NFT: What are your favorite red wines?

and it's not going to fit in your cheap category, but someone sent me a bottle of wine for helping them out with something at work and it was absolutely fantastic.

it was a barolo.

the specific one was Pio Cesare Barolo - I forget the year, but I can find out.

Barolos are expensive but probably my favorite red wine.

Not necessarily looking for cheap, but realistically I’m not going to buy a bottle that’s over $50 unless it’s a special occasion

are losing.

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After drinking a fair amount of swill at Ohio wineries we have found a few that are making good wines. Small producers so not widely available. Worth a trip though if you’re in NW PA.

This is Charles Woodsons winery (hence the name Intercept)

recently started trying Tempranillos and love it. They are know for being dry which my wife and I love. Same for Malbecs. Not good with brands so I can’t help there, but there are a ton of good ones in the $15-$20 range.

Cabs are obviously my fave. Throw Pinot Noir, Malbec, Tempranillo, and Montepulciano in there as well.

In comment 16291658 Dave in PA said:

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Not necessarily looking for cheap, but realistically I’m not going to buy a bottle that’s over $50 unless it’s a special occasion

the barolos are special IMO and probably $75-$100 per bottle.

My favorite cab when considering price and availability is Freemark Abbey. Higher end is Joseph Phelps.

We're working our way across the Malbec shelf at our local shop. Everything we've tried so far has been good, and they are all reasonably priced. One particular label was good -- Crios.

I was big on the Pinot Noirs from Oregon in the past, but the Malbec is similar, at about half the price. There's no big hangover with this Argentinian grape, no matter how much you drink. They say it's something to do with the Tannins.

My table wine is J. Lohr and Villa Antinori.

with an occasional malbec or Italian.

...medium-priced California blends (like Bogle "Phantom"); easy enough to shop around for those, but some are better than others (D'oh!).
If you are liking Italian wines, you can definitely find more of those that are great, and they don't need to be Super-Tuscans or Barolos. Someone else mentioned Montepulcianos and I second that. I'm sorry I can't recall some other regions there I've liked; my intake has slowed lately.
There are also excellent Spanish wines, especially some Rioja Riservas.
And some of the Rhone reds, you don't need to spend a lot to find good ones. OTOH, you could splurge on a Chateauneuf du Pape but only if you can get one that's aged some -- and that would be expensive.
I'd enjoy Pinot Noir more if I could find ones from CA or OR that have had some time to mellow out ... or if I could afford some Burgundys.
Have not enjoyed a lot of wines from Chile for some reason. And I haven't acquired the fascination with Malbecs.
As for Cabs, I shop for those red blends instead; I prefer Zin in a blend rather than on its own.
That's all just my personal taste.
Wine ... you like what you like!

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Losers.

My favorite treat for the holidays.

...and Merlot. I like most wines but I prefer full bodied, rich and hearty wines the best.

nice taste and texture

20 to 40
Rebellious, Harry and Harriet.

VA wineries use a grape called Norton which can be alright.

In comment 16291699 State Your Name said:

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My favorite treat for the holidays.

Will second that.

I am all about the San Geovese grape -- give me Chianti Classico, Vino Nobile de Montepulciano, or Brunello di Montalcino

Kevin Zarali classifies them respectively as BMW 3 series, BMW 5 series and BMW 7 series, although the classicos are starting to stray into the 5 range with Reservas and Gran Selezione versions.

Vino Nobile and Brunello both have greater aging qualifications than Classico, and Brunello has more aging qualifications than Vino Nobile. Vino Nobile also entertains other grape types in addition to San Geovese. But I find myself drawn to the earthy tones mingled with berry, herbal and floral notes that runs through the three types.

I have been able to learn about these wines not just from Kevin but really expanded from what he taught me using services like garagiste.com and wineaccess.com both of which get very good selections and regular offerings to their subscribers. I have been at it for well over ten years now and learned to be discerning and what descriptors and vintners will make me happy.

We keep around 4-5 hundred bottles in our cellar at any given time. For my money these wines offer the best value in wines compared to heralded French Bordeaus or California Cabs and they offer a great range of quality and taste when you know what you are looking for.

Usually Alamos Reserve

I buy the wines for an Italian restaurant and could go on forever about Italian wines – so I'll try not to. Current favorites that are drinking great are:

Villa Cafaggio Chianti Classico – juicy cherry bomb that pairs perfectly with anything with red sauce

Piero Benevelli Langhe Nebbiolo and A&G Fantino Rosso dei Dardi – same grape (Nebbiolo) and most of the same characteristics as Barolos and Barbarescos, at a fraction of the price

Elvio Tintero Barbaresco – delicious, one of the best values in Italian wines at the moment (~$35 retail). All of their wines are terrific and offer excellent value.

Sesti Monteleccio – Baby Brunello, another delicious wine, without the price tag

Finally, if you like Nero d'Avolas, you might want to give a Sicilian Etna Rosso a shot (COS, Vignetti Vecchio, Graci). Very tasty.

I've spent a lot of time there, and their wine country rivals Napa without the price tag.

But don't go cheap. If it costs less than $20, it won't be great. But for $30 to $40, there are some spectacular wines. Try Kanonkop Pinotage and Hartenberg Syrah!

... but for house reds at less cost, you'd be surprise at what Germany and Austria have to offer. Plus screw caps. (Not a big fan of corks.)

if thats your thing check out belle glos in the $40-50 range.

In comment 16291813 Rico said:

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I've spent a lot of time there, and their wine country rivals Napa without the price tag. But don't go cheap. If it costs less than $20, it won't be great. But for $30 to $40, there are some spectacular wines. Try Kanonkop Pinotage and Hartenberg Syrah!

Bought some South African reds recently and enjoyed them.

In comment 16291810 Kev in VT said:

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I buy the wines for an Italian restaurant and could go on forever about Italian wines – so I'll try not to. Current favorites that are drinking great are: Villa Cafaggio Chianti Classico – juicy cherry bomb that pairs perfectly with anything with red sauce Piero Benevelli Langhe Nebbiolo and A&G Fantino Rosso dei Dardi – same grape (Nebbiolo) and most of the same characteristics as Barolos and Barbarescos, at a fraction of the price Elvio Tintero Barbaresco – delicious, one of the best values in Italian wines at the moment (~$35 retail). All of their wines are terrific and offer excellent value. Sesti Monteleccio – Baby Brunello, another delicious wine, without the price tag Finally, if you like Nero d'Avolas, you might want to give a Sicilian Etna Rosso a shot (COS, Vignetti Vecchio, Graci). Very tasty.

Rtna Rosso indeed! Had one just last week and it was very delicious and only about $20. Really enjoyed that.

back in 1990, I had a Norweigan girlfriend and she introduced me to some Norway wines where the grapes were grown from Climate controlled Hydroponics greenhouses over there. I also ended up dating her sister as well.

Is Cotes du Rhone. You can find exceptional wines for under $20.

In comment 16291653 pjcas18 said:

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and it's not going to fit in your cheap category, but someone sent me a bottle of wine for helping them out with something at work and it was absolutely fantastic. it was a barolo. the specific one was Pio Cesare Barolo - I forget the year, but I can find out. Barolos are expensive but probably my favorite red wine.

Great choice pj

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