Most of the grapes grown in Napa, or any region for that matter, aren’t planted, maintained, and harvested by the company that ultimately brings the wine you drink to market.  Rather, most grapes are grown and then sold, by the ton, to producers large and small.  Markets actually exist for grapes just like corn, soybeans or pork bellies.  In fact, some of the most famous and popular wines in the country, names like Silver Oak, Cakebread and Caymus, use purchased grapes for at least a portion of their wines.

Those wines carry generic appellation names (Napa) which allows the wineries to source grapes from anywhere in the county.  But a growing trend is single vineyard designated wines, whether they be from an estate’s own vineyards, or as in this case, from a vineyard managed by a third party.  Some of the most famous and high quality vineyards in the country are independently owned and managed, selling all of their grapes to high-end producers like Levendi (think Stagecoach, To-Kalon, Hyde and many others).

Levendi purchased the grapes for this fantastic 2008 Chardonnay from one of the Laird Family’s vineyards called Red Hen.  It’s located in the Oak Knoll AVA where cool winds make for a perfect climate for Chardonnay.  This is textbook Napa Chardonnay- rich, buttery but with a nice acid balance that keeps it crisp.  Single vineyard wines possess a uniqueness that blends can’t achieve, and that’s what I really like about this Chardonnay.  At $20 it’s in an odd price point, higher than a daily drinker (at least for me), but below splurge territory.  Put that aside and give this one a try.  I think you will find that it’s an incredible value and you will enjoy tasting the uniqueness of Red Hen Vineyard.

Buy Here: 2008 Levendi Chardonnay Red Hen Vineyard

Spain is producing some amazing values right now.  In an age when quality U.S. reds are considered values when they come in below $20, these Spanish wines under $10 are absolute steals.  How often have you drunk a $6 bottle and said “I can find absolutely no fault in this wine”?  I can count those experiences on one hand.

The 2009 Garnacha de Fuego does have one fault.  The label is absolutely awful.  It looks like a teenager’s Photoshop project.  Otherwise this wine is faultless.  That’s not to say that every aspect blew me away, but rather that everything is in its proper place- a real accomplishment for a $6 wine.

This Garnacha comes from 60-80 year old vines resulting in a concentrated wine that manages to retain an especially juicy, bright taste.  As vines age, they produce less and less fruit, but the fruit they do produce gets more and more concentrated.  All vines benefit from age (to a certain point) but Garnacha in Spain, Syrah/Shiraz in France/Australia and Zinfandel in the U.S. seem to get better with 50 and even 100 years of age.  The problem is that it becomes cost prohibitive as the vines produce less fruit.  So a $6 wine sourced from 80 year old vines is impressive!

I can’t think of many $6 wines that I would even consider drinking, let alone one that I would actually seek out.  Seek this one out  at L.A. Wine Co.  They have it for around $1 less than everyone else.

Buy Here: 2009 Garnacha de Fuego $5.99

Wine Advocate 87 points

“The 2009 Garnacha de Fuego was sourced from 60- to 80-year-old vines at 3000 feet of elevation, insane for an $8 wine. Aside from the price, the other piece of good news is that there are 6500 cases for the USA market. Purple-colored with spicy black cherry aromas that jump from the glass, this is a forward, friendly, ripe effort with no hard edges. Drink this crowd-pleaser over the next 2-3 years.

Bodegas Ateca is a collaboration between the Gil family of Jumilla and importer Jorge Ordonez.”

Do you like subtle, clean, stainless steel Chardonnay?  If so do not buy this wine.  On the other hand, if you are like me and prefer the rich, oaky, barrel fermented version, Trinitas has yet another fantastic value with their 2009 vintage Chardonnay from Carneros.  Carneros, which spans Napa and Sonoma on Napa’s southwest side, is to Chardonnay what Oakville is to Cabernet.  In a word (or three)- the perfect climate.  The cooler climate created by the maritime influence of San Palo Bay is perfect for growing Chardonnay grapes and this AVA tends to produce the most expensive Chardonnay coming out of Napa and Sonoma.

