Pick 1 of these 6....buying a Case of Wine

quote:

Originally posted by bogmancometh:
I'm buying a case and I can get these all for roughly the same price for a case. Please list the one you would buy and if you have tried any of them. I came up with this list from what has had decent reviews and is available in my area.

2003 Lan Rioja Bodegas Limitada
2004 Lan Rioja Bodegas Limitada
2006 Bella's Garden Shiraz
2005 Cliff Lede Cabernet
2005 Dead Arm Shiraz
2004 Don Melchor

Why not try one of each, and then get 6 more bottles of the one that you like, or 3 and 3, or...

I would call it risky (although I have taken the risk occasionally - on a back up the truck steal of a deal) to buy a case of something that you aren't sure that you'll love.

If you need to buy twelve to fill a case discount, why not just get two of each?

If I can't mix and match and I am limited to these wines, I would absolutely take one of the Lans. Without a second thought. Parker's new guy LOVES the 2004 vintage in Spain, although I haven't been blown away by it. I do love the 2003 vintage in Spain. I might be more tempted to go with that. Either way, though, I would deffintiely choose either of the Lans over any of the other wines you mention.

I would love to try them all but it is a matter of time and money. I plan on putting these away for a while. I forgot to mention I have a 2004 Lan on hand. So I will get to try one before I make this decision. I just don't want it to be bias I would mix and match but getting 30% off case no mix and match.

Would serve you well to also buy a bottle of 2003 Lan and 2005 Dead Arm to go with your 2004 Lan to determine which you'd prefer. Those would be the final 3 for me and If I'm buying a case, I want to at least have a taste.

Blindly, I'd go with the 2004 Lan, as I am impressed with the 2004 vintage

I've tried the '04 LAN, 04 Melchor and 05 Dead Arm. The LAN wins hands down.

I've haven't had the 05, but I've had other vintages of the Cliff Lede. It's a great Napa cab.

Are you buying a case for a discount? If so, ask the retailer if you can mix and match and still get the discount. 12 bottles of any wine is too much IMO.

I'd still go for the mix and match.

quote:

Originally posted by tanglenet:
I've haven't had the 05, but I've had other vintages of the Cliff Lede. It's a great Napa cab.

Are you buying a case for a discount? If so, ask the retailer if you can mix and match and still get the discount. 12 bottles of any wine is too much IMO.

I agree with the "mix and match" suggestion; it'd be the ideal way to go, especially with such good choices available to you (I know I'd have a hard time making a decision). However, if only one of the six choices can be made, like tanglenet, I'd also lean ever-so-slightly towards the Lede... if the '05 is anything like the previous couple years - all of which are terrific - it'd be a good bet.

I had the opportunity to try the '06 Bella's Garden at the Two Hands winery when I was in Australia over the fall and I loved it (just as much as the '05). So if you're a fan of these wines that would also be a good choice. However, I'm guessing the '06 Bella's (as well as the '05 Dead Arm) will be a little easier to find than the '05 Lede so again, I'd lean towards the Lede.

Not having tried any of the wines listed, but to directly answer your question, I've heard very, very good things about the Cliff Lede in 2005, but only the Stag's Leap District bottling. I've heard lots of rave reviews about it and, coming from a perenially good performer in Cliff Lede, I'd give that some thought.

I agree with everybody else and advise you to get a mixed case.

However; if you can't get amixed case, I'd go with the 2003 Lan. both the 2003 and 2004 are very good wines, but I think the 2003 has more structure and will age better. I would pick the Don Melchor over the Cliff Lede because of it's ageing potential as well.

I've had multiple vintages of the last two and they are both great, but the Dead Arm needs 8-12 years to mature, while the 2004 Don Melchor can be drunk now.

I've had the 2005 Bella's Garden and that's what I'd pick, though I haven't tasted that vintage, based on that tasting, it was wonderful.

Haven't had the other three, as far as I can recall.

quote:

Originally posted by bogmancometh:
I'm buying a case and I can get these all for roughly the same price for a case. Please list the one you would buy and if you have tried any of them. I came up with this list from what has had decent reviews and is available in my area.



2004 Lan Rioja Bodegas Limitada

Easy choice for me...