The $12 Wine Challenge – Episode #185

February 19, 2007

Wines tasted in this episode:

2003 Di Majo Norante Contado Aglianico
2001 Aries Los Carneros Merlot
Sterling Cabernet Sauvignon Vintner’s Collection
2005 Winner’s Tank Shiraz

Links mentioned in todays episode.

The Introduce Yourself Forum (Remember you have to register before you can post)

Gary Vaynerchuk today looks at $12 wines and sees how much of a value these wines are. Is 12 the new 10? Watch and find out.

122 Responses

February 19, 2007

HomerJ
First. Where is my $10mil?
February 19, 2007

SoCalWino
Nice!
February 19, 2007

Aussie Greg
Top Ten?!?

Not bad for a Major Lurker (not proud of it…)

Small reward for working on President’s Day.
February 19, 2007

Rafaela Giordano
Second!
I haven’t watched yet, but… nevermind…
I’ll do it right now.
Regards.
February 19, 2007

damon
hope london is treating you well. Hope you bring some video back of the trip. I spend a lot of $$ aroung the $17 mark. I think 17 is the new 15.
February 19, 2007

Paul
Do I get $5M for 2nd?
February 19, 2007

Paul
Top 10! How lame!
February 19, 2007

Craig
not 10 mil – 8.3!
February 19, 2007

CHEF
I will settle for 1 Mil…Thank You…

+CHEF
-Whenever someone asks what you’re making for dinner, tell them â€œReservationsâ€â€¦

PS…Thanx Wine Swallower…
February 19, 2007

E-Rock
top 10??
February 19, 2007

FTBoomer
Gary in London, Should be an interesting set of epi’s this week
February 19, 2007

KAHUNA
QOTD- 2004 Hahn Montery Merlot
February 19, 2007

brooklyni
i love digging around in the
February 19, 2007

waibeans
la de da lucky number 13
February 19, 2007

Rob B
2004 Avalon Napa Valley Cab
February 19, 2007

Adam B
39 days so far this year. $12, hmmm. . . I had a glass of Domaine Tempier Rose at Chez Panisse that was that much. But for a bottle at $12 the best has been a 2004 Champalou Vouvray Cuvee des Fondraux; ripe and delicious with wonderful acidity that kept me coming back.
February 19, 2007

Caren
QOTD- 2005 ZEAL Sauvignon Blanc

newbie here…has there been a show solely on organic wines yet?
February 19, 2007

GottaGoDrink
QOTD- 2004 Las Rocas Vinas Viejas
February 19, 2007

Craig
QOTD – probably either a QupÃ© Syrah (Bien Nacido vineyard) 2003, or a rather inexpensive Juan Gil Jumilla 2004 (both bought at WL, but I’ve been sitting on the QupÃ© for a little while. Anyone had the Jumilla? haven’t seen Gary rate any….
February 19, 2007

CW
QOTD: 2002 Feudi San Gregorio – Greco di Tufo Southern Italian White (fancy that) with great balance. I can’t find it for $12 anymore
February 19, 2007

Craig
oops – take out that QupÃ©, since it was over the $12 in the QOTD. but here’s a link to the Jumilla

http://winelibrary.com/reviewwine.asp?item=7886
February 19, 2007

Coupe 60
I can’t believe that the Bi Majo called you a jerkoff !!!

QOTD: wasa boit under $12, but the 2002 Pumari chard was out of this world …and a screaming value
February 19, 2007

TheDumbPhase
QOTD- ‘05 Joboulet CdR
February 19, 2007

E
$10 million ought to be about 8.3 million euros, yes?

Congratulations on breaking the Aglianico Barrier.
February 19, 2007

mikeyrad
Wow, the Twelve Buck Chuk is so much better than the Two Buck Chuck!
February 19, 2007

Brett Favre
For $12 I like Layer Cake shiraz, even though it was panned elsewhere on winelibrary.com.
February 19, 2007

mbannon
$10 million is the new $8.3 million (did anyone already say that?).

Good show GV! I’m gonna have to check out a couple of those, they sound right tasty.
February 19, 2007

Paul M
QOTD:

Reuscher Haart Piesporter Goldtropfchen Kabinett Riesling 2005 is an amazing riesling value. WL had it for $13 but I found it locally for $12.50 (so almost $12).

