Our Third Top Twelve

Shane’s Notes

Here is a list of twelve wines that we highly recommend. Think of it as a mixed case that will see you through most occasions, from your usual weekday dinner to something more special for a Saturday evening. Just to keep things interesting, we have given ourselves a few ground rules: (1) we will attempt to always list four wines that cost under $15.00, four wines that cost between $15.00 to $30.00 and four wines that cost over $30.00; (2) we will also try to list a variety of types of wines (we’ll even throw in some whites!); (3) no winery can have more than one wine on the list at a time; and (4) we will only list wines that we have reviewed on this site (the title and date of the review are directly underneath the wine).

$3.52, (2 for 1 sale) Concha y Toro Xplorador Cabernet Sauvignon
Tannin Management - October 25, 2005

$7.99, 2004 La Vielle Ferme - Cotes du Ventoux Rose
A Delightful Blush - August 31, 2005

$12.99, Dow Fine Ruby Porto
An Elegant Ruby - September 8, 2005

$14.99, 2000 Finca Sobreno, Seleccion Especial
Estupendo Vino - November 8, 2005

$15.99, Gunderloch “Jean Baptiste” 2003 Riesling Kabinett
Another Great Riesling - September 1, 2005

$22.00, Clos du Bois 2000 Flintwood Chardonnay
Four Wineries and a Detour - September 20, 2005

$25, 2003 Alexander Valley Redemption Zinfandel
Four Wineries and a Detour - September 20, 2005

$28.99, 2002 T-Vine Zinfandel, Brown Vineyard (Napa)
An Elegant Zin - September 7, 2005

$46.00, 2003 Sea Smoke Pinot Noir, Southing, Santa Rita Hills
Up in Smoke - October 19, 2005

$45.00, 2002 Newton Chardonnay
Structural Perfection - October 11, 2005

$55.00, Weingut Grans-Kassian, 1997 Piersporter Goldtropfchen, Riesling Auslese,
Two Rieslings - September 16, 2005

$130.00, 1996 Billecart-Salmon Champagne - Cuvee Elizabeth Salmon
Lake Tahoe - August 19, 2005

Normally, my favorite wines are in the $15.00 - $30.00 category. This category usually has the wines with the best price to value ratio. However, this was our weakest category this time. Three of the wines in the under $15 category were excellent (apologies to Dow) with the Finca Sobreno being quite possibly the best wine we have ever tasted in this price range. All the wines in the over $30 category were stunning.