[hubbahubba]

Had a lovely evening with Mrs. Hubba. I am not a Chard guy, this may be the first I ever actually liked. The Cab was scrumptious, and the Petite Syrah had the best legs I have ever seen on a glass, and ranks among my favorite wines ever. Grenache was a bit too smokey for me, but worked very well with dark chocolate dessert. Overall, it was fantastic, and I would highly recommend any of the Tor Wines listed on this menu. Chef did a phenomenal job of pairing. Sorry about the sideways pic. I dunno why it did that...

[quick6]

Originally Posted by cmyx6go

I've never had Nickel & Nickel. I've seen it but prefer not to experiment with pricey bottles. Thoughts?

If you like to try different wines but are worried about disappointment, you may be interested in reviewing the following site called "Cellar Tracker" in which you can research what other normal consumers such as you and I actually think of a particular wine and vintage.

www.cellartracker.com

You'll want to use "classic -Mode which can be clicked on at the bottom right hand side, then click on tasting notes at the top to get a feel for the layout, and to observe reviews for specific wines.

Or, you can enter the wine you are interested in on search mode Let's use Caymus as an example and all sorts of brief reviews will show up. Click on a year of your interest and it will gather reviews for that vintage and average the scores received. Finally, you can click on "Find this wine on wine-searcher.com to find where its available and the pricing.

My wife and I entertain a lot, so this website is a valuable tool.

[cmyx6go]

Originally Posted by quick6

If you like to try different wines but are worried about disappointment, you may be interested in reviewing the following site called "Cellar Tracker" in which you can research what other normal consumers such as you and I actually think of a particular wine and vintage.

www.cellartracker.com

You'll want to use "classic -Mode which can be clicked on at the bottom right hand side, then click on tasting notes at the top to get a feel for the layout, and to observe reviews for specific wines.

Or, you can enter the wine you are interested in on search mode Let's use Caymus as an example and all sorts of brief reviews will show up. Click on a year of your interest and it will gather reviews for that vintage and average the scores received. Finally, you can click on "Find this wine on wine-searcher.com to find where its available and the pricing.

My wife and I entertain a lot, so this website is a valuable tool.

Thanks Quick6!

[AlpineWhite_SJ]

Originally Posted by quick6

If you like to try different wines but are worried about disappointment, you may be interested in reviewing the following site called "Cellar Tracker" in which you can research what other normal consumers such as you and I actually think of a particular wine and vintage.

www.cellartracker.com

You'll want to use "classic -Mode which can be clicked on at the bottom right hand side, then click on tasting notes at the top to get a feel for the layout, and to observe reviews for specific wines.

Or, you can enter the wine you are interested in on search mode Let's use Caymus as an example and all sorts of brief reviews will show up. Click on a year of your interest and it will gather reviews for that vintage and average the scores received. Finally, you can click on "Find this wine on wine-searcher.com to find where its available and the pricing.

My wife and I entertain a lot, so this website is a valuable tool.

They have an iOS app too. Very handy

[quick6]

ok, I am going to share with you the name of one of my favorite Vitners that is generally moderately priced that over delivers, (in my opinion) in value.

Walter Hansel

You may never have heard of the brand but his Pinot's generally receive reviews in the 92-94 range from the big boys as well as on Cellar Tracker and can be had for sometimes a little less than $40. North Slope and South Slope very good.
Chardonnays are very good as well and range from like $25-$45.

Pinot's are very excellent if opened an hour before dinner. Your guests will be grateful.

[RickFLM4]

Looking for some opinions...

Wife and I are going out Sat night to celebrate our 20th (!!!) anniversary, which is actually mid-week next week. To my surprise she asked me last night which wine I was bringing (to a steakhouse) because allegedly I told her I was saving a bottle for our 20th. I was planning on taking a 2010 Casanova de Neri Tenuta Nuova Brunello that I have wanted to try for years (have 2 bottles). She kinda made a face, despite not knowing anything about that awesome wine, but I’m not gonna waste it if she is already making faces.

So, as an alternative, I was thinking of taking either a 2013 Opus One (only bottle), 2014 Cardinale (have 2 bottles) or 2014 Lokoya Mt. Vedeer (have 3 bottles). All were expensive and I think all will improve with age for years to come, but I have some others that will age and have come to grips with opening a bottle early for this special occasion (especially given that the expectation bar was set high last night).

Thoughts?

[quick6]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

Looking for some opinions...

Wife and I are going out Sat night to celebrate our 20th (!!!) anniversary, which is actually mid-week next week. To my surprise she asked me last night which wine I was bringing (to a steakhouse) because allegedly I told her I was saving a bottle for our 20th. I was planning on taking a 2010 Casanova de Neri Tenuta Nuova Brunello that I have wanted to try for years (have 2 bottles). She kinda made a face, despite not knowing anything about that awesome wine, but I’m not gonna waste it if she is already making faces.

So, as an alternative, I was thinking of taking either a 2013 Opus One (only bottle), 2014 Cardinale (have 2 bottles) or 2014 Lokoya Mt. Vedeer (have 3 bottles). All were expensive and I think all will improve with age for years to come, but I have some others that will age and have come to grips with opening a bottle early for this special occasion (especially given that the expectation bar was set high last night).

Thoughts?

All great wines and you have excellent taste and a large budget!!
If it were me, I'd suggest the Opus One and let the others sit for awhile. Of course, its usually good advice to drink what the wife wants on such a special occasion, haha. Congratulations and best wishes!

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by quick6

All great wines and you have excellent taste and a large budget!!
If it were me, I'd suggest the Opus One and let the others sit for awhile. Of course, its usually good advice to drink what the wife wants on such a special occasion, haha. Congratulations and best wishes!

