This 95-Point, $12.99 New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is Just Plain Delicious!
The third-generation Babich winery has nailed it! The 2024 vintage of their Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc has earned a 95-Point rating at this year's Decanter World Wine Awards, yet it sells for a freakishly good price.
With all the juicy yumminess and zesty zip we look for in quality New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, and a $12.99 Vin Chicago price, we're pretty sure you won't find a better New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc for less!
Read on for Decanter's tasting notes, and for an exclusive chance to get your hands on a massively fun "winery only" Pax Mahle chillable red, then hammer down on the Big Green Button to get in on the action...
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2024 Babich Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough, New Zealand
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Unlike the mega-volume Sauvignon Blancs coming out of New Zealand, the 100-year-old Babich winery is a family affair. Crafted by the third generation, this 2024 bottling is plump and zesty-fresh, with a level of finesse and balance that totally transcends its price.
There is real sophistication and structure here, along with an old-world mineral accent that sets it apart from its peers. This is something often found in more expensive Kiwi Sauvignon Blancs, not something you expect to get in a thirteen dollar bottling.
On our rather stingy scale, the 2024 Babich earns an I'd-really-enjoy-having-a-
“Bubbling with white peach, nettle, guava and lychee perfume with an undercurrent of fresh herbs. Assertive and persistent with a vibrant backbone of lemon acidity.”
- 95 Points, Decanter World Wine Awards (2025)
The value here is spectacular. If you know anyone who drinks the grocery store brands, you owe it to them to put a bottle or two of Babich in their fridge. For the same price, they can be drinking much better!
Vin Chicago Price: 12.99
Lip-Smacking Chillable Red from California's Pax Mahle!
~ A Vin Chicago Exclusive ~
2023 Pax "Alpine Red"
California
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The chillable red category has been exploding in popularity this year, and lip-smackingly good wines like this one from Pax Mahle are the reason why!
Checking in at 12% ABV, this enticingly delicious blend of 35% Trousseau Gris, 25% Mondeuse Noire, 15% Gamay Noir, 10% Mourvedre, 10% Grenache and 5% Trousseau Noir is just too much fun. We polished off several glasses while writing this on the back porch!
While this small-production bottling is normally only sold directly from the winery, Pax decided to offer some to us after visiting our Elston Avenue store in June. As the wine both looks and TASTES great, we jumped at the offer.
Pax describes his 2023 Alpine Red as having "crispy and crunchy" fruit, which we think is spot on. It was the cooler than usual growing conditions of 2023, he says, that make this crushable red so freaking attractive. He utilized a little carbonic maceration to make the wine, but not too much, as the quality of the fruit was really high and he wanted the supple texture and structure to come through.
“Aromatic Alpine herbs, alpine strawberries, black plums and black pepper covered lingonberries soar from the aromas of this light summer red. Gains weight as it warms in your glass, but this is meant to be chugged chilled in large quantities. Perfect Pizza wine!”
- Pax Mahle, Winemaker
Fresh and massively lip-smacking, this chillable red is super fascinating and all about gulpable pleasure. It also happens to be totally priced right. Grab a few bottles for backyard gatherings, to enjoy on its own and with just about anything off the grill. And, make sure to save a few bottles for Thanksgiving.
Such a cool wine for twenty bucks. And, we're the only one outside of the winery to have it!
Vin Chicago Price: 19.99
