Finding inexpensive wines is real work. If someone were paying me to write (please send all job offers to the email address below, bottom right, right below my profile) I might go blow a hundred bucks in the $10 aisle to find something I like, but this is a self-financed hobby and I HATE opening a bad bottle of wine, no matter how inexpensive.Unfortunately, it's Wednesday and I will go bankrupt if I make ever day an OTBN night, so cheaper is better. One can obviously find those rare under $20 gems (see Debs for one example) by surfing the web, reading the journals or asking the shopkeep, but I have one strategy that seems to work reasonably well - when you find a wine you like, figure out if they have a lower-end 'entry-level' wine. And that is how I ended up with tonight's wine.
The 2003 Moulin Lagrezette is the entry level wine (or so it would appear, as they offer a wide range of wines) of this Chateau, and I bought it because I love the Chateau Lagrezette. Dark fruit, leather, cloves, and vanilla on the nose - attractive. More new world than old world, it had good balance, nice fruit and was very quaffable, but only mildly interesting. Probably a good party wine, and reasonably priced. Drink now.
Score: 14.5/20
Cost: C$17
Alcohol: 13.5%
Malbec, with some Merlot
PS - a blind tasting vs. the Grand Vin is in the works
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2 comments:
Joe,
I just responded to your last comment here and at the same time dropped a couple of very worthy under $20 bottles. Check them out (I'm checking out one of them tonight).
I believe there's an even more entry level wine for the Lagrezette, Alain-Dominique Perrin's label. It goes by the name Castel Montplaisir. It was a great everyday wine. Very quaffable Cahors. Not up on the new vintage yet though.
Found the Montplaisir on the site - looks like there is lots around. I will try to taste it blind next to the Moulin Lagrezette if I get it.
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