What kind of WINE did you drink last night? (1 Viewer)

[DA RAIDERS]

Went back to my favorite label in California.

Drank a 2012 Ehlers Estate 1886 Cabernet Sauvignon

A friend of mine handled their marketing for a few years.  I know it well..  enjoy!

 

[TheDirtyWord]

2015 Levendi Cabernet.  Mrs. TDW and I went thru 2.

 

[chet]

On Friday, I am going to a half day of shooting instruction led by a Navy Seal instructor followed by:

A tutored tasting of mature vintages of Chateau Lafite-Rothschild led by Roger C. Bohmrich, Master of Wine, and Founding President of the Institute of Masters of Wine (North America). For this historic tasting we will sample a range of vintages including- 1959, 1961, 1962, 1966, 1969, 1970, 1975, 1982, 1983, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1995, 1996 and 2010 (contributed by Geoffrey Luce).

I have to say that I am pretty stoked for this event.

 

[Judge Smails]

Some really good reds from the Douro valley in Portugal. All blends. Had about 3 tastes of ports - not a fan of anything that sweet. Thankfully they had other really good wines 

 

[Chemical X]

Madrevite Capofoco

 

[DA RAIDERS]

drank a magnum of 99 schafer,  hillside select.  it was really good.  easily one of the best CA cabs i've ever had.

 

[matuski]

drank a magnum of 99 schafer,  hillside select.  it was really good.  easily one of the best CA cabs i've ever had.

Shafer is hands down my favorite winery in the US, alongside Feudi di San Gregorio worldwide.

Have several vintages of Hillside Select, their Merlot (LOVE the merlot), red shoulder ranch, relentless, and just got a few bottles of TD-9.  

 

[cosjobs]

It was good. I am new to French wine so I am trying to conduct more field research. I brought home some Pomerol and St Emilion from Paris that I am excited to try. In the meantime I am just grabbing Bordeaux, Rhône, and others. Also mixing in a lot of Spanish and Portuguese wines.  Plenty of good values there.  

Portugese wines are the most underrated. 
A good Pomerol will change any bad thoughts you have about Merlot. Of the French, I think Rhone is best value, but I'm a fan of Grenache.

 

[The General]

Gargiulo 2014 Cab Sav 

Really, really good.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Gargiulo 2014 Cab Sav 

Really, really good.

agreed  not many know about it.  been a fan for a while

 

[Phil Elliott]

Arista Ferrington ‘16 Pinot Noir. Mendocino County-Anderson Valley.

 

[Quint]

We get Ferrington fruit for our Pinot Noir program. Really good stuff...love that Pommard clone out of there. 

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Wife and I enjoy wine but with 2 kids approaching college we are in it for the quantity over quality.

2017 Murphy Goode is our daily. 

Anybody else have some under $15 options? 

 

[Jules Winnfield]

Wife and I enjoy wine but with 2 kids approaching college we are in it for the quantity over quality.

2017 Murphy Goode is our daily. 

Anybody else have some under $15 options? 

Red, white, rose, or open to all?

Any particular favorite grape variety?

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Red, white, rose, or open to all?

Any particular favorite grape variety?

Red. Cabs and Malbecs 

I assumed different grapes are used for different wines but I wouldn’t know the name of one even if some hot nekkid Greek lady fluent in Greek was feeding them to me. 

 

[Bobcat10]

Wife and I enjoy wine but with 2 kids approaching college we are in it for the quantity over quality.

2017 Murphy Goode is our daily. 

Anybody else have some under $15 options? 

Bought a bottle of Mondavi Private Selection 2018 cab sav last week on sale (or maybe just overpriced to begin with) for 8.99 and have bought three more since.  Pretty tasty to me.  

 

[Jules Winnfield]

Red. Cabs and Malbecs 

I assumed different grapes are used for different wines but I wouldn’t know the name of one even if some hot nekkid Greek lady fluent in Greek was feeding them to me. 