To throw one it that is not sold out at WL, Chat Pesquie Les Terrasses. 2004 is a CDR on steroids, great value for $11.
February 19, 2007

Nathan L
QOD: 2005 Alois Lagaeder Pinot Grigio. I actually thought it was better than the Pinot Blanco than WS loved so much
February 19, 2007

GottaGoDrink
Craig #22- I like the ‘04 Juan Gil. Licorice wrapped around the fruit…what I would call candied fruit. The ‘02 and ‘03 were both really good if you can find them, they were released around the same time, but may be gone from the market.
February 19, 2007

Rob M.
“Everything a new world fruit bomb fan is looking for, and it is very delicious”. That is my kind of wine. Good thing a bought a bottle of the Winner’s Tank earlier this am.

Best $12 wine experience in the last 39 days (?)- Trentadue Petit Sirah.
February 19, 2007

thkorent
QOTD:
Los Vascos Chardonnay, 2005. Nothing mind blowing but well worth the money. And delivers a lot more than their Cab, at least from my standpoint.
February 19, 2007

JimVarney01
BARGAINS BARGAINS BARGAINS!!! We like Gary, we like!!

QOTD: Can’t remember the exact price point, but Domaine Grand Veneur CdR. Fantastic QPR, I just have to remember where I got it so I can get more more more!!!
February 19, 2007

Dan
Condesa de Leganza Crianza!

$5.99 at the local Fiesta!

Can’t beat those Spanish values.

Nice ruby color. Nose has black pepper and red fruits. Good midpalate, good finish.

One heck of a deal!

Dan (In Houston)
February 19, 2007

dude
nice show today for us poor college kids
February 19, 2007

OttawaB
Two wines come to mind at under $12 (roughly $15 Canadian dollars)
2005 Les Lieu-dit Les Pouches Saumur at $14 Cdn, really nice Chenin Blanc
2003 Deen De Bortoli Vat 8 Shiraz (I bought 4 or 5 bottles of this 2 years ago at $14.50 Cdn, still have 2 bottles left).
February 19, 2007

Susan
Gary-
$12 Wines –
now
THAT
is in
MY budget!
Wow!
I love value driven
eps!
February 19, 2007

Rob M.
Susan, is that Haiku?
February 19, 2007

Susan
Rob M,
Sorry it’s not Haiku,
it’s Susan Ku!
Ha!
I sorta do my own poetry that
sometimes rhymes.
February 19, 2007

manual
Thanks for this episode. I’m going to steal a little of your thunder and use the three recos at a tasting for friends. They’re always asking me for value ideas. Plus these three seem to have their own unique styles that set them apart. Cool.

QOTD – Odfjell Orzada 2001 Carignan from Chile. I believe it’s a blend of 85% Carignan, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Malbec, 4% Syrah. Plum and leather that kicked butt with a rosemary/garlic encrusted aged New York Strip!
February 19, 2007

John Blue Label
Gary,
QPR heaven. Great to see some vino that would be keeno for el cheapo!
Best 12 bone wine: Wall Cabernet; not as good as 20 rows for $15, but 3 bones less.

JW
February 19, 2007

Marc Mc
Los Rocas Old Vines, great for $12
February 19, 2007

Karen L
2003 Legaris Crianza for $11.99. Got to get me some more!!!!!
February 19, 2007

Dave Canada
QOTD – Hecula out of Spain or Wienert our of Argentina
February 19, 2007

Lynne
Love this episode!
I love good wines for less money!

QOD: In the last 39 I’ve enjoyed:
1) Rocky Creek Zinfandel
2) Bitch Grenache
3) Wall Cabernet
4) 20 Rows Grappler (Found it on sale…it’s usually $14.00)
February 19, 2007

Dominus
QOTD: $12 wine in last 39 days which brings us to January 12?

Let’s see, I’ve had the Hermit Crab and the Wolf Trap based on your recommendations and must say, the Wolf is the “best buy of the year” for me.

Great show.

Cheers!

