Today at Costco I spent $35.00 for a bottle of Franciscan Magnificat.
The most I've yet spent on a bottle of wine. I sure hope the stuff is
good!!

Gary Childress wrote:
> Today at Costco I spent $35.00 for a bottle of Franciscan Magnificat.
> The most I've yet spent on a bottle of wine. I sure hope the stuff is
> good!!

I'm sure there will be people who have paid $100's or more. Thats out
of my league! I've paid $50-$60 for a few. Most of my wines are in the
$12-$25 range.

On Apr 9, 11:13 pm, miles > wrote:
> Gary Childress wrote:
> > Today at Costco I spent $35.00 for a bottle of Franciscan Magnificat.
> > The most I've yet spent on a bottle of wine. I sure hope the stuff is
> > good!!
>
> I'm sure there will be people who have paid $100's or more. Thats out
> of my league! I've paid $50-$60 for a few. Most of my wines are in the
> $12-$25 range.

Do you recall off hand what the name of the most expensive bottle was
which you've ever purchased? I think before this my most expensive
bottle was $22 for a bottle of d'Arenberg Laughing Magpie. I've been
buying in the $8-22$ range myself. $8-11$ for a regular bottle just
to sip on for an ordinary run of the mill evening and $11 or more for
those special occasion wines. I don't see myself ever paying over $40
for a bottle though. There seem to be enough good wines out there for
under $40 for me to ever need to spend over that on a bottle.

On Apr 9, 11:58 pm, "Gary Childress" > wrote:
> On Apr 9, 11:13 pm, miles > wrote:
>
> > Gary Childress wrote:
> > > Today at Costco I spent $35.00 for a bottle of Franciscan Magnificat.
> > > The most I've yet spent on a bottle of wine. I sure hope the stuff is
> > > good!!
>
> > I'm sure there will be people who have paid $100's or more. Thats out
> > of my league! I've paid $50-$60 for a few. Most of my wines are in the
> > $12-$25 range.
>
> Do you recall off hand what the name of the most expensive bottle was
> which you've ever purchased? I think before this my most expensive
> bottle was $22 for a bottle of d'Arenberg Laughing Magpie. I've been
> buying in the $8-22$ range myself. $8-11$ for a regular bottle just
> to sip on for an ordinary run of the mill evening and $11 or more for
> those special occasion wines. I don't see myself ever paying over $40
> for a bottle though. There seem to be enough good wines out there for
> under $40 for me to ever need to spend over that on a bottle.

I don't think this really counts as a bottle of wine, though, I think
this is the most I've spent --
MALVEDOS VINTAGE PORT
Bought at Costco $33.49

But I know that some of the wines that I drank in the 70's (according
to DH) are now in the $50 range. My salad days.
I've been trying to up the ante in price recently, working more toward
a $25 range, although DH seems to be lagging behind, shopping at
Trader Joe's and other wine places for around $13. He bought maybe 15
wines in that price range within the last month and I've not liked one
of them -- with the exception of one that I could drink:
Argiolas Costera Isola 2005 $13.99
I believe that UC mentioned "Argiolas" It was different, but if I
bought Argiolas again, it would be a different year or ...
Dee

Gary Childress wrote:

> Today at Costco I spent $35.00 for a bottle of Franciscan Magnificat.
> The most I've yet spent on a bottle of wine. I sure hope the stuff is
> good!!

An year ago, with two friends from the italian wine newsgroup, we had a
bottle of Barolo Monfortino Riserva 1993 from Giacomo Conterno: very well
priced at 160 euros, probably less than what it costs in a wine-shop. In
fact, I have seen it on many wine charts with prices in the 200's.
--
Vilco
Think pink, drink rose'

"Gary Childress" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Today at Costco I spent $35.00 for a bottle of Franciscan Magnificat.
> The most I've yet spent on a bottle of wine. I sure hope the stuff is
> good!!
>

1996 Chateau D'Yquem, was about 350 for 750ml and worth every penny.

vMike wrote:
> "Gary Childress" > wrote in message
> oups.com...
> > Today at Costco I spent $35.00 for a bottle of Franciscan Magnificat.
> > The most I've yet spent on a bottle of wine. I sure hope the stuff is
> > good!!
> >
>
> 1996 Chateau D'Yquem, was about 350 for 750ml and worth every penny.

They have Chateau D'Yquem at Whole Foods (upscale grocery store in
U.S.) for $358 (750 ml), but I can't remember the year. You can taste
it for $24 an ounce. I limited my spending to $4 an ounce for an
Amarone.

Dee Dee

Gary Childress wrote:


> Do you recall off hand what the name of the most expensive bottle was
> which you've ever purchased? I think before this my most expensive
> bottle was $22 for a bottle of d'Arenberg Laughing Magpie. I've been
> buying in the $8-22$ range myself. $8-11$ for a regular bottle just
> to sip on for an ordinary run of the mill evening and $11 or more for
> those special occasion wines. I don't see myself ever paying over $40
> for a bottle though. There seem to be enough good wines out there for
> under $40 for me to ever need to spend over that on a bottle.

