Winery owner Joel Gott presented his portfolio of wines to a group of Binny's employees recently – it was good to be reacquainted with these wines. I've always considered the Joel Gott wines to represent a good value; the whole lineup retails at Binny's at under $15, and they sure pack a lot of stuffing for the price. They're able to make these good yet inexpensive wines by sourcing from producers who have excess juice, then blending different lots to fit a desired profile. Seems to be working well.

  The whites I tasted are all very fresh and fruit-focused. They are aged in stainless steel tanks to maintain vibrant fruit qualities and precise acidity. The 2008 Sauvignon Blanc balances grassy freshness with citrus fruit for a refreshing and bright wine; pleasant if not overly complex. The 2008 Washington State Riesling (which isn't available at Binny's right now) has a sweet nose but is heavy and dry on the palate, showing good green apple fruit.

 The 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon 815 is a value-focused cuvee. A slightly perfumed and herbal nose leads to a wine with good depth – the plum fruit and tannic structure are in harmony for a balanced but not huge Cab. We also tasted the 2005 “Gott” Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced entirely from Napa (also not available at Binny's right now). It's a little more intricate, showing good use of oak to balance with the big plum and cassis fruit.

  The Gott portfolio has always had a focus on Zinfandel – we tasted the popular California Zinfandel as well as a few of the regional Zins that go into the cuvee. I'm not sure if they're widely available as individual bottlings, and I'd tend to recommend the California blend itself as a great value. The whole range is textbook California zin – plush fruit with peppery undertones and dry herb complexities. Retailing every day on Binny's shelves at $14.99, this month the California Zinfandel is on sale for $12.99.

 Recently, Joel Gott Wines entered into a distribution partnership with industry giant Trinchero (known best for brands like Sutter Home and Folie à Deux) – a group he's had experience with before in his involvement in Three Thieves. The hope is that with the Trinchero sales force, Gott (and his winemaking wife Sarah) can focus more on sourcing and blending great wines for their growing brand. He says that while production is sure to increase, the quality of the wines they make will remain great.