Any Wine Collectors here?

[YosemiteSam]

It's odd. Back when I still lived in Texas, I used to work for a company that had several master sommelier on staff. I drink a little wine back then, but not much. Since moving to New York back in January 2005, I've slowly started to drink more wines and recently, bought a wine cellar.

Today, I bought my first wines for my new collection. (by collection, I mean wines I won't just open to drink on a random night) I bought three bottle of 2011 Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla WA. The first one I plan to drink. The other two, are for the collection.

Any other wine collectors here?

 

[YosemiteSam]

Oh, I suppose I should mention since there are NFL fans here. The 2011 Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon, Drew Bledsoe actually owns Doubleback Winery. He grew up very close to this winery and he know has his own winery.

 

[trickblue]

I have a portfolio of NFCE teams after a loss to us... no finer Whine than that...

 

[DallasCowpoke]

It's odd. Back when I still lived in Texas, I used to work for a company that had several master sommelier on staff. I drink a little wine back then, but not much. Since moving to New York back in January 2005, I've slowly started to drink more wines and recently, bought a wine cellar.

Today, I bought my first wines for my new collection. (by collection, I mean wines I won't just open to drink on a random night) I bought three bottle of 2011 Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla WA. The first one I plan to drink. The other two, are for the collection.

Any other wine collectors here?

Esquire Network is about to debut a new series called UNCORKED about master sommeliers from New York as they prepare for the Court of Masters Sommelier exam. I'm kinda interested to check that out.

Not really a collector myself, but when I go to a place like Spec's and they have a tasting, I'll get a $20 or $30 priced bottle. The last thing I bought more than 2 bottles of was Twisted Paso Cabernet.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Esquire Network is about to debut a new series called UNCORKED about master sommeliers from New York as they prepare for the Court of Masters Sommelier exam. I'm kinda interested to check that out.

Not really a collector myself, but when I go to a place like Spec's and they have a tasting, I'll get a $20 or $30 priced bottle. The last thing I bought more than 2 bottles of was Twisted Paso Cabernet.

I will have to check that out.

One thing that all the sommelier agreed with that I worked with. The price of wine does not dictate if it's good. You can have terrible $1,000 bottles and great sub-$10 bottles.

Cabernet Sauvignon is one of my favorites. One that I really like is Lindemans Bin 45 Cabernet Sauvignon. I buy it for $6.99 a bottle normally. Of course, you don't find many that are really good drinkable wines for sub $10, but they do exist. Most of the good wines that I buy are usually sub $20 and you can find a lot of those. I hardly ever spend more than $20 unless I'm getting something special. When I do that, it's usually for a celebration or a gift for someone else. Other than that, it's always been sub $20.

Of course, collectible wines generally carry a higher price tag. My intent was to start with a couple of bottles of 2013 Caymus Cabernet for my collection, but I got such a great deal on the Doubleback that I had to go with that.

 

[DallasCowpoke]

One thing that all the sommelier agreed with that I worked with. The price of wine does not dictate if it's good. You can have terrible $1,000 bottles and great sub-$10 bottles.

So true. The best wine class I've ever been in was my 2nd year at CIA/Hyde Park.

The sommelier/instructor put out 2 bottles of each varietal. 1 was a plus $100 bottle, the 2nd was a sub $25. We tasted both blind, then made our choices on which we preferred and why.

Then he then went back and pointed out and explained what we were, or should be, tasting in each 1. What the differences were, and how to train your palate to discern the differences.

His mantra was drink what you like regardless of price though.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Woot, I actually ended up getting two bottles of 2013 Caymus today on the way home anyhow!

https://lh4.***BROKEN***/-fmQ5VF12bkY/Vil2KsA4hgI/AAAAAAAAM4E/hfWtGEbeqEI/w1185-h889-no/15%2B-%2B1

 

[Longboysfan]

Woot, I actually ended up getting two bottles of 2013 Caymus today on the way home anyhow!

https://lh4.***BROKEN***/-fmQ5VF12bkY/Vil2KsA4hgI/AAAAAAAAM4E/hfWtGEbeqEI/w1185-h889-no/15%2B-%2B1

Whatever you paid for it...

In California it was about half.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Whatever you paid for it...

In California it was about half.

