daily wine picks

Less than $15

Aug. 16, 2010 BODEGA RUCA MALEN Chardonnay Mendoza Yauquén 2009 (85 points, $12)

Plump and friendly, featuring creamed apple and pear flavors backed by a medium-weight, buttery edge. Drink now. 5,000 cases made. —James Molesworth

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$15 to $30

Aug. 16, 2010 BODEGAS VALDEMAR Tempranillo Rioja Conde de Valdemar Crianza 2006 (87 points, $15)

Pretty berry and cherry flavors are accented by vanilla, spice and smoke in this lithe, graceful red. Bright acidity keeps this lively. Drink now through 2012. 40,000 cases made. —Thomas Matthews

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More than $30

Aug. 16, 2010 DELAS Châteauneuf-du-Pape Haute Pierre 2008 (91 points, $46)

This has nice polish for the vintage, with racy blueberry, raspberry and boysenberry fruit flavors well-supported by graphite, fruitcake and licorice root. A spicy edge lingers nicely on the fleshy finish. Drink now through 2025. 2,500 cases made. —James Molesworth

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