Most of my more expensive wines are from small California wineries who
don't distribute. I've got a few bottles of various varietals from
Rideau in Los Olivos, CA. Their wines are expensive $28-$75 but are
just incredible.

I too buy some very nice wines in the $10-$12 range. Seven Deadly Zins
from Costco is about $12 and is a very good Zin for the money.

On Apr 9, 10:56 pm, "Gary Childress" > wrote:
> Today at Costco I spent $35.00 for a bottle of Franciscan Magnificat.
> The most I've yet spent on a bottle of wine. I sure hope the stuff is
> good!!



Oh, about $100. The most I usually spend is $40-50, however.

On Apr 9, 11:58�pm, "Gary Childress" > wrote:
> On Apr 9, 11:13 pm, miles > wrote:
>
> > Gary Childress wrote:
> > > Today at Costco I spent $35.00 for a bottle of Franciscan Magnificat.
> > > The most I've yet spent on a bottle of wine. *I sure hope the stuff is
> > > good!!
>
> > I'm sure there will be people who have paid $100's or more. *Thats out
> > of my league! *I've paid $50-$60 for a few. *Most of my wines are in the
> > $12-$25 range.
>
> Do you recall off hand what the name of the most expensive bottle was
> which you've ever purchased? *I think before this my most expensive
> bottle was $22 for a bottle of d'Arenberg Laughing Magpie. *I've been
> buying in the $8-22$ range myself. *$8-11$ for a regular bottle just
> to sip on for an ordinary run of the mill evening and $11 or more for
> those special occasion wines. *I don't see myself ever paying over $40
> for a bottle though. *There seem to be enough good wines out there for
> under $40 for me to ever need to spend over that on a bottle.

Probably a 1990 Domaine de la Romanee Conti DRC that I opened at
dinner at Le Cep in Beaune a few years back to celebrate a business
deal. Due to the circumstances and the people in attendance at the
dinner the restaurant discounted the bottle but it was still a whopper
of a bill.

On Apr 9, 10:56�pm, "Gary Childress" > wrote:
> Today at Costco I spent $35.00 for a bottle of Franciscan Magnificat.
> The most I've yet spent on a bottle of wine. *I sure hope the stuff is
> good!!

I've spent $300-325 twice, but in neither case was I buying solely for
myself. For a 1986 Bdx horizontal, I bought an '86 Marguax, but was
splitting it with 4 others (those that were bringing less expensive
bottles - I was bringing the Leoville Barton - chipped in so we
weren't pikers next to those bringing the 1sts, LLC, etc). For a Cab
Franc themed tasting, I got the '83 Cheval Blanc (sticker shock, it
was $200 not long ago), but we all contributed to expenses.

I've purchased wines in the $130-170 range a few times ('01 Haut Brion
-anniversary wine, plus some '59s for Betsy's birthday, etc).

Those are the rare exceptions, however.

On Apr 10, 10:58 am, "DaleW" > wrote:
> On Apr 9, 10:56?pm, "Gary Childress" > wrote:
>
> > Today at Costco I spent $35.00 for a bottle of Franciscan Magnificat.
> > The most I've yet spent on a bottle of wine. ?I sure hope the stuff is
> > good!!
>
> I've spent $300-325 twice, but in neither case was I buying solely for
> myself. For a 1986 Bdx horizontal, I bought an '86 Marguax, but was
> splitting it with 4 others (those that were bringing less expensive
> bottles - I was bringing the Leoville Barton - chipped in so we
> weren't pikers next to those bringing the 1sts, LLC, etc). For a Cab
> Franc themed tasting, I got the '83 Cheval Blanc (sticker shock, it
> was $200 not long ago), but we all contributed to expenses.
>
> I've purchased wines in the $130-170 range a few times ('01 Haut Brion
> -anniversary wine, plus some '59s for Betsy's birthday, etc).
>
> Those are the rare exceptions, however.

Was the $300 bottle and the other $130-170 bottles what you expected.
Did you realize (by taste) that you were drinking a fine(r) wine?
Could you have done a taste test with, say, a $50 vs. a $100 bottle in
the same category and feel like you could discern?

Thanks.
Dee

On Apr 10, 10:56 am, "Gary Childress" > wrote:
> Today at Costco I spent $35.00 for a bottle of Franciscan Magnificat.
> The most I've yet spent on a bottle of wine. I sure hope the stuff is
> good!!

Most of the stuff, especially around here in China, I buy is around
10USD. There again, the wine quality is more akin to the 5USD range
with a mark-up. I have yet to find anything that doesn't have that
"cheap wine" flavor sans a bottle of Malbec from Botega
SomethingorOther a few months ago. Ya'll pray for me in my newfound
voyages into the universe of wine, please. I'll need all the luck I
can get.

So much more difficult than tea.

On Apr 10, 11:16�am, "Mydnight" > wrote:
> On Apr 10, 10:56 am, "Gary Childress" > wrote:
>
> > Today at Costco I spent $35.00 for a bottle of Franciscan Magnificat.
> > The most I've yet spent on a bottle of wine. *I sure hope the stuff is
> > good!!
>
> Most of the stuff, especially around here in China, I buy is around
> 10USD. *There again, the wine quality is more akin to the 5USD range
> with a mark-up. *I have yet to find anything that doesn't have that
> "cheap wine" flavor sans a bottle of Malbec from Botega
> SomethingorOther a few months ago. *Ya'll pray for me in my newfound
> voyages into the universe of wine, please. *I'll need all the luck I
> can get.
>
> So much more difficult than tea.

