North American Red Wine?

[Wagtail]

I have a friend who lives in Washington DC (her husband (RAAF Squadron Leader) is on exchange) who is trying to find good red wine, especially Shiraz, in the U.S. She would like to experience good North American red wine but has, so far, been disappointed in the quality of 'local' North American vintages.

What are your recommendations?

 

[NHBX]

In the very old days
”What’s the word, Thunderbird. What’s the price, thirty twice”

(HUMOR)

 

[NHBX]

WAG, I’m not much of a wine drinker and I’m sure others will not agree but any red wine I’ve had that I liked was from Chile or that other place, Australia.
I wish your friend well on her quest!

(also interested in others recommendations)

 

[alexpops]

Napa or Sonoma wineries. As I remember, Folie a deux (Napa) had a decent Syrrah. I like Ravenswood (Sonoma) reds as they were relatively cheap & all Big & bold (No vinos sin huevos is their motto). Pricier stuff from Grgich Hills, Far Niente, and Stag's Leap. Lodi has some decent wines (mainly Zinfandels) that are relatively cheap. Never got into Pinots, but there are some Southern CA wineries that are known for their Pinots. Best Cabernet Sauvignon I've ever had was from Far Niente ... never seen in a store, they mainly sell direct to higher end restaurants. Francis Ford Coppola used his "Godfather" profits to buy two wineries (the old Inglenook which had devolved to "Gallo" type jug wines) and Niebaum/Coppola. He gets good reviews, but I've always been disappointed except for his more expensive (outrageously) stuff. Opus One is also highly rated, but as I remember, they are mainly a blend as opposed to single grape varietals.

Most of this stuff will be direct from Winery or expensive restaurants, but occasionally, Costco or Sam's will get a few cases ... problem is their storage. I've had some expensive wines that were "cooked" in southern Costco/Sam's warehouses.

 

[jeff9366]

I have a friend who lives in Washington DC who is trying to find good red wine, especially Shiraz, in the U.S. She would like to experience good North American red wine but has, so far, been disappointed in the quality of 'local' North American vintages.

What are your recommendations?

Affluent Washington, D.C. is one of the top fine wine markets in the USA.

If this person is willing to pay USA wine taxes, they should make acquaintance with a wine specialist in a wine and spirits store near their home or employment. Larger Washington, D.C. wine and liquor stores have at least one, usually several, very wine knowledgeable staff. Competition demands it.

The Washington Post newspaper reviews wines in the $8 to $15 price range weekly. A search of the Washington Post archives may yield multiple Shiraz comparative reviews, most with retail venders noted.

I spent 37 years in the wine business. Nine of those years I worked in the retail or wholesale wine business within Washington, D.C.

Many embassy people will only purchase tax exempt wine and spirits through their embassy commissaries. If this is the case, selection will be limited.

 

[Oz_Kioti]

Wagtail, yeah - we really are spoiled with the range, quality & price of decent full bodied reds here. Back in 2020 I went to an aviation conference in New Orleans (NBAA) and one of the aircraft companies took a few of us Aussies out to dinner one night. The Penfolds Bin 389 flowed like water. It was a fabulous night. But I did see the reps eyes bulge when he saw the bill!

 

[dusty3030]

Try a Willamette Valley, Oregon Pinot Noir.

 

[ddbackhoe]

I have a friend who lives in Washington DC (her husband (RAAF Squadron Leader) is on exchange) who is trying to find good red wine, especially Shiraz, in the U.S. She would like to experience good North American red wine but has, so far, been disappointed in the quality of 'local' North American vintages.

What are your recommendations?

Wine is such a subjective matter of taste issue, too dry, too sweet, too much tannin.
My suggestion, there are alot of small bottlers in her nearby area, go visit, taste and enjoy.

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[Larry Caldwell]

Try a Willamette Valley, Oregon Pinot Noir.

The Valley is great for pinot, but too cool for Shiraz/Syrah. Southern Oregon has a better climate for that grape. Most Shiraz on the market seems to come out of Australia, I think for that reason.

 

[dusty3030]

The Valley is great for pinot, but too cool for Shiraz/Syrah. Southern Oregon has a better climate for that grape. Most Shiraz on the market seems to come out of Australia, I think for that reason.

