Wine Help

Hello Everyone,

I was hoping you could help. I have a close Oenophile friend in the UK who just received his Doctorate in Economics. I wanted to send him a nice bottle of wine as a congratulations gift. He is very big into Bordeaux. I was thinking of getting him something from CA, a Bordeaux type blend or maybe a CS. I wanted to spend around $200.00 (not including shipping). He has a good sized wine cellar. Any suggestions appreciated!

[David M. Bueker]

Well the first hurdle is the shipping. Are you aware of a shop that will ship to the UK? Or are you planning to contact a UK shop?

As for the wine, I can think of no better choice than Ridge Monte Bello.

There are lots of options out there and many of them are much less than $200. If looking for CA Cabs that should appeal to a Bdx lover would look first at Corison and Foreman but neither of those are close to $200. Closer to your price target and more california would be Shafer Hill Side Select, Ramey Pedegral Vineyard, Diamond Creek, or Dunn. Still I agree with David that the best option is a Ridge Monte Bello and if willing to spend $200 you could look for either a magnum or bottle with some age on it. My second option would be a Dunn with some age from a good vintage like 1991.

Monte Bello is a great choice, and a quick look at Berry Bros. & Rudd shows they have a few:
www.bbr.com
Much easier to order there than to deal with customs/shipping

[Jenise]

Monte Bello is a great choice, and a quick look at Berry Bros. & Rudd shows they have a few:
http://www.bbr.com
Much easier to order there than to deal with customs/shipping

Brilliant suggestion and solution: but what vintage would you reccomend she buy? The options are 88, 98 and 99. The 09 is only purchase-able in six-bottle lots.

[James Roscoe]

Monte Bello is a great choice, and a quick look at Berry Bros. & Rudd shows they have a few:
http://www.bbr.com
Much easier to order there than to deal with customs/shipping

Brilliant suggestion and solution: but what vintage would you reccomend she buy? The options are 88, 98 and 99. The 09 is only purchase-able in six-bottle lots.

How is this a problem Jenise?

[David M. Bueker]

The '99.

Well the first hurdle is the shipping. Are you aware of a shop that will ship to the UK? Or are you planning to contact a UK shop?

I'd strongly recommend getting a UK shop to deliver. Delivered wine must have duty paid before it enters the UK, and I doubt there are many US shops prepared to deal with the hassle. If you do send it from abroad, make it look like something else, and hope for the best!

But there are plenty of alternatives to BBR.Once you know what you want, use wine-searcher to find a merchant, or ask again here for suggestions.

Maria, I just happen to agree with David's suggestion of Monte Bello. I just happen to have a bottle of aged MB and if you can get to Mo'Cool in August, I will bring one or more for tasting to help you decide. (Ok it's a bribe)

The '99.

Oh, yeah.

Hello Everyone,

I was hoping you could help. I have a close Oenophile friend in the UK who just received his Doctorate in Economics. I wanted to send him a nice bottle of wine as a congratulations gift. He is very big into Bordeaux. I was thinking of getting him something from CA, a Bordeaux type blend or maybe a CS. I wanted to spend around $200.00 (not including shipping). He has a good sized wine cellar. Any suggestions appreciated!

Hi Maria,

I sure hope the man is a very close friend if you are going to buy him a cal cab instead of a Bordeaux.

Regardless, any woman who would buy a guy either is one classy lady.

Covert

If you package it well and post it via US Post Office marked 'Gift' and without mentioning wine experience shows it should get delivered without any problems.

Thanks everyone! It looks like the Monte Bello is a good choice.

Hi Maria,

I sure hope the man is a very close friend if you are going to buy him a cal cab instead of a Bordeaux.

Regardless, any woman who would buy a guy either is one classy lady.

Covert

Hey Covert,

The friend is actually more of my husband's friend. He has been very generous wine-wise, in the past, laying down futures for our kids, etc. The reason I wanted to get a CA CS or blend was because I figure he can get great Bordeaux where he is (you know I MUCH prefer Bordeaux, right bank of course!). However, speaking with DH, he thinks that you might be right, and we should just go with a Bordeaux, especially since we have to go through a UK vendor (I didn't realise all the trouble we would have to go through to send wine from the US). So, I am leaving the decision up to him. Will report back...but good to hear that there is a general consensus on a CA Red. Best Regards my friend.

Maria, I just happen to agree with David's suggestion of Monte Bello. I just happen to have a bottle of aged MB and if you can get to Mo'Cool in August, I will bring one or more for tasting to help you decide. (Ok it's a bribe)

Hey Bob, just not sure I am going to make it this yr. DH and I may have the opportunity to have our first night away from the kids in 7 yrs, but of course, I won't know that until closer to the date...which might be too late for MoCool . We'll see...I really don't want to miss an opportunity to meet you and see some others again!