I doubt that, but I did pay about a $10 premium given that I bought it at a brick and mortar store rather than online. I could have got it for about $62 each online. I seriously doubt you can buy it for $30-$40 in California, but I've got three brothers that live in CA. I can ask them what it costs out there. I bet it's in the $60 range and probably closer to $70 in a brick and mortar store.

 

[Dodger12]

I will have to check that out.

One thing that all the sommelier agreed with that I worked with. The price of wine does not dictate if it's good. You can have terrible $1,000 bottles and great sub-$10 bottles.

Cabernet Sauvignon is one of my favorites. One that I really like is Lindemans Bin 45 Cabernet Sauvignon. I buy it for $6.99 a bottle normally. Of course, you don't find many that are really good drinkable wines for sub $10, but they do exist. Most of the good wines that I buy are usually sub $20 and you can find a lot of those. I hardly ever spend more than $20 unless I'm getting something special. When I do that, it's usually for a celebration or a gift for someone else. Other than that, it's always been sub $20.

Of course, collectible wines generally carry a higher price tag. My intent was to start with a couple of bottles of 2013 Caymus Cabernet for my collection, but I got such a great deal on the Doubleback that I had to go with that.

Interesting thread and nice post Sam. As I get older I find myself enjoying red wine more and more. It's funny, I "evolved" from cheap beer I drank in my youth, to scotch (Johnny Walker Black), to some crafted beers and wine. I enjoyed the merlots at first and now buy mainly Cabernet Sauvignon but I won't overpay. Since I'm a wine novice and really can't discern what makes a good wine other than my personal preference, I try different brands and go from there. Someone bought be a bottle of Red Rock (Merlot and Cab) and I really enjoyed that brand. It was also very affordable (10 to 15 dollar range if I recall).

Any other red wines that you really enjoy that are less than $20.00?

 

[Fletch]

Woot, I actually ended up getting two bottles of 2013 Caymus today on the way home anyhow!

https://lh4.***BROKEN***/-fmQ5VF12bkY/Vil2KsA4hgI/AAAAAAAAM4E/hfWtGEbeqEI/w1185-h889-no/15%2B-%2B1

Is that your wine cellar behind the Caymus, next to the kitchen sink and dish strainer?

 

[YosemiteSam]

Interesting thread and nice post Sam. As I get older I find myself enjoying red wine more and more. It's funny, I "evolved" from cheap beer I drank in my youth, to scotch (Johnny Walker Black), to some crafted beers and wine. I enjoyed the merlots at first and now buy mainly Cabernet Sauvignon but I won't overpay. Since I'm a wine novice and really can't discern what makes a good wine other than my personal preference, I try different brands and go from there. Someone bought be a bottle of Red Rock (Merlot and Cab) and I really enjoyed that brand. It was also very affordable (10 to 15 dollar range if I recall).

Any other red wines that you really enjoy that are less than $20.00?

Personal preference is everything when it comes to drinking wine. Learning about the wines and how to pair them is great as it will teach you what works better with the food you eat with it making it bring out the flavors of both the wine and the food. I went to a wine tasting not to long ago and they gave me this one glass and a piece of dark chocolate. They said taste the wine. Rinse, then eat a piece of the dark chocolate and let it melt in your mouth. Then sip the wine. Wow! The wine was good, but after the chocolate the flavor really exploded!

As for recommendations, absolutely!

A few to try:

• Lohr's Cabernet Sauvignon ($15-$16ish)
• Noble Vines 336 ($14ish) (actually, their Chardonnay is good too!)
• As noted above, the Lindemans Bin 45 Cabernet Sauvignon ($7ish)

I've got a few different ones at the house now that I will try. Once I do, I will post my thoughts if you or anyone else is interested.

Speaking of Scotch. Johnny Walker Black and MacAllen 12 year were always my favorites for single malts and blends, but I recommend you trying Balvenie's 12 Year DoubleWood. That stuff is crazy delicious! They age it in two different type barrels and the range of flavor that produces is so good. It's by far my favorite scotch right now. I always have a bottle at the house.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Is that your wine cellar behind the Caymus, next to the kitchen sink and dish strainer?