This wine has a complexity rarely found in a $20 Chardonnay.  The toasty oak in which this wine was aged makes for a fragrant, smokey nose and a rich buttery texture.  The complexity of this wine is serious.  It reminds me of a cross between Rombauer and Beringer Private Reserve, which is putting this $20 wine in pretty esteemed company.  Trinitas has a history of making some fantastic values.  Their Oakville Cabernet for $25 is awesome, and this Chardonnay is equally as good.

2009 is looking like another 2007 quality vintage for California.  We are really lucky to have only one or two less than stellar vintages per decade in this state.  Go to France and you have to turn that equation on it’s head- they have only one or two great vintage per decade.  Watch for more great values emerging from 2009 as more wineries release their whites this year and their reds in the next two years.

2009 Trinitas Chardonnay Carneros $19.95

I opened this wine on Tuesday night and it was thoroughly enjoyable.  This sat on the counter for two days while I made  a trip from LA to Chicago and back, which made the second half of the bottle twice as good.  This is easily the best Syrah value I’ve tasted all year and a top 5  overall wine value.   And remember: every wine I write about is a value!  If you buy one Syrah all year, buy the Zaca Mesa 2006 Santa Ynez Valley.  I can’t say enough about the value here.

2006 Zaca Mesa Syrah $15.95

I have not had a better domestic Syrah this year.  The $15.95 Zaca Mesa Syrah is that good.  I knew it as I was pouring because the aromas absolutely jumped out of the glass.  As a point of reference, Shafer’s legendary “Relentless” Syrah got 90 points from Wine Spectator for the 2006 vintage and it’s $60.  I’m not saying the Shafer isn’t worth $60, just that the Zaca Mesa is that good!

Tonight I made a truffled Shiitake mushroom and chicken pizza and the earthiness of the mushrooms and truffle oil were a perfect compliment to this Syrah.  Yes, I said the food was a compliment to the wine, not the opposite.  The wine was the star today.

This Syrah comes from Zaca Mesa’s estate vineyards in the Santa Ynez Valley of Santa Barbara County.  The estate label means that the grapes are from Zaca Mesa’s own vineyards and they never leave their property until after the wine is bottled.

Everything about the nose on this wine screams Syrah.  It’s not overblown or hot like some domestic Syrah.  Scents of  sweet blackberry and a hint of white pepper lead into an awesome round flavor of dark cherries with a hint of smoky bacon.  Speaking of bacon, the texture is like they mixed in a little bit of bacon fat- mouth coating and smooth.  Everything about this wine- the nose, mouthfeel, taste and finish- is perfectly integrated, which addresses my main complaint about domestic Syrah.  So good.

The 2006 vintage is almost sold out so get it while you can.  Values like this don’t come along very often.   It will last for 10 or more years so don’t be shy!

Buy Here: 2006 Zaca Mesa Syrah $15.95

Wine Spectator 93 points

“Offering wonderful floral, grapey plum and wild berry aromas, this is rich, smooth and supple on the palate, with tiers of dark berry, mocha, mineral and spice flavors that glide along. Drink now through 2015. 12,325 cases made. “

90 point wines for under $20 are rare.  91 points for $6.99 falls into the unheard of category.  In the latest issue of Wine Spectator, the cheapest price for a 91 point Spanish wine, in any region, was $40.  Drop down to 90 points and a $17 wine exists (2.5x this wine).  Making this wine an even better value, is that it’s a 2005, at a time when Spain is releasing many reds from the 2009 vintage.

Imported by the master of Spanish and French wines, Eric Solomon, this blend is mature, smooth and delicious.  Complex cherry and coffee scents on the nose lead into a velvety mouthfeel with ripe, but refined flavors.  Interestingly, this wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered, winemaking techniques usually reserved for the high-end wines that don’t need any enhancements after barrel aging and before bottling.  The tiny, undetectable pieces of skin left in the wine contribute to the complex tannin structure and likely to the slight bricking (browning) color on the rim of the glass of this medium to full bodied wine.

