Gaja is never a bad choice.

I had a 1967 Gaja at this little place. The som didn't even know he had it, it was buried in the cellar from before he got there 10 years ago.

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Oh, shit, three winery pickup parties today. Might be taxi time.

 

Whenever you are asking for their advice ask them if they have had any courses, certification, etc. Ask them if they are allowed to take inventory home to sample.

Typically, most have not had any training, and only recommend what is popular, or has a abundance of inventory. They'll offer you some KJ, Berringer, name brand item, ugh!

As a former wine shop manager. I would ask my clients a few questions to gauge their wine experience. I would always recommend based on their wine IQ, and experience. If they were a novice I would put them on a smooth pinot or pair them with whatever food was being served. If they were a vet, i would get them a red to chew on. Most of the time the vets already have a few table wines they stick with for food, and are just wanting something new to try.

I had a big advantage because I was able to take a few bottles home each week to ensure my suggestions were not BS.

In general most bottles under $20 bucks are made to drink tonight. Over $20 bucks is tough to gauge.

I have been out of the business for over 10 years, and due to raising kids, do not drink as much wine. I also do not get all the free samples to keep up with newer wineries or the current best choices.

I now just wing it and try about anything in $10-$20 range. I do not buy a second bottle till after I have tried it once. I open my bottle, check out the color and go from there. If it is purple. it gets decanted, if it has good color, i will sample a small glass, and if it is good to go just cork it. The in betweens will get aerated as needed.

Wine is fun, and your first bottle of any is kind of a fun mystery. When I buy a bottle as a gift, I almost always have had it the week before, and will give my friends the heads up on how long to let it breathe, decant, lay down, etc.

 

I'm not sure what constitutes Cal-stupid or Chablis-nice My favorite Chardonnays are the 2013 Cakebread Cellars and the 2012 Jordan.

 

lol Just meant the dairy farm/oak woodland variant or something that actually let's the fruit show through.

 

We're trying this one after dinner tonight. Not bad. Very fruity.

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2010 Foley Two Sisters Pinot while we're prepping dinner.

 

2011 Romanee Conti tonight.

 

Nice. Wish I was there to join you

 

Kelly, if you can find a Sonoma coastal or Russian River Valley Kistler (there are many Kistler Chards), that is within your price range you'll be fine.
I love Aubert also.
These may be a bit harder to find or accept pricewise, but are good for what you describe.
I do not think all Cali wines begin and end in Napa-Sonoma, far from it, but those two wines, along with maybe Littorai, are very dependable choices given your criteria.
And, as far as Shifter's DRC, all I can say is I will have to make that happen before too long.
No surprise the French Laundry thieves went for it first.