Any other wine lovers here?

[Buttercup]

And I mean quality over quantity

I wasn't introduced to GOOD red wine until my late 30's but I've been a fan ever since. In fact, I still have the bottle from that memorable dinner. I'm always on the lookout for new wines to try and, being the classy gents you seem to be, I thought I might find some like-minded individuals here that could offer up suggestions.

I tend to separate my wines in to three tiers: everyday wines (~$20), date night wines (~$40-$50), and special occasion wines ($75+). What I'd love to hear from you are some of your favorites for each of the categories. My tastes tend towards deep, dry, smooth, bold reds and I'm partial to Napa (but am open to wines from all over the world).

I pulled a few of my special occasion favorites from my wine cage to share with you, snuggled up with my DateJust and favorite wine opener (picked up from a tour at Joseph Phelps... couldn't resist the bling!). Lower tier favorites include Decoy, Belle Glos, Carmel Road, La Crema, Sextant, Altocedro, Maipe, Meiomi, and most MollyDooker's.

[wantonebad]

Does the Pope poop in the woods?

[toneafficianado]

Mate you need to add some Aussie reds too! Shiraz from Coonawarra in South Australia and Cab Sauv and Shiraz from Hunter Valley NSW here..don't be afraid!
We don't get easy availability of USA reds here either though so it's understandable you haven't seen too many from Down Under.

[sea-dweller]

Very nice! I am a red wine drinker, merlot or a nice, dry cabernet.

[DCgator]

Originally Posted by sea-dweller

Very nice! I am a red wine drinker, merlot or a nice, dry cabernet.

My exact same choices! I prefer cab more than merlot, however. Taste is more important to me than price range.

[singe89]

I'm a CA Cab fan. Silver oak, caymus, Far Niente/nickel & nickel, are all great. Not an opus fan however. Hundred acre and screaming eagle once in a blue moon...

...unless you're ken and your watch collection is only surpassed by your wine collection.

[HL65]

Originally Posted by singe89

I'm a CA Cab fan. Silver oak, caymus, Far Niente/nickel & nickel, are all great. Not an opus fan however. Hundred acre and screaming eagle once in a blue moon...

...unless you're ken and your watch collection is only surpassed by your wine collection.

Always nice to have a little supply just in case I get booted from mailing lists.



Also big fan of Peter Michael Les Pavots one of my very favorite blends not to mention one of best blends overall. For Pinot's love Marcassin
as they are impossible to beat--pricey but oh so well worth it. Overall my focus in on mostly California Cabs and blends.

[Runnin' Rebel]

Originally Posted by HL65

Always nice to have a little supply just in case I get booted from mailing lists.



Also big fan of Peter Michael Les Pavots one of my very favorite blends not to mention one of best blends overall. For Pinot's love Marcassin
as they are impossible to beat--pricey but oh so well worth it. Overall my focus in on mostly California Cabs and blends.

That's just plain sick

[mjclark32]

Originally Posted by HL65

Always nice to have a little supply just in case I get booted from mailing lists.



Also big fan of Peter Michael Les Pavots one of my very favorite blends not to mention one of best blends overall. For Pinot's love Marcassin
as they are impossible to beat--pricey but oh so well worth it. Overall my focus in on mostly California Cabs and blends.

Insane!

[Tri-Tip]

For an everyday wine, I like Smith & Hook Cabernet. About $15-$18 at the store. I get from my friend who owns a restaurant for $10.

For mid-range, can't beat The Prisoner

For high-end, Silver Oak or Faust is the way to go!

[singe89]

Originally Posted by Tri-Tip

For an everyday wine, I like Smith & Hook Cabernet. About $15-$18 at the store. I get from my friend who owns a restaurant for $10.

For mid-range, can't beat The Prisoner

For high-end, Silver Oak or Faust is the way to go!

Love prisoner as a blend! My wife is a huge Orin Swift fan and love that his blends can be had for a great price.

