Good red wine (£20?) for a gift. Any recommendations?

[Bill]

I want to buy a case of wine for my brother as he's done me a huge favour. I'm after something that's drinkable now but could be kept for a while.

I tend not to spend more than a tenner a bottle so I don't have a clue where to start looking.

Cheers

[Davey S2]

£20 a bottle or £20 a case? (you wont get much for the latter).

I'd have a look at Berry Bros & Rudd's own label wines. I've tried a few of the reds and they are fantastic for the price.

http://www.bbr.com/shopping/own-wine-range?linkid=...

[Bill]

Davey S2 said:

£20 a bottle or £20 a case? (you wont get much for the latter).

Not £20 a case, I'm not trying to poison him.

[Davey S2]

Well if it was my money I'd be going for a case of one of these but thats a reflection of the type of reds I like.

http://www.bbr.com/product-74854B-2008-berrys-st-e...

http://www.bbr.com/product-73480B-2006-berrys-marg...

http://www.bbr.com/product-80633B-2009-berrys-pome...

[Bill]

I'm not sure I should be salivating over wine before 11am

Thanks for the links, they're the sort of thing I'd fancy too, and I'm very tempted by the first one for me...

[V8mate]

Crozes Hermitage is a good, mid-priced wine which rarely disappoints and has broad appeal.

[Du1point8]

Churton Pinot Noir
GD Vajra Langhe Nebbiolo
vina-ardanza
medium quality Amarone
margaux

Are all good red wines, but it depends on the tastes of the recipient? Are they a fan of the full bodied wines? Do they like then rich? Heavy or light? Do they have a particular country they prefer?

What I would do is find out a little more on the recipient, then go and take the list of 5 wines above, go to a good independent wine shop, ask them to tell you a little more about the above wines and if they have any recommendations too.

[LordGrover]

If you remember Du1point8 from BTaP 2010 you'll know he likes to drink so maybe sage advice?

[Du1point8]

LordGrover said:

If you remember Du1point8 from BTaP 2010 you'll know he can drink so maybe sage advice?

I was impressed that I managed to spend money at a free bar

Watch is going strong and well looked after!!

[Davey S2]

Bill said:

Thanks for the links, they're the sort of thing I'd fancy too, and I'm very tempted by the first one for me...

Do that then and with the change get your brother a bottle of Blue Nun or Mateus Rose

[Gnits]

I don't know anything about wine but there is a special reserve merlot in Asda which is unbelievably good, normally about £7 but often less:
http://groceries.asda.com/asda-estore/search/searc...

[del 203]

Du1point8 said:

I was impressed that I managed to spend money at a free bar

So am i knowing you !!!!

[Vipers]

TalkIng of wines, I was gobsmacked when walking around a wine shop in Freshwater NSW oz, saw a bottle of wine in a locked cabinet for $700 (£551.31)

It was next to a bottle for $15.00 (£10.35), so I thought "Sod it, I will lash out and buy that one and be done with it".

[Gizmo!]

Vipers said:

TalkIng of wines, I was gobsmacked when walking around a wine shop in Freshwater NSW oz, saw a bottle of wine in a locked cabinet for $700 (£551.31)

It was next to a bottle for $15.00 (£10.35), so I thought "Sod it, I will lash out and buy that one and be done with it".

The Majestic at Vinopolis used to have some special stuff...

To the OP; what sort of place are you looking to shop? Some of the more special stuff stocked at your local Waitrose for £15-20/bottle will be very impressive.

[Steffan]

The Margaux and Pomerol recommended are both classic wines. Good choices.

[uncinqsix]

A little over budget, but http://www.winedirect.co.uk/index.php?route=produc...

This is a serious wine, and will age well. Rivals Bordeaux costing 2-3 times as much.

[Vipers]

uncinqsix said:

A little over budget, but http://www.winedirect.co.uk/index.php?route=produc...

This is a serious wine, and will age well. Rivals Bordeaux costing 2-3 times as much.

At the end of the day, price shouldnt come into it, either you like the taste or you dont. Like Whiskys, some are just yuk in my opinion based on my taste buds.

[anonymous-user]

Id be looking at some sort of New Zealand Pinot Noir! Have you thought of getting him 6 differnt ones?

[uncinqsix]

Vipers said:

At the end of the day, price shouldnt come into it, either you like the taste or you dont. Like Whiskys, some are just yuk in my opinion based on my taste buds.

True, but this stuff is fantastic by any measure.

[Bill]

Gizmo! said:

To the OP; what sort of place are you looking to shop? Some of the more special stuff stocked at your local Waitrose for £15-20/bottle will be very impressive.

Probably online, the nearest Waitrose is 45 minutes and the local wine merchants I've found seem to cater for holidaymakers.