krista4 0 Posted February 23, 2007 That is what I am thinking. I think we are going to open a bottle of 2005 Les Fontanelles Pinot Noir tonight that was a gift. It was a whopping ten bucks so everytime I open one of these, I am either pleasantly surprised or it's no big deal. Here's the wine bar we just purchased. Whoa, I love the wine bar! Very nice! I put together a list of wines for some people at another site, including a large category of good wines under $15 since I knew a lot of people were looking for some reasonable alternatives. Let me know if you'd like to see it; I can get it to you somehow. But of course it's based on my taste, which might be different from what you like. Wine tasting Puzzies I'm missing something... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Recliner Pilot 61 Posted February 23, 2007 I'm opening a bottle of 1996 Chappellet Signature Cabernet Sauvignon tonight for a celebratory steak dinner. Anyone familiar with Chappellet? Note: I did not pay the price listed on the site. Dave Chapelle makes wine? Yeeeeeaaaaaayaaaaa. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Toro 3 Posted February 23, 2007 Whoa, I love the wine bar! Very nice! I put together a list of wines for some people at another site, including a large category of good wines under $15 since I knew a lot of people were looking for some reasonable alternatives. Let me know if you'd like to see it; I can get it to you somehow. But of course it's based on my taste, which might be different from what you like. I'm missing something... Thanks. We love the piece and saw it several times at places like Crate and Barrel but they were always 1k. Found this one and got it. We tried to transfer all of the barware into it and it doesn't seem to fit. I had a birthday party last year so we still have a bunch of bottles of liquor that we hardly drink. I would like to narrow the bar down to a wine/martini bar. Here's the list of what we want to stock: Bombay Sapphire (Gin - martinis and gin and tonics) Grey Goose (Vodka - martinis and vodka tonics) Bacardi Select (Rum - Rum and cokes, frozen concoctions) Cuervo Gold (Margaritas and shooting. Yes, I know there are better tequilas for shooting. ) Jack (Our friends, Jacky and Kyle, drink nothing else) Crown Chivas (or a comparable scotch. Not a big scotch drinker but it's nice to have some) Disaronno (my guilty pleasure) The Captain Vermouth Bitters As for wines, I am looking for a daily drinker wine. My favorite right now is La Crema Pinot Noir ($18) but 18 bucks is way too expensive for a daily drinker. My wife likes it as well so that is double trouble. We are typically red drinkers and will try anything, but tend to steer away from the dry wines. So just a few suggestions, maybe a couple shiraz or cabs as we are pretty familiar with the pinot noirs, would be helpful. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheNewGirl 1,639 Posted February 23, 2007 Toro, you might like Barbera's. They aren't on the dry side, and there are a few really great ones out there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Toro 3 Posted February 23, 2007 Toro, you might like Barbera's. They aren't on the dry side, and there are a few really great ones out there. I just read that the california barberas are from the same region that the california pinot noirs come from (Sonoma). I'll take a look. Any specific suggestions? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JScott 20 Posted February 24, 2007 Local wine events is a great site for finding tastings. There are several listings every day for stuff in Chicago, and I'd have to imagine Houston will be the same. Also get to know some of the wine shops in your area--many in Chicago have free tastings every weekend, and that can help you start with some basics. I can't emphasize enough that you should get out there and taste, or go to a local class--don't read a book. Nothing in a book can really give you the experience that you need to be able to start distinguishing among wines. And besides, tasting is more fun! I completely agree with Krista. Especially about going to your local wine shop and seeing if they have free tastings. Besides the social aspect, it's much more friendly on the wallet than having to buy a number of bottles to try and narrow down to some favorites. Mrs