Good Wines, Great Prices

Anyone who drinks wine loves to learn about a new one — especially if it's highly rated and well-priced.

This month, both Wine Spectator — the magazine for wine lovers — and Consumer Reports — the magazine for anyone who wants road-tested facts and figures about buying anything — feature articles about good wines at great prices.

Below are excerpts of what each had to say:

From Consumer Reports, "Good Wine at a Good Price," Oct. 2000*

WHITES
TOP 5 CHARDONNAYS
1. Chateau Souverain, Sonoma County, 1998, $13
"An excellent medium-bodied chardonny that's more complex than most. Distinctly oaky and moderately buttery, with a trace of apple aroma.

2. Kendall-Jackson, Vintner's Reserve, 1998, $13
"An excellent wine that's oaky, with traces of apple and buttery aromas."

3. Lindemans, Bin 65 (Australia), 1999, $7
"A very good chardonny that's fruitier than most, with traces of apple and Juicy Fruit gum aromas. Superb value."

4. Meridian Vineyards, Santa Barbara County, 1998, $10
"A very good wine with a trace of apple aroma. Good value."

5. Hess, Select, 1998, $11
"A very good wine, with fruit flavor dominant and a trace of apple aroma. Good value. "

TOP 5 SAUVIGNON BLANCS/FUMÉ BLANCS
1. Babich Marlborough (New Zealand), 1999, $8
"An excellent, complex wine with distinct sauvignon blanc character. Slightly more tart than most; a trace of grassy aroma.

2. Caymus Vineyards, Napa Valley, 1998, $20
"Though complex, this very good wine needs more sauvignon blanc character. Traces of woody and vanilla aromas; a hint of bitterness."

3. Kendall-Jackson, Vintner's reserve, 1998, $10
"A very good, complex wine with somewhat distinct sauvignon blanc character. A trace of tropical-fruit aroma. Good value."

4. Beringer, Napa Valley Appellation Collection, 1998, $10
"Though complex, this very good wine that's a bit less dry than most could use more sauvignon blanc character. Traces of woody and vanilla aromas."

5. Kenwood, Sonoma County, 1998, $9
"A very good wine with somewhat distinct sauvignon blanc character. A trace of grassy aroma."

REDS
TOP 5 CABERNET SAUVIGNONS
1. Lindemans, Bin 45 (Australia), 1998, $8
"An excellent wine with concentrated fruit flavors that linger on the palate. Traces of dark-berry, black-cherry, ripe-fruit, spicy and herbaceous aromas. Should get even better with age."

2. Gallo of Sonoma, Sonoma County, 1996, 1997, $11
"A very good wine with a lot of fruit flavor. Lingers on the palate. Good value."

3. Sterling Vineyards, Napa Valley, 1997, $19
"A very good wine that should get even better with age. Traces of dark-berry, black-cherry, ripe fruit and herbaceous aromas."

4. Clos du Bois, Sonoma County, 1997, $13
"Traces of cassis, ripe-fruit herbaceous and spicy aromas." 

5. Rodney Strong, Sonoma County, 1997, $14
"Traces of cassis, ripe fruit, herbaceous and spicy aromas."

TOP 5 MERLOTS
1. Chateau St. Jean, Sonoma County, 1997, $19
"The best of the lot. A very good wine that's complex and well-balanced."

2. Walnut Crest, Rapel Valley (Chile), 1999, $5
"A very good wine, though more fruit and less oaky flavor than a typical merlot."

3. Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia Valley (Washington), 1997, $16
"A very good medium-bodied wine with moderate complexity."

4. Markham Vineyards, Napa Valley, 1997 & 1998, $19
"A bit lower in quality than the rest, though still a very good, medium-bodied wine with moderate complexity."
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*For the complete article see the October 2000 issue of Consumer Reports magazine, page 12.


From Wine Spectator, "Smart Buys: 100 Great Wines for Under $15," Oct. 2000*
TOP 10 WHITES
1. Brancott, Chardonnay Gisborne, 1999, $10
"Smooth and round, with spicy, floral overtones. The generous fruit flavors remain lively and balanced through the rich finish."

