Top 10 Napa Valley Wines Under $30

California’s Napa Valley has become a world renowned destination for the best wines and wineries.  Among the best Napa Valley wines in 2009 are these award winners.

1. Oakville Ranch Vineyards 2007 Napa Valley Chardonnay ($46) – California Chardonnay is a rich wine with a full, oaky taste.  Common notes include apple, vanilla, and honey.  Chardonnay is best paired with grilled, roasted or sautéed seafood and white meats, and with basil, cream, and garlic sauces.

2. Hagafen Cellars 2005 Napa Valley Estate Bottled Merlot ($29) – Merlot is a soft red with cherry and plum flavors and notes of cedar.  Merlot pairs best with tuna, salmon, beef, duck, mushroom, and goat cheese.

3. Edgewood 2006 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($25) – Cabernet Suavignon is a fruit forward, full wine that pairs well with grilled, roasted, or braised proteins.  It works best with rare tuna, wild game, mustard, pepper, squash, and lamb.

4. Andretti Winery 2006 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($44)

5. Frank Family Vineyards 2006 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($45)

6. Felicity 2005 Sodaro Estate Bordeaux Blend ($42) – Bordeaux is a full red wine with notes of currant and cedar, sometimes also containing hints of leather.  American Bordeaux is notoriously fruity and pairs best with red meat, game, strong cheese, or stews.

7. Franciscan 2005 Napa Valley Magnificat Cab/Merlot/Malbec ($50) – a deep garnet wine with notes of cherry, plum, dark chocolate, and black tea.  This full bodied red pairs best with red meats and game.

8. Banknote Wine Company 2006 Napa Valley Red Blend Cab/Syrah/Zun ($32) – this red blend carries notes of plum, vanilla, sweet oak and mocha with a finish of jam, chocolate and tobacco.  It pairs best with red meats and spicy foods.

9. Stonegate Winery 2004 Wappo Vineyard Napa Valley Petit Verdot ($60) – a medium white wine, this offers notes of raspberry, oak, licorice, violet, and spice.  With a clean finish, this wine pairs best with light dishes, white meats, and pastas.

10. Mumm Napa NV Blanc de Noirs ($19) – this delicate, pink sparkling wine has a fruity taste and hints of cherry that make it a perfect pair with summer foods, grilled chicken, and barbecue.