Sep 2008 bargains

It's time for my quarterly bargain report, that comes out only two or three times a year.  I haven't tasted as much as I would have liked in the last few months as about 40% of the time either nothing has tasted really good or I preferred beer, due to the heat.  But nonetheless I did find some great wines that you, my loyal reader (yes, if you're reading this you are the one reader I have (don't be embarrassed)).  So cutting to the quick:

1. Columbia Crest 2006 Chardonnay Grand Estates (WS 90, $8 TJ).  This label continues to dominate all others in the number of bottles I've bought over the last 5 years.  By this metric it is my favorite wine, bar none.  (I am in fact drinking it as I type this.)  Among vintages, I'd rate the 2002 a 98, and the different 2004 and 2006 tie, both at 96.  When I want a pleasing white, this always delivers and still blows me away on occasion.  A friend K independently liked it and so did "snobby" F.  So go out to your local Trader Joes (so long as it is not in Santa Clara county as you are treading on my turf) and load up.  I certainly have.  My overall score: 92.  
2. Razor's Edge 2007 Shiraz/Viognier (WS 91, $11).  Screw cap from Australia.  Both the 2006 (pure Shiraz, WS 90) and the 2007 are delicious.  Balanced, rich with a nice complexity.  Low cost and decent production.  My overall score: 91.
3. Pope Valley 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley ($8 TJ, if they have it).  At conference in Austin TX, an acquaintance R mentioned this wine to me and I mentally pooh-poohed it (not another lame cabernet), silently of course.  But curiosity got the better of me, and I found a delicious wine with some of the most direct fresh, berry flavors I have had in not-so recent memory.  Perfect for a BBQ,  picnic, a casual get together or an end of a day sip.  [Note, I'm recommending this based on one, well now two bottles.  Danger, danger wine robinson.]  Unless your middle name is "pretentious", I think you'll like this wine.  A lot.

I realize I don't have many red bargains, because I buy at most 3 bottles of a red and I don't drink them right away.  I don't buy many whites, but those we like I get a lot more of.