The June dinner of the RBSB club was held at O'Connell Street Bistro - one
of Auckland's top restaurants.

Our small club does include among its membership such noted names as
winemakers Joe Babich (Babich Wines), Nick Nobilo (formerly Nobilo Wines,
now Vinoptima), Andrew Hendry (Coopers Creek); wine writer Michael Cooper
etc..

The theme was California comes to O'Connell Street"

Few CA wines make it to NZ - (relative to NZ) high US domestic prices and
unfavourable exchange rate differential makes them very expensive when
compared to local or Australian or European imports.

The format is simple - all wines served blind - a pre-dinner "starter", then
each course is accompanied by 2 or three wines.

And usually, the organisers throw in a ringer - just to keep everyone on
their toes.

After each course, two or three people are asked to comment on the food; the
wine(s); the match and then "guess" the what/where/when of the wine.

The starter was bubbles - crisp, even austere, but fresh and lightly fruity.

Most thought Champagne - well, close!

Roederer Estate Brut from Anderson Valley - here in NZ, this would retail
just slightly less than most NV champagne, and above many minor labels, but
this was a very pleasant start to the evening.

Entree was Crispy Calamari with roasted garlic & saffron aioli and wild
rocket salad.

Two whites were presented:

(1) 2005 Au Bon Climat "Nuits-Blanches au Bouge XXV" from Santa Maria
Valley
(2) 2006 Hyde de Villane Chardonnay - Napa Valley.

Both well made examples - I preferred the latter with the squid dish - quite
a serious wine with a good dollup of acid, mineral hints with ripe nectarine
flavours. The former was fleshy and ripe, spicy (oak?) pear and spice - very
good but IMO the HdV was a better match.

Main course was Wild Goat Osso Bucco, with polenta fritta and cavolo Nero;
three reds were poured (decanted three hours we were told!)

(3) 2007 Jacob Franklin Petite Sirah - Hayne Vineyard, Napa Valley. I
liked this wine - inky black, smoked bacon / mushroom on the nose, hints of
ripe plums, black pepper and dark chocolate - good acid / fruit / tannin,
maybe a little out of balance owing to extreme youth, but this went very
well with the chevon.
(4) 2005 Hyde de Villaine "HdV" Carneros Syrah. I thought this wine was
totally bizarre - I could not get past overpowering nose of burnt rubber!
Medium weight, sappy, tight as hell. Unlike any syrah/shiraz I have had in
my life.
(5) 2005 Seghesio Family Old Vine Zinfandel. I picked the variety
immediately (thanks to gifts from Mark Lipton and Joseph Coulter. I
understand this wine is made from old (nearly 100 years) head-pruned vines
from Alexander and Dry Creek valleys. I could become a real fan of this
style of wine.This wine was a dark purple hue with hints raisin and spice.
Not overtly jammy or chewy, this Zin was a spicy, peppery wine, with a hint
of dark cherries.

The meal was finished with a selection of cheeses - served with another red.

I was busy extolling the virtues of this wine, when I was put on the spot
and asked to comment (followed by Nick Nobilo!)

I was initially torn - between a Pauillac and a quality CA Cabernet
Sauvignon. The wine was very Bordeaux like (and a very young example too I
thought). Medium / full bodied, good acidity, clean style, cassis and
cedar - I opted for an excellent CA wines about 5 years old. (Nobilo went
for a first growth Bordeaux as a tricky inclusion!)

When unveiled it proved to be Ridge Monte Bello 2003 (good guess by his
lordship!) - god! this was a very special wine!

Faced with a two hour drive home, I opted out of coffee and port - trying to
think of a way to get my hands on a case of this wine (impossible I am
afraid!)

Apart from the very weird showing of the HdV syrah, this was an excellent
selection from the West Coast.

--

st.helier

On Sat, 4 Jul 2009 08:29:45 +1200, "st.helier"
wrote:


(5) 2005 Seghesio Family Old Vine Zinfandel. I picked the variety
immediately (thanks to gifts from Mark Lipton and Joseph Coulter. I
understand this wine is made from old (nearly 100 years) head-pruned vines
from Alexander and Dry Creek valleys. I could become a real fan of this
style of wine.This wine was a dark purple hue with hints raisin and spice.
Not overtly jammy or chewy, this Zin was a spicy, peppery wine, with a hint
of dark cherries.

