Looking for Wines that are similar to these 3...

[cabaiguan juan]

Well, my fiance is an awesome woman, and she loves wine. I'd like to get her a few bottles of stuff she hasn't had yet but since I'm failing at learning wine i need help. She like both red and white and I thought I'd toss out a few bottles she loves and has visited often. Can anyone here give me some wines which are similar to the ones listed below?

Simi Chardonnay
Raven's Wood Zinfandel (the red stuff, not the "crappy pink stuff" as she puts it)
Rosemont Shiraz

 

[Matt R]

Since my wife has been in the wine tasting biz, I have given up remembering names. LOL! I think the best bet is to see what the regions are that she's drinking from and experiment in that area first. I've started to really enjoy Bordeuxs a lot more than I used to, since she's had me tasting some. I'm sure NorcalCigarLvr will chime in here, as he's the wine pimp!

 

[NorCalCigarLover]

Well, my fiance is an awesome woman, and she loves wine. I'd like to get her a few bottles of stuff she hasn't had yet but since I'm failing at learning wine i need help. She like both red and white and I thought I'd toss out a few bottles she loves and has visited often. Can anyone here give me some wines which are similar to the ones listed below?

Simi Chardonnay
Raven's Wood Zinfandel (the red stuff, not the "crappy pink stuff" as she puts it)
Rosemont Shiraz

Mr. Wine Pimp here ......

I'm not a big Chardonnay fan but I did try one over the weekend that I had to buy 4 bottles of, Windy Oaks. A small winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains, this Chad is more Burgundian in style than most, it was a big hit at the tasting event. Unfortunately it is very limited production and they are down to their last few cases from what I understand. I also prefer my Chardonnay's aged, at 7-10 years you begin to get some very interesting character to it, but you do need to start with a Chard that has ageing potential.

I'm a huge Zin fan, one of my favorite varietals when done right. For your larger producers of QPR Zinfandels check out Bogle, Rosenblum Cellars, Michael David (7 Deadly Zins), Bonny Doon, Cline and Dancing Bull, De Loach and Quivira, Renwood. I generally stick with smaller producers but those are some pretty nice Zin producers, we served the 7 Deadly Zins at a festival last year and it was a huge hit!

There are so many good Syrah/Shiraz out there and I am a snob where those are concerned, buying mostly from small CA producers. Our Syrah, Eno Wines, produces an outstanding CA style Syrah which you can purchase from the website. Other than that, there are so many large producers of quality Shiraz/Syrah that you shouldn't have a problem finding a good one.

Hope this helps!

 

[Fatken]

Mr. Wine Pimp here ......

I'm not a big Chardonnay fan but I did try one over the weekend that I had to buy 4 bottles of, Windy Oaks. A small winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains, this Chad is more Burgundian in style than most, it was a big hit at the tasting event. Unfortunately it is very limited production and they are down to their last few cases from what I understand. I also prefer my Chardonnay's aged, at 7-10 years you begin to get some very interesting character to it, but you do need to start with a Chard that has ageing potential.

I'm a huge Zin fan, one of my favorite varietals when done right. For your larger producers of QPR Zinfandels check out Bogle, Rosenblum Cellars, Michael David (7 Deadly Zins), Bonny Doon, Cline and Dancing Bull, De Loach and Quivira, Renwood. I generally stick with smaller producers but those are some pretty nice Zin producers, we served the 7 Deadly Zins at a festival last year and it was a huge hit!

There are so many good Syrah/Shiraz out there and I am a snob where those are concerned, buying mostly from small CA producers. Our Syrah, Eno Wines, produces an outstanding CA style Syrah which you can purchase from the website. Other than that, there are so many large producers of quality Shiraz/Syrah that you shouldn't have a problem finding a good one.

Hope this helps!

X2

I am cheap and generally don't spend a lot for wine, but & Deadly Zins is killer for the money($12-13 around here).

Ken

 

[cabaiguan juan]

I'll have to get some of the 7 deadly zin's next time i'm in the store. I think at looking at Nate's post, I also have some ideas of some other wines to try too. Thank you.

 

[Aventinus]

For Chardonnay, the Columbia Crest Grand Estates usually seems to be good from year to year.
I would second the Rosemblum Zin suggestion. The Vintner's Cuvee is very reasonable. Good with a cigar.
Greg Norman Shiraz always works for me. Great with a steak.

Hope that helps!

 

[NorCalCigarLover]

Speaking of Syrah ..... I received a mailer yesterday for one of my favorite Santa Lucia Highlands Syrah, 2005 Novy Susan's Vineyard Syrah. You can read about the 2004 Susan's Vineyard Syrah HERE, with all of the accolades the 2004 received the '05 is going to move fast.