This wine is from the Yecla region of Spain, an area with only 11 bodegas or vineyards.  There are some one square mile parcels in Napa that have more wineries than that!  It’s so exciting for me to explore the lesser known wine regions of  Europe where values like this can be had.  With 65% Monastrell, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Tintorera, this is a textbook Spanish blend.  If you are a fan of Spanish wines, this is daily drinking magic for a next-to-nothing price.  The 2005 vintage won’t be around for much longer so enjoy it while you can!

Update from day 2: This wine is even better after having been open for 24 hours.  The nose opens up and it gains depth.  Well done!

Buy Here: Bodegas Castano Solanera 2005 $6.99

Wine Advocate 91 points

“No Tasting Notes Given”

International Wine Cellar 90 points

“65% monastrell, 20% cabernet sauvignon and 15% tintorera) Saturated purple. Smoky raspberry and cherry on the nose, with a sexy mocha quality adding complexity. Fleshy, round dark fruit liqueur flavors caress rather than pummel the palate. Gentle tannins arrive late to add structure but this is all about silky, juicy fruit.”

Hahn Estates is making some of the best values coming out of California.  I’ve already written about their fantastic Meritage which is now available in the 2008 vintage.  Tonight we’re drinking the 2008 Chardonnay which easily performs 2x its price.  It’s always great to find a label you can trust year after year and, for the last three vintages, Hahn has been one of those labels.

If you’re in to the smokey, oaky style of Chardonnay, you are going to like this wine.  It’s buttery but has a crisp acidity to cut through and create a nice balance.  It’s lacking some of the deep complexity that you might find in a $30 Chardonnay but it’s only $8.99 and, at that price, I can only think of one other wine on this level, which is the San Simeon Chardonnay, also from Monterey.  That wine isn’t available anymore, but this is a strong challenger.

If you’re looking for a house Chardonnay, this would be a perfect fit.  We had it tonight with salmon tacos and it went perfectly.  It’s the perfect excuse to drink wine on a Tuesday night!

Buy Here: Hahn Estates Chardonnay 2008- $8.99

Wine Enthusiast 86 points

“Quite a nice Chardonnay, especially at this price. it’s elegant and crisp, with a mineral undertow to the pineapple, buttered toast and honeysuckly flavors. Easy to like for its balance.”

What do you get when you combine Napa, Bordeaux and Tuscany?  Super Tuscan blends.  I  personally prefer these over Chianti which is made mostly of Sangiovese, especially at this price range.  Chianti has strict winemaking regulations, put in place by the Italian government, which Super Tuscans don’t have to adhere to.  The result is a more modern, creative style of wine.   At $12.95, I would challenge our readers to find a better value in all of Tuscany.  If you’re a fan of the 2006 Monte Antico Roso, this is of comparable quality but made in a much more ripe style. Right now I like this one better, but it could be because I’ve been through two or three cases of the Monte Antico!

As good as this wine is, I don’t think it has matured yet.  A $13 wine maturing?  Yeah… it’s that good.  It’s relatively soft on entry but has a bite on the finish that will likely soften in the next 1-2 years.  Otherwise this is particularly full bodied for a Tuscan wine with a jammy taste and a silky mouthfeel.  60% Merlot and 35% Cabernet with the balance Cab Franc combine to make a modern style wine with a floral, minerally Italian influence.  What else do I like about it?  The label looks like a Bordeaux label complete with the sketch of the chateau.  Nickel and Dime rating- All killer no filler!