I stand ready to be of service in the future, but I fear given:


I was initially torn - between a Pauillac and a quality CA Cabernet
Sauvignon. The wine was very Bordeaux like (and a very young example too I
thought). Medium / full bodied, good acidity, clean style, cassis and
cedar - I opted for an excellent CA wines about 5 years old. (Nobilo went
for a first growth Bordeaux as a tricky inclusion!)

When unveiled it proved to be Ridge Monte Bello 2003 (good guess by his
lordship!) - god! this was a very special wine!

That I must stock up on a different varietal.

It is always good to hear from you - the weather will improve, I would
send some of our heat if I could,

Cheers
Joseph Coulter
Joseph Coulter Cruises and Vacations
www.josephcoulter.com

"st.helier" wrote in message
...
The June dinner of the RBSB club was held at O'Connell Street Bistro - one
of Auckland's top restaurants.

Our small club does include among its membership such noted names as
winemakers Joe Babich (Babich Wines), Nick Nobilo (formerly Nobilo Wines,
now Vinoptima), Andrew Hendry (Coopers Creek); wine writer Michael Cooper
etc..

The theme was California comes to O'Connell Street"

Few CA wines make it to NZ - (relative to NZ) high US domestic prices and
unfavourable exchange rate differential makes them very expensive when
compared to local or Australian or European imports.

The format is simple - all wines served blind - a pre-dinner "starter",
then each course is accompanied by 2 or three wines.

And usually, the organisers throw in a ringer - just to keep everyone on
their toes.

After each course, two or three people are asked to comment on the food;
the wine(s); the match and then "guess" the what/where/when of the wine.

The starter was bubbles - crisp, even austere, but fresh and lightly
fruity.

Most thought Champagne - well, close!

Roederer Estate Brut from Anderson Valley - here in NZ, this would retail
just slightly less than most NV champagne, and above many minor labels,
but this was a very pleasant start to the evening.

Entree was Crispy Calamari with roasted garlic & saffron aioli and wild
rocket salad.

Two whites were presented:

(1) 2005 Au Bon Climat "Nuits-Blanches au Bouge XXV" from Santa Maria
Valley
(2) 2006 Hyde de Villane Chardonnay - Napa Valley.

Both well made examples - I preferred the latter with the squid dish -
quite a serious wine with a good dollup of acid, mineral hints with ripe
nectarine flavours. The former was fleshy and ripe, spicy (oak?) pear and
spice - very good but IMO the HdV was a better match.

Main course was Wild Goat Osso Bucco, with polenta fritta and cavolo Nero;
three reds were poured (decanted three hours we were told!)

(3) 2007 Jacob Franklin Petite Sirah - Hayne Vineyard, Napa Valley. I
liked this wine - inky black, smoked bacon / mushroom on the nose, hints
of ripe plums, black pepper and dark chocolate - good acid / fruit /
tannin, maybe a little out of balance owing to extreme youth, but this
went very well with the chevon.
(4) 2005 Hyde de Villaine "HdV" Carneros Syrah. I thought this wine was
totally bizarre - I could not get past overpowering nose of burnt rubber!
Medium weight, sappy, tight as hell. Unlike any syrah/shiraz I have had in
my life.
(5) 2005 Seghesio Family Old Vine Zinfandel. I picked the variety
immediately (thanks to gifts from Mark Lipton and Joseph Coulter. I
understand this wine is made from old (nearly 100 years) head-pruned vines
from Alexander and Dry Creek valleys. I could become a real fan of this
style of wine.This wine was a dark purple hue with hints raisin and spice.
Not overtly jammy or chewy, this Zin was a spicy, peppery wine, with a
hint of dark cherries.

The meal was finished with a selection of cheeses - served with another
red.

I was busy extolling the virtues of this wine, when I was put on the spot
and asked to comment (followed by Nick Nobilo!)

I was initially torn - between a Pauillac and a quality CA Cabernet
Sauvignon. The wine was very Bordeaux like (and a very young example too I
thought). Medium / full bodied, good acidity, clean style, cassis and
cedar - I opted for an excellent CA wines about 5 years old. (Nobilo went
for a first growth Bordeaux as a tricky inclusion!)

When unveiled it proved to be Ridge Monte Bello 2003 (good guess by his
lordship!) - god! this was a very special wine!