I first tasted the Susan's Vineyard Syrah back in 2004 out of the barrel in Gary Pisoni's barn, this was after a day of drinking Pisoni style , and then tried it again at a birthday celebration for Mark at the Lucia facility. These were all pre-release tastings and we fell in love with this big fruit driven Syrah, great with Mexican food, and were anticipating the release of the Susan's Vineyard Syrah. Only 3 wineries received fruit that first year and we purchased all that we could from two of the wineries :laugh: .

 

[kutastha]

Well, my fiance is an awesome woman, and she loves wine. I'd like to get her a few bottles of stuff she hasn't had yet but since I'm failing at learning wine i need help. She like both red and white and I thought I'd toss out a few bottles she loves and has visited often. Can anyone here give me some wines which are similar to the ones listed below?

Simi Chardonnay
Raven's Wood Zinfandel (the red stuff, not the "crappy pink stuff" as she puts it)
Rosemont Shiraz

The Simi Chardonnay is probably much like a lot of the Napa Chards; one of the gems I've found is Silverado which is not bad for the price
If you're into Ravenswood Zins, you might as well jump into a Syrah - their Zins are so amazingly rich, they're not far off from that spicy, succulent grape.
I've never found Rosemont Shiraz to be all that memorable. Try a Santa Barbara Syrah such as Fess Parker or Foxen for that classic Syrah flavor.

 

[NorCalCigarLover]

Well, my fiance is an awesome woman, and she loves wine. I'd like to get her a few bottles of stuff she hasn't had yet but since I'm failing at learning wine i need help. She like both red and white and I thought I'd toss out a few bottles she loves and has visited often. Can anyone here give me some wines which are similar to the ones listed below?

Simi Chardonnay
Raven's Wood Zinfandel (the red stuff, not the "crappy pink stuff" as she puts it)
Rosemont Shiraz

The Simi Chardonnay is probably much like a lot of the Napa Chards; one of the gems I've found is Silverado which is not bad for the price
If you're into Ravenswood Zins, you might as well jump into a Syrah - their Zins are so amazingly rich, they're not far off from that spicy, succulent grape.
I've never found Rosemont Shiraz to be all that memorable. Try a Santa Barbara Syrah such as Fess Parker or Foxen for that classic Syrah flavor.

Good grief man! I'm a huge fan of Foxen as well but trying to find it is another story. My yearly allocation of the Foxen Sea Smoke Pinot is always a must buy.

 

[fetterjohn]

My 2 cents...

EOS Chardonnay from Paso Robles. Best fuckin Chard you'll drink for under $50!!! Guaranteed...
Tapiz Malbec from Argentina. WOW!
Michael Pozzan Marianna...great blend! This is one great, great wine.

-Fetter

 

[NorCalCigarLover]

My 2 cents...

EOS Chardonnay from Paso Robles. Best fuckin Chard you'll drink for under $50!!! Guaranteed...
Tapiz Malbec from Argentina. WOW!
Michael Pozzan Marianna...great blend! This is one great, great wine.

-Fetter

Here's your change ....... :laugh:


I've never been a big fan of EOS and there are some very good Chards out there for way under $50. I recently tried a 2005 Gary Farrell RRV/Russian River Selection in my wine class, price: $32, that was very nice. Quite food friendly with characteristics that will allow for some ageing, I personally love aged Chardonnays and will be picking up a few of these for the cellar.

Here's a link to the winemaker's notes ------> LINK

I'll have to try the other two

Edit: edited to add useful information

 

[NorCalCigarLover]

Was typing up a PM for another BOTL and remembered two more very good Chards that I haven't mentioned yet. Calera is getting a wider distribution lately on a couple of their wines and may be available in your area.


2006 Calera Mt. Harlan Chardonnay, $25
Winemaker's notes: The 2006 Mt. Harlan Chardonnay has a bit of everything, alluring aromas of apples, mandarin essence and vanilla, along with a very creamy unctuous texture. It shows great balance, with well-integrated acid, just a touch of restrained oak and an abundance of the minerality typical of Mt. Harlan's limestone soils.


2006 Calera Central Coast Chardonnay, $16
Winemaker's notes: The 2006 Central Coast Chardonnay is wonderfully vibrant. Bright, fresh varietal aromas are accented with notes of citrus, pineapple and exotic tropical fruits. On the palate excellent structure and balance promote the wine's intriguing combination of ripe fruit flavors, accented with floral notes and a subtle touch of oak.