Buy Here: Aia Vecchia Toscana Lagone IGT 2007 $12.95

Wine Spectator 90 points

“Aromas of plum and dark fruits lead to a full body, with velvety tannins and a soft, caressing finish. Minerally and floral. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best after 2011. 10,800 cases made. “

The Bordeaux marketing machine heralded the 2005 vintage as the best since ‘82, and with good reason.  The wines are historically concentrated, highly age-worthy and balanced despite their high alcohol levels.  Many of the best 2005 Bordeaux values are long since sold out, but some values remain for the savvy shopper.  Case in point, the 2005 Chateau Domaine de Courteillac which is drinkable now, likely to improve with age, and, most importantly, is a great value.

This wine pours a deep, nearly opaque red.  The nose is still somewhat closed but its potential shows in the mouth where this Bordeaux is particularly silky with firm, but approachable tannins and a middle length finish.  Some of the 25% new oak shows through, making it clear that this is a serious Bordeaux.

I have a good bit of 2005 Bordeaux in my cellar, but haven’t drunk much because it needs so much time to become drinkable.  So it’s nice to taste a 2005 that’s approachable at the ‘young’ age of 5.  Many Americans (sometimes myself included) don’t have the patience, or the storage facilities to wait for Bordeaux to mature.  If you’ve been waiting to buy 2005 Bordeaux or you have a bunch that isn’t ready to drink, pick up a few bottles of this great example.  It received 90 points from Wine Spectator and 87 from Robert Parker.  In lesser vintages, wines like this would be going for double the price.  Easily.

Buy Here: 2005 Chateau Domaine de Courteillac Bordeaux $17.95

Wine Spectator 90 points

“Dark in color, exhibiting beautiful aromas of blackberry, coffee and milk chocolate. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a light toasty oak and citrus fruit aftertaste. Balanced and pretty. Best after 2013. 10,830 cases made.”

Landmark’s Overlook Chardonnay is one of those wines that’s just great every year.  It’s nice to have those bottles that, in a crunch or on a restaurant menu, you know will always be good, regardless of the vintage.  Case in point, this Chardonnay has received a 90 or higher rating from one or more of the major publications for every vintage since 2001.  At $20 it’s kind of in the middle price range that wineries avoid- the the high end of daily drinker territory but not splurge territory either.  Don’t let that hold you back.  This is better than many $40 Chardonnays out there.

The ‘07 Landmark Overlook Chardonnay strikes a nice balance between malolactic fermentation richness and acidity.  It’s a balance that many winemakers aren’t able to achieve but it’s magic when they do.  The acidity comes through on the nose with bright flavors of green apple and tangerine.  It tastes rich and buttery, if not oaky, and the acid reemerges on the finish, keeping it focused and clean.

One of the reasons Landmark Overlook is great every year is that they don’t restrict themselves to one vineyard or appellation.  This year most of the grapes come from Sonoma with 20% coming from Santa Barbara and Monterey.  Owned by the great granddaughter of John Deere, Landmark follows the same mantra as as the iconic tractor company; quality products at reasonable prices.

LA Wine Co. has the 2007 Chardonnay in half bottles and fulls.  The half bottles are actually half the price of the fulls, which is pretty rare, so pick up an assortment!

Buy Here :  2007 Landmark Overlook Chardonnay $19.95

375 ML $9.95

Wine Spectator 92 points

“Green apple, floral, lime and citrus blossom scents give this full-bodied Chardonnay a distinctive edge. Crisp and flinty, ending with wet stone. Drink now through 2012. 18,000 cases made.”

Robert Parker 90 points

“The 2007 Chardonnay Overlook (most from Sonoma County with about 20% from Santa Barbara and Monterey) offers a beautiful bouquet of peaches, pineapples, and other tropical fruits along with super-purity and focus. Medium to full-bodied, crisp, and pure, with the oak pushed to the background, this beautiful Chardonnay can be enjoyed over the next several years.

The always reliable Landmark winery continues to turn out a bevy of Burgundian-styled Pinot Noirs and impressive Chardonnays. One of the best Chardonnay values in the marketplace is their Overlook.”