Miscellaneous recommended wine selections (PB)

In the most recent issue of “The Wine Spectator,” numerous recommendations are proffered for the “Savvy Shopper.” Note that NONE of these wines have been reviewed by yours truly and only offer them in the “for what it’s worth” category. I have not seen any of these wine in my area but then haven’t really looked all that diligently. Still, I am intrigued enough by the level of “value” (the aspect of cost to quality) of these wines that I want you to have the chance to pick one up and give it a shot. Some are bit pricey but then again, when you consider the Wine Spectator ratings, they seem indeed to represent relative bargains.

They are as follows:

W.H. Smith Wines Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir Maritime Vineyard 2003
Rated 97! At a cost of $45. (The median price for a 97 point wine is around $195)

W.H. Smith Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast Hellenthal Vineyard 2003
Rated 96! At a cost of $35.

Kosta Browne Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2003
Rated 95! At a cost of $28.

For the Sauvignon Blanc devotee they list the following:

Grgich Hills Fume Blanc Napa Valley 2004
Rated 92 at a cost of $24.

Cliff Lede’s Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley 2004
Rated 92 at a cost of $18.

And listed as a “Smart Buy”
Paul Autard Cotes Du Rhone 2003
Rates a 90 at a reference price of $14.

Again I cannot vouch for any of these wines personally so--Caveat Emptor– but I have found the Wine Spectator to be fairly reliable–which means among other things, their tastes are similar to my own. Raise a glass and if you find any of these selections, please let us know what you thought and what you paid!