Most complex wines under <$50

[Ian_S]

Lots of members here seem to like Felsina Fontalloro for red and Huet’s Secs and Demi-Secs for white, and those are under $50.

Of course, that depends on whether or not the particular vintage of Huet has shit the bed or not.

[Michae1_P0wers]

Maybe a bit out of left field, but Occhipinti SP68 and Frappato are very complex and well within range.

Also Gros Noire, Trevaillon (maybe under $50), and many mentioned above. Oh, and Cameron.

[Jim_Vandegriff]

One wine near the $50 mark but can be found for a bit less is Evesham Wood Cuvee J Pinot Noir. This estate vineyard near Salem, Oregon produces outstanding and complex wines every year. Check out the story about the yeast they make it with on the website. https://eveshamwood.com

[Wes_Barton]

What under $50 will you drink if and when the OP comes back to read your advice?

[Tom_Taylor]

Felsina Rancia
Terre Nere “Santo Spirito”
Roagna Langhe Rosso

[Jim_Stewart]

I think this is the definition of wine I’m trying to shop for. I feel like I’ve been drinking too many ‘easy drinkers’ or crowd pleaser wines, but I’m looking for some wines that I can really savor and enjoy, open hours in advance and keep tasting from it to see how it evolves.

I’ll take your requirements literally, especially the “open hours in advance” (which eliminates a lot of wine). Barolo is my pick. There are many under $50.

[John_Kight]

Lots of members here seem to like Felsina Fontalloro for red…

I love Fontalloro, but absent 15-ish years of age I don’t necessarily think of its strength as being “complexity” so much as consistent “deliciousness”. It’s tempting to me to conflate the two characteristics and ask myself, well why do I find a wine “delicious” if it’s not “complex”. But I think I do enjoy many wines purely based on a flavour profile and texture that I find appealing even while not considering them to be particularly “complex.” In younger wines, I tend to find complexity only (with a few exceptions), in lighter-bodied wines…Jura reds, Beaujolais, some lighter-styled Nebbiolos (Gattinara, Spanna, and the occasional Barolo/Barbaresco that drinks well young), Nerello Mascalese, and Burgundy.

[Joshua_Kates]

Lots of members here seem to like Felsina Fontalloro for red…

I love Fontalloro, but absent 15-ish years of age I don’t necessarily think of its strength as being “complexity” so much as consistent “deliciousness”. It’s tempting to me to conflate the two characteristics and ask myself, well why do I find a wine “delicious” if it’s not “complex”. But I think I do enjoy many wines purely based on a flavour profile and texture that I find appealing even while not considering them to be particularly “complex.” In younger wines, I tend to find complexity only (with a few exceptions), in lighter-bodied wines…Jura reds, Beaujolais, some lighter-styled Nebbiolos (Gattinara, Spanna, and the occasional Barolo/Barbaresco that drinks well young), Nerello Mascalese, and Burgundy.

Yes, I agree with this, John. For example, I have a weakness, some might say, for Rochioli, both the SB and the PN’s. On the right occasions, I enjoy them a lot, but I would not call them complex.

[John_Morris]

‘Complex’ is such a subjective term IMHO - and that makes this a difficult question to answer. I would go to my local wine shop and attend tastings and get a wider array of wines in front of you to experiment with.

Cheers

+1

[Howard_Cooper]

In our market, you’ll find some pleasant swallowable Lieux-dits around $30, but you can fuhgeddabout 1er Cru [unless you extend your budget from $50 out towards the $75+ range].

I don’t know where you’re market is, Nathan,
But almost at random, here are some below from Chicagoland (Bessin). I get offered 1er Cru Chablis nearly every day <$50

2015 Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume ex-Domaine $45.99 24
2016 Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume ex-Domaine $42.99 44
2015 Chablis 1er Cru La Foret ex-Domaine $34.95 60
2015 Chablis 1er Cru Montmains ex-Domaine $45.99 10
2016 Chablis 1er Cru Montmains ex-Domaine $42.99 6
2016 Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons ex-Domaine $35.99 60

Not surprising. Some people need to do more research before they post. I found a whole bunch from just one local store. https://bassins.com/search_results.php

Got an offer from Envoyer today for a 2017 Drouhin Chablis 1er Cru Mont de Milieu for $30. Have not had the wine but seems like excellent value.

[jnbrown]

A good Rioja like La Rioja Alta