Faced with a two hour drive home, I opted out of coffee and port - trying
to think of a way to get my hands on a case of this wine (impossible I am
afraid!)

Apart from the very weird showing of the HdV syrah, this was an excellent
selection from the West Coast.

--

st.helier


Why try to appreciate California wines?

As an ex-California-er of 30 years, California wines are totally
unacceptable to me. I buy an occasional Kirkland California wine, or one
recommended by a wine shop, but I say ad infinitum, they are consistently
terribly disappointing.

I always am puzzled by the quantity of wines drunk or sampled from various
posters from various countries. How can this be?:-))

Dee Dee

On Jul 7, 9:35�am, "Dee Dovey" wrote:
"st.helier" wrote in message

...





The June dinner of the RBSB club was held at O'Connell Street Bistro - one
of Auckland's top restaurants.

Our small club does include among its membership such noted names as
winemakers Joe Babich (Babich Wines), Nick Nobilo (formerly Nobilo Wines,
now Vinoptima), Andrew Hendry (Coopers Creek); wine writer Michael Cooper
etc..

The theme was California comes to O'Connell Street"

Few CA wines make it to NZ - (relative to NZ) high US domestic prices and
unfavourable exchange rate differential makes them very expensive when
compared to local or Australian or European imports.

The format is simple - all wines served blind - a pre-dinner "starter",
then each course is accompanied by 2 or three wines.

And usually, the organisers throw in a ringer - just to keep everyone on
their toes.

After each course, two or three people are asked to comment on the food;
the wine(s); the match and then "guess" the what/where/when of the wine..

The starter was bubbles - crisp, even austere, but fresh and lightly
fruity.

Most thought Champagne - well, close!

Roederer Estate Brut from Anderson Valley - here in NZ, this would retail
just slightly less than most NV champagne, and above many minor labels,
but this was a very pleasant start to the evening.

Entree was Crispy Calamari with roasted garlic & saffron aioli and wild
rocket salad.

Two whites were presented:

(1) � �2005 Au Bon Climat "Nuits-Blanches au Bouge XXV" from Santa Maria
Valley
(2) � �2006 Hyde de Villane Chardonnay - Napa Valley.

Both well made examples - I preferred the latter with the squid dish -
quite a serious wine with a good dollup of acid, mineral hints with ripe
nectarine flavours. The former was fleshy and ripe, spicy (oak?) pear and
spice - very good but IMO the HdV was a better match.

Main course was Wild Goat Osso Bucco, with polenta fritta and cavolo Nero;
three reds were poured (decanted three hours we were told!)

(3) � �2007 Jacob Franklin Petite Sirah - Hayne Vineyard, Napa Valley. I
liked this wine - inky black, smoked bacon / mushroom on the nose, hints
of ripe plums, black pepper and dark chocolate - good acid / fruit /
tannin, maybe a little out of balance owing to extreme youth, but this
went very well with the chevon.
(4) � 2005 Hyde de Villaine "HdV" Carneros Syrah. I thought this wine was
totally bizarre - I could not get past overpowering nose of burnt rubber!
Medium weight, sappy, tight as hell. Unlike any syrah/shiraz I have had in
my life.
(5) � �2005 Seghesio Family Old Vine Zinfandel. I picked the variety
immediately (thanks to gifts from Mark Lipton and Joseph Coulter. I
understand this wine is made from old (nearly 100 years) head-pruned vines
from Alexander and Dry Creek valleys. I could become a real fan of this
style of wine.This wine was a dark purple hue with hints raisin and spice.
Not overtly jammy or chewy, this Zin was a spicy, peppery wine, with a
hint of dark cherries.

The meal was finished with a selection of cheeses - served with another
red.

I was busy extolling the virtues of this wine, when I was put on the spot
and asked to comment (followed by Nick Nobilo!)

I was initially torn - between a Pauillac and a quality CA Cabernet
Sauvignon. The wine was very Bordeaux like (and a very young example too I
thought). Medium / full bodied, good acidity, clean style, cassis and
cedar - I opted for an excellent CA wines about 5 years old. (Nobilo went
for a first growth Bordeaux as a tricky inclusion!)

When unveiled it proved to be Ridge Monte Bello 2003 (good guess by his
lordship!) - �god! this was a very special wine!

