberry fruit without making it dense or heavy. Buy from wine.com

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2014 Cline Lodi Zinfandel ($11)

Cline’s wealth of old-vine plots throughout the Lodi region means they can sell this robust, spicy wine for far less than it deserves. Buy from wine.com

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2015 Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier ($13)

Year in and year out, this is one of California’s top white values. It tingles on the tongue, with vibrant mandarin orange and melon flavors. Buy from wine.com

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2016 Brander Los Olivos District Sauvignon Blanc ($16)

Most bargain Sauvignon offers in-your-face citrus flavor and little else. This one is flinty and savory, with a subtle lemon oil note.

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2015 Vina Robles White4 ($16)

An oddball blend of grapes (Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Verdelho and Vermentino) comes together in this exotically floral, spicy, melony white.

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2014 Foxglove Chardonnay ($17)

Mango and citrus fruit shade into stony notes in this terrific Chardonnay from Pinot Noir specialists Bob and Jim Varner.

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2013 Cameron Hughes Lot 484 Napa Valley Meritage ($19)

If you want a Napa red that will fool guests into thinking it costs at least twice the price, this plush Merlot-Cabernet blend is one to seek out.

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2015 Fossil Point Pinot Noir ($17)

Cooling coastal winds in the Edna Valley help keep the black cherry flavors of this Pinot taut and lively; a hint of oaky spice adds complexity. Buy from wine.com

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2014 Cambria Tepusquet Vineyard Viognier ($20)

A white with the rich appeal of classic California Chardonnay, but without the buttery notes. Instead, it’s just lovely, straight-up peach-citrus fruit.

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2014 Calera Central Coast Chardonnay ($19)

Unbeatable for the price, this sleek quince-scented white, enriched by a faint brown-butter note, could pass for a good village Meursault. Buy from wine.com

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10 Essential California Wines for $20 or Less

1 of 10

2014 Bogle Petite Sirah ($11)

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2 of 10

2014 Cline Lodi Zinfandel ($11)

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3 of 10

2015 Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier ($13)

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2016 Brander Los Olivos District Sauvignon Blanc ($16)

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2015 Vina Robles White4 ($16)

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2014 Foxglove Chardonnay ($17)

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2013 Cameron Hughes Lot 484 Napa Valley Meritage ($19)

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2015 Fossil Point Pinot Noir ($17)

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2014 Cambria Tepusquet Vineyard Viognier ($20)

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2014 Calera Central Coast Chardonnay ($19)

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10 Essential California Wines for $20 or Less

1 of 10

2014 Bogle Petite Sirah ($11)

1 of 10

2 of 10

2014 Cline Lodi Zinfandel ($11)

2 of 10

3 of 10

2015 Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier ($13)

3 of 10

4 of 10

2016 Brander Los Olivos District Sauvignon Blanc ($16)

4 of 10

5 of 10

2015 Vina Robles White4 ($16)

5 of 10

6 of 10

2014 Foxglove Chardonnay ($17)

6 of 10

7 of 10

2013 Cameron Hughes Lot 484 Napa Valley Meritage ($19)

7 of 10

8 of 10

2015 Fossil Point Pinot Noir ($17)

8 of 10

9 of 10

2014 Cambria Tepusquet Vineyard Viognier ($20)

9 of 10

10 of 10

2014 Calera Central Coast Chardonnay ($19)

10 of 10

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