Need List of Good Wines

[Innkeeper]

Hi, I agree with Foodie on the futility and subjectivity of favorites. Therefore I will give you some of the most popular (not as subjective) wines from the first four tiers. These will not exactly conform to your structure. The first tier will include wines up to $12 or $13, and the others go up correspondingly. I am familiar will all of them either by experience or reputation. Also agree with Brom about picking one white and one red and buying six of each.

First Tier:

Chateau St Michelle Riesling
Kenwood Sauvignon Blanc
Macon-Lugny Les Charmes Chardonnay
Duck Pond Pinot Noir
Columbia Crest, Grand Estate, Merlot
Gallo of Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

Second Tier:

Strub Niersteiner Riesling Spatlese
Lucien Crochet Sancerre (Sauvignon Blanc)
Louis Jardot Pouilly-Fuisse (Chardonnay)
Frei Brothers Reserve Pinot Noir
Blackstone Merlot
Escudo Rojo (a Bordeaux type blend from Chile with Cabernet Sauvignon upfront)

Third Tier:

Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc
Ferrari-Carano Sonoma Chardonnay
Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Chardonnay
Cristom Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Frog’s Leap Merlot
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz

Fourth Tier:

Grgich Hills Chardonnay
Cakebread Napa Valley Chardonnay
Etude Pinot Noir
Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot
Mt Veeder Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages Cabernet Blend