Faced with a two hour drive home, I opted out of coffee and port - trying
to think of a way to get my hands on a case of this wine (impossible I am
afraid!)

Apart from the very weird showing of the HdV syrah, this was an excellent
selection from the West Coast.

--

st.helier

Why try to appreciate California wines?

As an ex-California-er of 30 years, California wines are totally
unacceptable to me. �I buy an occasional Kirkland California wine, or one
recommended by a wine shop, but I �say ad infinitum, they are consistently
terribly disappointing.

I always am puzzled by �the quantity of wines drunk or sampled from various
posters from various countries. �How can this be?:-))

Dee Dee- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

What is it about California wines that you find so off-putting?

On Tue, 7 Jul 2009 08:48:43 -0700 (PDT), "Bi!!"
wrote:


I always am puzzled by ?the quantity of wines drunk or sampled from various
posters from various countries. ?How can this be?:-))

Dee Dee- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

What is it about California wines that you find so off-putting?
Can't speak for Dee, but for a long time the QPR was ridiculous. CA
Rhone blends at $25 that remembled Parallel 45, Oak monster Chards
with no finesse or flabby cheapies. Yes there are good ones, and I
am slowly allowing myself to try some, but for years I just avoided CA
in favor of France Spain and Italy always easier to pick up a good
bottle. Then the Australians started making wines as I like them, NZ
and S. America and it becomes hard to justify to dollars to
experiement.

Joseph Coulter
Joseph Coulter Cruises and Vacations
www.josephcoulter.com

Joseph wrote on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 11:55:04 -0400:

I always am puzzled by ?the quantity of wines drunk or
sampled from various posters from various countries. ?How
can this be?:-))

Dee Dee- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

What is it about California wines that you find so
off-putting?
Can't speak for Dee, but for a long time the QPR was
ridiculous. CA Rhone blends at $25 that remembled Parallel 45,
Oak monster Chards with no finesse or flabby cheapies. Yes
there are good ones, and I am slowly allowing myself to try
some, but for years I just avoided CA in favor of France Spain
and Italy always easier to pick up a good bottle. Then the
Australians started making wines as I like them, NZ and S.
America and it becomes hard to justify to dollars to
experiement.

Does no-one remember "The Judgement of Paris"? I have to admit that my
wine-tasting at the moment involves mostly OZ and NZ but I tend to make
comparisons with CA rather than French wines. I did find an interesting
Shiraz from South Africa recently: Douglas, I think.

--

James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

Email, with obvious alterations: not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not

Joseph Coulter writes:

On Tue, 7 Jul 2009 08:48:43 -0700 (PDT), "Bi!!"
wrote:


I always am puzzled by ?the quantity of wines drunk or sampled from various
posters from various countries. ?How can this be?:-))

Dee Dee- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

What is it about California wines that you find so off-putting?
Can't speak for Dee, but for a long time the QPR was ridiculous. CA
Rhone blends at $25 that remembled Parallel 45, Oak monster Chards
with no finesse or flabby cheapies. Yes there are good ones, and I
am slowly allowing myself to try some, but for years I just avoided CA
in favor of France Spain and Italy always easier to pick up a good
bottle.

This matches my experience precisely, down to the Parallele 45
example. There are many wonderful wines from CA, but I do most of my
wine buying in the $10-$25 range and find much better QPR elsewhere.

For under $20, I'm much more happy with a good village level Chablis
than with an "oak monster chard" and happier with a Gigondas than with
anything I've had from Napa at that price (OK, I realize that second
comparison isn't like with like, but still).

Not to mention the plethora of really interesting white grapes
(Riesling, Albarino, Chenin Blanc, Melon de Bourgogne, Gruner...) that
seem to have no serious representation in CA but that can be
sensational.

To end on a positive note, how about favorite CA wines in the $10-$25
range?

I'll start:

Matanzas Creek Sauvignon Blanc. (Though even here, for under $20
I can get wines that are just as exciting from the Loire.)

