"DaleW" > wrote in message
ups.com...
>A lot depends on palate of your group. If big fruit is paramount, then
> maybe CA. If not, maybe Burgundy. Oregon is kind of in between.
>
> Burgundy
> If you decide to go with Beaune, the Jadot's 1ers are usually good
> values. The Ursules probably top $40 (as does Drouhin's baby Jesus and
> Lafarge's Greves) , but the Boucherottes, Couacheaux, etc are $30 or
> so. Usually more forward.
> Outside Beaune, Pavelot's Savigny 1ers are another set that drink well
> young.
> You might try Bourgogne rouge from deVillaine, Lafarge, Roumier,
> Barthod. Santenay from Denis Clair, Joblot's Givry.
>
> It's tough to recommend not knowing availability in your market. You
> might look at a good wine store for Burgundy recommendations from 2000.
> Uneven vintage, but some very good early drinking wines. 2003 drinks
> early too, but quality is even more uneven.
>
> Oregon
> Others probably have more knowledge here, but I like the wines of DDO,
> Belle Pente & St Innocent. I also liked J. Christopher recently. My
> impression is that 2003 is a more forward vintage, but little to base
> that on.
>
> California
> I like Copain, Saintsbury, Arcadian, Littorai. But latter two are
> probably now mostly over $40. The 05 Copain Autumn bottling is fine for
> $20, if you don't split with someone. Walter Hansel makes some nice
> early drinkers. Kosta Brown USED to be under $40, but scores have sent
> it to stratosphere. Some Siduris and Lorings are under $40, in the big
> fruit style.
>
> Hard to be more specific without knowing what you can buy.
>
> Professor wrote:
>> Our wine group meets this Saturday. This month's theme is Pinot Noir.
>> We
>> get around the $20 or less rule by having two people share the expense of
>> a
>> bottle costing twice the price. What $40 Pinot Noir would most impress
>> our
>> group? I was thinking of picking up something from Beaune, but wanted
>> more
>> input. Any ideas? Thanks!

We reside in the Boston area so it seem like we pay a little less than the
rest of the US for European wines but a little more for wines coming from
the west coast. Thanks for everyone's response. I've cut and pasted
everyone's recommendations onto one page which I'll take with me when
shopping. I'll let you know which one I buy, which wine our group likes
best and all the other wines too. Cheers.