My sabbatical in California is beginning to wrap up. I need to gorge myself on affordable wine while I’m here and bring as much home as I can bear to ease the come-down. Here are a few from the last week:

#1. Jacques Puffeney 04 ‘Vieille Vignes’ Arbois AOC $30(?)
This is a blend of Pinot Noir, Trousseau, and Poulsard from old and stubborn vines that Jacques ripped out and replanted in 2006. This wine was mighty wound up when first opened and took a couple hours to come out of hiding. It’s the most structured Jura I’ve had yet, with obvious tight medium tannins. The depth of red fruit characters is enthralling. If you find this anywhere, buy it up and leave it be for a couple years. Hit.

#2. Paolo Bea 06 ‘San Valentino’ Umbria IGT $25(?)
Paolo Bea’s labels are iconic and his wines are legendary. The San Valentino is a Sangiovese heavy blend with some Montepulciano and Sagrantino. The grapes come from his younger vines near the town of Montefalco in the central landlocked Italian province of Umbria. A beefier wine with both acid and tannin well represented – dark purple fruit with an obvious earthy dirt component. Fabulous wine with rustic charm. If you haven’t had anything by Bea, you need to make this a priority. Watch Gary V freak out over Bea here. Hit.

#3. Franco Pacenti Canalicchi ’07 Rosso di Montalcino DOC $25
I was gunning for something lighter and rustic, but ended up with Franco Pacenti’s 07 Rosso di Montalcino. The blackcherry and tar characters with bright acidity were nice, but couldn’t help but feel like I was being inundated with alcohol. The 14.5% was drinking like 16%. Miss.

#4. Miller Lite (24oz) $1.80
I needed the refreshing quench of a lager and was influenced by can design and price. But after the first sip, I can’t fathom why anyone would drink this. Flavour? Nope. To get drunk? Nope. Miss.