[mjclark32]

Here's one of each of what I have in my cellar. The decoy and olema is our everyday wine (about $25/bottle). The others are for nicer dinners/byob etc.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[flyinbrian]

I'm a wine lover myself and looking to build a small cellar, if any of you have one or a cool place you keep your wine please share photos of those too

[Buttercup]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

Does the Pope poop in the woods?

I've never heard of Vietti. What is it you like about their wines?

Originally Posted by toneafficianado

Mate you need to add some Aussie reds too! Shiraz from Coonawarra in South Australia and Cab Sauv and Shiraz from Hunter Valley NSW here..don't be afraid!
We don't get easy availability of USA reds here either though so it's understandable you haven't seen too many from Down Under.

Exactly what I was hoping for. Thank you!

Originally Posted by Tri-Tip

For an everyday wine, I like Smith & Hook Cabernet. About $15-$18 at the store. I get from my friend who owns a restaurant for $10.

For mid-range, can't beat The Prisoner

For high-end, Silver Oak or Faust is the way to go!

I had forgotten about Smith & Hook! And you know what? After looking for a year I finally sourced a bottle of The Prisoner while on vacation (I could never find it locally) but haven't opened it yet. I'm saving it for a special occasion :)

Originally Posted by HL65

Always nice to have a little supply just in case I get booted from mailing lists.

Also big fan of Peter Michael Les Pavots one of my very favorite blends not to mention one of best blends overall. For Pinot's love Marcassin
as they are impossible to beat--pricey but oh so well worth it. Overall my focus in on mostly California Cabs and blends.

That's it. I vote the next TRF gathering be at your place!

Originally Posted by mjclark32

Here's one of each of what I have in my cellar. The decoy and olema is our everyday wine (about $25/bottle). The others are for nicer dinners/byob etc.

It looks like we have very similar tastes! A 2009 Caymus is actually the bottle that got me started on this journey and will always remain a favorite of mine. I'll have to try the others you shared too. Thanks!

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by Buttercup

I've never heard of Vietti. What is it you like about their wines?

So until perhaps the last 15 or 20 years Vietti was a small but quality producer of unheralded Nebbiolo based wines as well as some barbera's/dolcetto's and the occasional Arneis (extremely underrated Italian white [think viognier meets sauvignon blanc]) Then the new wave of Barolo producers started to get press and what happened was that every producer that had choice vineyards was reassessed, Vietti was one of those houses, since they had started to incorporate a few modern techniques with their traditional management and production the world started to take notice... and they've been a bitch to get ever since. I've been to the vineyard a half dozen times and I can never get enough of the wines, the wine makers or the family that make these spectacular wines!!!!

[Hooper]

Part of my evening last night. We love the St. Francis Cab, but after being jet lagged and finishing up with the Lagavulin, let's just say some Advil was in order this morning!

[mjclark32]

Originally Posted by Buttercup

I've never heard of Vietti. What is it you like about their wines?



Exactly what I was hoping for. Thank you!



I had forgotten about Smith & Hook! And you know what? After looking for a year I finally sourced a bottle of The Prisoner while on vacation (I could never find it locally) but haven't opened it yet. I'm saving it for a special occasion :)



That's it. I vote the next TRF gathering be at your place!



It looks like we have very similar tastes! A 2009 Caymus is actually the bottle that got me started on this journey and will always remain a favorite of mine. I'll have to try the others you shared too. Thanks!

Definitely try out the Heitz

[G8RDPM]

Amazing as alway,Ken!

I'm too lazy for a new pic now. This was my Christmas line up!

[Buttercup]

Originally Posted by G8RDPM

Amazing as alway,Ken!

I'm too lazy for a new pic now. This was my Christmas line up!

Oooh, more of my favorites! As a rule I do not like white wine, but I was surprised by Far Niente's Chardonnay; I actually tried their white before their Cab (which was über delicious!). Also a fan of the yellow label! I tried a 2002 Cristal but honestly wasn't impressed. I found it very yeasty in taste. What is the middle bottle? I can't read the label.

Oh, other good ones to share with you are Cask and Quintessa for upper level, Frogs Leap for mid-level, and Worthy and Hess for everyday wines.

