Need wine advice: good <$30 bottles
 

Going on a wine run in a couple of weeks and I've been stunned by the escalating prices. The strength of the Euro has really impacted the Italian wines I love, that used to be such good values. Unfortunately, the California producers have taken the opportunity to jack up their prices, too.

Anyway, I'm looking for good, substantial reds in the $20-30 price range for drinking over the next few years. Most important is that that have real terroir--I hate the simple tasting Cabs and Merlots that are available from CA in this price range.

My shopping list already includes some of the '99 Riserva Chiantis and '00-01 Super Tuscans. Even cheap Barolo is up around $50 now. Rosso di Montalcino can still be a good buy for a daily-drinker.

I love Bordeaux and Rhone reds, but again, I haven't found anything drinkable for <$30 recently.

Please suggest any personal favorites.

Jon-there are any number of good Barberas out there in your price range-even the State Stores here have some decent Italian values now that Jon Newman has figured out that he can use volume buying. While these might be a tad lighter than what you're looking for if your a Barolo guy, they usually have tons of character. The only downside is that the case allotments per store tend to be smallish, so stuff goes quickly, and you need to go to one of the "superstores".

My house red tends to be Monte Antico-as released its not all that special, but it does develop a nice dried cherries/cedar component after a year, preferably two. At around 10 bucks, you can afford to buy and store, and it tends to be really available-like 200,000 cases a year or something. It was spectacular in '90, good in '97 and the current release is pretty good as well.

I'm a big fan of the Monsanto chiantis, but they've crept up there.

Currently the LCB is running a deal on Arrowood Syrah, which I understand is pretty good for a Cali-Rhone. Well under 20 bucks. They're doing quite a bit of this w/ some of the recent "wine glut" wines-even from quality producers-one example is Nickel and Nickel '02 Chard for around $15. BTW, just read that Gil Nickel passed on, he'll be missed around the vintage scene for sure.

I've not been over to Canal's or any of the Delaware superstores for a while, so no help there. If you can deal with the quirkiness of Moore's, some of the Valpocella and Barbera's over there are very drinkable and in the teens.

As a final note, most of the LCB stores have 2000 Gloria for around 30 bucks, it may be pushing the budget, but its cheap for a name Bordeaux from that vintage.

Texas wines are a very good value for the dollar, as well. There are some that are exported, but the main labels would be LLano and Messina Hof. In Texas, very good bottles go for under $30.

2000 Gloria for $30--not bad. Thanks for the tip!

I have to say I usually don't even look in the state stores, but I did read an article somewhere about Jon Newman beating up some California winemaker for a great price on a huge order. I'll check it out.

FWIW, my favorite retailer is MacArthur in Georgetown. They have a great selection including older vintages and very good prices when they do their twice yearly sales:

http://www.bassins.com/spring2004catalog.pdf

Bearboat Pinot Noir
Clos du Bois Pinot Noir
Navarro Correas Pinot Noir and Malbec
Toasted Head Malbec
Coppola Claret (the Coppola Director's Reserve is incredible, but only sold at the vineyard)
Rosemount Show Reserve Shiraz (not the normal stuff, tho' that's OK).

JP

Hey Slacker, good to hear you are hitting the pinot noirs. That's the only alcohol I'm drinking these days, and I'm finding some REALLY good ones.

Yeah, that grape is responsible for some of the best wines (Burgundies) in the world. Definitely come forth with some of your faves.

JP

Rodney Strong Cabernet - Reserve $35 / bottle.

Llano also makes a good cabernet, but the reserve is worth the extra $$$.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Domaine Pegau

I go nuts over a NZ one called Lake Hayes, it's about NZD$50 a bottle, so half that for your money ;)

It's made in a part of the country that freezes during the winter and is hot as hell in the summer, the pinot varities love the place.

Jon-sorry to post again, but I'm just finishing a bottle of Arrowood Syrah-2000 Saralee's Vinyard. 50 bucks MSRP, 17.99 at the LCB stores now. It needs a looong time to open up-its close to 9 and this bottle was opened at 6 and its just now showing its stuff. But very nice Syrah-all the cool black pepper and berries stuff, without the slam-you-in-the-forehead-with-it attributes that I dislike in Cali Syrah. No way I'd pay 50 bucks for it but its a hell of an $18 wine.

Got the last Gloria in my local store at 29.00. Thanks for making me think of it.

Found a 1999 Cote de Nuits- Villages for only $29 that was quite good.

Love those French wines.
Geoff

One to look for - very available here in Ontario (Canada) @ our LCBO. Only $14.95 CDN See below for their catalogue description. A great 'daily' wine to Vacuvin on the counter.

MERLOT 2000 AC Bordeaux (Christian Moueix)

One of our most successful Essentials ever, the secret behind this Merlot is consistency. After all, Christian Moueix also manages Château Pétrus, the tiny estate that produces the world’s most renowned Merlot-based wine.

Tasting note: The new vintage of this light, classy young Bordeaux shows very nice ripeness and polished texture. Not great complexity but there is bright berry, peppery and floral-lavender on the nose. Mid-weight smooth, with just slightly green tannins. Moderate to good length. Bring on the big 2000s! Score – 87. (David Lawrason, Wine Access, Aug. 3, 2002)

Ian

Fat Bastard - Shiraz - $11 a bottle w/no headache the next day. Seriously, its really good stuff. Sometimes it's also just plain fun to ask for it at the store.

I really like Pinots and many of the Italian grapes as well; thanks for the tips above. I agree that the "table priced" ($10-30) cabs and merlots we are seeing here in Calif are getting tiresome.

Sorry for the ignorant question, but what are "state stores"?

Around here I usually hit Costco, and a great Italian-centric shop called Wine Expo (Santa Monica).

Try some Oregon Pinot Noir's. For such a tricky grape it's a good domestic bet. I've been experimenting with Oregon Pinot's for about a year now and can't stop!!

I dont drink alot of wine as i am more of a beer guy but sometims the craveing hits

I like this wine called Lindemans its from australia thats all i know.

ok bye
Kyle

I forgot What is a good peceporter/Resling? I have been likeing that stuff lately.

Andretti Vineyards (yes, Mario) makes some nice wines. Also I like YellowTail shiraz, and merlot. Ive tried the Fat Bastard too, its pretty good

A good $30 bottle? Several good bourbons & scotches in that price range...I'm sure Gin and Vodka as well.