Did you read the original post? They asked for recommendations for a North American red for someone who prefers an Australian syrah and I made a suggestion.

 

[ponytug]

As someone who likes Australian syrah wines, there are lots of great syrahs out of California and Oregon. All three areas make exceptional wines in my opinion.

I would strongly suggest that your friend find a local wine shop that can advise her. What is available in any given locale is a strong function of the store's and the distributor's / state's wine buyers, and my suggestions are likely to be unobtainable in her shops. A good wine shop sommelier should be able to talk to her intelligently about wines she likes and make suggestions based on her preferences.

All the best,

Peter

 

[kenmbz]

I would second stags Leap.
I will ask my brother, him and his friends do wine parties and they are quite serious.
Need more input on what type of red,
More dry/earthy etc.
I will ask him about US Shiraz and see what he says, since I usually stick to penfolds for Shiraz or Italian wines for Reds.

Long Island NY used to have some good reds, but the vintners I knew at Hargraves and Pindar have changed out. Cali and the northwest are the best bet and they should find a local wine club.

 

[scootr]

So many outstanding reds produced in California and Oregon that I had to stop trying them all ... Hick !
Napa Valley, Sonoma, Paso Robles all produce good reds. I live in a wine growing area but our grapes can hold a candle to the ones I mentioned.
Cabernet Sauvignon is my choice but the crowd likes something lighter > Pinot Noir
Current favorite is a 2018 Decoy from Duckhorn in the Napa Valley. About $21 bottle

 

[Wagtail]

I would second stags Leap.
I will ask my brother, him and his friends do wine parties and they are quite serious.
Need more input on what type of red,
More dry/earthy etc.
I will ask him about US Shiraz and see what he says, since I usually stick to penfolds for Shiraz or Italian wines for Reds.

Long Island NY used to have some good reds, but the vintners I knew at Hargraves and Pindar have changed out. Cali and the northwest are the best bet and they should find a local wine club.

Thanks for that (AND to all of the responses, so far).

As to 'type' of red, she's definitely not the 'sweet' type... full 'bodied' including Cab Sav, Malbec, Merlot, GSM and Shiraz.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Did you read the original post? They asked for recommendations for a North American red for someone who prefers an Australian syrah and I made a suggestion.

Just saying that if you want a decent Syrah, you won't find it in the Willamette Valley.

 

[ponytug]

@Wagtail FWIW: The Best Wine Stores In D.C.

All the best, Peter

 

[scootr]

Yrs ago I joined a wine club online.
They had many experts who would rate the wines. Once you found a taster you agreed with - you stick with their recommendations.
You could pick a price range - then a rating... order 12 - 24 bottles and rest assured that 90% of what you got was very very good.
Good reds from Chile too.
wine.com

 

[Wagtail]

Yrs ago I joined a wine club online.
They had many experts who would rate the wines. Once you found a taster you agreed with - you stick with their recommendations.
You could pick a price range - then a rating... order 12 - 24 bottles and rest assured that 90% of what you got was very very good.
Good reds from Chile too.
wine.com

I, too, joined an Aussie wine 'club' many years ago... all of the wines are selected Australian and I've rarely had a bottle that was 'off'. In that case I simply call them up and they credit me the price of that bottle, no questions asked other than which bottle it was.

I've learnt a lot about various types of red wine (my preference) over the years due to 'club', I wouldn't have known/tried a Malbec or GSM (to name a couple) otherwise.

I also, religiously, use a "Vinturi" aerator with each bottle to 'decant' directly into the glass. A wonderful devise and not at all a 'gadget'.

 

[gsganzer]

There are some good vineyards in Fredericksburg Texas in the hill country. Two of our favorites are Becker Vineyards and Grape Creek. We belong to both wine clubs.

Fredericksburg TX has the second largest winery density after Napa/Sonoma California.

 

[bmaverick]

For Shiraz, the state of Wisconsin has several old Norwegian families who migrated here and built the Shiraz vineyards.
Spirits of Norway Vineyard - Producer. Winery | Wine-Searcher

Here is the main website of the producer and family dating from 1839 till present.
Home — Spirits of Norway Vineyard

The wine is award winners. All the comments are 5 stars. This is our savored SPECIAL occasion red wine, even though we make our own.

If you want to know more about the operation, Randy would be glad to share.