Past Issues: Bargain Wine, apr/may 2006 --
Chardonnay $15 and Under!

In this regular feature, we spotlight those wines that offer great bang for the buck -- under $15 bucks, to be exact. Here you'll find our everyday wines, house pours, and occasionally a great new find. Have a favorite Bargain Wine? Tell us about it at editor@wineskinny.com! 

Chardonnay is still the #1 consumed white around -- so we thought we'd round up a few of our favorites that qualify as bargains! What qualified? We looked for wines that offered some complexity and depth of flavor - rather than all simple, creamy vanilla overpowering anything else. Here's what we found!

Bonterra 2004 Chardonnay Mendocino County ($13). Ripe and juicy, with loads of apple, pear and citrus that finish with a touch of cream. Ready to drink now.

Calera 2003 Chardonnay Central Coast ($14). We're always surprised that this Chardonnay is available at this price point. Elegant, complex, silky… with a pretty balance of pear, tropical melon, wet earth, toast and cream that continue to evolve through the long finish. Ready to drink now.

Casa Lapostolle 2004 Chardonnay Casablanca Valley ($12). Lush flavors at an affordable price, featuring hazelnut-laced fig and cream, pear and a toasty oak finish that lingers nicely. Ready to drink now.

Concha y Toro 2004 Chardonnay Casablanca Valley Casillero del Diablo ($9). A refreshing quaff, with juicy apple and lemon flavors that mingle with mineral and toasty oak touches. Ready to drink now.

Dynamite 2004 Chardonnay Mendocino County ($15). Plenty of butter and cream, certainly, but some appealing juicy apple that shines through. In some ways, this one seems like a pricier wine - at least to some people's preferences. A nice kick of nutmeg on the finish. Ready to drink now.

Edna Valley 2004 Chardonnay San Luis Obispo County Paragon ($14). Loads of lemon-lime aromas and flavors, along with creamy vanilla and a touch of earth. Refreshing and juicy -- and stays that way through the finish. Ready to drink now.

Gallo Family Vineyards 2004 Chardonnay Sonoma Reserve ($13). With the new Gallo look and label, this wine offers a smooth mix of ripe pear and melon, a touch of citrus and toasty, vanillin oak on the finish. Easy to like and ready to drink now.

Geyser Peak 2004 Chardonnay Alexander Valley ($14). Appealing aromatics include floral, baking spices and cedar, with juicy pear and nectarine flavors lingering through the finish. Ready to drink now.

Lulu B. 2004 Chardonnay Vin de Pays d'Oc ($10). Easy, appealing quaff, with fresh, sunny apple flavors that linger on the creamy finish. Ready to drink now.

McWilliam's 2004 Chardonnay South Eastern Australia Hanwood Estate ($11). Tropical up front, but then appealing juicy apple and acidity kicks in mid-palate to keep things balanced. Enjoyed more than previous vintages. Ready to drink now.

Moon Mountain 2004 Chardonnay Sonoma County ($13). Nice complexity at this price point, with elegant, floral-laced pear and white peach, with toasty, nutty accents on the moderate finish. Ready to drink now.

Rodney Strong 2004 Chardonnay Sonoma County ($15). Nice mouthfeel, features juicy citrus and crisp apple up front, evolving to toasty, creamy vanilla on the end along with a touch of smoke. Ready to drink now.

Sticks 2004 Chardonnay Yarra Valley ($15). Balanced and fresh, with pear, green apple, lemon zest and a touch of mineral - all lingering in the solid finish. Ready to drink now.

Terrazas de los Andes 2004 Chardonnay Mendoza ($10). Another solid value from this Argentina winery, with appealingly fresh apple, pear, melon and mouthwatering acidity all wrapped up in a refreshing package. Ready to drink now.

Check out previous Bargain Wines selections!
This now-fabulously-named column used to be called Easy To Find One Figure Wines, for reasons that we cannot currently remember but were surely enthusiastic about at the time. Anyhoo, check out our Past Issue Index for more great value-priced wine selections!