Napa Cab under $100
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Napa Cab under $100
Hi everyone,
I know this is a played-out topic but I have a specific question so I’m hoping I can tap the collective wisdom here.
It’s about a month until my wife’s 30th birthday. She loves Napa cabs, but we barely ever drink them at home (in part because of price, in part because she humors my predilection for the weird and far-flung). I’d like to get her something special to drink on her birthday. My constraints are:
(1) Under $100 (this is a semi-firm limit. 110 or 120 would be doable if it’s really worth it; 150-200 wouldn’t).
(2) Drinking well now, preferably without a huge decant
(3) Available to purchase in the next month
(4) Her tastes - I‘ll confess to not being an expert in the differences between Napa cabs. What I can tell you is that she has enjoyed La Jota, Mayacamas, Newton, Hall, Robert Craig Affinity, Mt Veeder, Alpha Omega. She also doesn’t have much of a taste for old wine. I’d say under 20 years is safest (probably can’t afford older anyway).
Thanks!
I know this is a played-out topic but I have a specific question so I’m hoping I can tap the collective wisdom here.
It’s about a month until my wife’s 30th birthday. She loves Napa cabs, but we barely ever drink them at home (in part because of price, in part because she humors my predilection for the weird and far-flung). I’d like to get her something special to drink on her birthday. My constraints are:
(1) Under $100 (this is a semi-firm limit. 110 or 120 would be doable if it’s really worth it; 150-200 wouldn’t).
(2) Drinking well now, preferably without a huge decant
(3) Available to purchase in the next month
(4) Her tastes - I‘ll confess to not being an expert in the differences between Napa cabs. What I can tell you is that she has enjoyed La Jota, Mayacamas, Newton, Hall, Robert Craig Affinity, Mt Veeder, Alpha Omega. She also doesn’t have much of a taste for old wine. I’d say under 20 years is safest (probably can’t afford older anyway).
Thanks!
ITB
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Re: Napa Cab under $100
Have a look at 2015 Pilcrow Pym-Rae Cabernet. It is $95, and the peak of Mt. Veeder. I have had it, and really liked it.
The Pym-Rae vineyard was owned by Robin Williams, and as I understand it the fruit was sold to multiple wineries. In late 2015 Alfred Tesseron of Pontet-Canet fame bought the winery, and began making their own wine. (The 2016 release of the Tesseron Pym-Rae is expexted this fall.)
So, the Pilcrow is one of the last wines made from Pym-Rae before Tesseron took it over. Makes for a cool story, and is a very good wine (IMHO)...
The Pym-Rae vineyard was owned by Robin Williams, and as I understand it the fruit was sold to multiple wineries. In late 2015 Alfred Tesseron of Pontet-Canet fame bought the winery, and began making their own wine. (The 2016 release of the Tesseron Pym-Rae is expexted this fall.)
So, the Pilcrow is one of the last wines made from Pym-Rae before Tesseron took it over. Makes for a cool story, and is a very good wine (IMHO)...
Re: Napa Cab under $100
Recently saw some back vintages fo Chateau Montelena "Estate" cab from the 2000's for around $110. See K&L website, they have a handful. I'm not at all a Napa cab drinker normally (so can't give other recommendations), but these seem like a decent value as far as Napa goes and already have some age on them. Gave the 2005 a shot and enjoyed it. Old world leaning stylistically.
https://www.jjbuckley.com/wine-knowledg ... ignon/1019
https://www.jjbuckley.com/wine-knowledg ... ignon/1019
Last edited by Justin S on August 18th, 2019, 2:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Napa Cab under $100
This one is easy. Frogs Leap 2016 Estate Cab (current release) is $65.00 and for me tastes way better than most Napa Cabs costing 2X or more.
https://store.frogsleap.com/
Tom
https://store.frogsleap.com/
Tom
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Re: Napa Cab under $100
FWIW, Jonah Beer VP at Frog's Leap, and his wife, Sara, are the winemakers of Pilcrow.Tom DeBiase wrote: ↑August 18th, 2019, 2:46 pm This one is easy. Frogs Leap 2016 Estate Cab (current release) is $65.00 and for me tastes way better than most Napa Cabs costing 2X or more.
https://store.frogsleap.com/
Tom
Re: Napa Cab under $100
Are you looking for more old school traditional Napa, or fruit forward, lush, but quality Napa cabs?