P.S. There’s a wonderful outdoor venue close to my home where you can take in a play, symphony or concert called Wolf Trap that would do very well to carry it’s namesake.
February 19, 2007

stewart l
Aglianico is pronounced Iyanico in Italy.
QOD Best recent $12 wine was Yalumba 2005 Viognier
February 19, 2007

Dom
Hmmm, no gravatar?
February 19, 2007

Lars
Rocky Creek would be it for me. Tasty.
February 19, 2007

Wil Neverspit
You fixed it CHEF! Thank you!

Thanks Gary, …loved the SUCK-ASS-FRUIT comment.
39 days must be how long since the Jets were elimnated???
A sad day for Vayner-Nation.

QOTD: I just tried a 2000 Marques de Riscal Rioja $11.99.
The ‘02 was a Vayner-Pass, but I wanted to try a Rioja anyway. I was inspired after ep-180.
I really liked it, maybe 2000 was a better year than the 2002???

Lastly, CHRIS S, I think the Sterling was a 2004. I saw it on the bottle when Erik zoomed in. Add that to the extremely excellent spreadsheet.
February 19, 2007

Dionysus
Hate to nitpick for my first post but Aglianico is pronounced: “Ahl-yahn-ee-koh”. Also Carmenere is pronounced “Carmenair-uh” not “Carmenair”. Finally Meritage is not pronounced “Mer-it-tahhje” but rather “Merit-edge”. It rhymes with “Heritage”, one of the words it was derived from, the other being: “Merit”.

As for the question of the day: I would say the best twelve dollarish wine I’ve had of late, has to be the 2004 Deen De Bortoli Vat 1 Petite Sirah from Australia. My first Petite Sirah, it was amazing and really turned me on to the grape. Tons of flavor and major Oak Monster!
February 19, 2007

Taco John
“It’s not a very refined fruit bomb.”

I didn’t know bombs could be refined.

QOTD: 39 days? Hmmmm. $12? Hmmmm. I’ve been drinking too much from Trader Joe’s, I don’t know if I’ve had a bottle of wine that cost more that much in a while.

I’ll say the 2004 Las Rocas Grenacha, since it’s the most expensive thing I’ve had in a while.
February 19, 2007

E
And the Contado’s the same price as last year–always a good sign.

QOD: two come to mind right off hand, the 2002 Huards Cour-Cheverny from WL (Romorantin! Extra points for novelty) and the ‘03 A Mano Primitivo I had the other night. Out here it qualifies as a $12 wine, and it was as good as if not better than the Renwood zin I had on Sunday.
February 19, 2007

Neurodoc
Las Rocas Garnacha (Spain) 2002 $6.99 on release.
I’ll have to check out the Aries, sounds great.
February 19, 2007

orie0704
QOTD: 2005 Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc for $10

January $12th, 1969… Jets win Super Bowl III
February 19, 2007

Scruff
QOTD: Forefathers 2001 Shiraz McLaren Vale (bought it by the case on sale before the review came out!)
February 19, 2007

labmat
Great episode! Glad to find out about more wines in my price range. Keep it up.
February 19, 2007

Ken
Hi Gary,

As you know I tried many wines in Boston at the Expo. But as it turns out, few were $12. Here are a couple of unknown whites I reviewed and posted on KensWineGuide.com. 2006 Craftsman Cserszegi Fuszeres from Hungary $9 & 2005 Greenvale Vineyards Vidal Blanc from CT $12. They were both Very Good for $12 or under. Enjoy!
February 19, 2007

TommyBoBo of WI
Not a $12 btl but I did try a Yellow Tail two weeks ago…. just had to. But watching thru the episodes to get caught up, I now know how to identify “fake fruit” taste,,first couple sips was ok then Yikes! ;-(
February 19, 2007

Nathan Day
I don’t know the quesion of the day.. But hey, you should fix the website (whoever) to make the comment and links open in a new window, I usually remember to press apple, but if I don’t it’s a pain. Anyway, I’m drinking Avalon CAB 2004. 7.99. try it on the show sometime.
February 19, 2007

Matt B DC
QOTD: I just picked up a bottle of 2005 bordeaux for $12. If the hype is to be believed, even though it’s a budget wine from a budget winery (Anyone have any info about Chateau Prieure St Laurent?), then it will be the most incredibly wine experience of my life.

Not that I’m expecting the hype to be believable or anything . . .

