Muscadet, Climat, Château de la Fessardièe, Alex Sauvion, 2004

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It’s almost getting boring to write about excellent Muscadet, but it may well be the most exciting white wine region around these days. Not that there are so many great producers, but now there are literally dozens of top notch wines being imported by small importers dedicated to quality and these wines are without a doubt the best values in white wine available in the market today.

 This wine is no exception with a refined balance between its firm, mineral-laden fruity-ness and its bright acidity.  Just lovely and only about $12 a bottle. Delicious now, but this fine wine will improve for the next several years.

Côtes de Provence Rosé, Les Domaniers de Puits Mouret, Ott Selection, 2005

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I love rosé and, in general, the best I have tasted are French. Strangely they have become a fashion with young New Yorkers and that means that will spread across the country. Ott is the in-brand in NYC and has long been famed for their dry pink wines, but let’s face the fact that the name is in makes it one of the worst values around. Yes, it’s very pleasant light stuff, but at these prices??? Please!

Sparkling Wine, Argyle, Knudsen Vineyard Brut, Willamette Valley Oregon, 1998

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I never thought anything would convince me that real Champagne was not king. I’ve had many fine sparkling wines from many countries that approached the finest Champagnes (notably Iron Horse in California and Bellavista in Italy), but I’ve never had a wine that really knocked out Champagne.

However, that is the past and the reality is that Oregon’s Argyle is not only producing world class sparkling wines that compete with some of Champagne’s finest, but extraordinary values that have their own unique personality.

 This wine is flat out extraordinary and somewhat widely available for under $50. Toasty, frothy, lively and most of all complex, this has to be a top quality sparkler in anyone’s book. In fact, I rather drink this than the hotshot big names of Champagne that are in with the rappers, but out with anyone who is thinking about what they drink.

This is a great sparkling wine. 

Coteaux du Languedoc, Grange Phillippe, 2003

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There are so many great French bargains these days it’s hard to keep up. Such wines are a major embarrassment to the American wine industry. How can they sell wines at this price that taste so good with the Euro is so much stronger than the dollar.

Here is a big, deep fruity wine with real flavor and complexity for $11 a bottle. Give me a break, why can’t we do this in the USA? A blend of 70% syrah, 20% grenache and 10% mourvedre, if anybody made a wine of such quality in the USA it would cost $40 a bottle.  

Chianti Classico, Casa Emma 2003

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When was the last time you had an excellent Chianti Classico that cost under $30? How about under $20 - maybe never? Well this Casa Emma is that most rare of Tuscan breeds these days and for under $20 offers classic Classico style. No simple fruit bomb overlayed with oak, this wine show real terroir, sangiovese character and a complex, structured style. With a wonderful lean, bittersweet sangiovese character, those of you who remember the glories of Tuscany before the invasion of the enologists will love this classic - and it’s a bargain besides!

Bourgueil, Trinch!, Catherine & Pierre Breton, 2004

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A candidate for great house wine of the year, I dare you to find a domestic wine that tastes this good for under $13. Almost explosively fruity and clean with an acidity that dares your saliva glands to keep up this wine is food friendly perfection. A great combination of juicy ripe fruit and balance. Yes, you can be deeply fruity without being overweight. Buy cases.

Cour Cheverny, Le Petit Chambord, Domaine Francois Cazin, 2002

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Pungently mineral and firm and almost demanding food, this is a really lovely wine. Lean and mean, but with just enough fruit, every sip demand yet another. Not surprisingly, this is a Louis/Dressner selection, who else would bring in such an obscure Loire appellation. We can be glad they did as this wine is a steal at around $12. Buy, buy, buy! Made from 100% Romorantin, a rare varietal to say the least.

Saint Estephe, Château Haut Baradieu, 2003

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A refined, classically styled Bordeaux for drinking now and over the next several years. As befitting a St. Estephe, this is a real cabernet in style with plenty of herbs and spice that overlay the lovely, but appropriately lean fruit. If you’re wondering what a Haut Medoc Bordeaux is supposed to taste like but don’t want to break the bank this is a very nice wine. Think lamb chops.

Muscadet Sèvre et Maine sur lie, Domaine de l'Ecu, Expression de Granite, Domaine Guy Boussard, 2001

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Current winner of the longest name wine award this year, you’ll think the name is short when you taste this wonderful wine. Still a baby, it will develop and expand for many years. A lighting bolt of a wine that in all its leanness still explodes on the palate. Concentrated mineral essence with a delicate balance. A beauty that costs all of 16 bucks. Amazing.

Barolo, Villero, Giuseppe e Figlio Mascarello, 1999

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A really fine wine, exotic an balanced and absolute classic Barolo nebbiolo in style. True to type this Villero is forward, round and rich (by Barolo standards). Just starting to drink now, a few more years will be well rewarded. A great wine to recommend to someone who want to know what nebbiolo is really all about. I’m going to grab every bottle I can find.

Pian del Ciampolo, Sangioveto e Canaiolo, Montevertine, Radda in Chianti, 2002

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With a balance and refinement only found in fine Burgundy, this wine is an extraordinary value at well under $20. The light color may confuse some, but the expansive delicate aromas explode on the palate with an intense delicacy that is hard to find these days. A fine wine that reminds one about what made Tuscany great to begin with. Buy as much as you can afford. It’s great to drink now and will age for many years.