That "cheap wine" flavor is more than likely the result of chemical
additives. Wine in the $5-$15USd range made in the USA is usually
made at a plant that resembles Dow Chemical more than a winery. These
wines rarely see any time in barrel and go from grapes to bottle
within a few days hence the need for chemical additives to stabilize,
preserve and "age" the wines by chemically manipulating the flavors
and tannins.

> That "cheap wine" flavor is more than likely the result of chemical
> additives. Wine in the $5-$15USd range made in the USA is usually
> made at a plant that resembles Dow Chemical more than a winery. These
> wines rarely see any time in barrel and go from grapes to bottle
> within a few days hence the need for chemical additives to stabilize,
> preserve and "age" the wines by chemically manipulating the flavors
> and tannins.

Granted. But, I live in China currently. All of the stuff I drink is
imported at least, regardless of quality. Locally made wines here
resemble strong, bitter grape juice and DO SUFFER from adulteration of
all kinds, I'm sure. They have recently found all kinds of bad things
in the locally made beer, not to even mention the wine; foul
concoction that it is. Most of the things I have found have been the
lower end of the spectrum from some decent vineyards. So I hope I'm
not ingesting too many additives in my quest for understanding. I
know I did with tea.

On Apr 10, 11:37 am, "Mydnight" > wrote:
> > That "cheap wine" flavor is more than likely the result of chemical
> > additives. Wine in the $5-$15USd range made in the USA is usually
> > made at a plant that resembles Dow Chemical more than a winery. These
> > wines rarely see any time in barrel and go from grapes to bottle
> > within a few days hence the need for chemical additives to stabilize,
> > preserve and "age" the wines by chemically manipulating the flavors
> > and tannins.
>
> Granted. But, I live in China currently. All of the stuff I drink is
> imported at least, regardless of quality. Locally made wines here
> resemble strong, bitter grape juice and DO SUFFER from adulteration of
> all kinds, I'm sure. They have recently found all kinds of bad things
> in the locally made beer, not to even mention the wine; foul
> concoction that it is. Most of the things I have found have been the
> lower end of the spectrum from some decent vineyards. So I hope I'm
> not ingesting too many additives in my quest for understanding. I
> know I did with tea.

Hmm. I thought Chinese tea had little additives, if any. Am I
wrong? I've drunk my share of Dragon's Well tea after visiting as a
tourist the farm where they picked and boxed it. Other teas from
China, I've trusted to not have 'additives."

Don't want to change the topic, but just wondering.
Thanks.
Dee

The most expensive bottle I've ever purchased was the '61 Lynch Bages
for Jean's 40th birthday. Was it worth the price? Of course, as it was
an experience unlike any other, and had sentimental value as well.

Mark Lipton



--
alt.food.wine FAQ: http://winefaq.hostexcellence.com

> Hmm. I thought Chinese tea had little additives, if any. Am I
> wrong? I've drunk my share of Dragon's Well tea after visiting as a
> tourist the farm where they picked and boxed it. Other teas from
> China, I've trusted to not have 'additives."

If you want to get into it, a recent report found various heavy metals
including lead in LongJing (dragon well) tea at market. It also found
huge quantities of pesticides/herbicides as well as coloring,
flavoring, and scent additives. The adulteration of tea has caused
most people to give up drinking the more popular types and simply
drink "Pu'er" or countryside grown teas.

I visited Hangzhou in 2004 (home to Dragon Well) and was taught by my
friend's aunt how to pick the better quality leaves. We picked a
bunch, cooked it up, and drank it fresh there. I think that was maybe
some of the best Longjing I have ever experienced...but that still
doesn't count for the pesticides and other stuff that's in the soil.

China is a scary place.

On Apr 10, 11:11?am, "Dee Dee" > wrote:
> On Apr 10, 10:58 am, "DaleW" > wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Apr 9, 10:56?pm, "Gary Childress" > wrote:
>
> > > Today at Costco I spent $35.00 for a bottle of Franciscan Magnificat.
> > > The most I've yet spent on a bottle of wine. ?I sure hope the stuff is
> > > good!!
>
> > I've spent $300-325 twice, but in neither case was I buying solely for
> > myself. For a 1986 Bdx horizontal, I bought an '86 Marguax, but was
> > splitting it with 4 others (those that were bringing less expensive
> > bottles - I was bringing the Leoville Barton - chipped in so we
> > weren't pikers next to those bringing the 1sts, LLC, etc). For a Cab
> > Franc themed tasting, I got the '83 Cheval Blanc (sticker shock, it
> > was $200 not long ago), but we all contributed to expenses.
>
> > I've purchased wines in the $130-170 range a few times ('01 Haut Brion
> > -anniversary wine, plus some '59s for Betsy's birthday, etc).
>
> > Those are the rare exceptions, however.
>
> Was the $300 bottle and the other $130-170 bottles what you expected.
> Did you realize (by taste) that you were drinking a fine(r) wine?
> Could you have done a taste test with, say, a $50 vs. a $100 bottle in
> the same category and feel like you could discern?
>
> Thanks.
> Dee- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

