Good Wine

[scotchnwater]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I know some of us (*cough*) prefer Patron, but just curious what kinds of vino you folks drink.

I'm a lot more interested in the "value" wine of (<$20/bottle = resident budget) than I am knowing that you ballers out there drink Screaming Eagle and Opus One (although hearing about it will still make me vicariously happy - so feel free to talk about it).

What have you found that is really good day-to-day, and what are the really good "occasion wines" I should keep my eye out for?

Thanks! -Scotch

 

[dfk]

you're in northern cal and you don't know the answer to this?

if you're going for budget, and like reds, consider mondavi.

i prefer the magnum-sized bottles of love myself.

 

[amyl]

my fav budget wine is fat bastard. french. cute hippo on the label.

 

[bigdan]

There's a gem out there called Folie A Deux (how apropos for me and my gf). Heaven.

dc

 

[scotchnwater]

you're in northern cal and you don't know the answer to this?

if you're going for budget, and like reds, consider mondavi.

i prefer the magnum-sized bottles of love myself.

Clearly I can go over the bridge and be in Napa in an hour (and I'm leaving again today to go 😀). To me, most of the fun of wine is finding the "diamonds-in-the-rough", or surprisingly good bottles for relatively little money.

Case in point: my local grocery store had a Rosenblum 2005 Syrah on sale for $8/bottle. I bought it and it was fantastic (given the price). So I went back and bought 6 more bottles. Love finding stuff like that.

my fav budget wine is fat bastard. french. cute hippo on the label.

Good call! We just had a bottle of that last weekend (I think it was the Rose....not bad at all.)

There's a gem out there called Folie A Deux (how apropos for me and my gf). Heaven.

dc

I think I just got a couple of bottles of that at Costco yesterday because I had some at my Dad's house last weekend and loved it. Is it the "Menage a Trois" that you're talking about from them because that's what I got.

 

[bigdan]

Scotch-

Yup - the "3 way". Frickin love it. First time ever was at a steakhouse where the sommlier (sp?) said it was cheap but one that he loved - I've sought it out ever since.

BTW, may I presume that you are a, um, scotch drinker as well? I just opened some Oban, which I am quite fond of. What's your poison?

dc

dc

 

[OB1🤙]

We used to love the Menage from Folie a Deux- used to go visit the winery in Napa whenever we were up there. Just an FYI to you all that they did move locations a couple years ago, and while you can't tell from the label, it comes from a different vineyard now, and we think the taste has suffered a little since then.

It's still a great bargain wine though.

We've been drinking a lot of Santa Barbara and Paso Robles wines since coming back to LA- some really nice wines up there for very reasonable prices.

 

[racerx]

I found a 2004 Covey Run merlot that is a nice "everyday" wine. Covey run is a winery in the Columbia and Yakima valleys of Washington State.

 

[scotchnwater]

BTW, may I presume that you are a, um, scotch drinker as well? I just opened some Oban, which I am quite fond of. What's your poison?

Dan,

Well, I do enjoy me some good Scotch every now and again. My collection isn't that great, but I guess my better bottles are:

Balvenie 15 yr
Glenfiddich 15 yr
Johnnie Green
Johnnie Blue (a gift for being Best Man)

Plus your usual assortment of Chivas, Dewar's 12 year Reserve, Johnnie Black, Gledfiddich 12 year, etc.

I've had some of my nicer bottles for a several years - I usually don't have a good reason to break in to them. I find it hard to find other people who like/tolerate/appreciate scotch.

 

[jetproppilot]

I know some of us (*cough*) prefer Patron, but just curious what kinds of vino you folks drink.

I'm a lot more interested in the "value" wine of (<$20/bottle = resident budget) than I am knowing that you ballers out there drink Screaming Eagle and Opus One (although hearing about it will still make me vicariously happy - so feel free to talk about it).

What have you found that is really good day-to-day, and what are the really good "occasion wines" I should keep my eye out for?

Thanks! -Scotch

(*COUGH*)😀

I've got two types of wine drinking modes, Scotch.

