A Sommelier's Secret Tips for Finding the Best Deals on Wine Katie Kelly Bell Contributor | Travel 3/10/2016 @ 12:09PM 1,402 views Greg Van Wagner is the wine director for two of Aspen, Colorado’s landmark restaurants: Jimmy’s and Jimmy’s Bodega. As is the case with most sommeliers, Greg spends the better part of his day tasting and he’s learned a thing or two about value in wine. In Van Wagner’s opinion a little detective work can sleuth out a terrific wine for a lot less than the thousands many collector’s are paying. “It’s very easy to spend thousands on the world’s top wines, but for those of us not waiting for our tech IPO to come out, shoulder vintages and wines that over‐achieve for the price are a good bet.” According to Van Wagner, a shoulder vintage refers to a vintage year that “may have been great but just doesn’t get quite the worldwide acclaim that very great vintages do.” Case in point: the 2004 vintage in Bordeaux. Says Van Wagner, “The 2005 vintage gets all the press, and the ‘04’s are in the shadows. They are great wines but just don’t have the same crazy prices you get with ‘05.” Indeed, some of the 2005 wines command prices that double those of 2004.
Greg Van Wagner of Jimmy’s in Aspen. Courtesy of Jordan Curet/Aspen Daily News Van Wagner also looks to California for shoulder vintage opportunities noting that, “Even the off‐peak vintages in California are never disastrous. For instance, 2011 gets flack for being a cooler vintage but the cooler temperatures created a wine that is good in its own respect. Whereas the 2012’s which were much bigger and richer and more textural.” He considers Bordeaux and California the two best regions to look at when seeking shoulder vintages. Van Wagner has also sorted out, in his many years of tasting, some of the best wines that over‐deliver for the price. He considers them wines that can be opened right this moment, no aging required. His go‐to red is the Charles Krug Napa Valley Cabernet. “They were the very first winery in all of Napa, and they’ve been at it a long time. Every season I try to replace it on my by‐the‐glass list, but nothing else quite drinks like this wine.” Retail, the bottle sells in the $25‐$30 range. Below are a few more wines that Van Wagner believes over‐deliver: Fisher Vineyard Coach Insignia, 1994—This bottling is on the higher end price‐wise, and it has the capacity to age, which is what makes it a great deal. The 1994 is my personal favorite. It still has great fruit, and secondary aromas coming through as it ages.
Eric Texier “Brezeme” Northern Rhone, 2013—This is a 100% Syrah from lesser known village in Northern Rhone. This is a wine for the true Old World wine lovers with its notes of meat, iron, and earth. You’ll also get some green and black olives notes as well. La Spinetta, “Gallina” Barberesco, 2005—This is a more modern producer and the wines are approachable. Even at 15 years old they are stellar; this winemaker is a favorite of mind; the wine is perfumy and aromatic. Baron de Ley Gran Riserva, 2008‐–This is a lovely Tempranillo – and it has been aged for you which makes it easy.