Million Post Quest - Had a good wine lately?

Gator By Marriage

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During my forced captivity, I am branching out and trying some new wines. Total Wine has a sale (thru the 14th) on “Winery Direct” wines (i.e. they buy direct from the producer and avoid importers and distributors) and giving 15% off on solid (12 of the same bottles) and mixed (assorted bottles) cases. At a discount like that, why not try some new stuff? (Prices listed are all before the discount.) The first I tried was a red blend from Cali called Cobble Creek. It’s from Paso Robles and while the label doesn’t list the varietals, my best guess is a mix of Rhône grapes (Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache, etc.) and maybe some Zin? (And for those not familiar with Cali geography, Paso Robles is in San Luis Obispo about halfway between LA and SF.) It was around $15 and a very good bargain. Very fruity with low tannins. Was great with some burgers from the Egg, and just sipping after the food was gone. For folks looking for a good summer red to go with your meats from the grill, this would be a great choice. I can assure you I will be going back and picking up a half a case at least. Here’s the label;
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Last night we had a SE France Syrah from the Costières de Nîmes. (A region due west of Avignon, home of Chateaunuf du Pape). This wine, called “Les Piliers” was a nice wine, but a bit more reserved than the Cobble Creek. (It was also a couple of bucks more.) It was great with some leftover chicken thighs and enjoyable to me, but definitely a little more tannic. It might need another year or two depending on your taste. Here’s the label (though it’s not listed on the front of the label , this was the 2017):
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Gator By Marriage

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Couple of new wines (well, new to me anyway) that I enjoyed over the last two nights. The first is a Chianti from a producer called Bellini. They have a couple of higher class Chiantis (one from Rufina, another from Classico, and a Riserva) but this basic Chianti was an absolute steal at $10 from Total Wine. Had it with take out Chicken Parm and Mushroom Risotto from a local Mom & Pop Italian place. This is now going to be my go to pasta and red sauce and pizza wine. This kind of quality at this price is rare. One word to the wise with Italian wine: they often vary wildly from vintage to vintage, so this recommendation is for the 2018 only. upload_2020-4-15_21-3-32.jpeg
Tonight was T-bone’s on the Egg that I brushed with balsamic vinegar and sprinkled with kosher salt. Mrs G. out did herself with a roasted asparagus and new potato mix on escarole salad that was a great accompaniment. To go alongside, we paired it with an excellent Argentinian Malbec ($14) that was very smooth. I was not familiar with the producer (Cameleon), but it was exceptional - and perfect with the meal. For those interested, here’s the label:
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soflagator

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Nice job of branching out, @Gator By Marriage. Those seem like solid picks and the food paring is on point. I’m naturally a creature of habit so I find myself drinking the same wines again and again, case by case.

But one I’ve had fairly recently is Oeno Dry Creek Cabernet, 2015. Had it first in NY back in ‘16. A lot of dark fruit, but a really overall balanced wine that felt light on its own but also had the depth to stand up to a short rib fusilli pasta. Hard to get on the East coast as only that restaurant and one other vendor brought it in. But if you can find it, definitely worth the $15-25 price point.

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NVGator

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Stumbled upon this at a local grocery store and decided to give it a try and was instantly one of my favorite wines...and under $20 too. A great find
That is an awesome find. Discovered it a few years ago after having it at a local restaurant for 2x the price. It’s good stuff.
 

Gatorbait25

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I’ve never been a fan of white wine . Always have enjoyed red with a nice cut of filet or strip. Pasta
too of course . The other night I made ziti and the glass of canyon road merlot with it was quite good.
I like the Chianti in the pic above GBM. That’s good
Stuff . No thanks on the angel hair though .
 

NVGator

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I’ve never been a fan of white wine . Always have enjoyed red with a nice cut of filet or strip. Pasta
too of course . The other night I made ziti and the glass of canyon road merlot with it was quite good.
I like the Chianti in the pic above GBM. That’s good
Stuff . No thanks on the angel hair though .
Can’t beat a chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc while sitting outside on a warm summer evening.
 

Gator By Marriage

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As Jr is moving off-campus next year (assuming they’re back in Gainesville) into an apt., he has decided to improve his cooking skills over the summer and, under Dads strict supervision, he tried his hand at an old family favorite: Shrimp Diane. The results were pretty good and he found it educational, so, so far, so good. Here’s how it looked:

Naturally it needed a wine accompaniment and required a white. My favorite wine for Cajun or Asian, especially spicy ones is always an Alsace Gewurtztraminer. This one was from Benheim Anne De K. Was perfect and about $20.
 
