Cheap wine recs

[jekv12]

I second the recommendation for Moore Brothers. Note they carry mostly French and Italian, with a few California and German wines. I like the store a lot, but it's not the place to find most of what's discussed here. Of course, that's part of the reason to go. For more of a "supermarket" wine experience, there's Total Wine (in Delaware, just south of the PA border - and many other east coast locations) and Gary's in north/central Jersey (Bernardsville and Madison), both of which carry everyday to the special ocassion wines. In CA I like The Wine Club, in San Francisco, San Jose and Santa Clara.

Back on topic, I've found the Echelon (from California) line of wines to be very good and very well priced, as are many Chilean Cabs, and you can try Macons or St. Verans for under $15 if you want Chardonnay that's not too oaky - or of course Chablis for Chardonnay that hasn't seen oak at all.

 

[drizzt3117]

Casa Lapostole has some nice cabs for $15 or so (Chilean) and for $30-50 you can get world class Chilean reds. Clos Apalta has been #2 and #3 on the WS Top 100 the last two years, and Don Melchor will probably be top 10 this year.

I'm not a big drinker of non-dessert whites either...I do love sweet wines though.

 

[jekv12]

Hey shoreman, I just noticed your location. While Total Wines isn't in Maryland, they are in the VA 'burbs: http://www.wineaccess.com/splash/totalwine/ wineaccess.com itself is an interesting site....

 

[Fabienne]

Casa Lapostole has some nice cabs for $15 or so (Chilean) and for $30-50 you can get world class Chilean reds.  Clos Apalta has been #2 and #3 on the WS Top 100 the last two years, and Don Melchor will probably be top 10 this year.

I'm not a big drinker of non-dessert whites either...I do love sweet wines though.

Do Americans call sweet white wines "dessert wines"?

 

[drizzt3117]

I think they are generally considered dessert wines...

 

[petescolari]

I like both Catell del Remei Gotim Bru 11.99 and Marques des Caceres Rioja also 11.99. Chappellet Chenin Blanc 12.99 or so. Also, Dynamite Vineyards cab is about 15.

Good luck. Let us know if you find anything interesting.

 

[Concordia]

Best bets right now, focusing on reds:

2003 Beaujolais. Killer year, try to get one of the village crus (Moulin-a-Vent, Morgon, etc.). Even better, one of the single-vineyard bottlings from a specialist producer. If you get the "Cuvee Prestige" sort of stuff, Georges Dubeouf has some stunning bottles for sale. This is Beaujolais for cellaring and drinking with real food.

Almost any year, but 2000, 2001, 2003 good bets: Cote du Rhone and its variants. Parallele 45 is one of the most reliable $9 one can spend on a red wine. Sometimes I wonder why I bother getting anything better. Tardieu-Laurent does a nice CDR (Les Becs Fins) for $14. Ask at a good shop-- there will certainly be others. 1999 and 1998 will probably be too old for the generic, but you might get one of the minor villages or even a Chataneuf-du-Pape on sale for around $15.

2002 Burgundy. Get a generic Bourgogne or regional bottling from a good producer. The best will run close to $20, but there should be a bunch for less than $15. Potel, Faiveley, Drouhin some of the likeliest suspects. Maybe Bouchard or Jadot.

For whites, German Kabinett or qBa from 2001, 2002, 2003. Not terribly dry, but food-friendly and good for sipping. Excellent years, worth dipping into.

 

[drizzt3117]

My budget choices:

Chilean Reds:

In general, these are a great value. You can't go wrong with Casa Lapostolle Cuvee Alexandre Cab or Syrah for $12-14 a bottle, Concha Y Toro Don Melchor for about $30/bottle, or Clos Apalta for about $50/btl.

Central Coast Pinots:

I think these are a better value than their Oregon/WA/Napa counterparts these last few vintages. Arcadian has some great PN in the $18-22 range.

2003 Sauternes:

Prices are still relatively low, you can get Rieussec for $20/375 or so, considering its barrel rating was 95-100, it looks like almost as good a vintage as the 2001.

 

[cuffthis]

Pardon the suit picture, was taken for the Men's Style Forum. But the wine at the bottom is a GREAT value. 2001 Chateau Le Preuil featured at the bottom of the first picture is an outstanding value Bordeaux from the Medoc region. A $12 wine that easily drinks like a $30+ bottle. Find it if you can. As I am new to this part of the Style Forum, I'm not sure if Carolina Wine Co. has been mentioned before. They have FANTASTIC pricing on hard to find wines and focus on Australian reds and Austrian whites but have most of everything. And they ship from Raleigh, NC to most everywhere (wink wink)

 

[drizzt3117]

Some people on ERP have mentioned that they have had issues with being shorted by CWC on futures/prearrivals. Not sure about their experiences with straight mail order. I normally order from KL wines, 2020wines, WHWC, or buy direct from Winex, wine club, or hi time.

 

[cuffthis]

Some people on ERP have mentioned that they have had issues with being shorted by CWC on futures/prearrivals.

I've never been shorted but I have had to wait longer than anticipated for pre-arrival items. But, overall, for price and availability, they are my supplier of choice.

 

[Tyto]

One of my favorite whites--Cambria Vineyards' Katherine's Chardonnay--goes for $12.99-$21.99, depending on where you buy.

For budget reds:

* I've been impressed with many of the Chilean wines (no particular label remembered--sorry)
* Coppola's Claret is a good value for $12.99
* Blackstone Merlot (the Napa bottling) can be had for as low as $8.99.
* Rabbit Ridge Zinfandel, usually around $11.

Also, I tried Coppola's "Rosso" red table wine for cooking, based on a recommendation from America's Test Kitchen, and the results were very nice. Bottles can usually be had for eight or nine bucks.

 

[drizzt3117]

I'm drinking 2003 Ch. St. Michelle Riesling Icewine right now, this stuff is absolutely spectacular. Bursting with fruit and lots of flavor... good stuff, about $28/375 but worth every penny.