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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Guide Weather Subscribe Contact Us November 30, 2004 Off The Vine Time for the wines worth the expense Lorn Razzano Now that the Season is upon us, it's time to look at the "big boy" wines, the expensive wines we consume or put in our cellar once a year for a special treat. If you are like me, the everyday $10 to $15 wine consumer, I'll bump up to an occasional blockbuster for the holidays. Here's where to go for the best bang for the buck. 1999 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: This was a superb year for this venerable Napa Valley estate. The wine is complex, rich and supple with just the right amount of toasty oak in the finish. I've been a fan of this winery for years and I think if you are willing to stretch to the hundred-dollar-a-bottle mark this wine is quite stellar. Yep, it's expensive, but actually worth the heavy tab. 2002 French red Burgundy: A profound vintage for the great houses of Burgundy. These wines begin at about $50 and are blowing away the pinot noir world in a big way. The great growing areas of Burgundy, north and south are dizzy with the finest pinot noirs in the world. From the lowly general appellation Burgundies to the lofty and elegant single vineyard wines the region is producing one great wine after another. Expect to pay about $50 a bottle or more. You'll get the best! 1997 Brunello di Montalcino: Last call on these outrageous, complex and sun drenched beauties. The pride of Tuscany, the great '97s are quickly going away. Many wine lovers believe the '97 and '99 vintages are the best two vintages of the century. Brunellos are characterized by medium to heavy palate weight, warm, generous flavors and hints of all kinds of spices in the nose and finish. These are the great releases from beautiful Tuscany. Prices are about $70 a bottle. 1995-2000 vintage Piedmont red wines: From the Northwest part of Italy come two powerhouse grapes, Nebbiolo and Barbera. The Piedmont (Piemonte, foot of the mountains) home of my family, there have been five years of unbelievable red wines known for their power, grace, warmth and long generous finishes. The Barbera grape is traditionally known for its more rustic flavors of heat, light astringency and broodingly dark plum flavors. Nice Barberas run about $30 and upward and are very nice treats for a different spin on the red wine drinking scene. The Nebbiolo grape is the power behind the astounding Barolo and Barbaresco, king and queen of northern Italy. The two wines, named after villages on either side of Alba, the sister city of Medford, are international superstars. These palate-dense, weighty and explosive wines are the talk of the wine world and have been for five years of unflawed, spectacular vintages. Buying either wine is a great wine experience and perfect for the holidays. Traditionally the Barolo has been the more powerful of the two wines but with newer viticultural practices the Barbarescos have become almost indistinguishable from the kingly Barolo. These wines are characterized by immense flavors all over the palate, long Asian spices, hints of anise and lovely toast-filled aftertastes. The prices start from about $50 and move upward, but what a treat! So there's the short list, more in two weeks - plus a write-up on nice Champagnes. See you then. DailyTidings.com Home Page Archives | Revels | Classifieds | Real Estate Guide | Weather | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2005 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Slippers Isotoner Slippers Dsw Shoes Ceramic Piggy Banks Fanny Mae Eloans Calenders 2005 Calender 2005 Accelerate Weight Loss Programs Citibank Student Loans Acs Loan Matchmaking & Dating Scripts Adventure Travel Conference Calls - $50/Month Security Systems student loan consolidation helzberg diamonds Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams