Best Bordeux for under $15.00US

Go to www.winespectator.com and do a search. This is a great way to find new wines. I believe for $15 you should stick with California Cabs, since there are many good wines at this price. My limited experience with French wines is that to get comparible quality with California you must pay much more.

Scott W

In general . . ., posted on May 8, 1999 at 08:37:44

jj

I find that California Cabs and Zins (real ones, not that white stuff, see discussion elsewhere on "white zinfandel") mostly offer a better deal.

On the other hand, you will note that just below, we've been discussing an Aussie Cab that is also pretty good. I've also encountered the occasional Chilean Cab that wasn't bad at all, but "variable" is a polite way to put their reliability.

Re: Best Bordeux for under $15.00US, posted on May 8, 1999 at 09:19:49

Old, gray and definitely in the way

But a Cal Cab is not a Bordeaux. As to value, maybe not in Bordeaux, but I think roughly 80% of the best wine values ($15 and under) are French. True, many are Vins de Pays - but nonetheless, they offer good drinking at a young age for little money.

IMHO, California just doesn't offer the same quality at that price level. California has been, for far too many year, focussed on "boutique" Cabs and Chards at high prices. In addition, the California wine industry (for that is what it is) offers what is primarily a consumer commodity. I had a wine rep from a well-known producer of California Chardonnay tell me the company's goal was to produce a wine with little or no variation from year to year and that was ready to go to table on bottling. The only unique and truly interesting wine that California produces is Zinfandel.

I await your suggestions, posted on May 8, 1999 at 15:29:05

jj

WE agree about some of the 'big name' Ca. wineries.

But I'd love to get a pointer to some of the Bordeaux wines under $15. that are good. I know some exist, but to date my own searching in that range has been much more successful in the California area, although one certainly finds some, well, (YAWN) factory products, even not under factory labels (and an occasional factory name with a non-factory product, too, a few of the Inglenook reserves are real wine).

In any case, I'm NOT arguing, I'd love to have some examples to try out! (and no, that is NOT sarcasm!)

Re: I await your suggestions, posted on May 8, 1999 at 16:07:55

Old, gray and definitely in the way

Well, it's getting increasingly difficult to find any Bordeaux under $15 - best bets are the satellite appelations (e.g Moulis) and some Chateaux second wine. But that is why I mentioned the Vin de Pays. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate has an article twice a year on the best wine bargains and the wines listed are overwhelmingly French. Many of the inexpensive are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc from other areas of France. Another suggestion is to try the wines of Domaine de Trevallon in Provence - Cabernet/Syrah -usually around 60/40 and mid-twenties per bottle on release. I have cellared these wines for years now and they are among my favorites. Robust, hearty with plenty of friut - great with lamb and roast fowl. Imported in to the US mainly by Kermit Lynch. Hope this helps.

Hmmm. Just opened a bottle of, posted on May 8, 1999 at 20:58:55

jj

Lesse, it was Les Residences, Domain de Traviers (sp?), Cote..

1994. Not great, but very VERY acceptable. VERY. I know I paid less than $15 for that one, but, um, not THIS year :-)

Re: Try south African, Oz and Chilean..., posted on May 10, 1999 at 05:25:57
Satyr	OK, the French would say that a Bordeaux refers to the region not the type of wine but the French climate is nearly as bad as UK. Even the Southern areas cannot count on the weather that Southern Hem. growers expect and the best reds of any type that I know of come from these three countries, especially at the prices you quote.

Re: Best Bordeux for under $15.00US, posted on May 12, 1999 at 00:40:03

Leonard Leguizamo

Try:

1997 Bordeux Moulton Cadet by Baron Phillpe de Rothschild (spelling?) for $5.99 @ Trader Joes! The same for the 1996 Bordeux Blanc!

Taste is very acceptable, only lacking body.

Can't not be beat for the price!

Leonard

Is it "Moulton Cadet" or Mouton Cadet?, posted on May 12, 1999 at 18:51:33
jj	If it's "Mouton" I've some downstairs. It's servicable, but like you say, no staying power.

Re: In general . . ., posted on May 14, 1999 at 05:13:26

Satyr

In the UK (flat-playing field for all non-EU)I would rate South African, Australian and Chilean above Cal wines in this price range. French wines have an unfair tax-advantage but still cannot compete below this ceiling - mind you french wines are best bought in bulk and stored for a year or 12- and I believe that Cal wines are very much better internally than they are when exported.

PS Try Wolf Blass 1996 (either Cab sav. or Shiraz)if you see a bottle for sale. Really big, lots of fruit, a bouquet to die for, vanilla, its got everything except a touch of petrol and I've never understood why anyone would want petrol in their wine!

Re: Best Bordeux for under $15.00US, posted on June 21, 1999 at 22:46:51
Rob	I enjoyed Chateau de la Grange 1993, a typical Cotes de Blayes which is at the top right now and slightly going over it. Because of not being a St.Emilion it's rather cheap.

Re: Try south African, Oz and Chilean..., posted on June 17, 2000 at 19:09:10
cvega	Agree, go Chilean. particulary Carmen Cab-Reserve, whic is under $15.00.

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Best Bordeux for under $15.00US

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