On Mar 28, 10:21�am, JimC > wrote:
> Like most wine enthusuasts, I have developed some preferences over the
> years of selections from California, Washington State, Chile, etc., that
> are reasonably priced and that I nearly always like, and that are widely
> available. (I like reds, particularly Cabernets, and find that I nearly
> always like selections from Simi, Sterling, and a number of others, and
> in lower price ranges, Columbia Crest and Turning Leaf, and the like. *I
> also like many French wines, but find it's difficult to select a good
> French wine at good value because of the many choices. So, I would
> appreciate suggestions for French Bordeaux, or others, that would be
> commonly available (produced in fairly large quantities) and preferably
> priced under $25 for a Bordeaux, or less for Rhones, etc.
>
> I have particularly enjoyed several Bordeaux wines, but find that I
> cannot depend on selecting a good one at a reasonable price unless I
> research the issue first (and when I do look up likely choices in WS or
> Parkers or Wine Enthusiast, I often find that they aren't available
> locally.) Does anyone have suggestions for Second or Third growth
> Bordeaux that are plentiful, and commonly available, usually OK in most
> vintages, and priced under $25?
>
> Thanks,
> Jim

I don't think there is much of anything left of 2nd or 3rd growths
priced under $25. Last I bought under $25 was 2002 Lagrange.

But there are some fairly dependable 5th, Cru Bourgeois, St Emilions,
less Pomerols, satellite wines:

d'Aiguilhe (Cotes de Castillon)
Bourgneuf or de Sales (Pomerol)
Chasse Spleen (Moulis)
Les Fiefs de Lagrange (St Julien) (this is a second, but usually quite
quaffable)
Gloria (St Julien)
Grand Corbin Despagne (St Emilion)
La Louviere (Pessac-Leognan)

>From Rhone the Charvin or d'Andezon CdRs are usually good. Graillot's
Croze (though prices on rise).

I have favorites in Burgundy. Loire, Languedoc, etc too, but tastes
are very individual- if you don't like Loire Cab Franc, useless.