I bought the '83 Cheval Blanc because I had tried before and felt it a
top example of what was in my opinion was the finest predominantly
Cabernet Franc wine in the world (and one of the 4 or 5 best bottles
I've ever had). This bottle lived up to my expectations, actually
surpassed. My note from last year:
I had chosen the Cab Franc theme as an excuse to get this bottle,
which had stunned me previously. That's a recipe for disappointment,
but not this time. Rich, vibrant, and young, with powerful blackberry
and black cherry fruit, some light mocha notes, and a clean long
finish. The nose becomes more exotic as it sits in glass, with coffee
and sandalwood curling around the solid fruit base. Great great wine
for my tastes. A+

I think most agreed. Two members of my group are professional wine
writers, one declared it better than the more expensive 1982 CB
he'dhad the previous week, The other I believe gave it a 97 (very hard
grader, as high a score for a Bordeaux as I remember him giving).

The '86 Margaux was not one of the brightest stars that night, but
more a question of tightness than lack of quality:
1986 Ch. Margaux
Tight, brooding, monolithic. I had double-decanted this about 6-7
hours
before (giving it half-hour in a decanter as I was cleaning bottle
and
other chores)- it wasn't giving up much then and it wasn't giving
anymore now. Big, needs time (25 years!). Think it will eventually be
amazing, seems to be a lot hiding there. Saving some in my glass
eventually resulted in a big powerful cassis-driven wine. A-/B+

In both cases I was glad I purchased.

In general, most of the over $100 bottles I've purchased have been
because I've tasted them.The exceptions have been things like 2001
Haut-Brion (I bought for 20th, 30th anniversaries based on my love of
HB) and a pair of '59s (Sauternes and later harvest primitivo) I
bought for Betsy's 50th.

On Apr 10, 12:31�pm, "DaleW" > wrote:
> On Apr 10, 11:11?am, "Dee Dee" > wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Apr 10, 10:58 am, "DaleW" > wrote:
>
> > > On Apr 9, 10:56?pm, "Gary Childress" > wrote:
>
> > > > Today at Costco I spent $35.00 for a bottle of Franciscan Magnificat.
> > > > The most I've yet spent on a bottle of wine. ?I sure hope the stuff is
> > > > good!!
>
> > > I've spent $300-325 twice, but in neither case was I buying solely for
> > > myself. For a 1986 Bdx horizontal, I bought an '86 Marguax, but was
> > > splitting it with 4 others (those that were bringing less expensive
> > > bottles - I was bringing the Leoville Barton - chipped in so we
> > > weren't pikers next to those bringing the 1sts, LLC, etc). For a Cab
> > > Franc themed tasting, I got the '83 Cheval Blanc (sticker shock, it
> > > was $200 not long ago), but we all contributed to expenses.
>
> > > I've purchased wines in the $130-170 range a few times ('01 Haut Brion
> > > -anniversary wine, plus some '59s for Betsy's birthday, etc).
>
> > > Those are the rare exceptions, however.
>
> > Was the $300 bottle and the other $130-170 bottles what you expected.
> > Did you realize (by taste) that you were drinking a fine(r) wine?
> > Could you have done a taste test with, say, a $50 vs. a $100 bottle in
> > the same category and feel like you could discern?
>
> > Thanks.
> > Dee- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> I bought the '83 Cheval Blanc because I had tried before and felt it a
> top example of what was in my opinion was the finest predominantly
> Cabernet Franc wine in the world (and one of the 4 or 5 best bottles
> I've ever had). This bottle lived up to my expectations, actually
> surpassed. My note from last year:
> I had chosen the Cab Franc theme as an excuse to get this bottle,
> which had stunned me previously. That's a recipe for disappointment,
> but not this time. Rich, vibrant, and young, with powerful blackberry
> and black cherry fruit, some light mocha notes, and a clean long
> finish. The nose becomes more exotic as it sits in glass, with coffee
> and sandalwood curling around the solid fruit base. Great great wine
> for my tastes. A+
>
> I think most agreed. Two members of my group are professional wine
> writers, one declared it better than the more expensive 1982 CB
> he'dhad the previous week, The other I believe gave it a 97 (very hard
> grader, as high a score for a Bordeaux as I remember him giving).
>
> The '86 Margaux was not one of the brightest stars that *night, but
> more a question of tightness than lack of quality:
> 1986 Ch. Margaux
> Tight, brooding, monolithic. I had double-decanted this about 6-7
> hours
> before (giving it half-hour in a decanter as I was cleaning bottle
> and
> other chores)- it wasn't giving up much then and it wasn't giving
> anymore now. Big, needs time (25 years!). Think it will eventually be
> amazing, seems to be a lot hiding there. Saving some in my glass
> eventually resulted in a big powerful cassis-driven wine. A-/B+
>
> In both cases I was glad I purchased.
>
> In general, most of the over $100 bottles I've purchased have been
> because I've tasted them.The exceptions have been things like 2001
> Haut-Brion (I bought for 20th, 30th anniversaries based on my love of
> HB) and a pair of '59s (Sauternes and later harvest primitivo) I
> bought for Betsy's 50th.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

I'm not sure if Dee Dee was asking if the wines were worth it or if
one can tell the difference between expensive bottles and inexpensive
bottles..or both. In either case, I taste a lot of wines blind and
have been fooled more times than I'd like to admit, however, generally
speaking I can usually tell the difference between $10 and $100+ and
given that in any week I might taste between 30-50 wines in the $30
and under category you get a feel for the flavor profiles of
inexpensive red wines versus pricier red wines. The trick is to find
$10 wines that smell, taste and feel like $50+.