JScott and I became good friends with the couple that owned the local wine shop in the town we used to live in. We went to almost all their tastings (yes, we're drunks ) and classes. We learned a lot by doing that; not just what we liked but also what we don't like. Here's a link to their store. Check out their "Featured Wine" section for some great suggestions. And at the bottom of the page there's a link to < $10 wine for some "daily drinker" suggestions (they rotate their selections). But for only a few dollars more my favorite "daily drinker" is Folie a Deux 2003 Ménage a Trois Red ($11.99). You can see some notes on this wine on the "Store Favorites" link. This is/was the stores best seller. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Toro 3 Posted February 24, 2007 I completely agree with Krista. Especially about going to your local wine shop and seeing if they have free tastings. Besides the social aspect, it's much more friendly on the wallet than having to buy a number of bottles to try and narrow down to some favorites. Mrs JScott and I became good friends with the couple that owned the local wine shop in the town we used to live in. We went to almost all their tastings (yes, we're drunks ) and classes. We learned a lot by doing that; not just what we liked but also what we don't like. Here's a link to their store. Check out their "Featured Wine" section for some great suggestions. And at the bottom of the page there's a link to < $10 wine for some "daily drinker" suggestions (they rotate their selections). But for only a few dollars more my favorite "daily drinker" is Folie a Deux03 Ménage a Trois Red ($11.99). You can see some notes on this wine on the "Store Favorites" link. This is/was the stores best seller. I saw the Menage at World Market. I wanted to get it. I am soooo going to get it now!!!! I'll check it out. Give me a couple of months to get up to speed and we will be ready. My wife already took a look and she is down with the classes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hurricane Ditka 0 Posted February 24, 2007 I've had a few Chateau Ste. Michelle wines from the Columbia Valley region in WA lately (Canoe Ridge Estate and Indian Wells). Both were very good, and exceptional for the price. I'm definitely going to check out some of your suggestions. Thanks! You know what, tasting wine when you don't know the price is the best way to get a true opinion. And I think you were right on. My first choice is usually a CA cab sauv, but Mrs JScott is much more knowledgable about Bordeaux. So we have a good mix in our wine fridges. We've also visited Sonoma and Napa so that tipped the scales for me too. We do drink a lot of Pinot Noir too (although since she's preggers she's not drinking anything right now... read: more for me). One of my favorites was a '99 Reserve Pinot Noir from Chateau St. Jean in Sonoma. But for <$20 my favorite Pinot is from King Estates in OR. They also have a very good Pinot Gris. What are some of your top Pinot? I'm always looking to try new wines. Did you ever check out my suggestions? If not,,, your loss! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JScott 20 Posted February 24, 2007 Did you ever check out my suggestions? If not,,, your loss! I haven't yet, but that's only because we haven't gone on another wine buying binge yet. Mrs JScott and I save up some $$$ then sort of buy a lot at one time. Once our fridges our full we take a break. So except for our Silverado wine club we haven't bought a bottle in probably 3 months. And especially now that Mrs JScott is preggers [38D] our wine consumption has been very slow. But when we do go on our next buying trip I'm sure we'll buy some bottles of the wines you suggested (as I mentioned we've tried some Oregon Pinots and thought they were exceptional for the price). So keep your shirt on. When we buy them I'll let you know Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JScott 20 Posted February 24, 2007 Ok, 1996 Silverado Cabernet Sauvignon. WOW! Smooth as silk. Strong dark berry taste with maybe a bit of molassis. Excellent! Slight tanins. And I had this with only cheese, it would have perfect with a sirlion. I've only had a few wines better than this, definitely in my top 5. And supposedly the '97 is a step better than the '96. We'll get the '97 later this year as part of our membership. Can't wait. If you want to splurge I highly recommend this bottle. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
