I am curious to get some opinions on this, but what would you recommend someone buy for immediate consumption in the $250-$300 range? It could be just one bottle or a couple, but I am looking for a “wow” kind of experience. I will likely build a meal around whatever wine I end up with and drink it with my wife and maybe a friend or two. The most expensive wines I’ve had any opportunity to taste were probably peaking at around $200 (rare), and the most expensive wine I ever buy is around $125 (very rare). The reason I may have occasion to splurge is that I just took my Professional Engineering Licensure exam (registration fee $275) and I told my wife that I was going to sock away that much money to either register to re-take the exam or to blow on myself if I get the good news back that I passed (fingers crossed).
The crowd here seems to be very knowledgeable (and helpful) when it comes to the finer things, and I just want to know what you would buy in my situation?
From the minimal exposure I’ve had with Burgundy, I really enjoy the wines, but I’ve never had a Grand Cru.
I like a lot of Barolos, but I’ve never had an “aged” one, and don’t have that much experience, other than tastings.
I’ve never had a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd Growth BDX, but do enjoy the character of a good Bordeaux.
These are the obvious routes, but I’m open to anything!
Based on your stated preferences (below), I would suggest a d’Yquem, as others have proposed. There are tons of great vintages available going back all the way to 1970 that fall within your price range.
That would be on my short list. Once you add in my wife, it becomes my top on the list. A stellar, historic estate. Never had a d’Yquem that was anything short of fantastic.
Pop a bottle to pair with foie gras as a starter, move to another wine for dinner, then kill the remainder of the d’Yquem for dessert.
I understand what you mean, but a well made kick-ass bottle never hurts right? My wife and I have friends over every single Friday night for wine, and typically drink several bottles in the $15-$30 range. We always have a hell of a good time. Just this once, though, I would like to experience one of the “top” wines; a benchmark wine, that I would almost never have a chance to try otherwise. d’yquem is certainly on the short list. We will surely open some other wines as well.
Rousseau never disappoints. You could find stuff from 1995/1998/2000/2001/2002 that are drinking quite well right now. Mazis Chambertin is one of their (typically) less expensive grand crus that I’ve enjoyed a great deal.
This recent thread about wine gifts to buy in that price range might offer a few suggestions for you as far as Burgundy goes.
For first growths, you’d want to seek out the mature overachievers from the less-heralded vintages, like Mouton Rothschild 1983 and 1985, which might sneak in just under (or probably a little over) your target price range.
Be aware that there is a certain price premium for it being a First Growth, and if the experience of having tried one isn’t significant to you per se (and there nothing wrong with it having some meaning to you, it’s interesting to have gotten to experience some of the historical benchmark wines like that), you can probably get more for your dollar from other Bordeaux.
The trouble is is that no matter what price you pay the chances of failure are quite high. $15-30 is a little low to have the chances of being something really exciting, though it can happen with a little bit of luck. For me, in Burgundy I’d go for maturity over status unless you want something very young-a grand 2007 may well be exciting.
In Sauternes you may want to consider Climens, a wine possibly as good as Yquem that costs quite a bit less and that does rather better in off vintages.
I tend towards Pinots and the last two wowza wines I’ve had were a 1994 Williams-Selyem RRV Pinot and a 1985 LeJeune Pommard Les Rugiens. My wife tends toward Zinfandel and absolutely loves Turley (I’m a pretty big fan as well). We both really love a well-made Napa Cab, I tend to lean toward Spring Mountain Cabs. I haven’t quite convinced her yet on the joys of Bordeaux or Piedmont yet, but we recently tasted through several 2010 CdP, which we both loved. I really like branching out and trying new wines all the time, which is why my cellar mostly consists of singles.
Tom is right: age over status. The most important factors for a real wow experience are 1) a well-stored bottle 2) opened at maturity.
But for a special occasion there’s no reason to feel guilty about wanting a trophy label to celebrate. I think Ch. d’Yquem and Chave Hermitage are probably the trophiest candidates where you can find a ready-to-drink well-stored bottle in that price range, apart from Champagne.
Has Ohio allowed direct shipping from retail sources now? Use to be that was not possible leaving you at the mercy of local stores or what you can direct ship from wineries which is going to limit your options significantly. In which I case I would suggest you go talk to Eric at Jerardi’s Little Store and see if he can help you.
or to blow on myself if I get the good news back that I passed (fingers crossed).