Pine Ridge Cab 65$ I think I bought it in 2000, so probably a 1997 bottling.

~

Gary Childress wrote:
> On Apr 9, 11:13 pm, miles > wrote:
>
>>Gary Childress wrote:
>>
>>>Today at Costco I spent $35.00 for a bottle of Franciscan Magnificat.
>>>The most I've yet spent on a bottle of wine. I sure hope the stuff is
>>>good!!
>>
>>I'm sure there will be people who have paid $100's or more. Thats out
>>of my league! I've paid $50-$60 for a few. Most of my wines are in the
>>$12-$25 range.
>
>
> Do you recall off hand what the name of the most expensive bottle was
> which you've ever purchased? I think before this my most expensive
> bottle was $22 for a bottle of d'Arenberg Laughing Magpie. I've been
> buying in the $8-22$ range myself. $8-11$ for a regular bottle just
> to sip on for an ordinary run of the mill evening and $11 or more for
> those special occasion wines. I don't see myself ever paying over $40
> for a bottle though. There seem to be enough good wines out there for
> under $40 for me to ever need to spend over that on a bottle.
>

"miles" > wrote in message
...
> Gary Childress wrote:
>
>
> Most of my more expensive wines are from small California wineries who
> don't distribute. I've got a few bottles of various varietals from Rideau
> in Los Olivos, CA. Their wines are expensive $28-$75 but are just
> incredible.
>
> I too buy some very nice wines in the $10-$12 range. Seven Deadly Zins
> from Costco is about $12 and is a very good Zin for the money.
>
Miles,
Seven Deadly Zins is one of my favorites, too. Stock up on the 2004 while
they have it. The 2005 has been a bit of a disappointment.

BTW, the PA LCB gets $20 for it. :-(

Jon

Jon

On Apr 10, 12:43�pm, "Bi!!" > wrote:
> On Apr 10, 12:31?pm, "DaleW" > wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Apr 10, 11:11?am, "Dee Dee" > wrote:
>
> > > On Apr 10, 10:58 am, "DaleW" > wrote:
>
> > > > On Apr 9, 10:56?pm, "Gary Childress" > wrote:
>
> > > > > Today at Costco I spent $35.00 for a bottle of Franciscan Magnificat.
> > > > > The most I've yet spent on a bottle of wine. ?I sure hope the stuff is
> > > > > good!!
>
> > > > I've spent $300-325 twice, but in neither case was I buying solely for
> > > > myself. For a 1986 Bdx horizontal, I bought an '86 Marguax, but was
> > > > splitting it with 4 others (those that were bringing less expensive
> > > > bottles - I was bringing the Leoville Barton - chipped in so we
> > > > weren't pikers next to those bringing the 1sts, LLC, etc). For a Cab
> > > > Franc themed tasting, I got the '83 Cheval Blanc (sticker shock, it
> > > > was $200 not long ago), but we all contributed to expenses.
>
> > > > I've purchased wines in the $130-170 range a few times ('01 Haut Brion
> > > > -anniversary wine, plus some '59s for Betsy's birthday, etc).
>
> > > > Those are the rare exceptions, however.
>
> > > Was the $300 bottle and the other $130-170 bottles what you expected.
> > > Did you realize (by taste) that you were drinking a fine(r) wine?
> > > Could you have done a taste test with, say, a $50 vs. a $100 bottle in
> > > the same category and feel like you could discern?
>
> > > Thanks.
> > > Dee- Hide quoted text -
>
> > > - Show quoted text -
>
> > I bought the '83 Cheval Blanc because I had tried before and felt it a
> > top example of what was in my opinion was the finest predominantly
> > Cabernet Franc wine in the world (and one of the 4 or 5 best bottles
> > I've ever had). This bottle lived up to my expectations, actually
> > surpassed. My note from last year:
> > I had chosen the Cab Franc theme as an excuse to get this bottle,
> > which had stunned me previously. That's a recipe for disappointment,
> > but not this time. Rich, vibrant, and young, with powerful blackberry
> > and black cherry fruit, some light mocha notes, and a clean long
> > finish. The nose becomes more exotic as it sits in glass, with coffee
> > and sandalwood curling around the solid fruit base. Great great wine
> > for my tastes. A+
>
> > I think most agreed. Two members of my group are professional wine
> > writers, one declared it better than the more expensive 1982 CB
> > he'dhad the previous week, The other I believe gave it a 97 (very hard
> > grader, as high a score for a Bordeaux as I remember him giving).
>
> > The '86 Margaux was not one of the brightest stars that ?night, but
> > more a question of tightness than lack of quality:
> > 1986 Ch. Margaux
> > Tight, brooding, monolithic. I had double-decanted this about 6-7
> > hours
> > before (giving it half-hour in a decanter as I was cleaning bottle
> > and
> > other chores)- it wasn't giving up much then and it wasn't giving
> > anymore now. Big, needs time (25 years!). Think it will eventually be
> > amazing, seems to be a lot hiding there. Saving some in my glass
> > eventually resulted in a big powerful cassis-driven wine. A-/B+
>
> > In both cases I was glad I purchased.
>
> > In general, most of the over $100 bottles I've purchased have been
> > because I've tasted them.The exceptions have been things like 2001
> > Haut-Brion (I bought for 20th, 30th anniversaries based on my love of
> > HB) and a pair of '59s (Sauternes and later harvest primitivo) I
> > bought for Betsy's 50th.- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> I'm not sure if Dee Dee was asking if the wines were worth it or if
> one can tell the difference between expensive bottles and inexpensive
> bottles..or both. *In either case, I taste a lot of wines blind and
> have been fooled more times than I'd like to admit, however, generally
> speaking I can usually tell the difference between $10 and $100+ and
> given that in any week I might taste between 30-50 wines in the $30
> and under category you get a feel for the flavor profiles of
> inexpensive red wines versus pricier red wines. *The trick is to find
> $10 wines that smell, taste and feel like $50+.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

