Reds to find for party tasting:
Cabernet Sauvignon
- Bodegas Catena Zapata Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza, Argentina)
- HdV “La Belle Cousine” Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot (Napa Valley, CA)
- Chateau Lynch-Bages (Pauillac, Bourdeaux France)
- Pauillac & Margaux district (Bordeaux, France)
- Graves & Medoc (Bordeaux, France)
- other districts with high classification: Saint-Estephe, Saint Julien, Listrac, Moulis (Bordeaux, France)
Merlot
- Chateau Petrus (Pomerol, France) **most expensive Merlot $$$$
- Swanson Merlot (Oakville, Napa Valley, CA)
- Leonetti Merlot (Walla Walla, WA)
- Ferrero Merlot Maremma Toscana “Me” (Tuscany, Italy)
- best are from Saint Emilion & Pomerol (Bordeaux, France)
Pinot Noir
- Saintsbury Brown Ranch Pinot Noir (Carneros, CA)
- Patz & Hall Hyde Vineyard Pinot Noir (Carneros, CA)
- Domaine Serene “Evenstad Reserve” Pinot Noir (Williamette Valley, OR)
- Faiveley, Les Cazetiers, Gevrey-Chamberrin (Burgundy, France)
- search for Pinot Noir from the Cote de Nuits (Burgundy, France)
Syrah
- Spice Route “Chakalaka” Swartland (South Africa)
- d’Arenberg McLaren Vale “The Dead Arm” Shiraz (Australia)
- Arnot-Roberts, Adler Springs Vineyard Syrah (Mendocino County, CA)
Sangiovese
- Altesino “Montosoli” Brunello di Montalcino (Italy)
- Ruffino Riserva Ducale Oro Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG (Italy)
- Benessere Vineyards Sangiovese (Napa Valley, CA)
- Masciarelli Montepulciano d’Abruzzo (Italy)
Tempranillo
- Bodegas Muga Rioja Torre Muga (Spain)
- Marques de Riscal Rioja Gran Reserva (Spain)
- Viader DARE Tempranillo (Napa Valley, CA)
- Tandem Ars Nova Navarra Tempranillo-Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot (Spain)
Zinfandel
- Storybook Mountain Vineyard Estate Mayacamas Range Zinfandel (Napa Valley, CA)
- Ravenswood Zinfandel (Sonoma County, CA)
- Rosenblum Cellars Monte Rosso Vineyard Reserv Zinfandel (Sonoma Valley, CA)
Malbec
- Achaval Ferrer “Finca Bella Vista” Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina)
- Antigal “1” Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina)
- Ladera Vineyard Malbec (Napa Valley, CA)
This list taken from the book “The Everything Guide to Wine” by Peter Alig.