I need to buy a gift for a friend and I wanted to ask the board what they thought would be the best buy. He loves wine..maybe more than me. He knows his stuff and I think he would enjoy either of these options. I can get either bottle for $100. What is the best deal? Thanks for the thoughts!

1998 Gaja Sperss
1997 Ridge Montebello
Krug Brut Grande Cuvee NV

Personally I would stay away from giving Champagne just because some appreciate the nuances of great Champagne more than others. Then I would try to guess which wine he would be more likely to buy himself and get him the other one. I love receiving great bottles of wine that I would not otherwise buy.

the `98 Gaja won't be ready to drink for another 10 years or so. The `97 Ridge should be far more attractive to drink now - within the next few years than the Barolo.

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AIM: Drunken Mariachi

FL Vine,
I agree that the Montebello is a better choice than the Gaja, but I think it would be quite acceptable to give the Krug as a gift. The celebratory connotations with Champagne make it a great gift wine, IMO. Unless you have reservations about the receiver's appreciation of the Krug, it would be my first choice. It's certainly the only one of the three that could be said to be near its prime. Just my 2 cents.

Whatever you do, good luck. I wish I had friends like you.

De gustibus non est disputandum.

Here's another vote for the Montebello. The '97 CalCab vintage was better than the '98 Barolo vintage.

Floridavine,
pick up the Ridge Monte Bello for $99. And while you're at it, Im going to go out on a limb and say, "Tell William at the ABC store on Newberry 'Dave says hi.'" That's where you found the Ridge on close-out, right? Im actually one of the "wine guys" at one of our Tallahassee area stores and we recently disco'd the 1997 Montebello, hence the lower price. If I can think of any others that are great values that can be had at that store, I'll be sure to post it here if you'd like.

FSU, I'll tell William hello! The Montebello it is and thanks for the help. It really is a great deal and on Mondays I can take 10% off! Thanks to all

That’s a great price on the Gaja. I had it at a tasting not long ago and while it's an excellent wine (I put '98 on par with '97 in Piedmont) people are right in saying it needs considerable time. I haven't had the '97 Montebello, but I'd personally prefer receiving the Gaja and think it's the better deal (monetarily if not qualitatively) of the two.

I'd buy the Ridge for them, and the Gaja for
yourself. It's a wine that really rewards
patience. Very complex with time, but difficult
to drink now. If you do drink it now, I'd decant it for several hours before trying it.

Good luck with your decision!

It sure is nice to see a Nole and a Gator get along so nicely.

The Gainesville ABC store off of I-75 sure has good availability.

SIP SIP HOOREY