I was looking to purchase 12-18 bottles that I could lay down and hold for several years that would age well. Price range $60-$150 with 2-3 in the $3-400 range. Prefer Napa Cabs/Blends (Oakville/Howell Mountain specifically). Did enjoy the Catena Zapata Malbec I had the other day as well… Can add more information as needed.
2016 Far Niente Cab
2015 Stags Leap FAY
2015 Opus One
2015 Opus One Overture
2013 Opus One
2013 La Jota Howell Mountain
2016 Caymus Reserve
2016 Caymus 1.5
2015 Emollo Merlot
2015 Catena Zapata
Memento Mori Dr Crane or VHR
La Pelle regular cab and reserve
Abreu if you can get it aftermarket vs at release as it’s over your budget but around $400 resale
Myriad
Carter
Eisele Vineyards
VHR- vine hill ranch
Christopher Tynan
Vangone
Maybach
Backus
Bordeaux (huge list $60 - $175 with two bit over $200) Smith Haut Laffite, Pichon Baron, Vieux Chateau Certan, Troplong Mondotte, Belair Monange, Trotanoy, Canon, Valandraud, domaine de chevalier, Les Carmen Haut Brion, Rauzan Segla
Also excellent Champagne is a great bottle to lay down as they age really well.
In Howell Mountain, I’ve found Cade Reserve ($220) to get better with age, even in less than ideal vintages. Dunn also ages well and is $140 on release.
I have a few bottles of Moone Tsai Howell Mountain, I think it’s right in your $120-140 range.
Silver Oak and Turnbull wines are also great and on the lower end of your price point. I should be keeping most of these for 5-6 years at least and then seeing where they go from there!
If you enjoy modern made Napa Cabernet Turnbull is an excellent choice for Oakville. Their Oakville Reserve is $65 and the SVD and Black Label range from $115-$150. You get an incentive to join the wine club as well. Mondavi Oakville is also a great option for the under $75 price point and Mondavi Reserve from Beckstoffer- To Kalon is an excellent choice coming from one of the most sought after vineyards in Napa. VHR is another solid option and a list you can join quickly.
Howell Mtn:
Dunn
Lamborn
Robert Craig
Anderson Conn Valley and Forman are St Helena appellation but would add them to your list.
Before you go to deep purchase a few 15 or 16 vintage wines from the ones you want to try. Decant them for a few hours and see if you like them.
My top pick for my palate for cellaring is Di Costanzo. Wines range from $55-$115. The Farella vineyard Single Vineyard is from Coombsville so not Oakville or Howell but it’s an outstanding wine. The 2018 release is 2/9. Buy the 16 or 17 Di Co to get a read on their style.