517936 Sun May 11 01:50:57 -0700 2008 7 34 Wine 0 3676087 I'm looking for a wine to buy now that will be great down the road and that costs no more then $75. I have a wine refrigerator, so storage isn't a problem. I have a lot of California wines, but I want to buy something different. I'm thinking Bordeaux, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, or perhaps a wine from Spain. I've done a bit of research on this board, and it sounds like 2005 is a great year for Bordeaux and CDP, and both 2004 & 2005 are good for Spain. What would you suggest, given my price limitations? Sun May 11 01:50:59 -0700 2008 86402 brandygirl 1 3676200 2005 Le Vieux Donjon CdP. If you are willing to spend a little more, buy a Beaucastel. Sun May 11 05:44:46 -0700 2008 3676087 182910 Strawman 1 3683339 In no particular order or region: 2004 Domaine du Pegau CndP Cuvee Reservee 2004 or 2005 Vieux Telegraphe CndP La Crau 2005 Chateau Giscours Margaux 2005 Chateau Haut-Bages-Liberal 2005 Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Puente Alto Don Melchor 2003 Chateau Pontet-Canet Pauillac 2003 Domaine de Beaurenard CndP 2001 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino If you are willing to spend a little more (but only a little more) 2003, 2004 or 2005 Clos des Papes CndP 2004 Antinori Toscana Tignanello 2001 Pio Cesare Barolo Tue May 13 12:19:51 -0700 2008 3676087 11814 dinwiddie 1 3684237 2005 Chateuneuf du Pape Vieux Donjon Domaine du Marcoux Chateau la Nerthe Bosquet des Papes Chante le Merle Vieux Telegraphe Pegau (Reservee) Chapoutier Croix du Bois The spaces signify differences in price as well as quality. I have already tasted the 2005s of all of these except the Pegau (which I am hugely familiar with from past vintages) and the la Nerthe (which I am familiar with from past vintages, though slightly less so). While the Chapoutier is AWESOME right now, depending upon how long you want to age it, it may not be the best option. I think itwill be even better in 7 years or so, but I think it will be on the downswing in 15 years. Tue May 13 16:32:32 -0700 2008 3676087 50041 whiner 1 3688774 For ageable reds, look to 2004/2005 Bordeaux ... the 05's have already gotten super-expensive so you may have to look to Pessac for Cab (as opposed to the Haut-Medoc) or to St. Emilion, Fronsac or Cotes de Castillon for great Merlot. You can still get phenomenal classed growth Bordeaux from 2004, such as Pontet-Canet (WS Top 100 of the Year) for close to $50. That wine is most wine critics top pick for collectible (and affordable) premium Bordeaux. You should also look closely at 2004 Barolo ... many winemakers think it is the great modern hallmark vintage for the Piedmont. The prices are better than Bordeaux and these wines are really exceptional with 10-20 years of age. Names to look for include Scavino, Voerzo, Mascarello, Conterno, etc. Lastly, for something really unique and damn tasty. Try some table reds from the Douro valley of Portugal. Some of the highest rated dry table wines ever to come from Portugal are the 2003-2005 Quinta do Vale. If you love big, Cali wines and want to turn the volume up, look up this wine and stash a few in the cellar. Wed May 14 22:46:17 -0700 2008 3676087 118798 BogTarheel 2 3688826 For Bordeaux, especially Medoc, the only wine I would really seek out is the Lascombes whch is at the upper end of the price range, but that winery has recently been living up (or nearly) to its potential, though its prices are still WAY down compared to its brethern. I LOVE Barolo, but those names you mention... yes they are great, but most are more than $75. If you go Barolo, I would seek out the 2004 Cavallotto Bricco Boschis which is actually probably pretty approachable now, but will age quite well (based upon history). As I said, though, especially if you are newer to old-world wine, I'd stick with CdP... Wed May 14 23:22:59 -0700 2008 3688774 50041 whiner 1 3690911 $75 is around 50€, I think. I'd suggest a Torre Muga, 2001 or 2004 if you're a fan of Rioja. The 2001 is, in my opinion a slightly better vintage, but the 2004 will undoubtedly develop really nicely if you hold for a few years. There are also some wonderful wines coming out of Castilla y León at the moment. Really meaty and perfect for holding. Aside from the obvious Ribera del Duero wines, there are some very interesting wines coming out of Toro (same area of Spain, Valladolid). 2004's a great year and I'd heartily recommend Pintia, which is Vega Sicilia's Toro winery. It's currently available for around 35€ ($55), but stocks of that vintage are dwindling fast. There are also great wines coming out of Bierzo too. The 2005 vintage Corullón is outstanding and will only get better over the next decade. You can probably pick it up for around 45€ ($70). For something a bit different, you could venture over to Campo de Borja in Arragón and get a bottle of Alto Moncayo, 2005. It's 100% Garnacha and will hold well (if the gorgeous bottle doesn't tempt you into cracking it open sooner than you meant to). The 2005 appears to be disappearing at the speed of light, but if you're lucky you might be able to grab a bottle for around 35€. If you decide to go with a Ribera del Duero, stick to 2004 and 2001 vintages as the years in between were okay but nothing special. To be honest though, the dollar's so weak right now that you'd need closer to $150 to get anything really great from either of those vintages. You can pick up a bottle of Vega Sicilia's low end stuff, Alión or a bottle of Pago de los Capellanes, El Nogal for around 40€ at the moment but it'll peak in around six years, so lacks any real aging potential. For $75 you could also pick up a nice bottle of Porto if you enjoy sweet wines. I'd make a play for a Taylors or Kopke vintage, either from 1995 or 1997 for your money. Wonderful wines you can hold for decades in the right conditions. Thu May 15 12:53:58 -0700 2008 3676087 192432 cmoniker 1 3718588 Thank you all for your suggestions. I researched all the wines you listed and they all sounded great. Unfortunately I was unable to find many of the wines listed at my favorite wine shops close to home, but I did buy the Chapoutier Croix de Bois Chateauneuf-du-Pape (thanks, whiner). I also bought a bottle that was suggested by my wine shop guy--a 2005 Chateau Rauzan-Gassies Margaux (I really wanted to try a Bordeaux). As I was leaving the wine shop, I spied the '05 Concha y Toro Don Melchor that dinwiddie recommended, so I think I'll go back for that one also. Again, thank you all so much. Sat May 24 20:39:18 -0700 2008 3676087 86402 brandygirl