Those are my drinking wines. The black thing next to it is a (6) bottle wine cellar.

https://lh3.***BROKEN***/rh-spq5qq5495v2c7BD3JynhgR8NuQi8l9Ue_xaIogZJR5lmDrOlEm8JwVd40MweM6U2B8vnf7iMr94G4JR6EutWeGOqp-Oqn_JnIeF1JRf3KUYIfR62qWMT8BqRqdLvDLV90rrSkMntaD7wap7x6r_4o18qzgxcKOrxUVvIoyhlRazrT-vOrqPioKmZMCl3icCCGvhsSiaWOmNxiIHq-Zkhy8DaqaM3NZ2ZlDjYid-HkhfjjQYFY6sftSTu8f10o1Ry8fJCorLX-rnwOo_CcnNkNCs76-6fPLiwh6VaWHIBmDNXnapMfBgx9lgUAJizO7o3i0BIumPsZN_9u8msnZf35V2hj5LrSmQqK-6u9z71w_onTTz5y6y-BhFcsi49yeCTgr4kohwrx139kvqgeiSCL4glrOSZzsgXWNSZMuPCiEPKh2UQrE-cYJdjdxxX34UKfZAsZkidq5UD_6YGGBv00C9ZCSVlmaK_37Bkj-PeYAh4KpcAnGMxNbb0iwn3yN5c7vBtua7oej4czikcwF-aC0YA7UsnXoHRuc_hHAU=w1420-h799-no

I am in an apartment right now, but once I buy another house. I will probably try to build one in the basement.

 

[Fletch]

Those are my drinking wines. The black thing next to it is a (6) bottle wine cellar.

https://lh3.***BROKEN***/rh-spq5qq5495v2c7BD3JynhgR8NuQi8l9Ue_xaIogZJR5lmDrOlEm8JwVd40MweM6U2B8vnf7iMr94G4JR6EutWeGOqp-Oqn_JnIeF1JRf3KUYIfR62qWMT8BqRqdLvDLV90rrSkMntaD7wap7x6r_4o18qzgxcKOrxUVvIoyhlRazrT-vOrqPioKmZMCl3icCCGvhsSiaWOmNxiIHq-Zkhy8DaqaM3NZ2ZlDjYid-HkhfjjQYFY6sftSTu8f10o1Ry8fJCorLX-rnwOo_CcnNkNCs76-6fPLiwh6VaWHIBmDNXnapMfBgx9lgUAJizO7o3i0BIumPsZN_9u8msnZf35V2hj5LrSmQqK-6u9z71w_onTTz5y6y-BhFcsi49yeCTgr4kohwrx139kvqgeiSCL4glrOSZzsgXWNSZMuPCiEPKh2UQrE-cYJdjdxxX34UKfZAsZkidq5UD_6YGGBv00C9ZCSVlmaK_37Bkj-PeYAh4KpcAnGMxNbb0iwn3yN5c7vBtua7oej4czikcwF-aC0YA7UsnXoHRuc_hHAU=w1420-h799-no

I am in an apartment right now, but once I buy another house. I will probably try to build one in the basement.

Glad you could laugh with me. Merely kidding ya. That's a pretty cool lil cellar.

I wasn't much of a wine drinker until a couple years ago. The last two years my wife and I have headed out to a ski resort in the late summer to a big wine festival. This summer we came home with 12 bottles.

Needless to say, I prefer a sweet, semi-sweet wine. I love most Niagara wines.

 

[Fletch]

Sam I Am, hopefully you'll be buying that house and building that wine cellar in good ole Texas!

 

[YosemiteSam]

Glad you could laugh with me. Merely kidding ya.

I've always been able to laugh at myself. I always look at it as if you can't laugh at yourself, then you shouldn't be making fun of other people. You know I'm going to make fun of other people!

 

[DallasCowpoke]

to scotch (Johnny Walker Black)

Speaking of Scotch. Johnny Walker Black and MacAllen 12 year were always my favorites for single malts and blends, but I recommend you trying Balvenie's 12 Year DoubleWood. That stuff is crazy delicious! They age it in two different type barrels and the range of flavor that produces is so good. It's by far my favorite scotch right now. I always have a bottle at the house.

Me love me some JW Black Label, and drank it exclusively since my 20's. But lately I've switched to JW Double Black. It's quiet a bit more smokey than the original Black, and makes JW Red the last time I mistakenly was served it, taste like it's had sugar added to it.

