December 2009 Wine Value Picks

This month's issue covers many West Coast Pinot Noir, Piedmont Reds and West Coast Cabernet Sauvignon wines that were scored in the last 30 days by the wine critics.

At the high scoring end, the 2007 Château de Saint-Cosme, Rhône Red Blend Le Poste received an average score of 96 points and at $77 it is 45% of the average cost of a similar scoring Southern Rhône.

At a great value index of 26%, the 2007 Shea, Pinot Noir Willamette Valley East Hill scored 95 points and cost $54 which is 26% of the average $211 cost of similar scoring West Coast Pinot Noir earning it an "Great Value" moniker.

At the low price of $11, the 2006 Château Ste. Michelle, Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley received an average score of 86 points which is 35% of the average $31 cost of a similar scoring West Coast Cabernet Sauvignon earning it a "Great Value" moniker. Another low price point value wine is the 2008 Fontanafredda, Barbera Piedmont Briccotondo that scored 88 points and cost $12 which is 27% of the average $45 cost of similar scoring Piedmont Red wine.

A total of 1,192 wines are profiled in this issue.