Went to dinner with friends last night and poured a 2006 Badge Chardonnay from the Santa Lucia Highlands of California as an aperitif before leaving for the restaurant. It had arrived by UPS just hours earlier and I usually don't open wines without a long rest but hey, the unexpected sunshine made me reckless. Bright pale yellow color. Good untropical nose of green apples and lemon meringue with melted, clarified butter. Tight and lemony on the palate with tons of acidity (this must have been a ripper when young), and though not unrefreshing I hope it fills out once the bottles rest some.
With dinner we had some wines I've reported on recently, so I won't go there. But afterward, back at Anne and Ron's house, they opened a bottle of a "bargain" pinot noir they purchased at Costco for under $10, the 2008 Kris that I believe is an Italian brand. I mention it here only to warn others away: harsh underripe fruit with bitter acids. Not good now, won't get better. AVOID!