Thank you all for the terrific suggestions for wines. Some of these are unavailable in NH, but others will be purchased over the coming months to try.
Dogpile, I'd have to say that I do enjoy the Clos du Bois reds and white, Kendall Jackson chardonnay, and I can't remember the California brand but the cab with Marylin Monroe's picture on it was very nice. Two spectacular wines that were recently given to me as gifts, so I don't know their prices and which don't seem to be available locally are Healdsburg Vineyards 1999 California Merlot and Pighin 2001 Pinot Grigio from Risano Italy. The merlot was balanced, rich and smooth, and the pinot grigio was smooth and not overly fruity which I don't like in whites nor acidic which seems to accompany Italian wines. I think that's why I like nice chardonnays like Cakebread (too expensive for me except on special occassions), because of the clean, crisp and smooth hint of honey taste. |
If you like medium to full reds, try the St. Hallett Gamekeepers Reserve from down under, priced at $9.80 CAD. It's a blend of several grapes like grenache, syrah, mourvedre and others. Approachable now yet can age for several years. Full palate, bursting with wild dark berry fruit, hints of chocolate, cedar oak and vanillin. Long finish with well integrated flavours and well balanced.
I've tasted worse wines in the $50.00 to $75.00 range.. it's kinda like audio gear, just because a bordeaux first growth costs $400.00 a bottle, doesn't mean that it will taste 40 times better! trust your palate ; )
JcBach, what are your 3 most favourite wines at this moment?
hy |
I'm no expert by any stretch of the imagination,but we love Kendall Jackson Chardonay. Its usually about 10-12 bucks a bottle. |
VENTANNA wines in Monterey, CA
I live right next to one of their tasting rooms, so I get their wine really cheap.
Even full retail it is very good for the $$$.
And I do mean all of their wines. Their wines run from as little as $3 a bottle (white table wine, when on sale) to a meager $50 a bottle for their premium bottles that are outright sublime in taste.
KF |
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A great light white is Bochendal Savignon Blanc from South Africa. An unbeatable chardonnay is Frei Brothers from California and for a low cost red try Campus Oaks Zin from Lodi California. All are between $10 and $17 a bottle. |
Try the Rosemount wines from Australia; the Premium Diamond Varietals are a great value. Costco carries some of them for 4.99 to 7.99 They can also be purchased from Trader Joes's etc but for a higher price. |
yellow tail (austrailia): merlot,cab.,and shiraz
bogle: merlot
luna di luna (italy): cab/merlot mix, sangiovese/merlot mix
promessa (italy): primitivo (similar to our zinfandel)
leaping lizard: zinfandel
woodstock "the stocks": shiraz
jacobs creek (austrailia): merlot, shiraz
blackstone: merlot
rex goliath: merlot
powers: merlot |
Isabel Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. Bought 10 bottles
this week - all the store had left - for $13.99, after having it served at a dinner in L.A. last weekend. Apparently it is in short supply. Excellent!! And I prefer red... |
My vote for the best inexpensive red wine goes to Falesco Vitiano 2001 from Umbria which is available at the Wine Club in California as well as Cost Plus Imports for $7.99. Robert Parker gives it an 89 pt. rating. |
Heron Chardonnay, about $10.99. Badia a Colibuono Chianti Cetamura, $11.99. Rosenblum Vintners Cuvee Zin, $9.99. From South Africa, any Indaba wines $7.99-9.99. |
Seghesio Zin is an exceptional value at about $15. It's price started at about $8.99 and has taken off.
If you like Zins, don't miss this one.
Dan |
I "REALLY" enjoy a nice glass of wine when listening to my system. Problem is, I'm notoriously frugal. Here are my current favorites.
Yellow Tail Shiraz currently $6.99
Trinity Oaks 1999 Zinfandel $5.99
The Yellow Tail may be shunned by the wine critics, but I think it has a most unusual and absolutely unique (to me anyway) flavor that really gets me going....every time!! I must admit, I also like some of the other high volume Austrailian Shirazs' that are currently being "given away" at my local Kroger Store in Cincinnati.
I initially bought the Trinity Oaks Zin just to see how inexpensive a wine can actually become and still prove enjoyable. I was plesantly surprised and, for now, this Zin has replaced the Cline, Rosenblum and Rabbit Ridge as my inexpensive Red Zinfandel of choice.
I don't know about the rest of the country (or the World), but wine prices have never been better in Cincinnati. I could be forever happy with the wines that are available locally for under $10 bottle, Red or White!!!
Enjoy, (and currently having a glass of Trinity Oaks Zin)
TIC |
J Lohr chardonnay is one I even like at about $12 a bottle.
Sawtooth chardonnay is great as well at $8, as are all their white wines.
Thanks for starting this thread. I'm sure my wife will enjoy all the recommendations. |
Bogle Chardonnay (California)$8.99
Columbia Crest Grand Estates (Washington) - Cab or Chard. about $12.99
Concha y Toro Marques Casa Concha (Chile) -Cab or Chard. about $14
Chateau Souverain (California) -Cab or Chard. about $14
Above are consistently good year to year.
The list could go on and on (Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Italy). Just have to shop around, and taste! :>)
Regards, |
You poor fellow. Clos du Bois chardonnay is less than $10 here in Nashville, might be because ripple is a bigger seller.
Toastedhead is a bit bettr at around $15 here. |
Not sure what this has to do with audio . . . . but - for about 10 bucks you can get a bottle of PeachyCanyon 2001 Zinfandel (Paso Robles) Bin 113. Goes well with pizza, pasta, pistrami (sp?) and things of like ilk. "Two Thumbs Up" from everyone to whom I've serve it.
Robert |
I am clearly much less experienced than you guys, but I think the following two are screaming bargains:
Charles Shaw Merlot ... $1.99 from Trader Joes (the other Charles Shaw varieties were not very good). Yes $1.99 and very pleasant.
They were also carrying Seven Peaks Chardonnay for $2.99 a bottle. This is the one of the smoothest chardonnays I have ever had (I usually don't spend more than $10 on a bottle, though I have tasted $50 bottles that are not as good as this seven peaks). |
Try the petite syrah and the pinot noir from David Bruce. Both are superb and can be had for $17-$20.
Eddie |
Current faves Vermontie 2000 merlot
paranga 2001 shiraz both can be had for under $10 a bottle and are pretty good for cheap wine. |
This should be an enjoyable thread.
I've always enjoyed any ol' cheap red Italian wine ($5 or $6). I've never been disappointed. However, when the listening calls for low lighting any Classico Reserva (however its spelled) in the $20 to $25 range sits quite well. I also prefer my wine at almost room temperature. |
my vote goes to Brancott vineyard Sauvignon Blanc....from New Zealand....an absolutely oustanding value at $9.99!.....and for those special nights a bottle of Talley Vineyards California Pinot Noir is very special at $21.99 here in Dallas! |
Good thread. I like the Grant Burge Syrah from the Barossa Valley region of Australia, for $22 a bottle. Also the Bell Cabernet Sauvignon(2000) from California that I had last night, was excellent, and rated 94 by Parker. Only $35. |
Bella Sera for me works great but some puffff works much better.
Disclaimer: pronouns sound 'f' to yourself not like conventional english alphabetic sound 'f'...:-) |
