2005 CHINON-Domaine René COULY 100% Cabernet Franc
$15.99 net per bottle (regular price: $19.99) $191.88 a case

Red Loire wines are underappreciated here in the states. Not so in Paris, where most Bistro's offer them by the glass and the bottle. And why not? They have a purity about them that sets them apart. They have no sharp edges. They are not heavy yet they are substantial and bursting with berry flavor with peppery spice. And that's to say nothing about their excellent price to quality relationship.

This delicious Chinon from one of the most prestigious Loire Domaines, made from 100% cabernet franc grapes, is dark ruby purple in color. It has enticing flavors of wild raspberry, plum and berried fruits. On the palate the wine is moderately tannic, suave and easy to drink if not exactly gulpable. Less heavy than a Calfornia cab but weightier than a pinot noir, this is a terrific food wine that would match with many dishes including salmon or grilled chicken. And it tastes great slightly chilled.

2006 Vernaccia di San Gimignano-Notte di Luna-Fontaleone $9.99 per bottle - $105.00 an unbroken case

White wines from Vernaccia di San Gimignano are among Italy's most popular, with a historical reputation that goes back to the middle-ages.
This lovely Vernaccia is from the tiny Fontaleone estate which is located 200 meters above sea level, a short distance from the beautiful walled city of San Gimignano. Yields under winemaker Paolo Caciorgna are kept scrupulously low, resulting in a delightful, soft, dry, beautifully balanced wine. From the GREAT 2006 Tuscan vintage, this impeccably made Vernaccia is medium bodied, crisp, with long, delightful, floral fruit and long, fresh, enticing flavors, and has a silky, mouth-coating palate feel. The quality of fruit from these carefully attended family owned vineyards is obvious and distinguishes this wine from others from the same village.

2005 Chateau de Cazenove-Macau en Medoc
$12.99 net per bottle (regular price: $15.99) $155.88 an unbroken case

Chateau de Cazenove, located only 6 km from Margaux, has been awarded three stars in "Revue de Vins de France", two stars in "Guide Hachette" and a Silver Medal at the "World Events" at Brussels in 2002. Ch. de Cazenove from the all time great 2005 Bordeaux vintage was a great success. It is comprised of a blend of 70% merlot, 20% cabernet sauvignon and 10% cabernet franc. It has a beautiful deep, ruby red color. On the palate it is full bodied and rich with flavors of ripe black currents and raspberries, with a hint of cedar peeking through after aeration. The aging in oak barrels for 12 months has added complexity and spice, without being intrusive, and softened the plump, silky tannins that are a signature of this great vintage. Although this tastes great now, it will certainly age beautifully for several years. Look for it on the list at Excelsior Restaurant on Boylston Street in Boston.

Why, pray tell, is the price so low? The sister of one of the principles lives in neighboring Arlington and, through her, we buy the wine in 100 case lots, directly from the Chateau. This is a $20.00 a bottle value for less than 2/3s that price.

2005 Bourgogne Pinot Noir Vieilles Vignes, Domaine Albert Bichot $14.99 net per bottle-(regular price: $17.99) $175.00 an unbroken case

Under the direction of youthful Alberic Bichot the venerable Domaine Albert Bichot has taken on new life in recent years. They own the Burgundy firm Clos Frantin, the renowned Chablis house Long Depaquit and several other Domaine properties. One such is this terrific Bourgogne Pinot Noir from the exalted 2005 vintage. The wine has a deep garnet/red color. In the bouquet and on the palate we have flavors of back cherries, plum, hints of strawberry and a touch of smoke. There is no doubt the wine can age and develop further. But it is so well balanced and full on the palate for red Burgundy at this price level that one would be hard put not to enjoy now, as many have.