MODE NUMBER ONE: All about the taste AND the experience.....going to the wine refrigerator, checking the temp, selecting a bottle, popping the cork, feeling the moistness on the enda the cork hence verifying the bottle is legit (don't ever smell a cork, friends. Thats novice s hit. Just feel it to check that its moist, hence ruling out oxidation.), taking the bottle and a cuppla big cab drinking wine glasses out onto the front porch overlooking Audubon Park with my GF, turnin' on the home-stereo that pipes XM radio/ipod tunes everywhere-including-the porch/bedrooms/pool area...

for this, Scotch, We utilize Silver Oak(Napa>>Alexander Valley...I HATE this, being a big Alexander Valley fan, but its true...), Isosceles, Chateau Souverain (Alexander Valley), Purple Angel cabs..BIG, BOLD, CHEWY, CRYSTAL-CLEAN-FINISHING CABS...



Surgeon-hottie GF just got back with 16 bottles-of-cabs....



MODE NUMBER TWO:

Don't feel like "experiencing" anything. Just wanna get in the shower after work, have a glass or two of a cab that won't burn when I swallow it, yet still gives me hints of a great cab, but becuzza the price, theres fruity, yeah, but no distinction....no oakiness...tannins not overbearing but a little too strong...moderate to average finish.

The kinda cab you like when the bottle is not an integral part of an experience....when you come home, clean up, eat some leftovers, crawl in bed with GF and watch Project Runway...

AND THE WINNER FOR MODE NUMBER TWO OF WINE DRINKING IS.......

BLACK BOX.

😱😱

"UHHHH.....JET.....HAVE YOU LOST YOUR FU KKING MIND???? RECOMMENDING A WINE THAT COMES INNA BOX????"

Nope. Havent lost my mind. YOU'RE ASKING FOR RELATIVE QUALITY ON A RESIDENT SALARY.....SO DUDE, HERES THE BEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK.

That Black Box stuff is pretty good.

Not GOOD.....not GREAT.....not an EXPERIENCE WINE...

But pretty good!

Heres the best part......looking for a pretty good cab to sip on after a long day as a resident...something that'll hint at fruitiness and is big enough to call it chewy? Try the Black Box cab. In the box is the equivalent of FOUR bottles of wine.....for.....

DRUM ROLL PLEASE>>>>>>>>>>>

TWENTY BUCKS!!!!!😍

Thats five bucks per BOTTLE.

And its pretty good.

Hell....its so suited for residency I think they should rename it

RESIDENT'S BLACK BOX.😆

 

[Leverage]

(*COUGH*)😀

I've got two types of wine drinking modes, Scotch.

MODE NUMBER ONE: All about the taste AND the experience.....going to the wine refrigerator, checking the temp, selecting a bottle, popping the cork, taking the bottle and a cuppla big cab drinking wine glasses out onto the front porch overlooking Audubon Park with my shorty, turnin' on the home-stereo that pipes XM radio/ipod tunes everywhere-including-the porch/bedrooms/pool area...

for this, Scotchy, We utilize Silver Oak(Napa>>Alexander Valley), Isosceles, Chateau Souverain (Alexander Valley), Purple Angel cabs..BIG, BOLD, CHEWY, CRYSTAL-CLEAN-FINISHING CABS...

But, well, that kinda quality comes with a price.

Surgeon-hottie GF just got back from Ellio's with 16 bottles-of-cabs....

price for 16 bottles of FRONT PORCH SIPPING-Audubon Park-people-watching wines?

ONE LARGE.😱

yeah whatever life is short




MODE NUMBER TWO:

Don't feel like "experiencing" anything. Just wanna get in the shower after work, have a glass or two of a cab that won't burn when I swallow it, yet still gives me hints of a great cab, but becuzza the price, theres fruity, yeah, but no distinction....no oakiness...tannins not overbearing but a little too strong...moderate to average finish.

The kinda cab you like when the bottle is not an integral part of an experience....when you come home, clean up, eat some leftovers, crawl in bed with GF and watch Project Runway...

AND THE WINNER FOR MODE NUMBER TWO OF WINE DRINKING IS.......

