Savvy wine buy: Chardonnay '98

This tropical, full-bodied wine is named for Bulletin Place 16-18, the oldest commercial building in Australia. It is crisp, slightly acidic and not nearly as dominated by the taste of oak as the typical California Chardonnay, so you taste the fruit. The wine scored an 85 from the Wine Spectator, which rated it a Best Buy. Because it is so inexpensive, you can keep a couple of bottles chilled in the fridge. Store some now and you'll find it a nice sipping wine when summer rolls around.

Available at Spirits Plus, $9.99, and Trader Joe's, $8.99.

-- Max Jacobson

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