A few options more old school:
Corison Napa Valley (around $100), can order from the winery if there aren't local options
Chappellet Signature (around $60 in my area)
Frog's Leap (around $60 in my area)
A few options more old school:
Corison Napa Valley (around $100), can order from the winery if there aren't local options
Chappellet Signature (around $60 in my area)
Frog's Leap (around $60 in my area)
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Re: Napa Cab under $100
Go get the 2011 Dunn Howell Mountain. It appears to be available on the K&L website for $99. That is a steal for a wine of this caliber.
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Re: Napa Cab under $100
Hall Eighteen Seventy Three vineyard is a great cab at $75 via wine.com. One of the few instances where wine.com has the best price. Drinks above its price point, drinking well now and from a producer you know she likes. Enjoy!
https://www.wine.com/product/hall-eight ... 014/405545
https://www.wine.com/product/hall-eight ... 014/405545
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Re: Napa Cab under $100
You may want to get in touch with board member Merrill Lindquist. She's in Calistoga and her Black Cat Cabernet Sauvignons sound like they're right in your wife's wheel house.
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Re: Napa Cab under $100
Any thoughts on Stony Hill cab? I've never tried one but pricing seems reasonable.
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Re: Napa Cab under $100
It’s very fine, but needs to age.P@u1_M3nk3s wrote: ↑August 18th, 2019, 4:18 pm Any thoughts on Stony Hill cab? I've never tried one but pricing seems reasonable.
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Re: Napa Cab under $100
Psst . . . Champagne!
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Re: Napa Cab under $100
no shit!!!
Age merely shows what children we remain.
-Goethe
But I've just noticed that my mind is asleep.
-Rimbaud
-Goethe
But I've just noticed that my mind is asleep.
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Re: Napa Cab under $100
Chappellet signature. About $60.
If you have access to total wine, use this coupon 2328 for 20% off of 6 bottles.
Another option is the chateau montrose 2015 in costco for $99.97. They should have 2 in the Santa Rosa costco.
If you have access to total wine, use this coupon 2328 for 20% off of 6 bottles.
Another option is the chateau montrose 2015 in costco for $99.97. They should have 2 in the Santa Rosa costco.
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Re: Napa Cab under $100
Jean Edward's Cabs are all delicious. Karen is an active member on this board. Taste great young with good decent. All of her wines meet your price point.
Re: Napa Cab under $100
Good call on the Bevan Ontogeny ($95), and really tasty right now!
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Re: Napa Cab under $100
Second votes on Outpost, Corison, Hidden Ridge 55% Slope, and Bevan Ontogeny. Others to consider: Riverain, Lewis, Myriad, Quivet, Rivers Marie, Chiron Candor, Kobalt, Aonair, Paradigm, Kamen.
Grab that 2011 Dunn at KL if still available.
Grab that 2011 Dunn at KL if still available.
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Re: Napa Cab under $100
Chris Atkins wrote: ↑August 18th, 2019, 3:28 pm Go get the 2011 Dunn Howell Mountain. It appears to be available on the K&L website for $99. That is a steal for a wine of this caliber.
Doesn’t need to age ?
Doesn’t need to decant ?
Just aksing -thought it would need both .
Maybe not because a 2011?
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Re: Napa Cab under $100
I PnP’d a 2011 Dunn HM two weeks ago, still young, but surprisingly open and ready for business.
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Re: Napa Cab under $100
I've have and have tasted every Mending Wall cab since 2012 and they've been nice right out of the gate, except the '13 which understandably needed some time. Loved the '15 most of all. All under $100
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Re: Napa Cab under $100
+1 on a couple references to Outpost.
Would also recommend the regular Napa bottling of Rivers Marie as well as the regular bottling of 12C...both are consistently solid.
Would also recommend the regular Napa bottling of Rivers Marie as well as the regular bottling of 12C...both are consistently solid.
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Re: Napa Cab under $100
I also concur with Bevan Ontageny ($95) and they drink well young. Over the past several months, I've drank the 2014, 2015 and 2016 and all are a delicious bourdeaux blend that drink very well with a decant. It is my personal favorite wine under $100. I recently joined the Rivers Marie allocation list and own some of the cabs but I haven't drank any yet. However, I am a big fan of TRB and have no concerns that the Rivers Marie won't be great. Good luck finding a bottle and all suggestions so far have looked great!
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Re: Napa Cab under $100
The 2016 Rivers-Marie Napa Cab (base bottling) is drinking very well at the moment, as well! So much so, that I've drunk through my allocation and had to seek out more on the secondary market. The 2016 Lore was very good too, but built for the long haul (and over $100).