BLACK BOX.

😱😱

"UHHHH.....JET.....HAVE YOU LOST YOUR FU KKING MIND???? RECOMMENDING A WINE THAT COMES INNA BOX????"

Nope. Havent lost my mind. YOU'RE ASKING FOR RELATIVE QUALITY ON A RESIDENT SALARY.....SO DUDE, HERES THE BEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK.

That Black Box stuff is pretty good.

Not GOOD.....not GREAT.....not an EXPERIENCE WINE...

But pretty good!

Heres the best part......looking for a pretty good cab to sip on after a long day as a resident...something that'll hint at fruitiness and is big enough to call it chewy? Try the Black Box cab. In the box is the equivalent of FOUR bottles of wine.....for.....

DRUM ROLL PLEASE>>>>>>>>>>>

TWENTY BUCKS!!!!!😍

Thats five bucks per BOTTLE.

And its pretty good.

Hell....its so suited for residency I think they should rename it

RESIDENT'S BLACK BOX.😆

Awesome!! I am going right now to pick myself some Resident Black Box.. 😀

Your picture should be on the box.

 

[jetproppilot]

Awesome!! I am going right now to pick myself some Resident Black Box.. 😀

Your picture should be on the box.

haha!

 

[bigdan]

I've had some of my nicer bottles for a several years - I usually don't have a good reason to break in to them. I find it hard to find other people who like/tolerate/appreciate scotch.

Understood. I don't drink tons of scotch; my beer and wine crew differ from those I drink scotch with. I'm not sure how well I appreciate the subtle changes of scotch - I can tell variation in the "afterburn", and the heavier taste of the scotches from inland, but I sure to love the stuff.

Lucky me, I'm dining with a fellow scotch lover tonight - I'll have to let you know what we get into. BTW, the Oban is just wonderful, if you get a chance to get your taste buds on some...

dc

 

[primadonna22274]

Second the Folie A Deux Menage a Trois red....lovely. And about $10-12/bottle at Target and World Market and I have gotten it for around $8/bottle on sale. Then I stock up. Their white isn't bad either but I'm not too wild about the rose...although I do love a good grenache or pink wine once in a while.
Had a lovely pink wine at my sister's wedding last weekend at Elk Cove Vineyards in Gaston, Oregon--their 2007 Pinot Noir Rose Willamette Valley. Not sure how much it goes for but it can't be too bad as it's so young. http://www.elkcove.com/wines/fact_sheet.php?v=12&a=1
Fat Bastard's not too bad. Most of the Oregon wines are reasonably priced and very nice. The region is big on Pinot Noir which is actually one of my least favorites; give me a luscious Zinfandel or Sangiovese any day, but here's where blends are nice, and usually a fair bit cheaper. Actually the yellow tail Shiraz/Cabernet blend ain't bad either, and very cheap.
Happy drinking!

There's a gem out there called Folie A Deux (how apropos for me and my gf). Heaven.

dc

 

[dfk]

if you can find a trader joe's,
charles shaw is great for the price (under 3$ a bottle, and you'd never even know it)!!!!!!

 

[jetproppilot]

Second the Folie A Deux Menage a Trois red....lovely. And about $10-12/bottle at Target and World Market and I have gotten it for around $8/bottle on sale. Then I stock up. Their white isn't bad either but I'm not too wild about the rose...although I do love a good grenache or pink wine once in a while.
Had a lovely pink wine at my sister's wedding last weekend at Elk Cove Vineyards in Gaston, Oregon--their 2007 Pinot Noir Rose Willamette Valley. Not sure how much it goes for but it can't be too bad as it's so young. http://www.elkcove.com/wines/fact_sheet.php?v=12&a=1
Fat Bastard's not too bad. Most of the Oregon wines are reasonably priced and very nice. The region is big on Pinot Noir which is actually one of my least favorites; give me a luscious Zinfandel or Sangiovese any day, but here's where blends are nice, and usually a fair bit cheaper. Actually the yellow tail Shiraz/Cabernet blend ain't bad either, and very cheap.
Happy drinking!

