[AlpineWhite_SJ]

Originally Posted by bd307

I have always been into enjoying these fine wine instead of considering them as investment, just like watches to some people.

As in any investment, it takes a lot of learning, luck, and timing to be successful and it is just not for me when it comes to wine. I would rather buy and enjoy them.

Cheers to 2020.

That’s why you buy a case of it and enjoy part of your investment

Cheers to 2020 to you as well!

[hubbahubba]

Originally Posted by Deftronix

I'm a bit biased when it comes to Caymus because I've worked there 10 years now. Love both cabs but one of my favorites is our Red Schooner malbec. The grapes are transported from Argentina and the wine is amazing! FWIW, I'm not on the winemaking side of things .

As far as Pinot, Belle Glos hands down is my favorite and can't recommend them enough. If you're unsure on what blend to start with "Dairyman" would be my recommendation. If you come across an old bottle of "Taylor Lane" you've hit the jackpot.

Originally Posted by MKSixer

It was literally a revelation to my palate when I first experienced it. I'm taking 2 bottles to a party tomorrow.

I encourage anyone who enjoys reds to add it to their list.

Swung by Total Wine and stocked up on some things. Picked up 3 bottles of the Red Schooner. Will cork one tonight, and report back. Looking forward to it!

[RickFLM4]

Happy to report I just opened and decanted a bottle of 2013 Caymus Special Selection with no cork issue.

[kscarrol]

Enjoyed this one on Christmas eve... and no, I did not pay for it but it was outstanding!

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by kscarrol

Enjoyed this one on Christmas eve... and no, I did not pay for it but it was outstanding!

Very nice... even better when someone else brings it!

Happy New Year!

[kscarrol]

Happy New Year Rick! My dad was a collector so my mother brought it. She has cases of this and other '90 Bordeaux's at home. They won't last forever so might as well enjoy them!

[Darth One]

This is a good thread. Some of my faves already mentioned. If i could add a few recommendations that i don’t think were mentioned yet.

Jordan cabernets - one of my go-to’s besides Caymus because they’re very available
Cakebread - i don’t like their more recent vintages as much but their older (pre-2010) stuff was amazing
Check out the Pinot Noirs from Williamette Valley, Oregon. They have some great stuff
Malbecs - Terrazas Reservas and Salentein are my favorites

On Opus One - i agree that you’re mainly paying for the Rothschild/Mondavi name than anything. But it’s still good stuff. But for that price per bottle I’d be going for something like a Joseph Phelps Insignia

[kscarrol]

^ All great choices! Particularly the Jordan, long been a fan.

[RickFLM4]

I also enjoy an occasional Insignia (and have one bottle of 2013 Opus stashed away). Around / approaching that price range we also like Vineyard 29 Aida Estate, although prices have started to get a little out of hand.

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by kscarrol

Happy New Year Rick! My dad was a collector so my mother brought it. She has cases of this and other '90 Bordeaux's at home. They won't last forever so might as well enjoy them!

Yep, best to enjoy than save for a day that never arrives!

[hubbahubba]

Originally Posted by hubbahubba

Swung by Total Wine and stocked up on some things. Picked up 3 bottles of the Red Schooner. Will cork one tonight, and report back. Looking forward to it!

Yum. Now in the rotation.

[AlpineWhite_SJ]

Originally Posted by kscarrol

Happy New Year Rick! My dad was a collector so my mother brought it. She has cases of this and other '90 Bordeaux's at home. They won't last forever so might as well enjoy them!

Having a collector in the family is even better than collecting wine yourself. You get to drink all the top stuff without having to shell out for it

Margaux is some great juice!

[AlpineWhite_SJ]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

I also enjoy an occasional Insignia (and have one bottle of 2013 Opus stashed away). Around / approaching that price range we also like Vineyard 29 Aida Estate, although prices have started to get a little out of hand.

Sadly I can’t bring myself to open any of the 2013’s I have from various wineries even though it’s a great vintage. It was my son’s birth year so will be holding on to these until he’s old enough to enjoy something his age.

[kscarrol]

Originally Posted by AlpineWhite_SJ

Having a collector in the family is even better than collecting wine yourself. You get to drink all the top stuff without having to shell out for it

Margaux is some great juice!

Indeed! Also had a ‘64 Haut Brion and a ‘74 Heitz Cellars Martha’s Vineyard.

And yes, hold on to the ‘13 until you son can enjoy it. My dad bought a case of ‘63 Dow’s Port for me as it’s my birth year and that was a poor vintage for wine.

[AlpineWhite_SJ]

Originally Posted by kscarrol

Indeed! Also had a ‘64 Haut Brion and a ‘74 Heitz Cellars Martha’s Vineyard.

And yes, hold on to the ‘13 until you son can enjoy it. My dad bought a case of ‘63 Dow’s Port for me as it’s my birth year and that was a poor vintage for wine.