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Re: Napa Cab under $100
Surprising that nobody has mentioned Drinkward Peschon. Wine Searcher shows plenty of slightly older vintages available well under $100, including the very ready right now 2009, 2007, and 2005:
https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/drin ... 09/usa/usd
Both K&L and Flickinger show bottles from those vintages, and are resellers who get positive reviews here all the time.
https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/drin ... 09/usa/usd
Both K&L and Flickinger show bottles from those vintages, and are resellers who get positive reviews here all the time.
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Re: Napa Cab under $100
+ a millionIan S wrote: ↑August 18th, 2019, 9:15 pm Surprising that nobody has mentioned Drinkward Peschon. Wine Searcher shows plenty of slightly older vintages available well under $100, including the very ready right now 2009, 2007, and 2005:
https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/drin ... 09/usa/usd
Both K&L and Flickinger show bottles from those vintages, and are resellers who get positive reviews here all the time.
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Re: Napa Cab under $100
Thanks very much for the mention Chris.ChrisMcElligott wrote: ↑August 18th, 2019, 5:28 pm Jean Edward's Cabs are all delicious. Karen is an active member on this board. Taste great young with good decent. All of her wines meet your price point.
Ben -I see you are in Santa Rosa. If you’d like to stop by, our tasting room is at the Sonoma Plaza. Just let me know ahead of time. Karen
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Re: Napa Cab under $100
Mt. Brave Cabernet & Louis Martini Monte Rosso Cabernet.
EDIT: Of Course try Quilt for $40.
EDIT: Of Course try Quilt for $40.
Last edited by rsmithjr on August 19th, 2019, 8:12 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Napa Cab under $100
Ehler's Estate Napa Valley Cab is $55.
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Re: Napa Cab under $100
With neighbors such as Bryant, Ovid and Continuum at $250+ per bottle and garnering the same scores, there really isn't a better Napa Valley Cabernet for less than $70 as Chappellet Signature Cab.
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Re: Napa Cab under $100
You can find a bunch of Spring Mountain Vineyard cabs under $100 with some age on it. A couple 1997's on winebid.com right now.
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Re: Napa Cab under $100
Always an impressive....this would be my pick. A lot of "wow" wines don't actually drink well beyond the first few sips or the first glass, but this one does.
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Re: Napa Cab under $100
Agree on O'Shaughnessy NV. Tasted this at the winery in March and was wow'd by it. This wine in the cellar is a good problem to have.John Kight wrote: ↑August 19th, 2019, 1:36 pmAlways an impressive....this would be my pick. A lot of "wow" wines don't actually drink well beyond the first few sips or the first glass, but this one does.
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Re: Napa Cab under $100
Understood . . . in that case, a cab that has not yet been mentioned: 2015 Shafer "One Point Five" Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon which is listed at $89.95 at K&L. Some of the reviews suggest its a drink now or wait until your wife's 40th birthday type of wine. Good luck with your decision and happy birthday to your wife.Ben M a n d l e r wrote: ↑August 18th, 2019, 6:42 pmCan you believe it, she doesn’t really like sparkling wine.
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Re: Napa Cab under $100
Jean Edwards Stagecoach is great is like $70ish.
Rivers-Marie Napa ($75 iirc) and Calistoga ($95 iirc) are great, although perhaps less easy to find at release prices.
Smith Madrone is like $55, easy to source and very very good as well.
Rivers-Marie Napa ($75 iirc) and Calistoga ($95 iirc) are great, although perhaps less easy to find at release prices.
Smith Madrone is like $55, easy to source and very very good as well.
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Re: Napa Cab under $100
Bevan Ontogeny
Shafer One Point Five
Affinity Howell Mountain
Chimney Rock
Pride Mountain
Shafer One Point Five
Affinity Howell Mountain
Chimney Rock
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Re: Napa Cab under $100
+1 on these and the Bevan Ontageny. Rivers Marie Cab at $65 is also terrific value, just had the 2015.
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Re: Napa Cab under $100
+1 on the Chappy Sig Cab. It's available everywhere, always very good, well under $100 and will stay all of those things for a long time. If she likes it, you'll have a go to bottle for life
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Re: Napa Cab under $100
I have very much liked the ones I have had. Very much on the more elegant side of California Cab.P@u1_M3nk3s wrote: ↑August 18th, 2019, 4:18 pm Any thoughts on Stony Hill cab? I've never tried one but pricing seems reasonable.
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Re: Napa Cab under $100
Lot of love on this thread for this wine, but your note sold me! Love the phrase "a go to bottle for life"!David Baum wrote: ↑August 19th, 2019, 2:34 pm +1 on the Chappy Sig Cab. It's available everywhere, always very good, well under $100 and will stay all of those things for a long time. If she likes it, you'll have a go to bottle for life
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But I've just noticed that my mind is asleep.
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