The Auswine Forum

Hi
Sorry for the lack of technicals but what sub $100 French reds must I try? Below are a few I liked:

Pomerol well appreciated in this household. Plenty of decent but not earth shattering options. At the moment it appears we just have Ch. L'Enclos and Ch Nenin in, both IIRC bought on a cross-channel raid across the Channel. CT says I've drunk the following, as I posted a TN for them (there are some dupes due to multiple bottles):
Château Vray Croix de Gay
Château La Croix Taillefer
Château l'Ancestral
Château L'Enclos
Château Gazin L'Hospitalet de Gazin
Château l'Ancestral
Château Moulinet Clos Sainte Anne
Château Mazeyres
Château La Croix de Gay
Château La Pointe
Château La Rose Figeac
Château La Grave a Pomerol Trigant de Boisset
Château la Croix des Moines
Château La Croix de Gay
Clos du Clocher
Château La Croix de Gay
Château de Sales
Château Nenin
Clos René
Château La Fleur Cloquet Pomerol
Clos René
Clos René
Château de Sales
Château Moulinet Clos Sainte Anne
Château de Sales
Château La Croix du Casse
Vieux Château Certan

Outside of that, there's plenty of really good wines, and with great diversity e.g.
- If you love tannins, try Cahors or Madiran
- If you like rich bold reds, dive into Languedoc / Roussillon, plus other areas of South-West France.
- Northern Rhone for leaner, more smoky Syrah, or Southern Rhone for richer wines with Grenache typically at their core, and much closer to their Aussie brethren.
- If you like leafy reds, with a little green-ness being a positive, get some Loire Cab Franc e.g. Chinon, Bourgeuil, St Nicholas de Bourgeuil etc.
- If you like Pinot Noir, sell the house and buy a case (I joke, ever so slightly). If really wanting to explore it, try slightly off the beaten track appellations like Rully, Pommard, or simply buy infrequently and accept the $ hit involved. I've yet to be convinced by Alsace Pinot Noir or Red Sancerre (German a very different matter, with some really good ones).
- Good beaujolais well worth a try, and it can age, but it's something to try before diving deep into. For me Julienas has been a useful village.
- For Bordeaux, value exists (beyond the classed growths though), but it takes a bit more trial and error. I'd lean on a good wine merchant to sniff these out.
- Plenty of natural wines if that's your thing, varying from wonderfully vibrant to funky to merde (shit).

As for under $100, I don't know what's available locally. I will say that I personally find better value away from the big name appellations and away from those 'names' who have a cult following in other regions. Finding the style that appeals to you is where you'll find the best value, and I'd recommend casting a somewhat broad net across multiple regions, to eventually home in on some favourites.

Thank you Ian