UHHHHHH, posting for all my Homies out there, and in the most politically correct way, so ignore the undertones cuz I am accepting of the various sexual lifestyles, but for emphasis I'll structure my response as such:

WHITE WINE IS FOR COOKING.

IF YOU ARE DRINKING A NON-CAB-RED YOU'RE EITHER FEMALE OR YOU'RE SEEKING A LEAD ROLE ON QUEER EYE FOR THE STRAIGHT GUY.😆

 

[Leverage]

UHHHHHH, posting for all my Homies out there, and in the most politically correct way, so ignore the undertones cuz I am accepting of the various sexual lifestyles, but for emphasis I'll structure my response as such:

WHITE WINE IS FOR COOKING.

IF YOU ARE DRINKING A NON-CAB-RED YOU'RE EITHER FEMALE OR YOU'RE SEEKING A LEAD ROLE ON QUEER EYE FOR THE STRAIGHT GUY.😆

Your on fire today your posts are money

 

[primadonna22274]

Well duh Jet...I AM a girl. A very girly girl 😉
So I get to drink what I want!
As for cooking: ever made a drunk chicken? whole chicken, salt & pepper, stuff the cavity with a quartered onion and a generous splash of olive oil & a robust red wine. Then more olive oil & half a bottle of red wine all over the chicken. Roast at high heat (seriously, about 425-450) for an hour and a half; baste often with the wine; add more if needed. Toss in some quartered carrots & potatoes the last 40 minutes if you want. Some rosemary or herbes de provence if you're feeling creative. De-lovely. Voila: drunk chicken.
Yum.

UHHHHHH, posting for all my Homies out there, and in the most politically correct way, so ignore the undertones cuz I am accepting of the various sexual lifestyles, but for emphasis I'll structure my response as such:

WHITE WINE IS FOR COOKING.

IF YOU ARE DRINKING A NON-CAB-RED YOU'RE EITHER FEMALE OR YOU'RE SEEKING A LEAD ROLE ON QUEER EYE FOR THE STRAIGHT GUY.😆

 

[jetproppilot]

Well duh Jet...I AM a girl. A very girly girl 😉
So I get to drink what I want!
As for cooking: ever made a drunk chicken? whole chicken, salt & pepper, stuff the cavity with a quartered onion and a generous splash of olive oil & a robust red wine. Then more olive oil & half a bottle of red wine all over the chicken. Roast at high heat (seriously, about 425-450) for an hour and a half; baste often with the wine; add more if needed. Toss in some quartered carrots & potatoes the last 40 minutes if you want. Some rosemary or herbes de provence if you're feeling creative. De-lovely. Voila: drunk chicken.
Yum.

UHHHHH......DUDDETTE..........with all due respect to your femininity........girlystuffisness......queereyeforthestraightguyfeelings....whatever....

THATS NOT THE RECIPE FOR A DRUNK CHICKEN wanna the advantages of living here is the FOOD....so, having eaten DRUNKEN CHICKEN, in the most reveled city ever when it comes to food,

YOU ARE POSTING BLASPHEMOUS RECIPES.

A TRUE drunken chicken is prepared with salt, pepper, onion, olive oil as you describe.....but it aint a drunken chicken unless you take a can of budweiser or whatever beer you want, pop it, shove said canna beer into the cavity, then put said chicken onto the GRILL.....

Grill gets really hot, Budweiser et al boils, emersing chicken with hops and whatever else is inna beer......chicken emerges extremely moist and more flavor-filled then any chicken I've ever tasted in any other city than here....hence the

DRUNKEN CHICKEN NAME.

 

[primadonna22274]

okiedokie Jet, you can have your beer-drunk chicken and I'll have my yummy red wine drunk chicken. Really, broaden your horizons. It's excellent.

 

[scotchnwater]

For any of you Costco folks out there, I found a Barbera last weekend out of Italy called "Briccotondo". Stuff was only $10 and drank great once you decant it a bit and let it open up. It was allegedly one of the Top 100 wines of last year. Anybody else had this?