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So here's a little project I've been kicking around to no end.
The idea is simple, what are the top 10 wines in any region that remain affordable and really deliver exceptional experiences?
I know there are so many varaibles here but a list of 10 is large enough to account for the variables.
So let me start by defining affordable. I would say, in this conext, an affordable bottle is one that when purchased by a group for a tasting is, well , affordable and I'm pegging that at less than $150 a bottle.
So that was the easy part, now I begin the hard part. Naming names. Starting with California Cabernet seems to be a comfortable place. So in no particualr order, if I wanted to blow the shoes off of someone looking for grea Californai Cabernet I would be pouting
1 - Ridge Monte Bello
2 - Mondavi Private Reserve
3 - Mayacamas
4 - Dunn Napa
5 - Dunn Howell Mountain
6 - La Jota Anniversary
7 - Chappellett Prtichard Hill
8 - Rafanelli Terrace Select
Then maybe Pahlmeyer, Spottswood, Laurel Glen, Lokoya,
Any suggestions? Any giant killers? Once we nail this down we can move onto the next group and eventually end up with the greatest wines of the world list, tasting, book, and movie....
Just For Fun top 10 lists - California Cabernet Sauvignon
Replies
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8549 - Reply by Girl Drink Drunk, Jan 12, 2011.
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Nickel and Nickel makes 13 different single vineyard Cabs. Which do you prefer?
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71272942
- Reply by Gregory Dal Piaz, Jan 12, 2011.
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Ok, so some wines were too expensive. Many some of these wineries have lost their minds.
And about price, while I would not pay $150 for a bottle of Cabernet by myself I would chip in with 7 other people to add a few bottles at that price point to a tasting.
So here is a short list of top California wines with approximate prices. What doe you think? Is this a reasonable list for a grand tasting. what should be added, or taken away?
John Anthony 45-60
Larkmead 55-70
Viader 65-109
Honig Bartolucci 55-105
Corison 59-105
Cortesan Wines/Bridget Wines ???
Cakebread Benchland 95-130
Turnbull black label reserve 76-101
St. Supery Dollarhide 65-84
Robert Keennan Spring mtn 78-96
Ridge Monte Bello 100-165
Pahlmeyer 85-180
Mondavi Private Reserve 95-135
Mayacamas 59-74
Laurel Glen 50
Dunn Napa 75-90
Dunn Howell Mountain 85-100
Charles Krug ????
Emblem Oso 40-50
La Jota Anniversary ???
la Jota Howell mtn 40-50
Montelena 100
Chappellett Prtichard Hill 110-140
Pine Ridge 80-90
Rafanelli Terrace Select 110-130
Beringer PR 85-110
Heitz Trailside 70-80
BV George de la Tour 70-100
Justin Isoceles 45-70
Matriarch by Bond 120+140
Continuum 125-160
Chateau Boswell 110-125
Myriad BGIII 70-75
Rivers Marie 60-100
Forman 80-100
O'Shaughnessy 70-85
Crocker & Starr 85-95
Dominus 85-125
Mount Eden 40-55
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars SLV 80-110
Kuleto Cabernet 50-60
cornerstone 45-60
Ramey Pedregal 110-160
Ramey Larkmead 55-75
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751981 - Reply by JonDerry, Jan 12, 2011.
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Re: Nickel & Nickel
I like both the John C. Sullenger and Martin Stelling
Re: Grand Tasting:
Looks like quite a full list! Think the Nickel & Nickel Sullenger would fit in well. Would make sure the Georges De La Tour was a 2007.
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010 - Reply by ama il vino, Jan 12, 2011.
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I like the N&N Sullenger as well but currently have the carpenter.
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8549
- Reply by Girl Drink Drunk, Jan 12, 2011.
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Greg, for me, I'd nix:
Cakebread, BPR and SLV. These are all some of the biggest rips in the industry today, IMO.
Which Pine Ridge? Andrus?
