QRW's Best $12 And Under California Wines

Cabernet Sauvignon

2003 Coastal Ridge, California - $7

2005 Fat Cat, California - $10

2004 Forest Glen, California - $11

2004 ForestVille, California - $6

2003 Harlow Ridge, Lodi - $10

2006 Napa Ridge, Napa Valley - $12

2006 Red Truck, Central Coast - $12

2006 Redwood Creek, California - $8

2005 Round Hill, California - $9

Merlot

2005 Forest Glen, California - $11

2004 Napa Ridge, Napa Valley - $12

2006 Redwood Creek, California - $8

2005 Round Hill, California - $8

Zinfandel / Shiraz

2005 Bonny Doon Vineyard Syrah, Le Pousseur, Central Coast - $10

2005 ForestVille Zinfandel, California - $6

2005 Harlow Ridge Shiraz, Lodi - $10

2003 Napa Ridge Syrah, Napa Valley - $12

Red Blends

2006 Red Truck Petite Sirah, California - $10

2005 Grand Pacific Starliner Red - $12

Whites - Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Blends

2006 Fat Cat Chardonnay, California - $10

2005 Gallo of Sonoma Reserve Chardonnay, Sonoma - $12

2005 Grand Pacific Steamliner White - $12

2005 Mont Pellier Chardonnay, California - $7

2005 Napa Ridge, Napa Valley - $12

2006 Round Hill Chardonnay, California - $9

2006 White Knight Sauvignon Blanc, Lodi - $12

2005 White Knight Viognier, Clarksburg - $12

For details or the article, you'll have to get the Quarterly Review Of Wines, Summer 2008 edition...  Besides, this gives you a jumping off point.  You have recommendations to start, right?  Isn't experimenting and trying them to see what YOU like the pint, anyway?

Wine Travels ...

Having been a wine lover for approximately 20 years and done tours in California (Napa), Long Island and even small fruit wineries in Massachusetts, I thought I would actually begin to start taking notes and keeping a record, as well as recording some recommended (personally or through writings) places:

Napa Valley:

Cult Wine Central - Communal Tasting Room - On Highway 29 - Multiple wine makers and small producers.

A Dozen Vintners - Communal Tasting Room - On Highway 29 - Multiple wine makers and small producers.