Modestly Upscale in Birmingham

[Auburnwine]

Mes amis,

I have a lovely challenge. I am scouting out a dozen wines for a tasting. My only rules are that they should be red and around $40 - $60. Our group's tendencies are toward big-ast Aussie and US syrahs.

Although I will probably go to Atlanta to put the case together, you may be interested in a cross section of price and availability at four shops I visited in Birmingham. Alas, folks like P Lehmann are not distributed in Alabama. I saw what I imagine would be some luscious Brunnelos and such, but I know even less about them than I know about most other wines.

Do any of these represent outstanding wines at good prices? And I apologize if any of my notes are incomplete or inaccurate.

At The Vintage
1999 Kay's Amery Shiraz - $35 (Didn't have the Hillside)
99 D'Ahrenberg Coppermine Road Cab - $59
98 Yarra Yering - $55
99 Cape D'Estaing Cab - $47
99 Lashmar Cab - $45

Ampora at the Summit:
95 Mitchelton Print Shiraz - $50
99 La Testa Classic McLaren $50 ($42 at Bruno's)
98 Penfolds RWT Shiraz - $62
98 Barossa Holy Trinity - $33
99 Genders McLaren Park Cab - $46

World Market
98 Penfolds 707 Cab - $80
98 Pine Ridge Stags Leap Cab $63 ($60 at Brunos)
99 Stag's Leap Napa Cab $40
99 Canoe Ridge merlot - $25

Bruno's
Lots of California 98's
98 BV Tapestry Reserve - $59
96 St. Supery Meritage - $40
98 Ravenswood Pickberry Red - $48
98 Geyser Peak Meritage - $43
98 Io Red - $48
98 Mt. Veeder Cab - $42

99 Rosemount GSM or Traditional - $26 (lots of both)
99 Cape D'Estaing Kangeroo Island Cab - $50
98 Ralph Fowler Limestone Coast Shiraz - $54
98 D'Ahrenberg Ironstone Pressings GSM - $60

97 Rodney Strong Symmetry - $70
97 Conn Valley Vineyards Etage - $70
99 Chateau Michelle Cold Creek Merlot - $33

That's all I know.

- AW

[wondersofwine]

I would trust the Kay's shiraz (although Hillside is the one I've previously tasted). I've heard good things about D'Ahrenberg and the Classic McLaren line (but no personal experience). I might go for the Stag's Leap wines also or the Pine Ridge or Geyser Peak.