"James Silverton" writes:

Joseph wrote on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 11:55:04 -0400:

I always am puzzled by ?the quantity of wines drunk or
sampled from various posters from various countries. ?How
can this be?:-))

Dee Dee- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

What is it about California wines that you find so
off-putting?
Can't speak for Dee, but for a long time the QPR was
ridiculous. CA Rhone blends at $25 that remembled Parallel 45,
Oak monster Chards with no finesse or flabby cheapies. Yes
there are good ones, and I am slowly allowing myself to try
some, but for years I just avoided CA in favor of France Spain
and Italy always easier to pick up a good bottle. Then the
Australians started making wines as I like them, NZ and S.
America and it becomes hard to justify to dollars to
experiement.

Does no-one remember "The Judgement of Paris"? I have to admit that my
wine-tasting at the moment involves mostly OZ and NZ but I tend to
make comparisons with CA rather than French wines. I did find an
interesting Shiraz from South Africa recently: Douglas, I think.

Yeah, so maybe one's viewpoint on this depends on how much money one
wants to spend.

Maybe the Chateau Montelana Napa Chardonnay is just as good or better
than the Domaine Christian Moreau Chablis Grand Cru, but I'm just not
buying that much wine at $50 a bottle. (A pity, no doubt, but that's
the way things are.)

At the prices I am paying (mostly sub $20) I seem to have better luck
outside of the US.

My theory about this by the way, is that land is simply too expensive
in California and Oregon to be able to afford to make good moderately
priced wine. Whereas in some of the rest of the new world
(e.g. Argentina) land is cheaper, and in the old world, although land
is not cheap, the estates that have been in the same family for many
generations don't have to pay high mortgages. Someone who knows more
than me could say whether this theory has any actual basis in fact...

"Joseph Coulter" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 7 Jul 2009 08:48:43 -0700 (PDT), "Bi!!"
wrote:


I always am puzzled by ?the quantity of wines drunk or sampled from
various
posters from various countries. ?How can this be?:-))

Dee Dee- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

What is it about California wines that you find so off-putting?
Can't speak for Dee, but for a long time the QPR was ridiculous. CA
Rhone blends at $25 that remembled Parallel 45, Oak monster Chards
with no finesse or flabby cheapies. Yes there are good ones, and I
am slowly allowing myself to try some, but for years I just avoided CA
in favor of France Spain and Italy always easier to pick up a good
bottle. Then the Australians started making wines as I like them, NZ
and S. America and it becomes hard to justify to dollars to
experiement.

Joseph Coulter
Joseph Coulter Cruises and Vacations
www.josephcoulter.com




Here's one that I will buy maybe 3 more bottles today at Costco. Yalumba
Barossa Shiraz Viognier 2005.

Normally I wouldn't like the taste of 14.5% alcohol, and it is a bit sweeter
than I usually like, but I like this one and it is good value $13.59.
http://www.winestar.com.au/prod285.htm

:-) I notice it is imported by a Napa Valley importer.

Dee

"James Silverton" wrote in message
...
Joseph wrote on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 11:55:04 -0400:

I always am puzzled by ?the quantity of wines drunk or
sampled from various posters from various countries. ?How
can this be?:-))

Dee Dee- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

What is it about California wines that you find so
off-putting?
Can't speak for Dee, but for a long time the QPR was
ridiculous. CA Rhone blends at $25 that remembled Parallel 45,
Oak monster Chards with no finesse or flabby cheapies. Yes
there are good ones, and I am slowly allowing myself to try
some, but for years I just avoided CA in favor of France Spain
and Italy always easier to pick up a good bottle. Then the
Australians started making wines as I like them, NZ and S.
America and it becomes hard to justify to dollars to
experiement.

Does no-one remember "The Judgement of Paris"? I have to admit that my
wine-tasting at the moment involves mostly OZ and NZ but I tend to make
comparisons with CA rather than French wines. I did find an interesting
Shiraz from South Africa recently: Douglas, I think.

--

James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland



I recently read the book. The movie based on it, STUNK!, but I have said
that prevoiusly :-)
Dee

On Jul 7, 11:55�am, Joseph Coulter wrote:
On Tue, 7 Jul 2009 08:48:43 -0700 (PDT), "Bi!!"
wrote:

I always am puzzled by ?the quantity of wines drunk or sampled from various
posters from various countries. ?How can this be?:-))

Dee Dee- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

What is it about California wines that you find so off-putting?