Nice episode; I hope London is going well!
February 19, 2007

John Blue Label
Gary,
You’ve got college kids watching now. You are changing the wine world!!! Or at least the next generation of wine drinkers.
JW
February 19, 2007

Celia
I ordered the aries and winner’s.
I’ll rewatch this epi after I receive them!
February 19, 2007

K Spengler
Aglianico, that’s a new one for me. That’s what I like about you GV, always giving me something to research. Thanks for the episodes while you’re gone. A day without WLTV is like a day without sunshine…
February 19, 2007

Slick
A great episode. I’m always on the search for elegant, cost effective wines. Thanks as always Gary. As for QOTD it was a nice Italian white – 2005 Castel di Salve Santi Medici Salento Bianco (nice blend of Garganega and Malvasia di Candia). Very yummy. Hope merry ol’ England is treating you well (bitters instead of wine?)
February 19, 2007

sheila
Gruet Blanc de Blanc.
February 19, 2007

Dom
Bodegas Norton malbec 2004 reserve. I picked it up for 10 bucks. Actually, I bought a case. It is fantastic. You should taste that one sometime.
February 19, 2007

awin
Avalon 2004 Cab.
February 19, 2007

ChuckW
Gary, I was at a recent Devils’ Game…and guess what??? You are a huge hit with Devil fans. They were yelling Vay…ner…chuk almost the whole game. Although one of of my buddies said it wasn’t Vay…ner…chuk but it was really Rang…ers…suck.
February 19, 2007

Susan
QOD: 2005 Cavit Pinot Noir – $6.99.
It is smooth, medium-bodied with
good dark fruit integration.
Good for the price point.
February 19, 2007

Denman Dave
Good ep Gary… DeBortoli Petit Syrah $11.99 canuck bones. Rated Best buy Wine Access Awards
http://www.wineaccess.ca/
cheers
February 19, 2007

NathanN
thanks for the $12 ep. Hope next time you try the value show you have better luck with the Cab
QOTD: ‘04 Hijos De Juan Gil Juan Gil $11.99, Razon Valsacro $8.99
February 19, 2007

Martin
2004 Michele Chiarlo Barbera D’Asti ‘Le Orme’
February 19, 2007

Darlene O.
Hey, Gary! Love the episode, as always! Love London! Had a ball there a few years ago, was there with my sibs and their spouses, found a few clubs, went up to Oxford…it’s all good!! QOD: 2005 Red Guitar Navarra Old Vine Tempranillo Garnacha. Great QPR, IMO! Have a ball in London. Find some fun in all that work!
February 19, 2007

dadobs
First, could the maderized flavors of the Sterling been due to it being corked (not that I’m a huge fan of what Sterling’s been doing in the last 5-10 years)? Second, thanks for mentioning Kaesler. I’ve learned again that I’ve been mispronouncing yet another winery’s name (Kees-ler?!). Lastly, QOTD: 2001 Guenoc Petite Syrah that I picked up for $7/bottle. Bought two cases and am starting to run low. For a wine that won several gold medals in major competitions, it was/is a true steal at that price. The Bob’s right that PS is really one of Cali’s (few?) great value grapes.
February 19, 2007

cpd
QOTD: 2003 Ring Bolt Cabernet Sauvignon.
February 20, 2007

chito
Gary, good episode. Love the honesty!!! Wish all professions were like that. Best wines I have had in that price range will vary from Merlots from Wash. state and German rieslings.
Al
February 20, 2007

NY Pete
QOD…in no particular order here we go… spend the extra 2 or 3 bucks on the 2004 Avalon Napa Valley Cab, decant for a hour and you won’t be disappointed at 10.99 a pop… 2003 Prima,aka Baby San Roman, a Spanish treat at 11.99 a pop, the 2004 is a buck more… 2003 Jacobs Creek Reserve Shiraz, a super Aussie value I paid less then $10 a bottle…2005 Di Majo Norante, a Sangiovese steal that can be found for $7, if you can find the 2004, buy it…The 2003 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot is a solid wine for under $10, if you can find the 2001, it’s even better…From Chile, at 10.99 a pop, try the 2004 Cousino Macul Antiguas Reserve Cabernet…
February 20, 2007

flavasauce
Gary, You are “banonkers” surprised nobody else noticed that once again you have made up a hilaree-us word.
QOTD: Bodegas Arrocal
February 20, 2007

