collecting

[cablover1984]

hey everyone!
Like I've said before I've just starting to pick at the wonderful world of wine. I have a little collection built up, and I am considering focusing on one major region as the bulk of my collection. It is probably going to be Napa, Cal. Because I love cabs and napa makes some of the finest cabs in the world. Can you guys give me some producers that are top-notch producers in that area? I was thinking possiably Raymond Estates, Beringer, Robert Mondavi, Stag Leap, and maybe cakebread cellars or Caymus.

I'm looking for quality wines that can lay down for 5-10, really shine, and get me out of the "newbie" group. lol.

Thanks in Advance

[hotwine]

Go down to the cab thread and you'll see lots of notes on Napa cabs. Look for postings by Winoweenie (WW for short)... he's been a lover of Napa cabs for decades and has a VERY extensive collection.

[brappy]

Yep, WW is without a doubt the Napa Cab expert. So I have to second Hotwine's advice.

Also, the wines you mentioned are well known wines which is good but can also be limiting. Hopefully, the person you're buying your wines from is knowledgable enough to to recomend smaller or at least not as well known producers that put out great juice.

Another idea is to figure out what you like, look it up on a map, and find wineries close to those and taste everything you can from that area. You stated you wanted to stay in one area for a while. Learn the area geographically...... this may help.

The other thing is taste as much as possible. There is NO better way to figure out what you like. Good luck and have fun. I would love to hear from you about your discoveries, as I'm sure we all would.

mark

ps. It may be good to stay in one area for awhile, but branch out soon. Variety IS the spice of life.......

[hotwine]

Be sure you have good storage before buying good stuff for a collection. We've discussed the storage issue a lot on this forum, as you can read in the Storage/Cellars/Racking thread toward the bottom.

[winoweenie]

Hi CL# and welcome to the board. The wines you list are some of my favorites. Along with Ch. Montelena, Flora Springs, Robert Craig, Markham et.al. I've posted on wines from these venerable producers from the 1978s on to their current releases. Good luck and welcome aboard! WW