For those who are interested in paying a little more or beginning to collect a few special bottles I offer you a view into my personal wine cellar. Enjoy!
Spend a Little More…Red Wine for $28-$40
Australia
• d'Arenberg Footbolt Shiraz - The 2001 rated as one of the Top 100 wines of the year by Wine Spectator (Or Dictator?) this is excellent value. Any vintage works here for $28...in fact just about any product from d'Arenburg will provide you with great value.
• Elderton Barossa Merlot- Ohhhh the Barossa Valley, what a vixen. Decant this wine and taste the difference O2 makes…even with a plucky Merlot. A wonderful wine for $34 .
• Elderton Barossa CSM Ode to Lorraine- So you are bored with Aussie Shiraz? Give this Cab-Shiraz-Merlot blend a chance. Another Barossa victory lap please...and the pink label makes it easy to find.
• Penfold's Bin 389 - This is a classic blend of shiraz and cabernet that has remained consistent and provided good value for a few decades now. A very nice wine for someone to splurge on for dinner with a special someone...or alone with a steak.
• Jim Barry McRae Wood – A gorgeous wine that won’t break the bank. Excellent value for a well balanced nice shiraz. Very floral. Typically a good bargain in finer restaurants.
• Marquis Philips Shiraz 9 – For $35 you won’t beat it. Lots of booze so if you like a light-weight red this definitely isn’t the wine for you. No wimps here. Oh sorry, they don't MAKE this anymore so drink what you find.
• Maxwell Grenache McLaren Vale South Australia - Many of you are asking, "Isn't Grenache some kind of cake?” The answer is no! Ganache is cake...this grenache is a gem.
• Oliverhill Grenache (2002) - Now you know Grenache isn't cake. Let this breathe all day before you suck in the fruit this baby has to give..or save it for 5 years. Only 2 left in my cellar.
Argentina
• Clos de los Siete – Full of licorice and eucalyptus (you really can taste it!) this is a knockout bottle of wine for $23. Absolutely gorgeous wine. Exceptional value.
France
• Chateau Bouscasse – Number 29 on the Wine Spectators Top 100 a few years back. Excellent value and a wonderful way to introduce yourself to French wine.
• Clos de L'Oratoire CNP - Another wine that reminds me of velvet, silk, etc. This wine is so elegant your grandmother would approve.
Italy
• Batasiolo Barolo DOCG (1997) - Italians call Barolo the King of Wines and for $35 this wine will help you understand why.• Fontodi Chianti Classico - If you don't have an immediate need to watch Goodfellas or smack Fredo after this wine then you missed the point.
• Tommasi Amarone - I have a feeling that drinking this wine in the fashion district of Rome would make me a very happy boy. Very stylish, elegant.
• E. Boglietti Barbera- Definitely one of the coolest labels and the juice inside deserves creative presentation. I was totally impressed for $28.
United States
• EOS Paso Robles Reserve Petit Syrah- This is a super backyard BBQ wine for those who don't want to drink the heavy USA Cabernet's that cost $$$$.
• Jade Mountain Syrah, Napa Valley - California is building a following for their Syrahs and this wine is wicked for the price. Just a tad over $40.
• Gallo Frei Vinyard Cabernet - It might seem nuts to spend $40 on a Gallo but you will be pleasantly surprised. A solid value for a Cali Cabernet.
Spend A Lot More…Reds from $40-$100.
•Amon Ra Shiraz (2002-07) – Extremely rare. Extremely good. Coolest label ever! There are so many words to describe this wine and everyone who lines up at Richmond Hill to buy it will give you one. A Ben Glaetzer cult wine triumph.
• Ben Glaetzer Shiraz – Well you can’t drink Amon Ra everyday….!
• Ben Glaetzer The Bishop Shiraz – And you have to drink something on Sunday’s…even the Church would approve of the Bishop.
• Brokenwood Graveyard Shiraz (2005) - One of the most elegant Aussie Shiraz's I have ever had. Let this open up in a decanter for 2 hours and enjoy.
• Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir Laurene, Oregon - I haven't seen Laurene but she must be one sexy fox to have this named after her.
• E&E Black Pepper Shiraz – (1998-02) – A superlative Barossa shiraz . Rare and guaranteed to knock your socks off. How can you not drink a wine with the words “Black Pepper” in the name? Don't buy the '03 though...it's way off for the price. Avoid the 2003.
• Elderton Command Shiraz (1996-'06) – The vertical tasting hosted by Bin 905 opened my eyes to this wine. It has it all and because they don’t market themselves like the big boys you can still find this AND it’s reasonably priced. ALL years are good...the '04 is a classic, 98 Pts.
• Estancia Meritage - Alexander Valley - A poor man's Bordeaux style blend from California. This wine has a special place in my heart.
• Gallo Estate Cabernet Reserve - Gallo? Am I joking? Nope. This isn't the pink crap you and your parents drank in the 80's. Top shelf stuff.
• Garretson Syrah (2002) - From the Paso Robles area this wine oozes floral elements that you would never expect from a California wine. Simply wonderful….except for the ugly green label. A Bin905 exclusive so go meet Brad Royale and be nice to him.
• Anaperenna Shiraz/Cabernet – Hmmm, the second coolest label and name…also made by Ben Glaetzer. 70% Shiraz and 30% Cabernet. This wine is an orgy in your mouth. You won’t find it anywhere so get on Richmond Hill’s mailing list to buy.
• Henry’s Drive Reserve Shiraz – HUUUUUUUGGGGGEEEE. Big. Dense. Thicker than your blood after a snake bite. Wipe your teeth afterwards and know the purple tongue is inevitable!
• Martinelli Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley – This is a fantastic wine. Full of….candy floss! So delicious you’ll want to watch Sideways all over again.
• Mitolo GAM Shiraz (2002-06) – Glaetzer, Glaetzer, Glaetzer….are you getting the picture yet? This wine is probably my favorite of his efforts.
• Ojai Pinot Noir, Clos Pepe Vineyard – Again Ojai hits a homerun here. An excellent Pinot full of power but it maintains elegance. Pinot fans rejoice!
• Ojai Syrah (Santa Barbara and Melville) – They have several vineyards in California and I have yet to experience a bad Ojai wine. Exclusive to Bin 905.
• Oliverhill Shiraz Jimmy Section (2001-06) - Probably my favorite wine to sample as it evolves with decanting. A classic cult wine full of booze. Limited production.
• Penfolds RWT Shiraz Barossa Valley (1999-00) - What's this? Another Barossa? Ohhh it makes my mouth water…just a tad over $130.
• Stag's Leap Napa Valley Cabernet - Another special wine to me. They have higher end stuff but this will always suffice at my table with a giant ribeye.
• Wolf Blass Platinum Label Shiraz - This is what you call a BIG Shiraz. If this wine was silicone it would be inside Pammy Anderson.
• d'Arenberg Dead Arm Shiraz (1999-07) - If you can find ANY of the 2001, don't buy it...call me and tell me where you found it. The 2002 isn’t a great vintage but still a great wine and hence there is still some available in half bottles so give it a try for half price. It is a deep, dark, and fruity explosion. The 2006 vintage will be here soon!