daily wine picks

$15 to $30

Feb. 11, 2002: NEYERS Chardonnay Napa Valley 2000 (90 points, $30)

Neyers has steadily built a fine track record for top-notch Chardonnay, and this is another example. Exotic smoky, toasty oak entices, leading to a ripe, spicy core of nectarine, citrus, pear and fig flavors that are complex and concentrated. Drink now th —James Laube

Feb. 06, 2002: JEAN-PAUL THÉVENET Morgon Vieilles Vignes 2000 (90 points, $21)

Here's another terrific cru Beaujolais from 2000, from one of the region's top producers. This could stand in for a village-level Vosne-Romanée, with its crushed plum, spice cake, cinnamon and smoke notes. Long, detailed finish, with mouthw —James Molesworth

Feb. 04, 2002: LOUIS JADOT Moulin-à-Vent Château des Jacques 2000 (90 points, $20)

2000 was a fine vintage for the Beaujolais region, and this effort from Jadot is worth tracking down. Modern style, with dark berry, chocolate and toast notes. Nice ripe black cherry flavor works its way through on the finish before the structure takes ov —James Molesworth

Feb. 03, 2002: ROCKING HORSE Zinfandel Napa Valley 1999 (89 points, $20)

The '99 vintage for California Zinfandels was successful, as this solid offering from Rocking Horse attests. Intense, with rich, complex, beautifully focused Zinfandel flavors, brimming with sage, wild berry, juniper and cedary oak, and finishing with a t —James Laube

Feb. 01, 2002: NEYERS Chardonnay Carneros 2000 (92 points, $30)

The '00 Carneros Chardonnay from Neyers is in a decidedly rich and earthy style, with layers of fig, nectarine, anise, pear and toasty oak, all well-proportioned, finishing with a long, rich aftertaste. Drink now through 2005. 2,331 cases made. —James Laube