I'm betting that you're drinking Malbec from Argentina so here is a starter list of Cabernet and Malbec that I've poured from there:

Valentin Bianchi both a Cabernet and Malbec

Tintonegro Malbec Mendoza (but branch out and try their Cabernet Franc Valle de Uco)

Ernesto Catena Padrillos Malbec 

Adelante Malbec

Altos las Hormigas Malbec

Elsa Bianchi both a Cabernet and Malbec

Angulo Innocenti Cabernet Nonni la Consulta

Pascual Toso Estate both Cabernet and Malbec

Enrique Foster Malbec Ique

Don Rodolfo both Cabernet and Malbec

Belasco de Baquedano Llama Malbec

If you want other countries, don't hesitate to ask

 

[Jules Winnfield]

French Cab blends - Chateau Piochet OR Chateau Recougne Bordeaux Superieur

California Cab - Margarett's Vineyard OR Matchbook Lake County OR Raymond R Collection Lot 1

Washington Cab - Badger Mountain Columbia Valley Cabernet NSA 

 

[The General]

Viader 2014 Proprietary

Super good. Had to let sit open awhile. 

One of the most impressive tasting area set-ups I went to in Napa area (which is saying something down there).

 

[matuski]

Old Standby tonight.. Shafer One Point Five.

Considered breaking into the Hillside stash, but I'll save it for friends.

@The General I'll put Shafer up there with Viader on the tasting room/venue.

 

[The General]

Old Standby tonight.. Shafer One Point Five.

Considered breaking into the Hillside stash, but I'll save it for friends.

@The General I'll put Shafer up there with Viader on the tasting room/venue.

Nice. Shafer was on my list last trip and we just ran out of time. Will make sure we get there next time after all this BS is over.

 

[matuski]

Nice. Shafer was on my list last trip and we just ran out of time. Will make sure we get there next time after all this BS is over.

One of my favorite places on earth.

 

[Zow]

Anyone had The Prisoner? Is it worth $40?

I like it. The 2015 was really good. Later vintages are good but maybe not worth double the cost of say Decoy or Conundrum. 

 

[Osaurus]

I like it. The 2015 was really good. Later vintages are good but maybe not worth double the cost of say Decoy or Conundrum. 

Decoy is solid imo. Haven’t tried Prisoner yet. 

 

[The General]

Going to one of my standbys and favorites from Washington - Mark Ryan

2015 Cab Sav

Good right out of the bottle.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

drank a magnum of 99 schafer,  hillside select.  it was really good.  easily one of the best CA cabs i've ever had.

'07 last night. Should have waited.

 

[3 hour lunch]

Sangiovese....some random $15 2017 from the liquor store.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

On Friday, I am going to a half day of shooting instruction led by a Navy Seal instructor followed by:

I have to say that I am pretty stoked for this event.

How was it?

 

[Bob Sacamano]

drank a magnum of 99 schafer,  hillside select.  it was really good.  easily one of the best CA cabs i've ever had.

Within the last 6 months I've enjoyed an Opus One, a Pritchard Hill, and a Hillside Select, and while they're all fantastic wines with their own merits, none of them have anything on the Meyer Family Cellars Bonny's Vineyard (the original Silver Oak vineyard iirc) at about 1/3 the price

 

[Quint]

right now: 2013 A. Rafanelli Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley)

popped and poured about 90 minutes ago and now just starting to wake up. decidedly fruit-driven with loads of crushed raspberry, cherry, and hints of dark cherry in the background. at seven years old i think i may have waited a bit too long on this as the tannins are non-existent and the acid is mild at best. color hasn't started to go brick/rust yet. hopefully this will get better in the next couple of hours ('cause that's how long it's gonna take go finish this bottle). 

 

[Bob Sacamano]

right now: 2013 A. Rafanelli Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley)

popped and poured about 90 minutes ago and now just starting to wake up. decidedly fruit-driven with loads of crushed raspberry, cherry, and hints of dark cherry in the background. at seven years old i think i may have waited a bit too long on this as the tannins are non-existent and the acid is mild at best. color hasn't started to go brick/rust yet. hopefully this will get better in the next couple of hours ('cause that's how long it's gonna take go finish this bottle). 

 Might have some Rafanelli zins I need to consume soon. 

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I think i have a Zin and a cab each back to about '10. And that's after we went through this a few years ago with the '06-'09. I really need to be better about keeping on top of these. 

