What am I buying?

I wish the wine publications and websites would indicate what the reviewers were buying. Because, that is the truest measure of where their (the reviewers) perceived bang for the buck lies. Of course, if the reviewer is well known (Parker, any WS reviewer, Tanzer, etc), they probably get given a lot of wine and/or they maybe reasonably affluent so maybe cost isn't as much of an issues to them as to me and you, the poor reader.

But enough dithering, what have I been buying in quantity over the last 6 months.

1. Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot from Trader Joe's. $7. I've decided I like the 2004 best, with the 2003 only being good (86), and the 2002 tasting leathery and herbacious (83). Roughly a case of all three in total
   
2. Montes 2005 Alpha Syrah from Costco. $15. Bought 10 bottles over 3 instances
3. Beringer 2005 Alluvium White from Wine Club. $12. Six or seven bottles total.
   
4. Razor's Edge 2005 Shiraz from Wine Club. *$8. Eight bottles.
5. Marquis Philips 2005 SE Shiraz. $11. Ten bottles.
6. Kali Hart 2005 Monterey Chardonnay. $9. Eight bottles.
7. Zonte's Footstep 2006 Shiraz/Voignier. $11. Six bottles since that was the min from the Wine Club.
8. Thorn Clarke 2006 Riesling. $10. Eight bottles.
9. Thorn Clarke 2006 Shotfire Ridge Shiraz $13. A case.
10. Tait 2006 Ballbuster $14. Eight bottles.
11. Marquis Philips 2006 Cabernet $12. A case.
    

Because I get early warning emails from the Wine Club and they often have minimums, I end up with 3 or 4 bottles of lots of things.

Four bottles of each of

1. Gordon Brothers 2005 Merlot (WA) $15
   
2. Chateau Mourchon 2005 Cote du Rhone Grand Reserve $18.
3. Thorne Clarke 2005 Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon $13.
4. Domaine des Entrefaux 2005 Crozes-Hermitage $15
5. Frescobaldi 2004 Chianti Ruffino $17
6. Baumard 2004 Savenies $18
   

Among the higher end wines (more than $25 a bottle), I realized if I wanted something really nice to drink in 2-6 years, I needed to start buying the stuff now. So if something really good comes along and it's not too much, say under $70, I'll buy it. Here's what is in store.

1. Two Hands 2005 Bella's Garden $53 Costco
   
2. Numanthia 2003 Toro and 2005 Termes $65 and $40
   
3. Domain de Baumard 2005 Quartes $60
   
4. Clos des Papes 2005 Chateauneuf Du Papes $65
   
5. Yalumba 2005 Hand Picked Shiraz/Viogneir $25
6. Lan 2004 Rioja Limited $40
7. Orwin Swift 2005 Prisoner $35
8. Robert Mondavi 2005 Oakville Cabernet $36