Can't speak for Dee, but for a long time the QPR was ridiculous. CA
Rhone blends at $25 that remembled Parallel 45, Oak monster Chards
with no finesse or flabby �cheapies. �Yes there are good ones, and I
am slowly allowing myself to try some, but for years I just avoided CA
in favor of France Spain and Italy always easier to pick up a good
bottle. Then the Australians started making wines as I like them, NZ
and S. America and it becomes hard to justify to dollars to
experiement.

Joseph Coulter
Joseph Coulter Cruises and Vacationswww.josephcoulter.com

Can't disagree with the QPR issue but would disagree slightly with the
Oz comparison. I find their wines to be quite overdone, too extracted
at times, and very little to distinguish one from the other. I hate
to use the dreaded "t" word but to me Aussie wines seem to lack
variety within the varietal. I would agree with the Spain and French
QPR issue but if price is no object I have found many terrific
Cabernets and Chardonnays from California over the years at the $15-
$30. Not all of the Chards are overly oaky or sweet and the Cabs can
be world class. The top wines from California can be world class. If
I want a Rhone style wine then I buy a Rhone wine. I don't think that
the wines of California (or anyplace else for that matter) are
interchangeable just because they use the same varietal.

Dee wrote on Tue, 7 Jul 2009 12:39:55 -0400:


I recently read the book. The movie based on it, STUNK!, but I have
said hat prevoiusly :-)
Dee

I did a little too much cutting in this reply but you won't get much of
an argument from me about the book "The Judgement of Paris" and the
movie, which was even more padded than the book, even if I agree with
its premise.

--

James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

Email, with obvious alterations: not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not

Doug Anderson wrote:

This matches my experience precisely, down to the Parallele 45
example. There are many wonderful wines from CA, but I do most of my
wine buying in the $10-$25 range and find much better QPR elsewhere.

For under $20, I'm much more happy with a good village level Chablis
than with an "oak monster chard" and happier with a Gigondas than with
anything I've had from Napa at that price (OK, I realize that second
comparison isn't like with like, but still).

Not to mention the plethora of really interesting white grapes
(Riesling, Albarino, Chenin Blanc, Melon de Bourgogne, Gruner...) that
seem to have no serious representation in CA but that can be
sensational.

Yeah, that pretty much sums up my feelings, too.


To end on a positive note, how about favorite CA wines in the $10-$25
range?

I'll start:

Matanzas Creek Sauvignon Blanc. (Though even here, for under $20
I can get wines that are just as exciting from the Loire.)

OK, here's my list:

Edmunds St. John (Bone Jolly red & pink, Heart of Gold, Rocks and Gravel)

'07 Ridge Three Valleys (the first one I've liked)

Tablas Creek "Cotes de Tablas" red & white

Mark Lipton

--
alt.food.wine FAQ: http://winefaq.cwdjr.net

On Tue, 7 Jul 2009 10:27:15 -0700 (PDT), "Bi!!"
wrote:



Can't disagree with the QPR issue but would disagree slightly with the
Oz comparison. I find their wines to be quite overdone, too extracted
at times, and very little to distinguish one from the other.

There was a time that I wouldn't expend my dollars for Australian
either, but there are some good ones, Trevor Jones unoaked Chard for
about 12.50US for example is a case in point.

The Molly Dooker as discussed previously is another story
Joseph Coulter
Joseph Coulter Cruises and Vacations
www.josephcoulter.com

On Jul 7, 4:02�pm, Joseph Coulter wrote:
On Tue, 7 Jul 2009 10:27:15 -0700 (PDT), "Bi!!"
wrote:



Can't disagree with the QPR issue but would disagree slightly with the
Oz comparison. �I find their wines to be quite overdone, too extracted
at times, and very little to distinguish one from the other.

There was a time that I wouldn't expend my dollars for Australian
either, but there are some good ones, Trevor Jones unoaked Chard for
about 12.50US for example is a case in point.

The Molly Dooker as discussed previously is another story
Joseph Coulter
Joseph Coulter Cruises and Vacationswww.josephcoulter.com

Actually, I tend to move towards the Aussie chards for exatly the
example you cite...good brisk, unoaked Chards for under $15. Couldn't
agree more about the Molly Dooker....I do like it on my pancakes
though. I do think that California has swung back to the lighter,
less oaky, more Burgundian style of Chards by and large. Leese Fitch,
Joel Gott and Tortoise Creek are all pretty good chardonnays for under
$15.