Cool idea my Dad did was give your kids a case of their birth year when they’re 28. I got to open a birthday bottle a year until my 40th, including a Martha’s

I have a ‘05 Haut Brion waiting for the right occasion

[cmyx6go]

Originally Posted by Darth One

This is a good thread. Some of my faves already mentioned. If i could add a few recommendations that i don’t think were mentioned yet.

Jordan cabernets - one of my go-to’s besides Caymus because they’re very available
Cakebread - i don’t like their more recent vintages as much but their older (pre-2010) stuff was amazing
Check out the Pinot Noirs from Williamette Valley, Oregon. They have some great stuff
Malbecs - Terrazas Reservas and Salentein are my favorites

On Opus One - i agree that you’re mainly paying for the Rothschild/Mondavi name than anything. But it’s still good stuff. But for that price per bottle I’d be going for something like a Joseph Phelps Insignia

What the hell happened to Cakebread? Any vintage after ‘13 is terrible. I gave them another shot a few months ago and bought a ‘16 and almost dumped it out. I know some vintages are better than others due to the grapes but other wines in the same vintage are good so did they change something?

My brother likes Quintessa Cabernet. I bought him a 2009 for Christmas. I haven’t tried it in years but I don’t remember being impressed.

[Darth One]

Originally Posted by cmyx6go

What the hell happened to Cakebread? Any vintage after ‘13 is terrible. I gave them another shot a few months ago and bought a ‘16 and almost dumped it out. I know some vintages are better than others due to the grapes but other wines in the same vintage are good so did they change something?

My brother likes Quintessa Cabernet. I bought him a 2009 for Christmas. I haven’t tried it in years but I don’t remember being impressed.

Beats me. While it's true that some years can be shitty for the region overall because of the randomness of weather and temps during critical times of the season, other years could be great years. With Cakebread I just can't find a newer vintage that tastes like the old ones, even in the better growing years like '10, '12 and '13

[BMW F22]

At its peak now so consuming this with some steak atm. Pretty darn good once it's opened up a little.

[Darth One]

Originally Posted by BMW F22

At its peak now so consuming this with some steak atm. Pretty darn good once it's opened up a little.

Have you been to the vineyard? I see you’re from the Bay Area. We visited back in around ‘08 or ‘09 and they have a fun story. The owner decided he wanted an authentic European castle on the property so he had a real 13th century Tuscan castle (or different pieces of them) shipped from Europe to CA brick by brick. It has towers, rampart, a moat, even dungeons and a torture chamber. Pretty crazy.

Unfortunately at the time i thought their story was better than their wines. Hopefully this means that they’ve improved greatly. I do remember that the merlot was probably their best work, though.

[BMW F22]

Originally Posted by Darth One

Have you been to the vineyard? I see you’re from the Bay Area. We visited back in around ‘08 or ‘09 and they have a fun story. The owner decided he wanted an authentic European castle on the property so he had a real 13th century Tuscan castle (or different pieces of them) shipped from Europe to CA brick by brick. It has towers, rampart, a moat, even dungeons and a torture chamber. Pretty crazy.

Unfortunately at the time i thought their story was better than their wines. Hopefully this means that they’ve improved greatly. I do remember that the merlot was probably their best work, though.

Been there many times. They’re a popular place so anytime someone comes visit I’ll take them there. It’s a cool place and I agree that their wines are just okay. Fantasia (the red bubbly wine) is a hit. The merlot was surprisingly good so I bought a bottle. They’re sisters to V. Sattui winery down the road with similar wines. Went there last May and really liked their Zin so got a bottle of that. A lot of the wineries have okay wines but every now and then they’ll have something that’ll surprise you. Napa has gotten expensive for wine tasting over the years.

[Darth One]

Originally Posted by BMW F22

Been there many times. They’re a popular place so anytime someone comes visit I’ll take them there. It’s a cool place and I agree that their wines are just okay. Fantasia (the red bubbly wine) is a hit. The merlot was surprisingly good so I bought a bottle. They’re sisters to V. Sattui winery down the road with similar wines. Went there last May and really liked their Zin so got a bottle of that. A lot of the wineries have okay wines but every now and then they’ll have something that’ll surprise you. Napa has gotten expensive for wine tasting over the years.

Oh, i totally forgot about Fantasia. Way too sweet for me, but my wife liked it and bought a case while i wasn’t looking. We still have like 5 bottles of the stuff in the wine fridge, lol. I should have pulled them out and served it during the holidays - the ladies in her group all love the stuff.

We hit V Sattui when we’re in town too, but mainly for the barbecues they have whenever the weather is nice

[BMW F22]

Originally Posted by Darth One

Oh, i totally forgot about Fantasia. Way too sweet for me, but my wife liked it and bought a case while i wasn’t looking. We still have like 5 bottles of the stuff in the wine fridge, lol. I should have pulled them out and served it during the holidays - the ladies in her group all love the stuff.

We hit V Sattui when we’re in town too, but mainly for the barbecues they have whenever the weather is nice

Haha I was gonna say Fantasia is especially popular with the ladies, but some men like it too. V Sattui does have amazing BBQ. That’s our go to place for lunch when in Napa.