Well, these are not really indicative my regular wine budget... I have some bottles set aside for really special occasions that I want to age. These are the upper end price-wise of anything I've ever purchased.

I'm normally in the $60 - $100 range for special occasions and plenty of $20 - $40 bottles for everything else. Speaking of which, when looking through our wines today I saw I still have a bottle of The Fugitive. I am not a Zinfandel fan but I actually like this pretty well. I have only seen it at Total Wine and it goes for about $30.

[m630]

Id much prefer the Brunello, its a fav of mine

[rfranklin]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

Looking for some opinions...

Wife and I are going out Sat night to celebrate our 20th (!!!) anniversary, which is actually mid-week next week. To my surprise she asked me last night which wine I was bringing (to a steakhouse) because allegedly I told her I was saving a bottle for our 20th. I was planning on taking a 2010 Casanova de Neri Tenuta Nuova Brunello that I have wanted to try for years (have 2 bottles). She kinda made a face, despite not knowing anything about that awesome wine, but I’m not gonna waste it if she is already making faces.

So, as an alternative, I was thinking of taking either a 2013 Opus One (only bottle), 2014 Cardinale (have 2 bottles) or 2014 Lokoya Mt. Vedeer (have 3 bottles). All were expensive and I think all will improve with age for years to come, but I have some others that will age and have come to grips with opening a bottle early for this special occasion (especially given that the expectation bar was set high last night).

Thoughts?

Can’t go wrong with the Opus One. I love Napa wines, and 2013 was a good year.

[rfranklin]

Originally Posted by cmyx6go

MKSixer

Here you go MK. Tried this one at the suggestion of the guy in the liquor store. It tastes as close to Caymus as anything I've tried and $50ish instead of $80ish. I hate this time of the year. I get so much Caymus from employees and business associates for Christmas, it's hard going back.
Attachment 2224143

I need to look this one up. Caymus is one of my absolute favorites. Kamen ranks up there as well.

[Naz24]

Ok, I'll play. Had a bit of a night Saturday. And here are a few of my recents.

Really digging honig right now, reasonably priced too.

Austin hope is starting to get a lot of recognition. Has a very caymus-like taste.

[Naz24]

Originally Posted by kscarrol

Just ordered three bottles of Bella Union cab from Wine Express. Same maker as Far Niente and Nickel & Nickel, have had those but never the Bella Union.

Just tried bella Union the other day. Enjoyed it, but didn't think it was worth the ~$80 price tag

[cmyx6go]

Originally Posted by Naz24

Ok, I'll play. Had a bit of a night Saturday. And here are a few of my recents.

Really digging honig right now, reasonably priced too.

Austin hope is starting to get a lot of recognition. Has a very caymus-like taste.

Hey Naz - Welcome to yesterday Hope all is well.

Originally Posted by cmyx6go

MKSixer

Here you go MK. Tried this one at the suggestion of the guy in the liquor store. It tastes as close to Caymus as anything I've tried and $50ish instead of $80ish. I hate this time of the year. I get so much Caymus from employees and business associates for Christmas, it's hard going back.
Attachment 2224143

[Naz24]

Originally Posted by cmyx6go

Hey Naz - Welcome to yesterday Hope all is well.

Hey hey hey now. I've been drinking AH for a few years now. My girlfriend gets a deal on the 1.5L through her restaurant. I pay ridiculously low prices for it

[cmyx6go]

Originally Posted by Naz24

Hey hey hey now. I've been drinking AP for a few years now. My girlfriend gets a deal on the 1.5L through her restaurant. I pay ridiculously low prices for it

I'm busting your chops. By the way, the house looks great.

[Naz24]

Originally Posted by cmyx6go

I'm busting your chops. By the way, the house looks great.

Thank you! It's been a 'journey' to say the least. A lot of work for a place i plan to live in for 5 years.

I say 'never again' but i know i'm an idiot and will just take on a larger more ridiculous project shortly

[kscarrol]

Originally Posted by Naz24

Just tried bella Union the other day. Enjoyed it, but didn't think it was worth the ~$80 price tag

Won't disagree which is why I pulled the trigger at $58... We'll see. Bought three bottles of 2017 which a is bit young so I've not opened a bottle yet. Love Honig as well, been too long since I've had some. Need to change that!

[bd307]

Originally Posted by Naz24

Just tried bella Union the other day. Enjoyed it, but didn't think it was worth the ~$80 price tag

Thank you for the reporting.

Hows the Pina? Saw it the other day and store manager was strongly recommending it. Usually I do not buy what a store is STRONGLY recommending to me.

[Naz24]

Originally Posted by bd307

Thank you for the reporting.

Hows the Pina? Saw it the other day and store manager was strongly recommending it. Usually I do not buy what a store is STRONGLY recommending to me.

The pina is very good actually. I stumbled upon pina when i was out in napa, our driver strongly recommended we stop there. Really really small production. They have history of being more vineyard managers for some of the big names.

Expensive wine, but its definitely worth a try. They have different vineyard varietals and to be honest, i cant remember which one i liked the best. I believe their whole theory is single variety pure cabernet sauvignon.

[bd307]

Originally Posted by Naz24

The pina is very good actually. I stumbled upon pina when i was out in napa, our driver strongly recommended we stop there. Really really small production. They have history of being more vineyard managers for some of the big names.

Expensive wine, but its definitely worth a try. They have different vineyard varietals and to be honest, i cant remember which one i liked the best. I believe their whole theory is single variety pure cabernet sauvignon.

Hey I will give it a try based on your recommendation and someone who has actually tried. The store has a bunch of them on shelf.

[Naz24]

Originally Posted by bd307

Hey I will give it a try based on your recommendation and someone who has actually tried. The store has a bunch of them on shelf.

Report back!

Also, their port was actually some of the best i've ever had.