The Yank stuff is a little difficult to find here in Australia. My father-in-law is going to the states early next year and I'd like him to get me some of the local wine. So I was hoping for a few suggestions of good, not to expensive <$US50 reds. Something he can pick up at the local liquor store (not the winery) that will make me go WOW.
Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
American wine recommendations
American wine recommendations
never underestimate the predictability of stupidity
Re: American wine recommendations
Rens,
Because of our distribution system over here, most liquor stores will carry the big brands, which will not end up wowing you. Even if he's not going to the winery, he'll have to go to a more specialized wine shop to find Wow wines. Do you know where he's going to be traveling? It might be possible to recommend specific shops. Failing that, give me some idea of the style of wine you enjoy (I know, red) and I can throw out some names--just be aware that they may not be easy to find.
Because of our distribution system over here, most liquor stores will carry the big brands, which will not end up wowing you. Even if he's not going to the winery, he'll have to go to a more specialized wine shop to find Wow wines. Do you know where he's going to be traveling? It might be possible to recommend specific shops. Failing that, give me some idea of the style of wine you enjoy (I know, red) and I can throw out some names--just be aware that they may not be easy to find.
Joe Czerwinski
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bob parsons
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Re: American wine recommendations
Spot on Joe. If in NY area, I would suggest Chambers St. On the west coast, there are a whole bunch of small but selective wine stores to visit. Let us know where pops is going eh.
Re: American wine recommendations
The $50 limit means Napa cabernets are probably out of the picture - they are incredibly expensive and overpriced now as a general rule. The Conn Valley reserve cabernet might be around that price, and it has fairly good availability. You would have much better luck with Washington reds or Oregon pinots at that price range, or Califirnia wine from other regions (e.g., Tablas Creek's Esprit de Beaucastel from Paso Robles). The bad news about the WA or OR options is that they are much harder to get if you aren't in either state. So, like the others said, it all depends where your father will be in the US.
Re: American wine recommendations
He's off to California (so landing/leaving from LAX). I like bigger reds things like Shiraz, Cab Sav, Bordeaux blends, even Zinfandel.
never underestimate the predictability of stupidity
Re: American wine recommendations
With the caveat that I am on the opposite coast, I've ordered from a couple of Southern California retailers that have big selections: WineExchange (www.winex.com) and Woodland Hills Wine Company (www.whwc.com).
As others have said, Cabernet may be tough under $50, but Syrah and Zin will be easier. Here are some of my personal suggestions.
Cabernet (probably over $50): Chateau Montelena (estate, around $100), Dunn, Karl Lawrence, Philip Togni
Syrah: Carlisle, Failla, Novy, Peay, Stolpman
Zinfandel: Biale, Carlisle, Ridge, Scherrer
Drinking a Yalumba 2004 FDR1A tonight myself--nice Cab-Shiraz from Barossa.
As others have said, Cabernet may be tough under $50, but Syrah and Zin will be easier. Here are some of my personal suggestions.
Cabernet (probably over $50): Chateau Montelena (estate, around $100), Dunn, Karl Lawrence, Philip Togni
Syrah: Carlisle, Failla, Novy, Peay, Stolpman
Zinfandel: Biale, Carlisle, Ridge, Scherrer
Drinking a Yalumba 2004 FDR1A tonight myself--nice Cab-Shiraz from Barossa.
Joe Czerwinski
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Mark Carrington
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Re: American wine recommendations
Ridge or Seghesio's Zinfandel, Qupé Bien Nacido Syrah, Calera or Saintsbury Pinot Noir, Frog's Leap range, Marimar Torres range, Jade Mountain Mourvedre, Schramsberg or Roederer fizz, Thackeray's Pleiades.
If choosing only one: Ridge.
If choosing only one: Ridge.
Re: American wine recommendations
Joe Cz wrote:With the caveat that I am on the opposite coast, I've ordered from a couple of Southern California retailers that have big selections: WineExchange (http://www.winex.com) and Woodland Hills Wine Company (http://www.whwc.com).
As others have said, Cabernet may be tough under $50, but Syrah and Zin will be easier. Here are some of my personal suggestions.
Cabernet (probably over $50): Chateau Montelena (estate, around $100), Dunn, Karl Lawrence, Philip Togni
Syrah: Carlisle, Failla, Novy, Peay, Stolpman
Zinfandel: Biale, Carlisle, Ridge, Scherrer
Drinking a Yalumba 2004 FDR1A tonight myself--nice Cab-Shiraz from Barossa.
I have actually been to the Woodland Store. My wife was raised in Ventura so I made a special visit a few years back. Its a big store with a decent selection of both US and imported wines - lots of Brunello. In terms of major LA wine stores, I always thought Wallys (http://www.wallywine.com/s-17-domestic- ... x?nav=Wine) was the granddaddy of them all in LA.
Re US wines, if you want something a little different, you might wish to think about the 2007 Esprit de Beaucastel from Tablas Creek (http://www.tablascreek.com/esprit07.shtml) It is produced by a joint venture with Ch Beaucastel. Really interesting take on Ch Neuf du Pape.
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KMP
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Re: American wine recommendations
Difficult ask, even limiting selections to just Syrah and/or Zin. Your best bet is probably having your father-in-law visit the LA area wine shops already mentioned and ask them for suggestions from their current range.
In the past I've taken Syrah back to Oz to share with friends, relatives, winemakers etc. simply because its something that can be compared to the most obvious local product. The problem is that the best in your price range (Carlisle, Lagier-Meredith, Failla, Cayuse - IMHO) are hard to find because they are mostly only available through mail order from the winery. Sometimes you will get a few bottles popping up here and there but they are at a premium to winery prices and they usually disappear fast.
It also depends on what you mean by WOW? Wow as in great or as in what the hell is that? If you want inky, big wines then Petite Sirah (Durif) would probably do the trick and you could compare them to Rutherglen examples. But your best bet is Zin. Ridge (wine list click here), Carlisle (if you can find any - wine list click here) and Ravenswood (wine list click here) would be a reasonable sampling. All three have bottlings of individual vineyards and/or areas. I'd be tempted by wines from Dry Creek Valley, Paso Robles, and Lodi. A friend always tells me to avoid Zins from Napa, and so I mostly do.
Mike
In the past I've taken Syrah back to Oz to share with friends, relatives, winemakers etc. simply because its something that can be compared to the most obvious local product. The problem is that the best in your price range (Carlisle, Lagier-Meredith, Failla, Cayuse - IMHO) are hard to find because they are mostly only available through mail order from the winery. Sometimes you will get a few bottles popping up here and there but they are at a premium to winery prices and they usually disappear fast.
It also depends on what you mean by WOW? Wow as in great or as in what the hell is that? If you want inky, big wines then Petite Sirah (Durif) would probably do the trick and you could compare them to Rutherglen examples. But your best bet is Zin. Ridge (wine list click here), Carlisle (if you can find any - wine list click here) and Ravenswood (wine list click here) would be a reasonable sampling. All three have bottlings of individual vineyards and/or areas. I'd be tempted by wines from Dry Creek Valley, Paso Robles, and Lodi. A friend always tells me to avoid Zins from Napa, and so I mostly do.
Mike