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15/20 points. 1998 Louis Jadot Mâcon Villages Chardonnay. Price $11.99 at Safeway. Here's a nice introduction to the French version of Chardonnay. It has virtually no trace of oak on the nose, just fresh apple and citrus. The apple continues through on the palate, with honeysuckle following. The body of the wine is slightly flabby The mid-palate is a bit hollow, but surprisingly the acids help the herbal finish come through. A good wine, but would have been a better value at $10.00 or less.

15/20 points. 2000 Rosé De Calon (Chateau Calon Ségur, France). Price $8.67 through K&L Wine Club. This Wine is a first! My first dry Rosé and my first year 2000 red wine from France. Not much of a nose to speak of, just a light berry impression. On the palate this wine shines. Very good flavors of raspberry, strawberry, and cherry are buoyed up by a nice firm mouth feel. It finishes off with a touch that is herbaceous and earthy. It's very refreshing and believe it or not, I think it would make great wine coolers!

19/20 points. 1998 Joseph Phelps, Le Mistral, California. Price $18.50 at Costco. Here we have a California style of a French Cote Du Rhone. A mixture of grenache, syrah, mourvédré, and other somewhat obscure grapes. It's almost black with a dark red rim. The nose smells of red berries, tar, and a wonderful earthiness. The palate is expansive, thick, and full. The flavors start off with blackberry, smoke, and strawberry. Mid-palate is very good, providing good crisp, brisk, and palate cleansing acids. It finishes off with a medium long impression of blueberry. While I try not to venture into expensive wines for everyday drinking, this looked interesting and I am definitely not disappointed. If you want a splurge wine, this is one of the best for under $20.00 I've ever found!

I just wanted to apologize for the lack of many reviews the past couple of months. With the lazy days of a hot summer comes many out of town trips and excursions, so I don't find myself having as much free time. I know that will change with the next season and the settling in for fall and winter, so be sure to keep checking back.

10/20 points. 1998 Ecco Domani, Pinot Grigio. Price $4.99 at Albertsons. First off, don't let the "score" of this wine keep you from trying it. While there is a very slight nose, flavors of herbs, artichoke, and honey make this interesting enough to use as an all-purpose summertime white. Not much here, but at this price range it's acceptable.