You're right, on rereading. I have to think about this. When tasting
blind, I don't usually go "hmmm, this tastes like a $90 wine."
Certainly there have been wines that overachieved against much more
expensive flightmates.

You're right about "The trick is to find $10 wines that smell, taste
and feel like $50+." I guess my big buys are generally wines that I
think taste more expensive than their actual price. $15 Pernot
Bourgogne that tastes (to my palate) like a nice $50 Puligny. Lafarge
Bourgogne that tastes like $40 Volnay, $12 Cap de Faugeres that I
think would fair well in a tasting of $30 St Emilions.

I would have to say what the most is I have ever paid for wine. It would be
embarassing. I do have a case of 1990 Chateau Margoux in my cellar as well
as some 1989 and a few others.

The 1989 was not a bad price but by my standards 1990 was high.

I don't know if its worth it...tell you in 10-20 years when I am consuming
them!
"Mark Lipton" > wrote in message
...
> The most expensive bottle I've ever purchased was the '61 Lynch Bages
> for Jean's 40th birthday. Was it worth the price? Of course, as it was
> an experience unlike any other, and had sentimental value as well.
>
> Mark Lipton
>
>
>
> --
> alt.food.wine FAQ: http://winefaq.hostexcellence.com

"Gary Childress" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Today at Costco I spent $35.00 for a bottle of Franciscan Magnificat.
> The most I've yet spent on a bottle of wine. I sure hope the stuff is
> good!!
>
My usual sweet-spot falls in the $15-$20 range. However, in recent memory I
have bought the following:
In wine shops: $65 for a Masi Amarone last year. $50 for a 2003 Two Hands
'Lilies Garden' Shiraz a few months ago, and $70 for a Jackson-Triggs
Cabernet Franc Ice Wine in lake Niagara.

Jon

On 10 Apr 2007 12:23:49 -0700, "DaleW" > wrote:

>You're right, on rereading. I have to think about this. When tasting
>blind, I don't usually go "hmmm, this tastes like a $90 wine."
>Certainly there have been wines that overachieved against much more
>expensive flightmates.
>
>You're right about "The trick is to find $10 wines that smell, taste
>and feel like $50+." I guess my big buys are generally wines that I
>think taste more expensive than their actual price. $15 Pernot
>Bourgogne that tastes (to my palate) like a nice $50 Puligny. Lafarge
>Bourgogne that tastes like $40 Volnay, $12 Cap de Faugeres that I
>think would fair well in a tasting of $30 St Emilions.

This is a fascinating thread. I think the original question was sort
of "how far has your fantasy reached..." or maybe "what is the limit
of your extravagance?"

I've gone overboard (based on my budget) on some Ridge Monte Bello's
at $120 and $140/bottle for my home cellar. It was a splurge for my
birthday and to lay down some well regarded wines for the future. I've
still got a couple of those bottles.

Typically for "special" wines for the cellar I'll go to the $50-75
range, but it is a lot more common to spend $20-30 and then buy in 6
or 12 bottle lots. These are usually wines I've tried in a restaurant
or single bottle purchase and have liked.

Now, fine dining is a different story. When I eat out, it isn't five
nights a week at Applebee's, Chili's or Carrabba's. SWMBO and I enjoy
restaurants and tend to spend quite a bit on dinner. That means, for
me, hitting the $70-$120 a bottle range on the wine list. Markups
being what they are, these are good bottles but not going to be great
wines like Premier Crus or First Growths.

In that range, I've had some very nice Siduri, Rochioli, Turley, and a
few Italians whose name escapes me at the moment. Also Montelena,
Cakebread, Far Niente.

