All Intensive Purposes

The San Francisco Chronicle has put out its annual list of the top 100 wines.

Their ten favorites (with suggested food pairings):

• 1999 Argyle Willamette Valley Brut ($21)
• 2004 Geyser Peak River Ranch Road Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc ($21)
• 2003 Truchard Carneros Chardonnay ($30)
• 2003 JanKris Paso Robles Zinfandel ($10)
• 2002 Lewis Napa Valley Syrah ($50)
• 2003 August West Rosella's Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir ($42)
• 2003 Williams Selyem Russian River Valley Pinot Noir ($42)
• 2003 Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot ($50)
• 2003 Decoy Napa Valley Red Wine ($28)
• 2001 Shafer Hillside Select Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon ($175)

I don't see as many less expensives wines (or "cheaper," as my mother tells me not to say) (which is to say, under $20) as I have in past years. The JanKris zin is an exception. I've had it and liked it, though it's not the most common thing to see in the store. If you find yourself in Kensington, stop at the wine shop there and pick some up.