Between $30 and 40, but 2015 Crozes Hermitage, especially Graillot is ultimate N Rhone cellar defender.
Felsina Berardinga is a pretty awesome cellar defender for Tuscan reds.
Produtorri Barbaresco is like $25. The Langhe is even cheaper. Crazy QPR.
I dont buy cellar defenders anymore (I’m on the other side of the aging curve), but when I did they were mostly Cotes du Rhone. Asterisks denote my favorites.
Alain Jaume Grand Veneur
*Alary Cairanne La Font D’Estevenas
Aphillanthes (Oaky!)
Bastide St Dominique Jules Rochebonne
Brunel Cuvee Sabrine
Brusset Laurent Brusset
Brusset Cairanne Les Travers
Clos de Caillou Bouquet des Garrigues
Chapoutier Belle Ruche
*Charvin Le Poutet
Chave Mon Coeur
Coteaux des Travers Cairanne
Cros de la Mure
Delas Freres Saint Esprit
*Grand Veneur Champauvins
Giugal
Dom de l’Oratoire St Martin Cairanne Seigneurs
Dom La Garrigue Cuvee Romaine
Patrick Lesec Bouquet
Famille Perrin
Dom de Piaugier La Grange de Piaugier
Saint Cosme
*Saint Cosme Les Deux Albion
Muscadet, recent and older vintages.
Domaine Lafage Bastide Miraflors
Patricia Green Cellars Berserker Cuvee
White stuff from Tercero
Enfield ‘Pretty Horses’ Tempranillo
You’re going to laugh, but I was shocked by this one myself. It’s called Canterris from Colorado’s Colterris Wines. It’s canned ( I know, I know), but their red is a blend of Malbec, Cab, Syrah, Cab Franc and Petit Verdot. $20 for a 4 pack which they say is the equivalent of a bottle and a third. It’s remarkably satisfying.
This may be of limited value due to availability, but several months back I bought a mixed case of Birichino Grenache, Cinsault and Mourvèdre. All are light-touch, red-fruited wines from old vines and all $20. They showed up at K&L this time so maybe it’s getting easier to find them.
Edit: Still some in stock at K&L.
This is a crazy good find.
Here are some of the reds that I tend to have on hand at any given point in time;
Terre Nere Etna Rosso
Calabretta
Tenuta di Trinoro Le Cupole
Produttori del Barbaresco
Olga Raffault les Picasses
Thivin Brouilly
Lapierre Morgan
Clos de la Roilette
Sarget de Gruaud Larose
Montlandrie
Les Cruzelles
Saintayme
Guiberteau Saumur
Lini 910 Labrusca
Gros Frere et Soeur Hautes Cotes de Nuits
Mongeard Mugneret Bourgogne
Marietta Old Vine Red, Turley Juvenile/Old Vines and Ravenswood Appellation Zins.
Tom
Thank you.
Still a bit rich for my pedestrian blood, but I am running low on those $10 1993 and 1994 Judd’s Hill CS.
Here are a handful that I’ve liked.
Bruno Giacosa Barbera d’Alba
Coudert Fleurie Clos de la Roilette Cuvée Tardive
Marcel Lapierre Morgon
Querciavalle Chianti Classico
Roagna Barbera d’Alba
Terre Nere Etna Rosso
Lapierre
Clos de la Roillette
Chantereves Bourgogne Rouge (and blanc)
Hudelot-Noellat Bourgogne Rouge
Barthod Bon Batons (before it got pricey…)
Burlotto Barbera
Vietti Tre Vigne Barbera
Produttori Normale
Envinate Lousas
And many 1/2 bottles! Easier to open something nice midweek. And more accessible early, while waiting for other wines mature.
Bingo lately I’ve discovered all sorts of great OR Pinots and Chards that fit that description but I dont want to share them with my non wino friends as they are just too damn good.
Sean
You can get em all directly from the winery. I just polished off a Cinsault and Grenache and they are both spectacular…
Sean
is there an exact definition for when something is a cellar defender, or is it more of a subjective term?
I try to make a point of highlighting/remembering great bottles in this price range. Scanning my list over the last 6 months I find the following:
Trisaetum Willamette Valley Pinot
Stackhouse Cab
Philippe Leclerc Bourgogne Les Bons Batons
Felsina Chianti Classico
Dog Point Pinot
Bedrock Old Vine Zin
Camus-Bruchon Savigny-les-Beaune Vielles Vignes
Depends on how you define cheap, or daily drinker. I’m looking for sub-$30.
Drinking a 2000 Chateau Lanessan right now that I recently picked up for $25. This, is a quintessential cellar defender, something that I wish I had bought 10 cases of on release, seriously.
Any of the Sandlands