Question re value Chards and Shiraz

"Mark Lipton" inquired of the combined wisdom of the group, thus...

After being released in the US as an export label, Monkey Bay has since been released here in NZ - I do believe that it is the standard Nobilo SB under a different livery - and it is not half bad - certainly excellent value for money.

As to your Australian Shiraz dilemma, I have taken the liberty of looking through what Sams offers - OK it may not be available in Indiana, but maybe.

Figuring that the likes of Jacobs Creek, Yellowtail and Banrock Station were a little on the "cheap" side, I saw two on Sams list which were in your price range which I have tried and could recommend. (1) Barossa Valley Estate Shiraz, and (2) Lindemans "Reserve" Shiraz both offered at $9.99

However, if the budget could be s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d a few bucks, there were two other standouts

Peter Lehmann Shiraz ($15) I think is one of the better wines on their list. My second choice would be the Penfolds "Hyland" Shiraz ($13).

atb

Sometimes geeks have to suck it up. While I love the Brun white and both Brocard almost-Chablises (Kimmeridgien & Jurassique), the reality is probably the bride wants to find the comfort zone for the "gimme a glass of Chardonnay crowd", not to please the 4 to 6 people in the crowd who might care. I think you'd be better served for her wishes by picking a more typical CalChard. Maybe Tom S can give some ideas in this price range, or you'll have to sample yourself- Columbia Crest, RH Phillips, Cartlidge & Brown, Raymond have all been drinkable to me in past.

Same applies to Shiraz. The Paringa and Bleasdale Bremerview (maybe a bit over budget, but if you get a $7 Chard..) are typical without being gloppy.

Spot on, Dale, though the bride is a bit of a wine geek too (she actually drinks less CalChard than *I* do). My thinking was that a crisper French Chard would likely please both crowds, but I readily confess to not knowing the mindset of the "gimme a chard" crowd very well. Thanks for the recommendations, BTW. I fully intend to sample anything that I'd recommend to the bride.

Mark Lipton

Hah!! Yes, MB is made by the House of Nobilo for Constellation (are they now part of the Constellation empire?). In an ideal world, I'd get the '04 Villa Maria PR, but I can't really justify paying twice as much for it...

Alas, Sam's is a different market entirely, but still...

Many thanks, milud.

Off to do more research!! Mark Lipton

"Mark Lipton" wrote .....

Yup, in mid-2000 Nobilos were purchased by BRL Hardy, which then "merged" with Constellation Brands.

Hooray for globalism !!!

Here's a couple of my favorite inexpensive Chard's...

West Slope, Edna Ranch, Edna Valley

This is the 2nd tier wine from Mt. Eden - about $12 retail.

Kali Hart, Talbott Vineyards, Monterrey County

This is a nice clean Chard - lightly oaked (I thought it was stainless when I tasted it). About $10 retail.

I don't know anything about how widely they're distributed. Good luck!

-John

I like Wyndym Estate Bin 555 for Shiraz, but I don't remember whether a bottle of it would be *quite* under $10. They also make a very nice Cab-Merlot (Bin 888), but I realize that wasn't the question. ;)

beeswing

If budget allows for the Lehman, you cannot go wrong. I would never trade a Lindemans or Rosemount over a PL, in fact, any of the mass produced wines from the big boys. As for Yellowtail.... well... no comment..:>). Lehman has consistency, good fruit, and ages excellently for a bottom end red. Did a vertical a few nights ago... his 98's & 99's still drinking well. And with the quantity you need, put the word on the retailer for a bottle of his Stonewell or Mentor as a bonus...and plonk it on the bridal table!

Good luck.

Hooroo...,.

Drouhin Macon, 2004 for the Chard