I've seldom been disappointed in good restaurants at that price point
and I enjoy the meal and the experience much more than going with a
cheaper wine which might not offer the conversation and opportunity
for a new taste.


Ed Rasimus
Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret)
"When Thunder Rolled"
www.thunderchief.org
www.thundertales.blogspot.com

"DaleW" > wrote in message
oups.com...
On Apr 10, 12:43?pm, "Bi!!" > wrote:
>
You're right, on rereading. I have to think about this. When tasting
blind, I don't usually go "hmmm, this tastes like a $90 wine."
Certainly there have been wines that overachieved against much more
expensive flightmates.

You're right about "The trick is to find $10 wines that smell, taste
and feel like $50+." I guess my big buys are generally wines that I
think taste more expensive than their actual price. $15 Pernot
Bourgogne that tastes (to my palate) like a nice $50 Puligny. Lafarge
Bourgogne that tastes like $40 Volnay, $12 Cap de Faugeres that I
think would fair well in a tasting of $30 St Emilions.
__________________________________________________ ___

I've been drinking the 97 Cap de Faugères as a "house wine". I've just
returned from my favourite wine merchant with, unfortunately, the last
bottle. The '03 is twice the price:-(
Graham

"Gary Childress" > wrote in
oups.com:

> Today at Costco I spent $35.00 for a bottle of Franciscan Magnificat.
> The most I've yet spent on a bottle of wine. I sure hope the stuff is
> good!!
>
>

I have a bottle of Pol Roger Cuvee Winston Churchill 1993, cost $132 US,
purchased for a special occasion that didn't occur, I expect to have it
later this year for one of two special occasions, one of which is my
<koffkoff> birthday, so *that* will happen, even if the other doesn't
(maybe next year - that will require something else)!


Having said that, I've picked up various $40-50 bottles for birthdays,
New Year's etc, mostly Champagnes.
d.
--
As a public service, the link to the alt.food.wine FAQ:
http://winefaq.hostexcellence.com/

"Young Martle" > wrote in message
...
> On Tue, 10 Apr 2007 23:49:33 GMT, "graham" > wrote:
>
>>
>>"DaleW" > wrote in message
groups.com...
>>On Apr 10, 12:43?pm, "Bi!!" > wrote:
>>>
>>You're right, on rereading. I have to think about this. When tasting
>>blind, I don't usually go "hmmm, this tastes like a $90 wine."
>>Certainly there have been wines that overachieved against much more
>>expensive flightmates.
>>
>>You're right about "The trick is to find $10 wines that smell, taste
>>and feel like $50+." I guess my big buys are generally wines that I
>>think taste more expensive than their actual price. $15 Pernot
>>Bourgogne that tastes (to my palate) like a nice $50 Puligny. Lafarge
>>Bourgogne that tastes like $40 Volnay, $12 Cap de Faugeres that I
>>think would fair well in a tasting of $30 St Emilions.
>>________________________________________________ _____
>>
>>I've been drinking the 97 Cap de Faug?res as a "house wine". I've just
>>returned from my favourite wine merchant with, unfortunately, the last
>>bottle. The '03 is twice the price:-(
>>Graham
>>
>
> Same here. Jumped from $17 CAD to $31

Where are you?
Graham

"Gary Childress" > wrote in news:1176173791.705141.278750
@y80g2000hsf.googlegroups.com:

> Today at Costco I spent $35.00 for a bottle of Franciscan Magnificat.
> The most I've yet spent on a bottle of wine. I sure hope the stuff is
> good!!
>

The most expensive bottle of wine i have purchased was a bottle of Kenwood
Jack London 2001 Cab. Sauv. for $80.00

About 10 years ago......
A$1500 (US$1200) for a 1954 Grange Hermitage. (If you could find one now it
would cost $45,000!)
It was a superb wine, but I'd had better, a 1972 vintage of the same label
for only A$200 (US$160) for instance.

"Gary Childress" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Today at Costco I spent $35.00 for a bottle of Franciscan Magnificat.
> The most I've yet spent on a bottle of wine. I sure hope the stuff is
> good!!
>

I have arranged, for my 60th birthday, later this year, a magnum of 1947 Ch.
Cheval-Blanc for a mere $US22,000 (and worth every penny)

No sense being the richest man in the cemetery!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

--

Lord St.Helier

On Apr 13, 7:16 am, "st.helier" > wrote:
> I have arranged, for my 60th birthday, later this year, a magnum of 1947 Ch.
> Cheval-Blanc for a mere $US22,000 (and worth every penny)
>
> No sense being the richest man in the cemetery!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>
> --
>
> Lord St.Helier

How do you know it's worth every penny, did you open before time?
Oh, my Lord!
Dee

Wow, you could have bought almost 4-750 ml bottles for that price!

Happy 60-old man. I just turned 50.

