daily wine picks

$15 to $30

May. 05, 2000: JEAN-MARC BROCARD Bourgogne White Kimmeridgien 1999 (89 points, $16)

Interesting terroir here, with matchsticklike, pungent, earthy, yeasty aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, with a silky texture, it's a smoky and ripe white, seducing with its harmony. Amazing quality for a Bourgogne; from the creative Jean-Marc Bro —Per-Henrik Mansson

Apr. 17, 2000: ACACIA Chardonnay Carneros 1998 (89 points, $21)

With excellent purity of fruit, this California Chardonnay boasts ripe, spicy apple, pear, melon and honeysuckle. It's clean and fruity on the finish, with perfumy, elegant floral notes. Drink now through 2005. 34,000 cases made. —James Laube

Apr. 14, 2000: ARGYLE Brut Willamette Valley (90 points, $22)

This Oregon sparkler is elegant, complex and layered with flavor. It has everything you want in a sparkling wine, including delicacy. The texture is fine-grained, and flavors center around pear, toast and hints of exotic flowers and spices. Drink now. 10, —Harvey Steiman

Apr. 10, 2000: MARKHAM Petite Sirah Napa Valley 1996 (91 points, $20)

This Petite Sirah is dark and firm, with tight, crisp tannins and a rich, intense core of blackberry, raspberry and black cherry in need of short-term cellaring. It finishes with detailed tannins and mineral and earth notes. A great version of this variet —James Laube

Apr. 05, 2000: CALERA Chardonnay Central Coast 1998 (91 points, $22)

A wonderful value in Chardonnay that is complex, ripe, bold and rich, layered with earth, pear, toast, fig and smoky oak flavors. It's smooth in texture, with a long, full aftertaste. Delicious now through 2008. 11,159 cases made. —James Laube