2006 Astore-100% Trebbiano-Baracchi Winery
$19.99 net per bottle (regular price $24.99 a bottle) $239.88 a case

Riccardo Baracchi, owner of the beautiful Tuscan Relais & Chateau property, Il Falconiere, learned wine making techniques at a young age from his dad. Riccardo is passionate about his craft. No short cuts are taken in the impeccably maintained vineyards, or in vinifying the wines. His stunning 2006 Astore from 100% trebbiano grapes, is fresh, clean and delightful; the fruit just jumps from the glass. It has good body, sufficient but not obtrusive acidity, a golden color with a hint of pink at the edge, and a delicious, complex, citrus dominated flavor augmented by a hint of wood. Long, long aftertaste. This blows away many more expensive wines, like Santa Margarita,. All of Baracchi's wines are found on the lists of many of Tuscany's best restaurants. Check out their web site at: http://www.baracchiwinery.com/

2006 Delphine de Margon Cotes de Thongue
$10.99 per bottle $115.00 an unbroken case

Delphine de Margon is produced outside of Beziers in the miniscule town of Pouzolles, in deep southern France. Vinified at Domaine de l'Arjolle by one of my favorite growers, the outgoing, extremely nice, Louis Marie Tesserenc, this wine is far better than its modest price would indicate. For many years it has been a favorite of those in the know.

The wine, which was recently featured in the Boston Globe in Stephen Meuse's "Plonk of the Month" column, is brilliant green gold in color. It is crisp, fresh and lively on the palate and has pure chardonnay flavors with nuances of apple, hazel nuts, ripe white fruits, pear and a hint of cherry blossoms in the after taste. On the palate the wine is smooth, delicate, fine and lacy. I am not suggesting that this wine is as good as a Meursault or Puligny Montrachet; I am saying that at it's extremely fair price, this wine can compete with many others costing far more. It's a dandy wine at a terrific price. And although they haven't gotten certification for it, it is produced organically whenever possible.

As Robert Parker has written, "This Domaine (l'Arjolle) has made frequent appearances in these best buy reports. All the Domaine de l'Arjolle wines are exceptional bargains and merit serious consideration by consumers who put value ahead of prestige"

2005 Pinot Noir- Forchini Winery Russian River Valley Proprietor's Reserve Estate Grown & Bottled
$19.99 net per bottle (regular price: $24.99) $239.88 a case

Demand for pinot noir over the past few years, especially from California, has increased by more than double.The Forchini's, who were recommended to me by winemaker extraordinaire, David Cafaro, make a superb, fairly priced, Russian River pinot noir from their own carefully cultivated vineyards located on Limerick Lane. It is a beautifully crafted, elegant, seductive 100% Pinot Noir. Medium bodied in structure with soft tannin, excellent concentration, brilliant ruby red color, it features powerful yet subtle flavors of cherry, strawberry, and plum with hints of licorice, tobacco and smoke. Deceptively powerful but not at all hot, it has 15% alcohol by volume. This wine is aged for 18 months in 60% French and American oak to provide perfumed aromas, a lush mouth-feel and a smooth, lingering finish.

Jim Forchini has been growing grapes for 35 years. He's third generation in the business; his son, Andrew, is 4th.The Forchini property is located south of Healdsburg, 1/2 mile east of the Russian River. It is an historic ranch with old vines vineyards planted at the turn of the century. The vineyard receives many summer days of late breaking fog which provides a cooler climate for the earlier maturing varietals and contributes to the complex flavors of the wines. 556 cases were produced.

2005 Domaine Cauhape- Chant des Vignes-Jurançon Sec
$16.99 net per bottle-(regular price: $19.99) $191.88 an unbroken case

I loved this wine from the minute I first tried it. This is a crisper, drier wine than a chardonnay. The grape variety is Gros Manseng grown in clay and silica soil. There is no wood and the wine is vinified on its lees for richness. Domaine Cauhape-Chant des Vignes is brilliantly clear, medium gold in color with green tinges. Surprisingly full and rich on the palate, the wine offers clean, complex flavors of granny smith apples, hints of pistachio, fresh basil butter, a hint of passion fruit and kiwi, a smidge of nutmeg and other herbs, and great fresh minerality. The flavors are long and are refreshing. This is NOT a wine that you will tire of. At under $20.00 a bottle this offers quality and distinction at a more than fair price, especially when compared to many over produced, over wooded, character-less new world chardonnays. And this is a wine that can age effortlessly for years, if you could keep your hands off of it. It actually will benefit from decanting for 20 minutes or so before serving and, recorked, it will last a day or two in the fridge. As I said, I LOVE this wine as have many who have previously tried it.

