5 new red wine varieties that experts love, all for $20 or less
Inspired by January resolutions to try new things, the wine panel explored reds that aren't household names. So forget pinots, cabs and syrahs. This month, we aimed to broaden your wine sense with lesser-known varietals – each for less than $20. 
Next month, we'll take on whites. 
Of eight reds sampled, we selected five noteworthy wines that we'll add to our stable of affordable finds. Try them, and you may find a new favorite to enjoy with friends. A couple of these wines are inexpensive enough for everyday dining. Here's what we found: 
•Two winners are Italian varietals. With so many Italian appellations, it's not surprising that many good Italian wines haven't penetrated the North American mass market. Although delicious, they aren't well-known and don't generate the sales volume that big stores require. 
•The monastrell (Spanish for mourvèdre) comes from Yecla, a little-known region in southeastern Spain. Many monastrells are excellent values. Jump on this varietal and you'll be ahead of the curve. 
•We chose a pinotage that boasted uncharacteristically well-developed fruit. Pinotage is a cross between pinot noir and cinsault. 
•A crowd-pleasing cab blend from Washington state was the lone domestic wine. It's noteworthy for its unusual combination of six varietals. 
Tina Danze is a Dallas freelancer who writes about the wine panel the last Wednesday of each month. 
The wines 

2007 Marchese Adorno Bonarda
Lombardy, Italy 
($19.99; Monticello Liquors, Jimmy's, A Toast to Texas Wine Shoppe, Pogo's and Charlie Palmer's Next Vintage wine shop) 
Complex, fruity and slightly effervescent, this wine impressed Paul Pinnell as "lush and seductive." James Tidwell noted candied fruit flavors, followed by tart fruit and mineral notes. He and Blythe Beck pronounced it more serious than it initially seems. "It's a wine guests will stop and notice," George Howald said. 



2007 Jasci Montepulciano D'Abruzzo
Cerasuolo, Italy 
($16.99; Jimmy's, Pogo's, Dali, Monticello Liquors) 
This unusually complex rosé is a real find. It's a fruity wine with nice tannins and notes of cinnamon and vanilla. "It has great tart-red-fruit flavors," James Tidwell said. "It's dry, smooth and easy to drink." Blythe Beck added, "it's delicious – fresh and crisp with cranberry flavors." 



2005 Castano Hécula Monastrell
Yecla, Spain 
($12.99-$15.99; Central Market; Big Daddy's on Northwest Highway; Farpointe Cellars; and Centennial stores in Lakewood and Highland Park Village. Organic version sold at Whole Foods Market on Lomo Alto) 
Blythe Beck called this an ideal wine for heavy meals. "It's complex and compelling," Paul Pinnell said. James Tidwell hailed the wine as "a superb value: smooth and complex without being harsh." He noted its "blue and purple berries with brown spices and brambly earth." A steal at this price. 



2007 Anura Pinotage
South Africa 
($15.99; Vino 100 and PK's Fine Wine) 
James Tidwell called this "a spectacular pinotage," citing its well-developed fruit (more than customary for the varietal), with notes of vanilla, clove, toast and smoke. Although not a pinotage fan, Paul Pinnell loved this wine. George Howald praised the wine's roundness and called it a great value. 



2006 House Wine, The Magnificent Wine Co.
Columbia Valley, Washington state 
($11.99, Whole Foods, Central Market, United Market Street, Majestic, Kroger, Mr G's, Goody Goody, World Market, Sigel's, and some Albertson's) 
This predominantly cabernet blend includes merlot, syrah, sangiovese, malbec and cabernet franc – a fine-tuned combo. Although not complex, George Howald called it a "friendly wine for sipping and sharing." James Tidwell noted that "green olive, herbal and spice notes add depth." Blythe Beck defended it as a good, "cheap date."