daily wine picks

Less than $15

Jul. 08, 1999: BEAULIEU VINEYARD Chardonnay California Coastal 1997 (85 points, $10)

Here's another value-oriented bottling of California's best-known white varietal. Delicate, with pleasant, crisp apple and pear flavors and a firm, refreshing finish, this is a lovely bottle of Chardonnay at a more than reasonable price. Drink now. 150,00

Jul. 05, 1999: DOMAINES H. DE MONTESQUIEU Bordeaux White Reserve 1998 (86 points, $11)

Not all Bordeaux are expensive these days -- here's a big and rich white Bordeaux at an un-Bordeaux-like price. It's medium- to full-bodied, boasting lots of toasted oak character culminating in a delicious nutty, toasty, fruity aftertaste. Drink now. 20,

Jul. 03, 1999: SOGRAPE Douro Reserva (85 points, $13)

While Portugal is known primarily for making Port, table wines are also made there. Though they are less popular and far less consistent in quality, there are some good ones to be found -- especially from the Douro region. This one is a brawny red, showin

Jun. 21, 1999: HOGUE Riesling Columbia Valley Late Harvest 1998 (89 points, $8)

This frankly sweet wine sports a crisp, lemony side to the light peach and apricot flavors, with the ensemble gaining intensity on the balanced finish. This late-harvest Riesling from Washington isn't quite a dessert wine, but it's certainly sweet and fla

Jun. 17, 1999: IVAN TAMAS Chardonnay Central Coast 1997 (86 points, $9)

Light and elegant, with refreshing pear, citrus and light toast flavors that persist on the soft finish, it's a pleasant mouthful of California's most popular white -- at a price that's hard to beat these days. Drink now. 10,000 cases made.