krista4 0 Posted February 24, 2007 I completely agree with Krista. Especially about going to your local wine shop and seeing if they have free tastings. Besides the social aspect, it's much more friendly on the wallet than having to buy a number of bottles to try and narrow down to some favorites. Mrs JScott and I became good friends with the couple that owned the local wine shop in the town we used to live in. We went to almost all their tastings (yes, we're drunks ) and classes. We learned a lot by doing that; not just what we liked but also what we don't like. Here's a link to their store. Check out their "Featured Wine" section for some great suggestions. And at the bottom of the page there's a link to < $10 wine for some "daily drinker" suggestions (they rotate their selections). But for only a few dollars more my favorite "daily drinker" is Folie a Deux 2003 Ménage a Trois Red ($11.99). You can see some notes on this wine on the "Store Favorites" link. This is/was the stores best seller. I LOVE the Menage a Trois...errr, I mean the wine. I've had the 2004 and 2005 as well, and they continue to provide great value. The Menage goes great with sushi, by the way. Toro, here are some others I recommend in the less than $15 range as everyday drinking wines. 2003 Paringa, Shiraz (Australia) $10 2004 Norton, Reserve Malbec (Argentina) $15 2004 Hahn Estate, Syrah (CA) $12 2003 Bishop’s Peak, Rock Solid Red (CA) $12 2004 Earthworks, Shiraz (Australia) $10 2002 Prats + Symington, Post Scriptum, Duoro (Portugal) $13 2003 McPherson Shiraz (Australia) $8 2002 Wirra Wirra, Grenache (Australia) $11 2003 Stoneleigh, Pinot Noir (New Zealand) $15 2000 L.A. Cetto, Petite Sirah (Mexico) $10 2001 Asti Winery, Cellar #8, Zinfandel (CA) $10 2002 Blair Family Estate, Zinfandel (CA) $12 2004 Finca Navarrita, Malbec/Tempranillo (Argentina) $9 2001 Millaman Estate, Shiraz/Malbec Reserva (Chile) $10 2003 Moon Mountain, Cabernet Sauvignon (CA) $12 2005 Calina, Reserve Carmenere (Chile) $10 2003 Yalumba, “Mawson’s”, Cabernet Sauvignon (Australia) $12 2005 Cantina Baroncini, “Messere”, Chianti (Italy) $9 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brown Eyed Girl 1 Posted February 24, 2007 2004 Hahn Estate, Syrah (CA) $12 Hahn makes a really nice Meritage as well that I love. I think it's a 2003 that I've tried. Priced about $12-$15 I'll have to give the Syrah a taste. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JScott 20 Posted February 25, 2007 Another "daily drinker" that we thought was great is the '03 Cline Red Truck. Granted, most of the daily driinkers will be classified as "red table wine", but there's still a lot of great wines to choose from in this classification... holy crap, that just took me 10 minutes to type out correctly... I'm toast! Beer tasting tonight Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Toro 3 Posted February 25, 2007 Another "daily drinker" that we thought was great is the '03 Cline Red Truck. Granted, most of the daily driinkers will be classified as "red table wine", but there's still a lot of great wines to choose from in this classification... holy crap, that just took me 10 minutes to type out correctly... I'm toast! Beer tasting tonight What did you think of krista's list? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JScott 20 Posted February 25, 2007 What did you think of krista's list? 2003 Paringa, Shiraz (Australia) $10 2004 Norton, Reserve Malbec (Argentina) $15 2004 Hahn Estate, Syrah (CA) $12 2003 Bishop’s Peak, Rock Solid Red (CA) $12 2004 Earthworks, Shiraz (Australia) $10 2002 Prats + Symington, Post Scriptum, Duoro (Portugal) $13 2003 McPherson Shiraz (Australia) $8 2002 Wirra Wirra, Grenache (Australia) $11 2003 Stoneleigh, Pinot Noir (New Zealand) $15 2000 L.A. Cetto, Petite Sirah (Mexico) $10 2001 Asti Winery, Cellar #8, Zinfandel (CA) $10 2002 Blair Family Estate, Zinfandel (CA) $12 2004 Finca Navarrita, Malbec/Tempranillo (Argentina) $9 2001 Millaman Estate, Shiraz/Malbec Reserva (Chile) $10 2003 Moon Mountain, Cabernet Sauvignon (CA) $12 2005 Calina, Reserve Carmenere (Chile) $10 2003 Yalumba, “Mawson’s”, Cabernet Sauvignon (Australia) $12 2005 Cantina Baroncini, “Messere”, Chianti (Italy) $9 Admittedly there are more on her list that I'm not familiar with but Australians are getting some of the highest marks in the last year or 2, so my suggestions would be to start there. If so, you'd be ahead of the curve and would be tasting/drinking some of better wines per dollar in the last few years. I'm familiar with Hahn, Blair, Moon Mt and Yalumba. And would agree with Krista (at least for these 4) that this is a good list to start from. