We asked the Beverage Dynamics national wine panel to taste and rate wines under $ 30. As always, these reviews include tasting notes, ratings and suggested retail price for a 750-ml. bottle( unless otherwise noted).

FIVE STARS

( 96) Alexander Valley Vineyards Chardonnay 2023( CA). A stunning Sonoma Chardonnay. Great acidity with just a hint of oak. Nuanced program of 75 % pure stainless fruit blended with 25 % barrel fermented with secondary malolactic. Aged on the lees for just six to eight months. Stelvin closure makes it easy to enjoy. Time for fresh Gulf seafood!($ 23.99)

( 96) Hall Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2023( CA). Sleek and vibrant with notes of orange blossoms, honeycrisp apple and Key lime blossom in the mouth, while lingering on the long, refreshing finish. A remarkable wine that will keep you coming back for more.($ 29.99)

( 96) Tiraki Sauvignon Blanc 2024( New Zealand). A brilliant pale gold with green hints, the nose is dominated by an attractive blend of tropical and exotic fruits. The palate echoes the nose, highlighting the quality, with complex and elegant fruit, with a combination of weight and texture, confirming the level of care used to produce this outstanding wine.($ 22)

RATING SYSTEM

Five Stars( 92-100) A top-flight wine. Superior in taste and character and providing an outstanding price / value relationship.

( 96) Château La Nerthe Les Cassagnes Rouge 2022( France). The blend of grapes used to create this wine may be " typical," but the wine is far from that. From one of the leading producers in the Rhône Valley: bright ruby / garnet in the glass, the nose and palate of red fruit, hints of spice and plenty of regional herbal notes. The wine is supple, with enough weight and texture to add to the complexity, and long, elegant finish.($ 28)

( 95) Planet Oregon Rosé Bubbles 2023( OR). This 100 % pinot noir-based sparkling wine is a delight to smell and taste. Produced from high-quality Willamette Valley fruit, the wine is carbonated, post bottling. The bubbles are quite fine, and not aggressive, while the long finish confirms the quality level of the wine.($ 24)

( 95) Tapiz Sparkling Malbec Rosé NV( Argentina). A surprisingly and wonderfully elegant sparkling wine, produced from 100 % malbec. The nose provides subtle red fruit, and in the mouth, the fine bubbles and balanced acidity make for a delicious glass of sparkling

Four Stars( 86-91) A very good wine and an excellent value. A wine for which customers will keep coming back. wine. A great value, given its sophistication.($ 20)

( 95) Cantina Terlano Alto Adige Pinot Grigio 2023( Italy). Explosive tropical fruit rains down on the palate with flavors of kiwi, lime and tangerine leading the way. Round and full bodied with a never-ending finish. A stunning wine that would love to be paired with fish, white-sauced pasta and salads. Wonderfully underpriced.($ 24.99)

( 95) J. Lohr Riverstone Chardonnay 2023( CA). The second release with the new elegant label and screw top, and it does not disappoint. Kristen Barnhisel continues her winning streak, and lets the vineyards speak. She utilized eight clones for this vintage, including the famed Wente clone. 62 % malolactic fermented, with lees stirred weekly, then aged in a blend of French, Hungarian and American oak for up to nine months. Rich, viscous mouthfeel with complex notes of kiwi, nectarine and apple. Subtle notes of oak lead to a long lingering finish. Perfect for grilled chicken with a rich sauce.($ 10.99)

Three Stars( 80-85) An above-average wine, at a reasonable price point, which many customers will enjoy.

( 95) Yealands Estate S1 Single Block Sauvignon Blanc 2021( New Zealand). This is an absolute dynamic wine with fantastic energy, yet an elegance that makes you want for more. The intertwined beauty of grassy and grapefruit are perfectly woven within a mouthfeel of perfect balance. This wine will make you beg for the next sip.($ 29)

( 95) Clos de los Siete 2021( Argentina). A very interesting blend of red grape varieties. The majority is malbec, with Bordeaux varieties, as well as a measure of syrah. Brilliant ruby in the glass, the quality of the blend is evident in the wine ' s attractive nose of red fruit, berries and spice. The palate enjoys good weight and mouthfeel, with a long, lingering finish.($ 22)

( 94) M. Chapoutier Belleruche Rosé 2024( France). Based mostly on grenache, the brilliant salmon-pink wine showcases bright and clean red fruit on the nose and palate. Dancing on the palate, the balance of fruit and acidity makes for a very pleasurable drinking experience.($ 18)

( 94) Eiko Fuji Honkara( Japan). For a change of pace, this sake, this rice wine, is an excellent introduction for customers who have not yet enjoyed the pleasures of a high-end sake. This version is dry, and best served chilled, as you would with any excellent white wine. It is exceptionally food friendly, paring with any number of spicy dishes, as well as smoked and grilled foods.($ 26)

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