Situation: I'm indebted (ethically, not financially :) ) to a couple of friends whom I know to be fans of red wine, and at least one (likely both) know rather more than I on the topic (ok, not too hard), but I don't think are real mavens.
I'd like to buy them a bottle or two that will not only _be_ very good, but will also create that impression/expectation from the moment they see the name (i.e. should generate the thought 'wow, he's bought me nice stuff!' :) ). My initial thoughts were something like Chateau Lafitte, Petrus, or similar, but that's what I'm asking you folks for :). Given the caveats that this has to be something I can buy now - i.e not some fantastic rarity - and a price guess of maybe $150ish (USD), thoughts on wines/years would be most welcome. [As would a pointer to appropriate links, if that's easier/better].
Buy them 75 bottles of "two buck chuck." Its famous, it creates a definite expectation, and many people find it marvelously tolerable.
-- Massa Blackadder
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"I wants to be in heaven with all my white folks, just to wait on them and love them, and serve them, sorta like I did in slavery time. That will be enough heaven for Adeline."
Fine question and one we see often, and with something as subjective as wine, you'll see a number of suggestions.
You could certainly quickly spend your $150 with some of the first growth Bordeauxs, or you could pick some top California cabs as well, such as Beaulieu Vineyard's Georges de Latour, Joseph Phelps Insignia, or Flora Springs Trilogy. Those last two are blends like a Bordeaux.
The safest choice would indeed be the First Growth Bordeaux- anyone who's into wines at all would recognize them. '94 & '99 would be good choices for vintages in that price range.
We could hone in better if we knew preferences. If they were more Californiam oriented, Dominus or Phelps Insignia would be the way I'd go. Most recent vintages run $100, '94s of each probably closer to $150.
If you knew they liked Burgundy, Mugnier or Roumier 1ers Chambolles or Musigny. Italy, you could go for Gaja or one of Giacosa's top bottlings.
Tons of choices, depending on their interest.
You're at Yale? If you are interested in pointers towards available stuff, pretty much all NY stores ship to CT. Try winesearcher.com, or I could suggest particular stores if you know what you want.
I think in New Haven, it is more like $3, if available. 75 bottles is out.
Or not. "Rotten Kool-aid" is one term I've heard in reference to it. I've not personally tried it, so I can't say, but I'd be amazed to find it drinkable.
However, this would make more sense than spending $150 on a bottle that's twenty years from being mature, although that doesn't stop many a rich guy..."98 points on this '00 M-R indeed; wow, is that strong tannin so tasty!"
I would only suggest avoiding 1994 or anything older than 1999 because too many retailers have old stock of the best wines that have sat out in warm stores too long. If you are not familiar with these wines, best to stick to more recent vintages.
Thus I would suggest 1999 and Lafite is a good choice. Chateau Margaux happens to be absolutely stunning in 1999 and that would be my first suggestion. The other first growths- Mouton, Haut Brion and Latour- would be good choices as well. Any wine lover at the higher end will know these names well.
A first growth is also a safe choice. The wine drinker will know what it is and appreciate the gift. Even if it is not their favorite wine, a first growth confers a certain "greatness" on a gift- a greatness you wisely alluded to in your search of the right thing to purchase in this case.
Tom.
PS- Other excellent 1999s that are top names and good gifts would be Pichon Baron, Lynch Bages and Leoville Barton. All are excellent and all run about $50-60 while the firsts are in the $120-200 range at this point. Vieux Chateau Certan from Pomerol is also a very good call at around $100. This is sort of an insider's wine and highly regarded among serious Bordeaux fans even though it is not well known to the general public.
I think 1998 is a very interesting year for Bordeaux, for both quality and price. The St. Emilions and Pomerols (which are mainly merlot) are supposed to be fantastic. The Medocs (which are on the other side of the river and consist of mainly cabernet sauvignon) are supposed to be generally less successful but the first growths were very well reviewed.
I haven't tasted it yet, but I bought a bottle of the 1998 Lafite Rothschild for USD170 -- it has been very well reviewed. The '98 Mouton Rothschild has also gotten great reviews and should be available for under USD200. The
1998 Haut-Brion has gotten wonderful reviews but is probably well over USD200. I've seen both the Latour and the Margaux for under USD200 -- they have been well review but not like the Lafite, Mouton, or Haut-Brion.
On the other side of the river, the 1998 Chateau Pavie and the 1998 Vieux-Chateau Certan are supposed to be great. I paid around USD100 for each. You may not be able to find such good prices, but I doubt either is over USD150.
Robert Parker gave 100 points to the 2000 Chateau Pavie -- I bought a bottle at Costco for USD190. I agree with Dale about the Gaja and the Giacosa -- you can find a Gaja Barbaresco (not the single vineyard wines) for under USD200. 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999 are all great vintages for Gaja. I've seen Bruno Giacosa's top Barolos for under USD150 -- I think the Rocche del Falletto is his top Barolo. The 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999 Giacosas are supposed to be great but VERY young. I've seen Giacosa's single vineyard Barbarescos for far less.
These are all really big names and really good wines that would have any red wine fan practically drooling -- especially if said fan received the bottle as a gift and didn't have to pay the outrageous prices.
I'd put the Petrus out of your mind -- if you can find the current vintage (2000) at all, it will probably cost USD1500 to USD2000, or so I've read. I think most of the 2000 first growths are all around USD400 -- that's why I've recommended 1998 for Bordeaux.
Good advice. Check Costco. They had the 1999 Phelps Insignia for ~$90 a couple of weeks ago. Buy two. I'd bet that it kicks ass! (For the benefit of non-Americans, that's a _good_ thing!) It'll be a good keeper too, for those of you who are patient. They also had the BV Reserve, for a little less $$. I didn't see the Flora Springs there.
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