Curious to hear board opinion and get a list going on what the most complex reds ~$50 and below are?
One wine I consider very complex and affordable is Sean Thackrey Pleiades.
Musar, white and red.
Maybe Lopez de Heredia too, with enough age. The gran reserva whites are notably complex and can be had in the $20’s (but not the reds which are >$70), but many dislike the style.
2008 Jaffurs Verna’s Vineyard Syrah ~ $46. I love Syrah and this one is the most complex I’ve had.
I second Lopez de Herredia (only the Reservas; the GR’s are much more than $50).
I’d also add La Riojas Alta 904; one of the best and most complex wines I’ve ever had below $50 (or below $100 for that matter).
Gonon’s and Faury’s St. Joseph’s are definitely strong contenders.
Old Felsina CCR’s are also amazing, both the Rancias and the regular.
There are probably hundreds or thousands of wines that qualify as very complex.
My vote would go to heritage mixed black selections like Ridge Geyserville, Bucklin “Old Hill Ranch”, Bedrock “Bedrock Heritage”, etc.
Agree with the LdH Bosconia & Tondonia red reservas. Since my long term memory seems to be in short supply I’m also going to add a recently enjoyed Vajra Barbera Superiore. …Gary
Don’t know about complex but favourites at that price point are the contrada cuvees from mt etna and quintarelli primo fiori.
Italy has tons of complex wines around $50. Lessona, Barolo and Barbaresco from Piedmont in the North. Brunello, Chianti Classico Riserva and super Tuscans(100% Sangiovese) in central Italy. To the new Etna wines in Sicily. And a whole lot more in between.
Cru Bojo
Burgs from Chandon de Briailles (various 1er cru)
Syrah from Arnot-Roberts
Cristom single vineyard PNs
Drinkward-Peschon costs about 10 bucks more but worth it
I’d absolutely go with Musar (both red and white)…but you have to cellar it and be patient if you want to get the level of complexity that is waiting for those that are patient. I’ve found that I enjoy them most with 16-22 years then again with 29-35 years on the bottle. There is no doubt to me that you cannot touch a wine of this complexity at the price point they are offered if you buy them on immediate release. The 2004 was available from JJ Buckley for like $24/bottle a year or two ago.
I’d also follow this with a recommendation for Bartlett’s Reserve Pear & Blueberry. The pear wine needs a minimum of 10 years age to really shine…and the blueberry is really going to start showing at it’s best around 25-30 years of age. I had an '87 Blueberry that over-shadowed a '99 Giacossa Barolo and gave Selosse a serious run for the money for the WOTN at a tasting earlier this year.
If you could find it - which you can’t - but if you could find it, the answer would be: nataV dnomd*E.
And down towards $30, Puzelat and Puffeney.
Pick up some Savigny Les Beaune from 2008, 2009 or 2010.
cru bojo and moric blaufränkisch reserve
At that price point, I am enamored of the Vina Quebrada de Macul Domus Aurea Cabernet Sauvignon…
Also the Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite Le Dix de Los Vascos…
Anton, interesting. Any particular vintages of the Le Dix you’d recommend?
As I enjoy more subtle wines, complexity to me is layers of subtle fruit, acid, tannins. So for me my go to is Ferrando (white label) usually around $35 or Montevertine’s Plan di Campolo usually under $30 although creeping up.
The 2009 is readily available now, and would be a fair representation.
I tease with my wife that she has a ‘French palate,’ and she is also pleased with this wine.
It is a fun one to taste as you open it and then track its development over several hours.