My 5's 2004 Eric Texier Cote-Rotie , $62 - This Northern Rhone Syrah was lighter than his other reds, incredibly intense nose of roasted meat and herbs, olives and soil. 2005 Eric Texier Vins de Pays O Pale , $16 - This is a sweet wine made entirely from Viognier grapes. My 2's 2005 Michel Tete Julienas , $18 - barnyard city. MORE >>

Just a 10 minute drive from Beaune, the "largest" city in the immediate area, you can easily access restaurants and wineries in the Cotes de Beaune and the Cotes de Nuits. Pernand Vergelesses, Corey-Les-Beaunes, and Ladoix are right nearby, and many vignerons who make Aloxe-Corton wines also make wines from the nearby villages. MORE >>

Well, if you can find it (and if you live in the NYC area, go to Chambers Street Wines - they have it), the 2004 Domaine Jean et Gilles Lafouge Auxey-Duresses 1er Cru Les Duresses is a very good wine and it clocks in at exactly $25. Auxey-Duresses is a village in the Cote de Beaune, a neighbor of Meursault, Monthelie, and Saint Aubin. MORE >>

But here they are, the wines that we should be able to find right now on retail shelves (and I will indicate where I bought mine), my absolute favorite under $25 Pinots: 2005 Paul Pernot Beaune Clos du Dessus des Marconnets , $22 ( Garnet , Chambers Street says they will carry it soon). Why not? So that's it?" Overnight - washout. MORE >>

2005 Domaine Lignier-Michelot Morey St Denis 1er Cru Les Faconnieres , $50, 3 bottles. 2005 Ch â teau LaGrange , $52, 2 bottles. 2005 Ch â teau Monbousquet, $53, 2 bottles. 2005 Simon Bize Savigny-les-Beaune 1er Cru Aux Forneaux , $55, 3 bottles. 2004 Roumier Chambolle-Musigny , $65. Why $50? Good buy. MORE >>