Wine Enthusiast Top 100 Best Buys

In addition to their annual top 100 wine list, Wine Enthusiast publishes a list that's dedicated to the best values of the year. This phenomenal list offers some fantastic suggestions for wines that shine at a weekday price. As I've only been able to review a few, I strongly encourage you to read the entire list at: Wine Enthusiast's Best Buys. Below I've commented on some of my favorites:

#1 Columbia Crest 2002 Grand Estates Shiraz, Washington, Columbia Valley / $11 Red:
"Very fruity, youthful and packed with brambly berry flavors. Tart, tangy and loaded with berries and cherries, this racy, snappy effort shows surprising depth and weight for its modest price point. There's a nice lick of vanilla in the soft, lush finish." My notes: Columbia Crest has a wide range of offerings, but I found this wine to be surprisingly well structured for the price. Shiraz has a tendency to pair well with strongly flavored meats and full-bodied dishes. This wine will pair easily with a wide variety of dinners.

#8 Domaine de la Guicharde 2003 Cuvée Genest, France, Côtes-du-Rhône Villages / $14 Red:
"This is wonderfully fragrant and spicy, filled with scents of garrigue, baking spices and anise, yet at the same time it shows plenty of ripe, mouthfilling fruit. Elegant, complex and a fantastic value. Multiple U.S. importers." My notes: Côtes-du-Rhône reds are often a pleasure, and this is no exception. This wine was a pleasure to drink even on its own, but paired extremely well with lamb chops.

#10 Ballentine 2005 Pocai Vineyard Old Vines Chenin Blanc, California, Napa Valley / $14 White:
"The vines date to the early 1970s, and the vineyard is on the valley floor near Calistoga. Winemaker Bruce Devlin worked at Boschendal, South Africa's first winery to barrel ferment Chenin Blanc. Dry and crisp, this wine shows wildflower and citrus flavors, and a sweet, green-pea note with an edge of toasted wood. Not only is this an elegant table white, it should evolve over the next five to seven years." My notes: Chenin Blanc is often a graceful white as it's mineral backbone balances with citrus acidity. I've enjoyed Chenin Blancs that have lasted over fifteen years. This one probably won't last that long, but I encourage you to tuck a bottle away and try it in a few years. The few white wines that age well are always an experience to drink, and at this price, you can't go wrong.

#12 Quinta da Aveleda 2005 Vinho Verde, Portugal, Vinho Verde / $8 White:
"One of the markers for Vinho Verde, this brand gets better and better. The 2005 is a new blend, with 10% of Alvarinho from the Aveleda estate. It is ripe and rich, with great solid full fruits in the mouth, tropical but with some citrus character. It's bone dry, with fine finishing acidity. Imported by Aveleda Imports." My notes: As I mentioned before, anyone who hasn't tried the lightly sparkling Vinho Verde is missing out. Although clearly not a "glamour" wine, Vinho Verde can be an excellent refreshing treat on a hot day. This particular wine is a great deal, and ready to drink immediately if you can't hold off till the summer.

#16 Torres 2005 Malena Garnacha, Spain, Catalunya / $10 Red:
"Purple in color, with a sweet, fragrant bouquet featuring mostly plum and strawberry but also a touch of rusticity. Bold and full of cherry-cola flavors, while the feel is downright plush and proper. A very nice (and new to the market) wine from Torres; and there's no knocking its value qualifications." My notes: Spain is offering some incredible bargains lately, and this wine is no exception. This is a very flavorful wine and a great wine to experiment with if you are trying to pick out specific aromas and flavors, as it has quite a few to find.

#31 ElvenGlade 2004 Pinot Gris, Oregon, Yamhill County / $15 White:
"Round, ripe and polished. The pear and apple flavors are bright and sassy, lined with skin flavors, persistent and well defined. This wine is balanced, harmonious, penetrating and beautifully crafted. It's a template for all that is good about Oregon Pinot Gris." My notes: Another fine example from Oregon's Yamhill region. Mark my words, this region will be the new Napa as these winemakers continue to refine their style and as the vineyards come of age. This sophisticated Pinot Gris would go exceptionally well with a mild flavored fish such as halibut.

#89 Toscolo 2004 Chianti, Italy, Chianti / $11 Red:
"Always a solid value contender, Toscolo really nailed it in 2004. This wine is clean and ripe, with familiar raspberry and strawberry aromas. It's not heavy at all; in fact, it's light, bright and clear, with pure cherry and raspberry flavors that are sure to please. A pizza wine to the max." My notes: Although Chianti often has a rustic and unsophisticated reputation, Italy's trademark wine makes an excellent accompaniment to many, many foods. This is a true table wine that can be enjoyed with or without food.