I know a few of these threads float around every six months, but it has been a while and I know people are always finding good labels to pour. If you do have a favorite bottle, list the price. I'm always interested in replenishing my cellar with good wines.

 

I'm actually going up to Napa to take some family to go wine tasting this weekend. Any recommended vineyards?

I've never gone before though, will they let me taste it even though you don't drink it? If my brother finds anything good I'll let you know.

 

I haven't spent too much time in Napa. I do a lot of tasting in Sonoma. I feel that most of the wineries in Sonoma are really oriented towards giving you a broad taste of what they bottle, and don't have that elitist aura to them.

Most places want to see ID, although if you were going to get away with drinking I'd bet most places in Sonoma would let you.

For Napa, any of the big name wineries are worth going to (though there are a few to avoid). I haven't been up there enough to really get a sense of where to visit and where not to. Best thing to do is print off a map of all the wineries from the internet and find 6 or 7 close to each other and just hit them up one after another.

 

They all taste the same to me

 

I usually find wines I like at small local vineyards. In PA I like many of the wines at Allegro Vineyards. In MD I love Boordy's wines.
http://allegrowines.com/
http://boordy.com/

 

Chateau Ste. Michelle- Reisling $7.99
-Probably one of the easiest drinking whites I get, semi-sweet and not too much aftertaste. I usually always have a few in the wine cooler chilling. Great for light pasta and desserts.

Beaulieu Vineyards- Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley $7.99
A great deeper red, I really like it. Not too much currant taste to it, but definitly a heavier red. Really great with pork and red meats.

Beaulieu Vineyards- Georges de Latour Cabernat Sauvignon $90.00
It's pricey, yes, but OMG what a great wine. I've only had 5 bottles in my life, one for every year vintage for the past 5 years. This year I'll crack open the 2002 edition and see how good it is.

Valentin Bianchi- Malbec
A good, inexpensive Argentinian wine my ex sends me every so often whe she's down there.

 

Here are some of my favs:

2003 or 2004 Marques de Casa Concha - Cabernet Sauvignon ~$20
Great full bodied Chilean wine, fruity to the palate. Goes well with most meats

Jacob's Creek Shiraz/Cab Sauvignon ~$10-15
Very fruity wine, medium full bodied, but goes well with pretty much anything (meats, cheese, pasta).

Tignanello (2001) from Antinori ~$90
Super Tuscan wine with full of rich flavor. Must have for any wine collector. Vineyards located just outside of the Chianti region and made with a blend of Sangiovese, Cab Sauv, and Cab Franc. Can age this one for a good 5-8 years.

 

Aside from the rediculously expensive cabs, I like:
Sterling - Vitner's ($15)
BV Private Reserve ($30-$40)
Jordan ($40-$50)
Stag's Leap ($45)
Niebaum-Coppola Cask ($30-$40)
Dymamite ($25-$30)
White Oak (which is not to be confused with Silver Oak (which I also like) ($30)
Stonestreet and Libery School are actually pretty good too for being on the cheap side.


The only Merlot I really like:
Cakebread ($50)

I'm not much into whites, but I've always liked Chatue st. Jean - about $25 - and Clos du Bois - about $20.

Subinf - I think we've talked wine before, and I don't think we agreed on much.

 

From what I remember, we agreed on what was good wine (with the exception of maybe Opus One), my post at the time was aimed towards spending less money on better wine. I'll drink Silver Oak but I will never buy it. There are much better wines for half, or even a quarter of the price. There is a reason most people refer to it as silver joak.

At the same time, there are some wines where you absolutely get what you pay for - and are worth the sometimes 3 digit price.

I don't know if this actually relates to your post but I don't think we are too far off with what wine is good.

 

http://fulkersonwinery.com/

red zeplin is awesome

 

Ah, I think I remember now...

It had something to do with someone having a $xxx amount of money to blow on whatever, so I suggested scotch and wines that I would not otherwise buy. Truth be told, I have never paid for any wine over $70 (except Champagne) myself, but I am lucky enough to have very gracious family members.

I have a couple of bottles of Silver Oak, a "magnum" of Cakebread, a bottle of Caymus and a '98 Opus One...which were all gifts...all waiting for special occasions to be opened up.

 

Corte alla Flora - 2003 ($40) Delicious!

 

Big House Red ~ $10.99

Falesco Vitiano ~ $11.99

Red Truck California Red ~ $11.99

Concannon Cabernet Souvignon ~ $9.99

Flora Springs 2002 Trilogy ~ $64.99

Turnbull Cabernet Souvignon ~ $ 43.99

 

May I suggest to all of you: http://www.corkd.com

 

The best wine I've ever tasted is from French Lick Winery www.frenchlickwinery.com

The Tramenette is amazingly good. It's a semi-dry white wine. It's about $16, I believe. The only problem is that they won't ship it to Missouri.

 

Can you buy it in Missouri? Its unfortunate that restrictions are placed on what can be shipped where.

 

Nope, they only sell it within IN. I think they said they are starting to ship to parts of OH, but that does me no good.

The gf has a wedding in Cincinnati soon, we're thinking about just making the one hour detour to pick up a case or so.

 

Ruffino Chianti Classico $25

 

Just got back from Napa, I'd like to add Quintessa. Fairly pricey but absolutely amazing wine

 

I am a big fan of Italian reds. I love Brunello di Montalcino ($30 +). Ive never had a bad one. lately I've been on a Barolo (25+) kick.

 

I was in Napa in March and I think the 2004 Del Dotto Merlot is the best tasting wine I've ever had...also,any chards from Carneros.

 

Tried a Mirassou 2006 Pinot that wasn't too bad for 8 dollars. I'd buy more of them.

Had a 2005 Gnarly Head Old World Zinfandel from Lodi which was fucking tasty. Definitely would buy more of it, was around 10 dollars.

 

Avoid Mondavi....their wines are overpriced. The Chandon tour is pretty cool seeing how Champaigne is produced...they have good food too.

 

Trimbach Pinot Gris 2003.

Unfortunately the 2002 vintage is sold out, but we have tried the 2003 and it is just as good.

 

We really liked B.R. Cohn Zin, bought several bottles last time we were in the Sonoma Valley.

 

^ - I like Cohn's winery, they usually release some pretty solid wines. I also enjoy the tasting room with their olive oil and vinegar.

 

I'm a Peju wine club members. Oh so good. From their cheapy Carnival to their Cabernet. Good stuff and the price isn't bad.

 

Couple weeks ago I drank "The Guilty" It was about $20 for the bottle.