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Within the last 6 months I've enjoyed an Opus One, a Pritchard Hill, and a Hillside Select, and while they're all fantastic wines with their own merits, none of them have anything on the Meyer Family Cellars Bonny's Vineyard (the original Silver Oak vineyard iirc) at about 1/3 the price

i've work in the biz and have had the opportunity to taste a ton of wine.  i have tasted a zillion high end wines.  especially CA.  most, if not all, are over priced and not worth it.  that 99 hillside was special, mostly because it had 20 years in the bottle. 

 

[flapgreen]

Black Cherry from the local winery. So good 

 

[Chemical X]

2011 Lungarotti Aurente - My favorite white....

 

[Osaurus]

Luc Pirlet Sav Blanc 2018. Mediocre at best. Meh

 

[chet]

How was it?

Epic. I will post a pic of the wines and a link to the youtube vid (if I can find it).

 

[chet]

How was it?

A tutored tasting of mature vintages of Chateau Lafite Rothschild.

 

[Quint]

A tutored tasting of mature vintages of Chateau Lafite Rothschild.

Was there a Rudy Kurniawan sighting? 

 

[3 hour lunch]

I just started drinking wine in the last 6 months, as we went to Italy in October. Got hooked on Chianti, also like Sangiovese and Malbec ok. Any recommendations for any good brands or anything? 

 

[chet]

I just started drinking wine in the last 6 months, as we went to Italy in October. Got hooked on Chianti, also like Sangiovese and Malbec ok. Any recommendations for any good brands or anything? 

A tutored tasting of mature vintages of Chateau Lafite Rothschild.

See above for a decent brand.

 

[Osaurus]

I just started drinking wine in the last 6 months, as we went to Italy in October. Got hooked on Chianti, also like Sangiovese and Malbec ok. Any recommendations for any good brands or anything? 

Lodolaio Chianti Classico Riserva is awesome. It prices around $33. 

 

[chet]

Was there a Rudy Kurniawan sighting? 

Had to google the name.  No.  All legit.

 

[Quint]

I just started drinking wine in the last 6 months, as we went to Italy in October. Got hooked on Chianti, also like Sangiovese and Malbec ok. Any recommendations for any good brands or anything? 

Plenty of good stuff out there across various price points. Is there a local wine shop near you? 

 

[Quint]

Had to google the name.  No.  All legit.

Have you seen “Sour Grapes”? 

 

[chet]

Have you seen “Sour Grapes”? 

No.  Should I?  I have more free time than usual.

 

[3 hour lunch]

Plenty of good stuff out there across various price points. Is there a local wine shop near you? 

Thanks Chet/Osaurus for the ideas. The closest Wine shop to us is about 20 minutes away, will hit it occasionally but often just grab a bottle or two at the liquor store up the street. Total Wine is nice because they have all of the rankings and favorites and stuff

 

[Quint]

No.  Should I?  I have more free time than usual.

Yes, well worth the time. It’s fascinating. 

 

[chet]

Thanks Chet/Osaurus for the ideas. The closest Wine shop to us is about 20 minutes away, will hit it occasionally but often just grab a bottle or two at the liquor store up the street. Total Wine is nice because they have all of the rankings and favorites and stuff

Ask the owner to replicate the tasting I referenced above. NB: he might need a day or two to procure all of the vintages.

 

[Quint]

Thanks Chet/Osaurus for the ideas. The closest Wine shop to us is about 20 minutes away, will hit it occasionally but often just grab a bottle or two at the liquor store up the street. Total Wine is nice because they have all of the rankings and favorites and stuff

Two reccos if you’re just starting out:

1. Frequent your local wine shop and make friends with the owner or some sales people there. Let them know what you like about wine (flavors, aromas, weight, mouthfeel, price, etc) and let them make suggestions. Great way to explore and find some off-the-beaten-path wines. Also, take advantage of any kind of tastings they may offer. 
 

2. Head over to Trader Joe’s with $50 and buy as much as you can of various selections (be experimental). Take notes of what you liked/disliked about each wine, and reference it for later purchases.  This will help you learn about your palate and preferences. (Note: your palate will change [probably many times] over time.)