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Toro 3 Posted February 25, 2007 Admittedly there are more on her list that I'm not familiar with but Australians are getting some of the highest marks in the last year or 2, so my suggestions would be to start there. If so, you'd be ahead of the curve and would be tasting/drinking some of better wines per dollar in the last few years. I'm familiar with Hahn, Blair, Moon Mt and Yalumba. And would agree with Krista (at least for these 4) that this is a good list to start from. Cool. I will start with this and report back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JScott 20 Posted February 25, 2007 Cool. I will start with this and report back. Excellent, looking forward to the reviews Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
krista4 0 Posted February 25, 2007 What did you think of krista's list? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JScott 20 Posted February 25, 2007 Hey, from what I was familiar with I gave you Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Toro 3 Posted February 25, 2007 What? A second opinion bothers you? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JScott 20 Posted March 12, 2007 Latest try was a 1996 Robert Stemler Pinot Noir. A few months ago this winery released some case of "library wines" that I believe only their wine club members had access to previously. I now see why they kept this particular vintage for their members. Admittedly I'm no expert when it comes to Pinot Noirs, but this was exceptional IMO. And for a CA Pinot to hold up so well since '96 was surprising to me. We paired it with what some untraditional meals for a Pinot. The first night with a home made lasagna/salad and the second with sirlion/rice. It held up great with both meals. The winery has sold out of this particular vintage, but I believe it was somewhere in the $40 - $70 range. Can't remember. What added to the surprise of how good this vintage is, was that we opened a '99 months ago and it really wasn't that good, average at best. So I didn't have high expectations for the '96 but luckily it bucked the trend. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nevada Crimmins 0 Posted March 12, 2007 Wine snob here. I prefer 1999 "Cadalamur Jadani". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sho Nuff 720 Posted March 12, 2007 2003 Paringa, Shiraz (Australia) $10 2004 Norton, Reserve Malbec (Argentina) $15 2004 Hahn Estate, Syrah (CA) $12 2003 Bishop’s Peak, Rock Solid Red (CA) $12 2004 Earthworks, Shiraz (Australia) $10 2002 Prats + Symington, Post Scriptum, Duoro (Portugal) $13 2003 McPherson Shiraz (Australia) $8 2002 Wirra Wirra, Grenache (Australia) $11 2003 Stoneleigh, Pinot Noir (New Zealand) $15 2000 L.A. Cetto, Petite Sirah (Mexico) $10 2001 Asti Winery, Cellar #8, Zinfandel (CA) $10 2002 Blair Family Estate, Zinfandel (CA) $12 2004 Finca Navarrita, Malbec/Tempranillo (Argentina) $9 2001 Millaman Estate, Shiraz/Malbec Reserva (Chile) $10 2003 Moon Mountain, Cabernet Sauvignon (CA) $12 2005 Calina, Reserve Carmenere (Chile) $10 2003 Yalumba, “Mawson’s”, Cabernet Sauvignon (Australia) $12 2005 Cantina Baroncini, “Messere”, Chianti (Italy) $9 Admittedly there are more on her list that I'm not familiar with but Australians are getting some of the highest marks in the last year or 2, so my suggestions would be to start there. If so, you'd be ahead of the curve and would be tasting/drinking some of better wines per dollar in the last few years. I'm familiar with Hahn, Blair, Moon Mt and Yalumba. And would agree with Krista (at least for these 4) that this is a good list to start from. Had a very good Grenache from Yalumba earlier this year...very tasty as recommended by my local wine guy. for that for sure. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
