On Thu, 02 Feb 2006 11:16:19 -0500, Mark Lipton >
wrote:

>DaleW wrote:
>> Sometimes geeks have to suck it up. While I love the Brun white and
>> both Brocard almost-Chablises (Kimmeridgien & Jurassique), the reality
>> is probably the bride wants to find the comfort zone for the "gimme a
>> glass of Chardonnay crowd", not to please the 4 to 6 people in the
>> crowd who might care. I think you'd be better served for her wishes by
>> picking a more typical CalChard. Maybe Tom S can give some ideas in
>> this price range, or you'll have to sample yourself- Columbia Crest, RH
>> Phillips, Cartlidge & Brown, Raymond have all been drinkable to me in
>> past.
>
>Spot on, Dale, though the bride is a bit of a wine geek too (she
>actually drinks less CalChard than *I* do). My thinking was that a
>crisper French Chard would likely please both crowds, but I readily
>confess to not knowing the mindset of the "gimme a chard" crowd very
>well. Thanks for the recommendations, BTW. I fully intend to sample
>anything that I'd recommend to the bride.
>
>Mark Lipton

If budget allows for the Lehman, you cannot go wrong. I would never
trade a Lindemans or Rosemount over a PL, in fact, any of the mass
produced wines from the big boys. As for Yellowtail.... well... no
comment..:>). Lehman has consistency, good fruit, and ages
excellently for a bottom end red. Did a vertical a few nights ago...
his 98's & 99's still drinking well. And with the quantity you need,
put the word on the retailer for a bottle of his Stonewell or Mentor
as a bonus...and plonk it on the bridal table!

Good luck.

Hooroo...,.