2005 Erta & China-Vino di Toscano-Renzo Masi-$12.99 net per bottle -(regular price: $14.99) $155.88 an unbroken case

Erta & China is among our best and most popular Italian wine values-ever! It is a 50%-50% blend of sangiovese and cabernet sauvignon. The wine is very dark purple in color, with aromas of spicy dried herbs, black currents, and deep fruit flavors of bing cherries and plums. It is smooth, ripe, and concentrated with a long, very pleasing aftertaste. It is great with steak, pasta, and any grilled fare and is an exceptional value. It has been highly rated by both the Wine Advocate and Wine Spectator-at $14.00-$15.00 a bottle. I buy direct with NO middleman and can offer it for less.

2006 Cotes du Rhone - Domaine de l'Ameillaud
$9.99 net per bottle-(regular price: $12.99) 119.88 a case

Domaine de l'Ameillaud is owned by the very personable, extremely bright, Englishman, Nick Thompson, who has made Southern France his home for over 25 years. This Cotes du Rhone produced from family owned vineyards located just beyond the Cairanne appellation is one our most popular wines every year. Cairanne is one of the best of several Cotes du Rhone villages that produce excellent, full-bodied red wine.And l'Ameillaud's Cotes du Rhone offers more quality at a lower price than most-especially this vintage. It is what Cotes du Rhone should taste like with lots of rich, spicy, sappy strength.

The 2006 vintage was an extremely successful vintage for Cotes du Rhone in general and this Domaine in particular. I can unequivocally state that these are the best wines I have ever received from the Domaine, and that's over a 20 year period. It has silky smooth tannins, no rusticity and tons of flavor intensity. It is dark purple in color, full bodied and deceptively powerful, especially for the price. It is jam packed with fruit and has , delicious flavors of Provençal herbs, pepper and spice in the aftertaste. It is great now but will surely age for a few more years, if you were so inclined, but there is no need. One would be hard pressed to find a better under $10.00 bottle of wine from anywhere.

2006 Dolcetto d'Alba-Corino $12.99 net per bottle-(regular price: $15.99) $155.88 an unbroken case

Renato Corino has become a legitimate super star among the new wave of Piedmont growers since taking over from his father in 1987. In the past few great Italian vintages the quality of Corino's Dolcetto grapes, grown in his high elevation vineyard, with its very distinctive clean, fruited flavors, has provided us with some wonderful northern Italian table wine. From the exceptionally 2006 Piedmont vintage, (I was there just prior to harvest) this Dolcetto is fuller and brighter than usual yet is supple and lively, with deep, dark colors, excellent concentration, with delicious berry fruit flavors featuring blackberry and raspberry with a hint of violets in the bouquet. This is a delicious, ready to drink wine from one of Italy's greatest growers. Corino's wines are not to be missed when available.

2005 Sauvignon Blanc-Sonoma-Mietz Cellars $12.99 a bottle (Suggested retail California retail price $14.99 a bottle) $125.00 a case-350 cases produced

Keith Mietz (pronounced "meats") operates a tiny Sonoma winery on Limerick Lane. He makes a range of superb reds: pinot noir, sangiovese and merlot. But his 2005 sauvignon blanc is a stunner. Stylistically, it has the clean, refreshing acidity of New Zealand sauvignon blanc but with the richer flavors and textures one would expect from California wines. Produced with no wood, it has a brilliantly clear straw color, a bouquet of subtle tropical fruits with an overlay of melon. This seamless wine is fresh, lively, creamy and richly textured.

The fruit comes from three vineyards: 30% from the Larrick Vineyards in Dry Creek Valley. The rest from the Russian River Valley: 35% from Hopkins Ranch and 35% from the Poplar Vineyards All Mietz wines warrant trying.