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QueenCityGator

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Am I the only one who probably couldn't tell the difference between a $5 and $5000 bottle of wine?
 

Gator By Marriage

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Am I the only one who probably couldn't tell the difference between a $5 and $5000 bottle of wine?
Have you ever had a $5k bottle of wine?

FTR - Neither have I, but I’ve had several that would retail in the hundreds and believe me when I say there’s a reason why people pay that kind of money and it’s not just impress their friends.
 

soflagator

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Have you ever had a $5k bottle of wine?

FTR - Neither have I, but I’ve had several that would retail in the hundreds and believe me when I say there’s a reason why people pay that kind of money and it’s not just impress their friends.

This. I’ve been fortunate enough to have been given a lot of Silver Oak, the Napa and Alexander, through family. It’s an absolutely stunning wine that will blow you away with the flavor and depth. Same with Shafer, much of Stags Leap and some of the Duckhorn, which I’ve had only a couple of times. They’re not every day wines and I rarely if ever buy them. But thats not because they aren’t still incredible or don’t live up to the price.
 

Gator by the Sea

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My wife and I have also been lucky enough to have tried some of the wines you mentioned @soflagator, including Silver Oak and Duckhorn. It's nice to have certain work/friend/family connections so that we don't have to spend a crazy amount of money on wine, but have still been able to drink quite of few high end bottles. A couple years ago we were in San Francisco for a work conference, and we were able to get away one day and visit a few wineries in Napa. (I had been to Sonoma a few years prior for a friend's wedding and got to visit a couple wineries that day, too.). Anyway, the last stop on our tour that day was Silver Oak. It was a beautiful winery and vineyard, with first class service, and the wines were excellent. I would highly recommend it to anyone going out to the Bay area. And for a small winery, one that doesn't retail nationally, make sure you visit the Sullivan Rutherford winery. That was an amazing, intimate experience that is a "must do" for any wine lover.
 

Gator By Marriage

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Had a new one tonight that’s definitely worth sharing. It was an Italian red from Salice Salentino (in the “heel” of Italy) made by Marchese Di Borgosole. This particular bottle was the 2015 (Riserva) and retailed for $13. The wines from Salice are made mostly from a local grape called “Negro Amaro” sometimes also called “Nero Amaro.” (For you trivia buffs it’s also blended with Malvasia Nera to improve the fragrance. This is not to be confused with “Malvasia” or “Malmsey” which is used to make Madeira and in Croatia to make a white table wine.). In any event, the wine was what you might call “rustic” and not going to be one the list at The Palm or Ruth’s Chris any time soon, but was delicious with a Cuban chicken and plantain stew that was slightly spicy due to “hot” paprika. It was not very tannic and had a lot of up front fruit. A very good value. It would go well with a very wide variety of meat and pasta dishes, especially I suspect, something cooked over wood. For you visual types, here’s the label:
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soflagator

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Had a new one tonight that’s definitely worth sharing. It was an Italian red from Salice Salentino (in the “heel” of Italy) made by Marchese Di Borgosole. This particular bottle was the 2015 (Riserva) and retailed for $13. The wines from Salice are made mostly from a local grape called “Negro Amaro” sometimes also called “Nero Amaro.” (For you trivia buffs it’s also blended with Malvasia Nera to improve the fragrance. This is not to be confused with “Malvasia” or “Malmsey” which is used to make Madeira and in Croatia to make a white table wine.). In any event, the wine was what you might call “rustic” and not going to be one the list at The Palm or Ruth’s Chris any time soon, but was delicious with a Cuban chicken and plantain stew that was slightly spicy due to “hot” paprika. It was not very tannic and had a lot of up front fruit. A very good value. It would go well with a very wide variety of meat and pasta dishes, especially I suspect, something cooked over wood. For you visual types, here’s the label:
21844

Nice find. The Apulia region does not get much attention, but can produce some solid wines.

Also, kill that Woodford already.:lol:
 

Gator By Marriage

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Nice find. The Apulia region does not get much attention, but can produce some solid wines.

Also, kill that Woodford already.:lol:
Special story about the Woodford. It’s an engraved bottle given as a retirement gift. I only drink any under the right circumstances.
 

soflagator

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Special story about the Woodford. It’s an engraved bottle given as a retirement gift. I only drink any under the right circumstances.

Makes sense. It was just driving me crazy in the backdrop. When you say engraved, personally or like just a special bottle from WR?
 

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