Our Fourth Top Twelve

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).

$4.99, 2004 Marques de Caceres Rioja
A Peppery White - 1/4/06

$7.99, 2002 Charamba, Douro, Portugal
Ay, Charamba!, 12/22/05

$10.99, Chateau St. Michelle 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon
Holiday Quaffers, 12/29/05

$12.99, Prazo de Rouriz
Another Douro Table Wine, 1/27/06

$16.99, Casa Lapostolle, Cuvee Alexandre, Apalta Vineyard, Merlot
Our First Lapostolle, 1/23/06

$19.99, Fonseca 1999 LBV
The Prototypical, Non-Vintage Port – 1/9/06

$25.00, 2004 Tablas Creek Rose, Paso Robles
Rosé with a Screw Cap, 12/12/05

$29.99, 2003 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay
Another Napa Trip, 11/22/05

$64.00, 2003 Condrieu "Clos Chanson" Andre Perret
Vertex of Viognier, 1/20/06

$65.00, Billecart-Salmon, Brut Rose
A Bubbly Celebration, 12/1/05

$118.95, 1996 Dom Perignon
A Belated New Year’s Celebration, 1/4/06

$139.99, 1986 Cos d'Estournel, Bordeaux, St. Estephe
A Grand Crus Celebration, 12/12/05