I kid, love Gilman’s review and recommendations. But, since i do not subscribe, I have not seen that list of classic wines in the low-to-moderate category that can form the basis of a very solid collection. For the classicists, what are your core wines?
Here are my contributions of wines that I tend to buy in most vintages (a couple or few in each category):
Loire Cab Franc:
Joguet Clos de La Dioterie
Olga Raffault Les Picasses
Baudry Les Grezeaux
Which of course would be a terrible shame if that’s the only thought-process, as for many of us (including me), the world of wine in this under $60 category is amazing. Yes, I have many wines that far exceed that price, but they are not necessarily my core wines, and when I open them, I have much higher expectations. These core wines deliver in spades, and when one is off, I do not cry as I did not pay a fortune.
I have all together stopped buying wines from Southern Rhone, unless they are heavy in mourvedre and more classicly-driven, but a singular bottle of this has transfixed me:
Aubry Champagnes (though not all of their cuvees)
Heitz Napa Cabernet Sauvignon
Produttori del Barbaresco (pretty much everything)
Marcarini Baolos
Brundlmayer Heiligenstein Riesling (not the Alte Reben)
And I am going to throw this out there…Kutch Sonoma Coast Pino Noir!
As for Southern Rhone, Clos du Mont Olivet is still worth buying on a regular basis.
Loire red
Would add to those mentioned above – C and P Breton, Bourgeuil Franc De Pied
Loire White Pinon, Chidaine (Bournais and Clos Habert), Chateau d’Epire Savennieres Cuvee Special, Pascal Cotat Sancerre (Les Monts Damnes)
Beaujolais
Julien Sunier, Morgon and Fleurie
Daniel Bouland, Morgon Corcelette and Chiroubles
Foillard, most cuvees
Burgundy Red
Roty Pressonier
Pavelot – any of Dominode, Peuillets, Gravains, etc
Prudhon – Rouge Gorges
Camus-Bruchon – any of Gravains, Grands Liards, Narbantons
Lafouge – Auxey-Duresses
Sylvain Pataille – Marsannay Clos Du Roy
Tuscany
Felsina, Fontodi, Monsanto CCRs
Piedmont
Punset, Campo Quadro
Cortese, Barbaresco Rabaja
Antonio Vallana e Figlio Gattinara
Should add Austrian whites, too, esp. if we’re going as high as $60:
Heitz Napa is generally good, but this past offering was a steal. At the winery, coming in at $49. The 2010 Napa. I taste there in February each year when they release the new Martha’s. I won’t mention the other vintages when I think buck-for-buck the other vineyards/labels for Heitz are better values. 'Cause they are more than $60.
And Mr. Alfert: I thought you were on a 2 week hiatus?
I am pathetic, no willpower. Great burg tonight, Chateau Dauzac last night, a northern Rhone the prior night. My wine hiatus lasted one day. Gonna try again on Monday. No way on a weekend.
This category is basically 99% of my collection. In addition to those you’ve already mentioned, I’d add:
Loire:
Hureau (of course, I got this from Gilman - thx John!)
Domaine de Sablonnettes
Clos Roche Blanche, while it lasted
Guion
Pallus
Olga Raffault
Northern Rhone:
Monier Perreol
Faury
Graillot (don’t cellar this really, but should – I generally drink 1 or 2 bottles per vintage)
Vincent Paris
I’ve recently picked up a bunch of Champet (again based on Gilman’s reco, but haven’t tasted yet)
Burgundy: I’m very new to this category, but turned around recently and realized it makes up the biggest portion of my “cellar”. Haven’t had a chance to drink through a ton or experience these with a lot of age, but here are my go to’s that I have in decent quantity:
Chandon de Briailles
Bize (sometimes creeps above $60, but I generally stay away if so)
Pavelot
Guillemot
Rollin
Roty Marsannay
California:
Arnot Roberts
Sky Syrah (I’ve heard their Zinfandels are great)
ESJ
Forlorn Hope
Italy:
Produtorri del Barbaresco
Burlotto (Barolo, Pelaverga, Freisa) - don’t really cellar these, but buy/taste somewhat regularly and love
The following producers are categories unto themselves (i.e., the only producers I buy from each area with any regularity): Savoie: Dupasquier Mondeuse and Altesse - the Mondeuse is so good and so cheap, I kick myself every year for only buying a few. Baden: Enderle & Moll (particularly the premium bottlings which still clock in under $50)
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