Cheap wine recs

[shoreman1782]

I don't think I'm alone in my level of wine connoisseurship, in that I enjoy an occasional glass of wine, but am financially incapabable of plunking down $50 regularly; I'm more likely to drink $7 plonk.

Any forum members that would deign to make some 2005 recommendations on bottles under $15 that one might actually be able to track down?

Personally - and I am NO expert - I like:

- Rosemount - Shiraz - no special, single vineyard stuff, just v. drinkable, IMHO.
- Bonny Doon - Big House Red - ditto
- (Ruffino? unsure - yellow label with print and red writing - that's specific, right?) - Chianti - great with spaghetti and meatbawls. I've never tried the kind in the basket...
- BV Coastal - all varietals

- Estancia -  Pinot Grigio
- Whatever vineyard - "vinho verde" - very light portuguese white (heard it was popular table wine in america mid-century)

Feel free to tell me I'm a victim of wine marketing or otherwise a rube.

 

[drizzt3117]

I would check out Penfolds Bin 389, it's a nice cabernet shiraz, slightly more than what you mentioned, but you should be able to find it for $18, I quite like this stuff, very smooth, tastes a bit like a Cali cab, but rich and fruity.

 

[Fabienne]

OK, I did this under the worst conditions (I have a slight cold and was cooking a pungent dish that made the whole house smell like an Alsacian brasserie), but:

I tried the Leasingham Clare Valley (Australia) Magnus 2001 recommended by Johnapril on another thread.  When I first opened it, I thought it might end up in my sauce: heavy vinegar smell.  But I know better than to judge a wine right after opening it.  I let it sit for 5 minutes, swirled it in the glass, and slight tobacco aromas came through. I tasted, and thought the tannins to be well-balanced (a little under for my taste).  The only drawback is a slight metallic aftertaste. The tannins got stronger with time (I like that). Now, remember I have this cold.  If you want to know what it feels like to try to taste something while in my current position, pinch your nose and attempt to taste your food.

All in all, the price is pretty unbelievable for a wine of that quality.  I would only reproach them with the name.  But the label says it was the name of some solicitor.  A solicitor.  Who ever thought of naming a wine after a solicitor.

 

[philosophe]

If you're ever around Philly or Wilmington DE, you might check out Moore Brothers (also on-line, though they don't ship). Greg Moore was the sommelier at Philly's Le Bec Fin for years, then went into the wine business. The shop has numerous excellent bottles in the $8-15 range. It's worth a trip.

 

[drizzt3117]

I thought PALCB was the only seller of wines in PA?

 

[philosophe]

PALCB is still the only retailer in PA. Fortunately, the new chair has really improved the stores in the last few years. But we still drive over to Pennsauken NJ (10 mins from center city philly) to buy wine at Moore Brothers and other good shops. Call me tax cheat, what can I say? Greg has a great selection.

 

[drizzt3117]

I heard PALCB had some pretty great deals on some items (Cakebread cabs, some others)

 

[bigbadbuff]

for under 15 or right around it that I have tried and like...

Chateau Souverain Cab

Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc

 

[kabert]

Chateau St. Michelle wines (cab, chardonnay, etc. -- for Washington State, I think) are uniformly decent wines, and reasonably priced, year in and year out.

 

[Fabienne]

Chateau St. Michelle wines (cab, chardonnay, etc. -- for Washington State, I think) are uniformly decent wines, and reasonably priced, year in and year out.

True about the price, but I have been disappointed, so I don't even try any more. Which one(s) do you feel are the best bets?

 

[kabert]

Fabienne, the cabernet, both reserve and regular are reliably good IMO. The Cold Creek Vineyard line of Ch. St. Michelle is a step up as well. The Horse Heaven sauv. blanc is cheap and better than the usual "cat pee." For a long time I have had their chardonnay as my "house" white, but I'm beginning to tire of it -- not enough fruit and too much oak is my current thought.

 

[Fabienne]

Fabienne, the cabernet, both reserve and regular are reliably good IMO.  The Cold Creek Vineyard line of Ch. St. Michelle is a step up as well.  The Horse Heaven sauv. blanc is cheap and better than the usual "cat pee."  For a long time I have had their chardonnay as my "house" white, but I'm beginning to tire of it -- not enough fruit and too much oak is my current thought.

About how much for the Cold Creek? (I don't drink white, btw, I just cook with it).

 

[johnw86]

I'm a big fan of Columbia Crest for everyday drinking--the Cab, the merlot and their Chardonnay are good buys for $11 (Ohio price).

Also bought a case of Villa Mt. Eden cabernet (Tall Trees vineyard) for $11 a bottle and it drinks more like a $25 bottle.

 

[kabert]

Fab,

The Cold Creek Vineyard wines are in the low $20 range generally. I've seen them occasionally at Costco, so they are likely even cheaper there.

Don't drink whites. What do you drink in midsummer?

 

[Fabienne]

I drink red wine year round. No matter how much I force myself, I just cannot get interested in white wines. Must be partially a cultural thing. I was miserable in Austria.