I've gotten some great suggestions so far for the "nicer occasion" wines, but as we know it's hard to find a truly enjoyable wine at the "everyday" price. What are your favorites?

[Buttercup]

Originally Posted by GerardoG

Guilty here. I try to keep a bit of everything, I am in no way an expert. Some bottles in cellar include Mexican...

Originally Posted by GerardoG

Cabernet

Originally Posted by GerardoG

Malbecs

Originally Posted by GerardoG

Tempranillo and Rioja

You rock Gerardo! Thank you

[GerardoG]

Originally Posted by Buttercup

You rock Gerardo! Thank you

Others have far more knowledge than me, my 2 cents here is having wine to pair any meal (and mood)!

[G8RDPM]

Originally Posted by Buttercup

Oooh, more of my favorites! As a rule I do not like white wine, but I was surprised by Far Niente's Chardonnay; I actually tried their white before their Cab (which was über delicious!). Also a fan of the yellow label! I tried a 2002 Cristal but honestly wasn't impressed. I found it very yeasty in taste. What is the middle bottle? I can't read the label.

Oh, other good ones to share with you are Cask and Quintessa for upper level, Frogs Leap for mid-level, and Worthy and Hess for everyday wines.

I've gotten some great suggestions so far for the "nicer occasion" wines, but as we know it's hard to find a truly enjoyable wine at the "everyday" price. What are your favorites?

First,G,I need to make a trip to Mexico,or at least sign up for your next GTG.Amazing as always,and everyday!

Buttercup,We went to Far Niente last year. Great tour and wine. I like Napa Cabs and Oregon Pinot. My fave may be California red zins. For every day wine,I enjoy the Decoy Zin and Merlot. It is the Duckhorn family. I also enjoy the Wagner family(Caymus)Zin and Pinot(not to mention their amazing cabs)
Boubon time now!

[GerardoG]

Originally Posted by G8RDPM

First,G,I need to make a trip to Mexico,or at least sign up for your next GTG.Amazing as always,and everyday!

Buttercup,We went to Far Niente last year. Great tour and wine. I like Napa Cabs and Oregon Pinot. My fave may be California red zins. For every day wine,I enjoy the Decoy Zin and Merlot. It is the Duckhorn family. I also enjoy the Wagner family(Caymus)Zin and Pinot(not to mention their amazing cabs)
Boubon time now!

Interested in a 2/3 day visit to Valle de Guadalupe? No Rolex dealers, but I promise unbelievable food and wine.

[G8RDPM]

Originally Posted by GerardoG

Interested in a 2/3 day visit to Valle de Guadalupe? No Rolex dealers, but I promise unbelievable food and wine.

I'd need to diet both before and after!
You,sir,are living the dream.

[G8RDPM]

Originally Posted by Buttercup

Oooh, more of my favorites! As a rule I do not like white wine, but I was surprised by Far Niente's Chardonnay; I actually tried their white before their Cab (which was über delicious!). Also a fan of the yellow label! I tried a 2002 Cristal but honestly wasn't impressed. I found it very yeasty in taste. What is the middle bottle? I can't read the label.

Oh, other good ones to share with you are Cask and Quintessa for upper level, Frogs Leap for mid-level, and Worthy and Hess for everyday wines.

I've gotten some great suggestions so far for the "nicer occasion" wines, but as we know it's hard to find a truly enjoyable wine at the "everyday" price. What are your favorites?

So,Buttercup,many of my enablers/corruptors are here!
The middle bottle is Pappy Van Winkle 23 year old bourbon.
It's not wine,so it shouldn't have been in this thread,but it was inspired by my TRF friends!

[GerardoG]

Guilty here. I try to keep a bit of everything, I am in no way an expert. Some bottles in cellar include Mexican...

[GerardoG]

Cabernet

[Mfrankel2]

Originally Posted by GerardoG

Cabernet

Love the Prisoner; great bottle for the $$

[GerardoG]

Originally Posted by Mfrankel2

Love the Prisoner; great bottle for the $$

I agree!

[GerardoG]

Malbecs