OKC liquor retailer recommends ten good holiday wines for less than

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Nov 29, 2004 by Heidi R. Centrella

Here's a top 10 holiday wines at less than $20, as recommended by Woody at Modern Liquors for Less, 2918 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Not all are available in screw-cap:

RH Phillips Sauvignon Blanc: This is a fun wine. It has grassy, stone fruit and citrus aromas, followed by crisp, dry flavors sparked by grapefruit and nectarines. It's zesty with lively green acidity. $7

RH Phillips Chardonnay: This chardonnay blends 10 percent viognier to add tropical fruit aromas to an already smooth, rich chardonnay. $9

Chateau Saint Michelle Chardonnay: Generous apple, pear and tropical fruit notes complement the toastiness and richness that linger on the finish. $12

Toad Hollow Vineyards Eye of the Toad Pinot Noir Rose: Truly dry, uncomplicated statement of Pinot Noir at its lightest and most delicate. This wine is uncluttered by any real or imagined saccharin- like improvements to the breed. Spice, pepper and heat bring out the wild strawberry flavors. $9

Frei Brothers Pinot Noir: A bold expression of the varietal. The full-flavored '02 Frei Brothers Reserve Pinot Noir stays long and ripe on the palate. $18

Francis Coppola Pinot Noir: Soft, easy and well designed, the '02 Francis Coppola Pinot Noir exhibits attractive strawberry flavors and a smooth, soft palate. $18

Parallele 45 Cotes du Rhone Pinot Noir: A wine loaded with character, the Paul Jaboulet Aine Parallele 45 Cotes-du-Rhone is a medium-bodied red with that stays on the palate with ripe fruit and sweet earth. Tasty. $10

Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages: Dark ruby color. Ripe black- cherry and strawberry aromas, full and fresh. Very fruity flavor, sweet and tart as blackberry jam, with a lemon-squirt of acidity to provide structure and balance. Sipping it is like eating ripe fruit, and that's what Beaujolais is all about. Like most Beaujolais, it is refreshing served cool (but not ice-cold) so it benefits from 30 to 60 minutes in the fridge before dinner. $11

Blackstone Merlot: Rich fruit aromas, elegant creaminess, supple oak flavors and firm tannins. Blackstone Merlot is an excellent example of how each appellation contributes its own distinct personality to the final blend, creating a wine which is rich, elegant and full of luscious fruit flavors. $11

Smoking Loon Cabernet: Medium brick red, wild blackberry, black pepper and cinnamon. The supple texture of ripe plum fruit, and cassis with caramel, finishes supple with raspberry chocolate and toffee. $9