Two Chardonnays under $30

Through just convenient timing, had two under $30 Chardonnays in the past week.

2010 Peju Provence Estate Bottled Chardonnay

Appellation:  Napa Valley

Tasting Note:  13.8% ABV.  100% Chardonnay.  Very rich color.  Nose is dominated by buttered popcorn, with some tropical fruit.  This has me concerned.  Luckily, the nose belies what is a very nice wine, not overoaked, with bold pear and apple along with the rich mouthfeel.  Not shy.  Finish has a little minerality and acid.  This is generally not my favorite style of wine, but for what it is, it’s pretty darn good, and doesn’t overdo any one aspect.  Nicely balanced.

Rating:  3/5

Price:  $28 from the winery.

2010 Thomas Moray Bourgogne Blanc

Appellation:  Bourgogne (Burgundy)

Tasting Note:  13% ABV.  100% Chardonnay.  Light gold in the glass.  Very tight nose, just a hint of tropical fruit and minerals.  Oh my goodness! crisp.  More of a citrus than tropical flavor, with stone and great acid.  Will be a fantastic food wine, very tasty! I love this style of wine, flavorful and acidic, just perfect to have with just about any fish or chicken dish.

Rating:  5/5

Price:  $26 at Chesapeake Wine

South African Pinotage for Christmas Eve

Kanonkop “Pinotage” Simonsberg-Stellenbosch 2004
Tasting Notes: 100% pinotage, decomposed granite and Hutton soil, up to 59-year-old vines, 3,700 l/h yield, 3-5 day maceration, aged 16 months in French oak, 14.5% vol. Dark purpleish, ruby red in the glass. Strong and bold, albeit a little tight on the nose, cranberry, blackberry, and subtle oaky-vanilla notes. Full-bodied in the mouth with a good acidic balance, strong tannins, and flavors of black cherry and banana.
Rating: 15/20 (88/100)
Price: US$31.99 @ Winelibrary.com

Cousiño-Macul Antiguas Reservas 2005

Cousiño-Macul “Antiguas Reservas Cabernet Sauvignon” Valle del Maipo 2005
Tasting Notes: 100% cabernet sauvignon, 14% vol. Dark ruby-red, almost blood-like, in the glass. Fresh, rich, bold, and fruity on the nose. There is strong alcohol balanced by an elegant bouquet of black fruits and spices. There are smooth yet bitter tannins in the mouth. This wine is full-bodied, with dominant flavors of bitter dark chocolate, almost even rubber bandy. A decent balance is displayed by flavors of dark fruits, spices, and good acidity.
Rating: 14/20 (87/100)
Price: US$ 16.99

Chateau Darius Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2000

Château Darius Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2000
Tasting Notes : 12.5% vol. Dark mahogany, blood red in the glass. An elegant and beautifully floral nose with great finesse and aromas of blackberries, sweet oak and vanilla. Silky smooth, sweet structured tannins, and a great balanced acidity. There are flavors of black cherries, cassis, plum, and dark chocolate. The finish is long, displaying more of the bittersweet chocolate.
Rating : 17/20 (93/100)
Price : $40USD