Maybe take a dekko at Rosso di Montalcino? It’s made for earlier drinking than it’s big brother Brunello, it can be quite tasty and much more budget-friendly.
Produttori was my first thought as well. Another is Vajra Barolo Albe. From other parts of the Piedmont, look for Ferrando.
For a different Italian wine, maybe try a Taurasi from Mastroberardino.
About a year ago, I tried through my country club’s wine club some really cheap (as in $10-20) reds that were simple but tasty from a producer from Sicily called Alcesti. Alcesti — Siema Brands
In California, try Ridge Three Valleys Zinfandel.
Try some Loire reds - see a thread on the front page of the board started by Robert.
If you want to try some Burgundy, see Consolidated off-the-beaten-path Burgundy TNs - WINE TALK - WineBerserkers
If you have not done so, check out a wine store in Irvine called Envoyer Fine Wines. Half this board gets wines shipped to them by Envoyer. [Please note that six months after I recommended Envoyer to a friend a number of years back he told me he hated me for the recommendation - this was after he had bought multiple, multiple cases from them and could not stop.]
If you’re looking for a cheaper CdP, try Clos Saint Jean, they’re mid-30$s and depending on the vintage are low 90s on Cellar Tracker.
They are routinely sold on Firstbottle / Lastbottle, so keep an eye out.
JLL gave this his top score of six stars (only a handful of $100+ wines have received this before). It is great and only around $30:
2016 Domaine du Cayron Gigondas
(large barrel, bottling mid-Sept 2018) sturdy dark red robe. The bouquet comes forward without hesitation, off it goes on pine and rich cassis de Dijon fruit, a touch of licorice. It’s deep, thorough, juvenile, and gives an idea of how healthy the crop was this year. The palate is very well weighted, gives an exciting flourish of typical Grenache cooked red fruits, brings in menthol and is a complete package. Way to go, STGT Gigondas of immense character here – really vibrant and full – it doesn’t capture the imagination, it seizes it. The finish is broad and wavy, bounds with local colour. This will age well, providing interest all the while. Serve in a large glass. 15°. 59,000 b. 79% Gren, 14% Syr, 6% Cins, 1% Mourv. VALUE at €18.50. 2039-42 Oct 2017
I need to track down some more Domaine du Cayron Gigondas whenever I start looking to pick up some other Southern Rhones. Always an incredible bargain of killer Grenache from southern France. In my short-35+ years of drinking red wine, it’s probably the one that has consistently kicked ass and taken names, especially at its price. Next step up, along those lines, probably Donjon CdP.
My first dates with French-produced Grenache almost all involved Cotes du Rhone. I was lucky, however, in that at the time (mid-80s) the Boulder Liquor Mart was in love with Robert Parker and consistently carried a dozen or more of really nice CdRs for sale, many for less than $10 back then. Of course, they also carried many big sister CdPs for between $12 and $20 a bottle, so it was quite easy to fall in love, and still have monies left in the bank account. Sean, no idea where you live, but seek out a retailer who carries lots of Cotes du Rhone and start having fun. Be careful, though . . . . 