Best wines of the last 2 months

I recycled the bottles from last 2 months, and these were the most memorable, aka the best ones. As usual, scores and price had little correlation with what I liked.

1. Sebastiani 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma (WS 83, $11?). I had had a magnificent 2001 about 3 years ago and had been saving this. And boy did it reward. Smooth classic cabernet flavor, perfectly balanced. At it's peak and just lovely. My score: 92
2. Razor's Edge 2006 Syrah Grenache (WS 90, $8 CC). Ironically, there were two bottles in the bunch, but it was the last bottle that blew me away. Like a fine Rhone wine, there was a purity of red fruit with a touch of minerality. Previous bottles have not been nearly this good. My score: 91.
3. Domain Roche 2005 Fitou. This Southern France Grenache-Carignan blend was stunning with red fruit purity with saline notes. The last few bottles have been off (too ripe) but the last bottle of this reminded me of its previous glory. So pure, no saline, medium weight, truly delightful. My score: 92.
4. Montes 2006 Syrah Alpha (WS 91, $16 CC). This was tasting and smelling beautifully. Still one of the nicest noses of any wine. (Surpassing the recent 2005 which I thought was the better wine). My last bottle and a wonderful way to send it off. Still flavorful but without the youthful edges. My score: 91.
5. Neyers 2005 Syrah Old Oakville Road (WS 86, $20+). This former brute reminded me of a Rhone wine, and mostly grenache at that. Nice red fruit. Very enjoyable. This was much better than the 2006 bottling of the same wine, which I had a few nights later that got a WS 93.
   

Hewing my purchases to conform to a budget

My wife tallied up our 2010 expenses broken down meticulously as usual. And my wine expenditure was simply excessive. In that I spent more than we would consume in a year times the average price per bottle I expect (about $14).

So I've put myself on a wine budget of roughly $2500. Our cellar is too big, so we should drink into it. We are already members of 3 wineries which is roughly $800 annually, so that's roughly $1700 a year. Or $140 a month. For someone who buys a case somewhat freely that's a brutal level.

But it is working.

I was at the (very) local BevMo today and they have another of their 5 cent sales (the second bottle of select wines is $0.05, after they mark up the first bottle). I manage to escape with just 1 pair, the Bertrand 2007 Côtes du Roussillon-Villages Tautavel Grand Terroir (WS 91) at $20.

It turns out I've spend more than my Jan allotment, which was before I instituted the budget, on the following

• Schild 2007 Shiraz Barossa (WS 92, $15.50 CC)
• Schild 2008 Shiraz Barossa (WS 94, $20 ArtisanWineDepot)
• Montes 2008 Shiraz Alpha (WS 90, $16)

What I want to buy (and just did at 6+ bottles) is the Ch de Macard 2009 Bordeaux Superior (WS 90, $11 WC). This is ready to drink now, and will make a lovely gift wine.

But the bottom line is I'm having to think about every bottle I purchase. Which is a really good thing.