2. Columbia Crest, Chardonnay Columbia Valley Estate Series, 1998, $12
"Complex and creamy, rich and generous, dripping with pear, honey nutmeg and clove, the flavors lingering enticingly. Delicious."

3. Glen Carlou, Chardonnay Paarl, 1998, $14
"Vibrant, concentrated ad integrated. Apple, pear and fig take center stage; vanilla and nutmeg play supporting roles. Long, refreshing finish."

4. Heggies, Chardonnay Eden Valley, 1997, $8
"Silky-smooth and pretty with lovely almond- and hazelnut-scented pear, peach and vanilla flavors that extend into an elegant finish."

5. Mason, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, 1999, $15
"Intense and complex with aromas of fig, grapefruit and cut grass. Tangy citrus and flinty flavors."

6. Chateau Ste. Michelle, Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley Horse Heaven Vineyard, 1998, $14
"Bright and refreshing, with lively lime and tangerine aromas and pretty green apple flavors."

7. Feudi Di San Gregorio, Falanghina Sannio 1999, $13
"Very subtle white that follows through wonderfully. Mineral, pear, pineapple and spice character. Medium body. Long finish." 8. Hogue Johannisberg Riesling, Columbia Valley, 1999, $8
"Soft and fragrant, nicely crafted, with apple, apricot and citrus aromas and flavors on an off-dry frame. "Nice mineral notes on the finish."

9. Meridian Chardonnay, Edna Valley Coastal Reserve, 1998, $15
"Ripe, creamy and elegant, with pretty pear, nectarine, hazelnut, citrus and subtle honey notes and a long, bright aftertaste."

10. Omaka Springs, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough 1999, $15
"Bright and zingy, with pretty apple and peach flavors and an overlay of lime and sage."

TOP 10 REDS
1. Chateau Mont-Redon, Côtes Du Rhône, 1998, $12
"Just beautiful. Balanced and lovable. Grows on you thanks to its subtle and smooth texture, lovely ripeness and velvety tannins." 2. Bodegas Montecillo, Rioja Reserva, 1995, $15
"This is rich and dark yet has a solid layer of ripe fruit for balance and a fine mix of firm tannins and bright acidity. Long, fine finish."

3. Chateau De St.-Cosme, Côtes Du Rhône, 1999, $13
"Rich, thick, dark, well-made. distinct oak accents and plenty of concentrated flavor. Supple tannins and bright acidity Long, fine finish."

4. Georges Duboeuf, Moulin-à-Vent Aged in Oak, 1999, $15
"A touch of game adds to this toasty, spicy, black cherry- and cinnamon-flavored red. Juicy acidity carries the chocolate-tinged finish.

5. Greg Norman Estates, Shiraz Limestone Coast, 1998, $15
"Ripe, generous and supple, framing its bright flavors with a velvety texture and fine tannins. Intriguing peach and spice on the finish."

6. Simonsig, Pinotage Stellenbosch, 1998, $13
"Lovely purity of flavor, showing violet, raspberry, cherry and spice, with just a hint of gaminess. Elegant."

7. A Mano, Primitivo Puglia, 1999, $10
"Juicy and fruity, delivering lots of chocolate and cherry character in a medium-bodied frame, with soft tannins and a long finish."

8. Masi, Valpolicella Classico Serègo Alighieri Rosso delle Possessioni, 1998, $15
"Impressive. Needs time but shows promise. Full-bodied and very well-balanced, with good length, a silky texture and fine tannins."

9. Greg Norman Estates, Cabernet-Merlot Coonawarra, 1998, $15
"Ripe, focused, nicely structured. Classic Cabernet flavors of black currant and cedar remain elegant and refined through the firm finish."

10. Viticola San Jose, Cariñena Glamour Reserva, 1990, $12
"Hard to believe it's 10 years old. Fresh and powerful, it has a distinctive spicy, meaty note that draws you back for another sip."
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*For the complete article see the October 15, 2000 issue of Wine Spectator magazine, page 35.