syspila

bump

i'll have to give the rrv a try.

a relatively new negociant with an affinity for pinot. i tried the '01 carneros. i think there was a really good wine somewhere in the bottle, but had a lot of trouble finding it through the haze of sugar.

while not to underplay the importance of marketing, those companies are missing the point if they think yellow tail sold 'cause of the label. i bought several bottles last year at 4.99. and would again this year. i wouldn't buy a bottle at 6.99 though. hard to beat for $5, not hard for $7

thanks for the suggestions. especially on the zins. i've just been getting ready to give up on the notion of budget zins. from the offerings i've tasted lately, making a drinkable zin for under $7 or so just isn't easy (possible?). i wonder why.

i'm trying to plan my '04 wine purchases a little more intelligently than in the past, and some advice would be lovely (and yes i realize this topic covers ground uncomfortably close to that of recent other topics). both on general allocation of money to get the best taste for the buck, and on specific wine recommendations if any spring to mind. so, here is the scenario. i live in tucson, drink reds, and will spend about $600 on 6 cases in'04, all to be drunk in '04. best to buy super cheap for most (the last trader joe's french market merlot i had was drinkable at 2.99) in order to have a little money to play with quality wines (ie. something like 5 cases @ 50 and 1 case @ 350). or elevate the "house wine" and forgo delving for richer experiences (ie. 6 cases @ 100). or a hybrid strategy somewhere inbetween. also wondering about riding the new trend in boxed wines, if any are making their way to tucson. anyone tried any? any thoughts? i would also love any specific wine recommendations. not neccesarily just great wines. drinkable and dirt cheap might be just as valuable, especially if i go with the former strategy.