What is a great red wine that I can take to a party? It is a party where people vote on the wines without knowing what they are and if you win you get to take home an unopened bottle of everything that people brought for the contest.

The Robert Mondavi Bourbon Barrel-Aged Cabernet Sauvignon will differentiate itself from other wines. Regular cabs IMO mostly taste the same. The bourbon taste this one has is very different.

Tons of possibilities. Price Range?
L'Ecole Frenchtown Red - Washington
Browne Family Heritage Cabernet - Washington (if you can find it?....good value
Vibo Centenario Red - Chile
Chateau Les Trois Croix - Inexpensive Red Bordeaux

Thunderbird or Cisco are my gotos

We are going to need to know your budget first.

I'm not a wine expert by any measure, but I had this over thanksgiving staying with family and enjoyed it a lot.

http://www.kenswineguide.com/wine_review/Yalumba-2011-The-Tri-Centenary-Grenache

Budget is about $35 a bottle since I have to buy 2.

This is a solid choice. Available at Kroger and HEB

Numanthia "Termes" is always a crowd pleaser. Dominio de Pingus "PSI" is another one worth seeking out. El Nido "Clio" is really good, but it's about $45. If you go with one of these Spanish reds or another one in this price range, you should be good. These are going to be more fruit forward wines, and they'll be clean but with some complexity. That's what will usually win a tasting contest like this.

HTownAg98 said:

---

. These are going to be more fruit forward wines, and they'll be clean but with some complexity. That's what will usually win a tasting contest like this.

---

Agreed. A Cabernet will rarely win this type of contest. A little sweetness is always a crowd pleaser.

If this party hasn't happened yet, I suggest going with a good Tempranillo as those wines have remained a good value. Look for wines from Emilio Moro. Those are really good value wines that can be found in your price range.

If you want something that will stand out from the normal reds, try an amarone. $35 is a little on the low side for amarone, but you can probably find one. Will seem like an absolute explosion of flavor compared to similarly priced other reds. A ripasso will be similar, and a little cheaper, but likely a little harsher and more acidic than an amarone.

If you want to go Cabernet, you'll generally get more bang for your buck with a Paso Robles wine over a similarly priced one from Napa or Washington.

BlueGray blend from Priorat will do well in a comp like this. Very good juice for around $15. If blends are allowed.

I second this one, also the rec of using a non-cab (Tempranillo, garnacha, etc.)

I would take Molly Dooker Two Left Feet because it is my favorite and is distinct.
Along the Spanish wine thought, recent tly tried a bottle of the Locations E red (Spain) and it was really pretty nice.

Will there be food served? If so consider something that will be a compliment. Example would be a Sangiovese grape such as a Chianti is a tomato or acidic food is served. Hard to wrong with a Pinot Noir from the Wilminette Valley in Oregon.

I wouldn't do Chianti unless I was certain everyone was going to be eating and drinking at the same time, I think it'd get lost in the mix. Williamette Valley Pinot Noir can be good option.

I'm interested to know if this has happened already and if so, what was the result?

L'ecole owner is an Ag - was at TAMU with my brother (c/o '80)

Coppola Claret is a solid $17ish bottle that got raves in a similar situation for us.

That's awesome! Honestly had no clue. Easily one of my favorite domestic producers.

+1 on the Bodega El Nido "Clio" and the recommendation of a red blend.

The Ferguson family from Walla Walla founded L'Ecole 41 a long time ago, and their grandkids run it today. Are you sure the owner is an Aggie? You might be thinking about Rollin Soles? He is in the Williamette Valley, not WW.

Justin Vineyards Cabernet - if splurging, buy the Isoceles.

Faithful Hound from South Africa. There's a hint of cherry in there.

HTownAg98 said:

---

Numanthia "Termes" is always a crowd pleaser. Dominio de Pingus "PSI" is another one worth seeking out. El Nido "Clio" is really good, but it's about $45. If you go with one of these Spanish reds or another one in this price range, you should be good. These are going to be more fruit forward wines, and they'll be clean but with some complexity. That's what will usually win a tasting contest like this.

---

Just added some El Nido Clio 2015 to a wine locker at $54/bottle through Republic. I'd buy some for the home cellar if I came across it. Solid recommendation for a mixed crowd tasting.

John Francis Donaghy said:

---

If you want to go Cabernet, you'll generally get more bang for your buck with a Paso Robles wine over a similarly priced one from Napa or Washington.

---

This is also good advice. I love the Law Estates Audacious and I'm sure there are similar blends closer to your price point. I'd suggest one that is highest in Grenache with Cab being the second highest varietal of the blend.

Marty. Clubb (Aggie) is married to a Ferguson and lives in walla walla. He's chairman of the board.

I didn't know that. I love their wines and that just makes it better.

Stagecoach said:

---

John Francis Donaghy said:

---

If you want to go Cabernet, you'll generally get more bang for your buck with a Paso Robles wine over a similarly priced one from Napa or Washington.

---

This is also good advice. I love the Law Estates Audacious and I'm sure there are similar blends closer to your price point. I'd suggest one that is highest in Grenache with Cab being the second highest ingredient of the blend.

---

Audacious is about twice his budget. But I do like Law. A lot.

2nd on Robert mondavi bourban wine. Another good one is swine called iter but can only get it at total wine.

Way late for the suggestion, but The Federalist Zinfandel is an awesome wine. Aged in Bourbon barrels.

Need to visit this page more often.

LondonAg89 said:

---

L'ecole owner is an Ag - was at TAMU with my brother (c/o '80)

---

I haven't had a drink in 17 years but I still remember a L'ecole and a Caymus I had in 99.

Caymus (I'm guessing out of price range for a party)

Others I'd consider bringing to a party:

Archaval Ferrar - Cab or Malbec
Stag's Leap Artemis
Joel Gott Cab (really cheap at total wine)
Marietta Old Vine Red

If you want cheap and abundant, Columbia Crest is a decent one.

PlanoAg98 said:

---

The Robert Mondavi Bourbon Barrel-Aged Cabernet Sauvignon will differentiate itself from other wines. Regular cabs IMO mostly taste the same. The bourbon taste this one has is very different.

---

Bought this wine before Christmas, very distinct difference than other Cabs. Looking to get a few more bottles at TW soon, good price too.