"st.helier" > wrote in message
...
>I have arranged, for my 60th birthday, later this year, a magnum of 1947
>Ch. Cheval-Blanc for a mere $US22,000 (and worth every penny)
>
> No sense being the richest man in the cemetery!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>
> --
>
> Lord St.Helier
>

On Apr 10, 12:02 pm, "Mydnight" > wrote:
> > Hmm. I thought Chinese tea had little additives, if any. Am I
> > wrong? I've drunk my share of Dragon's Well tea after visiting as a
> > tourist the farm where they picked and boxed it. Other teas from
> > China, I've trusted to not have 'additives."
>
> If you want to get into it, a recent report found various heavy metals
> including lead in LongJing (dragon well) tea at market. It also found
> huge quantities of pesticides/herbicides as well as coloring,
> flavoring, and scent additives. The adulteration of tea has caused
> most people to give up drinking the more popular types and simply
> drink "Pu'er" or countryside grown teas.
>
> I visited Hangzhou in 2004 (home to Dragon Well) and was taught by my
> friend's aunt how to pick the better quality leaves. We picked a
> bunch, cooked it up, and drank it fresh there. I think that was maybe
> some of the best Longjing I have ever experienced...but that still
> doesn't count for the pesticides and other stuff that's in the soil.


I read in the Wikipedia about the town where you live.
As a result of your information about China teas, and some little
research I did about them, on a whim, I threw out all my Chinese teas,
even the Pu'er. Today I bought a box of organic Darjeeling tea from
the Tumsong Estate http://www.chamong.com/garden.htm

I'll be turning over a new leaf.
Dee

On Apr 13, 7:16 am, "st.helier" > wrote:
> I have arranged, for my 60th birthday, later this year, a magnum of 1947 Ch.
> Cheval-Blanc for a mere $US22,000 (and worth every penny)
>
> No sense being the richest man in the cemetery!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>
> --
>
> Lord St.Helier

For my 40th birthday coming up, I plan on opening my Franciscan
Magnificat--at $35 still my most expensive bottle of wine.

On Apr 13, 7:16?am, "st.helier" > wrote:
> I have arranged, for my 60th birthday, later this year, a magnum of 1947 Ch.
> Cheval-Blanc for a mere $US22,000 (and worth every penny)
>
> No sense being the richest man in the cemetery!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>
> --
>
> Lord St.Helier

Happy Birthday and enjoy.

Happy b-day your lardship-- For my 60th
I bought Eredi Virginia Ferrero Barolo 1937 and 1943 for $205. Since I was
the former broker for these wines, I was charged 10% above the store's cost
by a merchant friend---As Dale will attest the 43 was very good and the 37
was long gone.

I charged myself $150 for a Chave Ermitage "Cathelin" as a treat. That was
the importer's cost.......
"Dee Dee" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> On Apr 10, 12:02 pm, "Mydnight" > wrote:
> > > Hmm. I thought Chinese tea had little additives, if any. Am I
> > > wrong? I've drunk my share of Dragon's Well tea after visiting as a
> > > tourist the farm where they picked and boxed it. Other teas from
> > > China, I've trusted to not have 'additives."
> >
> > If you want to get into it, a recent report found various heavy metals
> > including lead in LongJing (dragon well) tea at market. It also found
> > huge quantities of pesticides/herbicides as well as coloring,
> > flavoring, and scent additives. The adulteration of tea has caused
> > most people to give up drinking the more popular types and simply
> > drink "Pu'er" or countryside grown teas.
> >
> > I visited Hangzhou in 2004 (home to Dragon Well) and was taught by my
> > friend's aunt how to pick the better quality leaves. We picked a
> > bunch, cooked it up, and drank it fresh there. I think that was maybe
> > some of the best Longjing I have ever experienced...but that still
> > doesn't count for the pesticides and other stuff that's in the soil.
>
>
> I read in the Wikipedia about the town where you live.
> As a result of your information about China teas, and some little
> research I did about them, on a whim, I threw out all my Chinese teas,
> even the Pu'er. Today I bought a box of organic Darjeeling tea from
> the Tumsong Estate http://www.chamong.com/garden.htm
>
> I'll be turning over a new leaf.
> Dee
>
>
>

On Apr 10, 8:24 am, "vMike"
> wrote:
> "Gary Childress" > wrote in message
>
> oups.com...
>
> > Today at Costco I spent $35.00 for a bottle of Franciscan Magnificat.
> > The most I've yet spent on a bottle of wine. I sure hope the stuff is
> > good!!
>
> 1996 Chateau D'Yquem, was about 350 for 750ml and worth every penny.

I paid £130 for a half bottle of D'Yquem in a restaurant recently for
a very special celebration, it was worth every penny.

Judith

I've purchased d'Yquems and other wines(old California, 82 Bdx) for tastings
like the last bottle I bought of the 1974 Conn Creek in 1984 and the 1949
Mont Redon CDP.
" > wrote in message
oups.com...
On Apr 10, 8:24 am, "vMike"
> wrote:
> "Gary Childress" > wrote in message
>
> oups.com...
>
> > Today at Costco I spent $35.00 for a bottle of Franciscan Magnificat.
> > The most I've yet spent on a bottle of wine. I sure hope the stuff is
> > good!!
>
> 1996 Chateau D'Yquem, was about 350 for 750ml and worth every penny.

I paid £130 for a half bottle of D'Yquem in a restaurant recently for
a very special celebration, it was worth every penny.

Judith