Since last Christmas, after my 25 year old niece showed up w/ a 1/2 gal bottle, I've been buying Woodford Reserve. I'm hooked on it now and for a bourbon, it's soooo good neat or w/ just 1-2 cubes of ice in a 3-fringer pour.

 

[Sasquatch]

Is that your wine cellar behind the Caymus, next to the kitchen sink and dish strainer?

Not nice!

 

[Dodger12]

Personal preference is everything when it comes to drinking wine. Learning about the wines and how to pair them is great as it will teach you what works better with the food you eat with it making it bring out the flavors of both the wine and the food. I went to a wine tasting not to long ago and they gave me this one glass and a piece of dark chocolate. They said taste the wine. Rinse, then eat a piece of the dark chocolate and let it melt in your mouth. Then sip the wine. Wow! The wine was good, but after the chocolate the flavor really exploded!

As for recommendations, absolutely!

A few to try:

• Lohr's Cabernet Sauvignon ($15-$16ish)
• Noble Vines 336 ($14ish) (actually, their Chardonnay is good too!)
• As noted above, the Lindemans Bin 45 Cabernet Sauvignon ($7ish)

I've got a few different ones at the house now that I will try. Once I do, I will post my thoughts if you or anyone else is interested.

Speaking of Scotch. Johnny Walker Black and MacAllen 12 year were always my favorites for single malts and blends, but I recommend you trying Balvenie's 12 Year DoubleWood. That stuff is crazy delicious! They age it in two different type barrels and the range of flavor that produces is so good. It's by far my favorite scotch right now. I always have a bottle at the house.

Went to the liquor store today and bought some scotch and figured I'd buy some wine as well. I asked the clerk if she had ever heard of Lindemans and she kind of frowned as she pointed me to the last two bottles on the shelf which I took for $6.99 a piece, She said it was her favorite Cab and it was a good choice (she was going to buy them if I hadn't come in). I'll give it a shot tomorrow over dinner and let you know, although I'm not much of a "taster" and really wouldn't know what to look for, just my personal preference. Thanks for the recommending Balvenie's. I'll give it a try next go around.

 

[Hoov]

Hey Sam,

Nice thread. I guess you would consider me a wine collector. I have capacity to store 240 bottles, I'm probably about 60% full right now. Im a collector in the sense that I like to have a wide variety of wines on hand depending on the meals i'm having or just my mood. I'm not a collector in the sense that I buy to invest and resell. Every bottle I have I intend to drink. I do buy certain bottles that will improve with age too so that is one of the reasons for the amount that I store.

I have more old world wines than new world wines. But I do try to keep a variety from most of the major wine regions in the world.


I've been buying up some Barolo's lately. The 2010 vintage is rated very high and supposed to be the best in some 20 years for that region. Generally pricey but you can find some good ones fro 30$ on line.

I also have some Aglianico bottles that I am letting age from S Italy.

I like chianti classic as more of a buy and drink soon wine.

I like cabs from Napa and usually try to look for ones from the Rutherford appellation.

I also have been finding that I tend to like most wines that come out of the Dry Creek appellation - both white and red.

I prefer white or red Burgundy from France over Cali pinot or chardonnay. There seems to be a heavy use of oak to impart additional flavors in California and while that makes for good cabs I don't like the effect it has on pinot or chardonnay. Lots of people do but it's not my preference.

I also really like wines from the Rhone valley of France. Chateneuf du Pape is a good wine to let age - The problem I have is I cant seem to restrain from consuming them.

One of my Favorites is a Spanish Priorat. I took a trip there last summer with a wine school and we did a whole week of visiting wineries and tasting. Was a really great time. A good Priorat can age 30 years and still be full of fruit flavor. Generally I like to wait at least 6 years before opening a Priorat - you don't have to, but they do get much better with time.

As far value buys - there are really great Spanish wines available for under 15$ all the time. Riber del Duero is a great region to look at. Rioja's are generally really underpriced too as far as the quality you can get for cheap prices.

I also like cotes du rhone wines for the 15$ and under price point. And Chianti Classico for the same price range.

I like S Blanc from Cali or from the Loire valley of France ( It will likely be labelled a Sancerre or Pouilly Fume) in the summer time and Rose wine from Provence.

I recently purchased my first bottle of wine made by the Wagner family. Its the red blend "conundrum" - if I like it I plan on buying some of the more expensive bottlings by them.

Did you open one of the Caymus bottles yet ?