SteviefreakinD
QOTD: 2002 Morichetti malbec on your recomendation. Great pick. Needs decanting. Also the Las Rocas old vines garnacha, although it may have been more like 14$.
Have fun in London.
February 20, 2007

dealbhadair
Hey, Gary. Thanks for recording this week’s episodes in advance! I’d already be suffering withdrawls. You should’ve done all of them with a British accent, though, so we could feel like we were really there with you…

Wait a minute… no… no… That’s be a bad idea…

Oh, by the way, The Price is Right would, and could only, sue you if that’d been a good rendition of their song. LOL! But, I did hear from Wrigley about your rip-off of their Orbit Gum ‘TING!’.

Hope you’re enjoying your trip!
February 20, 2007

Snarf
The Sterling Vintner’s Collection is a wine which apparently varies wildly from vintage to vintage. I recall the 2001 was FANTASTIC for about $12…
February 20, 2007

SoCal
G,
$12!!
Got to love it!
We all need more great $12 wines.
Warwick Professor Black Sauvignon Blanc 2006, $9.00 at the winery errrrr wine farm in Stellenbosch.
(ok so I cheated)
February 20, 2007

Justmarsh
QOD:

I loved that Lemelson Cuvee X the best!
February 20, 2007

Ken
Another great episode. All of the wines, with the exception of the Sterling, sound interesting. However, for great wines at less than $10 I have 5 letters: S-P-A-I-N.
QOD: 2003 Altos De Luzon â€“ really delicious stuff for the money. I havenâ€™t had the â€™04 yet but am looking forward to trying it.

Chocolate covered cherry reduction sauce??? What restaurants do you go to?
February 20, 2007

Tom T.
Vasse Felix Adam’s Road Cabernet Sauvignon/ Merlot 2003
February 20, 2007

eugene
Gary,
Yes, inflation is knocking on the door! 12 is new 10 now-20% increase.

This is very sad news since most peopleâ€™s income didnâ€™t go up that much.

QOTD:
MÃ©nÃ©tou-Salon Rouge, Chavet 2004 Red Loire wine, 100% Pinot Noir $12 on sale
Sagelands Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 $11
Muga Blanco 2005 $11
Edmund St. John Syrah $12
February 20, 2007

Ernest
Molise is pronounced phonetically as: Mo-Lees-ay(as in “yay”)
February 20, 2007

JohnP
Another great episode for Sure… And $12 is the Norm now,
you’re right.

QOD Had the Ausi Hermit Crab (#178). It was great, might have had
a little too much Petrol, but great…. couple more bottles to go.
February 20, 2007

E-Rock
Great show. I love it when inexpensive wine show really well.

QOD= Avalon 2004 Napa Valley Cab
February 20, 2007

wop
Hogue genesis merlot 2002 – a great wine for 11.99.
February 20, 2007

Joe Po
QOD: White:Trimbach Pinot Blanc ‘03
Red: Seghesio Sonoma Zin ‘02
No SAF with these:)
Thanks for the episode.
February 20, 2007

TommyBoBo of WI
HEY! FOR ALL YOU VANIACS KNOCKN’ THE GV MAN FOR NOT PRONOUNCING THINGS “EXACTLY” THE WAY HE SHOULD… GO TO http://WWW.WINELOVERSPAGE.COM/LEXICON/ AND MAKE SURE YOU HAVE IT DOWN ALSO!
HE’S GOING TO HAVE A BRITISH ACCENT WHEN HE GETS BACK ANYWAY,,, DOOON’T AH KNOOOO.
February 20, 2007

BoiseBob
Great episode! But sometime try a 2005 Estensia Pinot Grigio. A super white for about $10. This stuff goes with just about anything – escargot, beef, clam chowder, veal. It’s an amazing wine.
February 20, 2007

TommyBoBo of WI
http://www.wineloverspage.com/lexicon

sry
February 20, 2007

Sakas
QOTD – 2002 Voss Syrah Rutherford. The best wine that i have had recently under 12 dollars. tasty
February 20, 2007

eatapc
Ya know, $10 was the low budget “line in the sand” over 25 years ago. That it’s now up only $2 in 25 years is a testament to the almost total lack of inflation in decent wines. (”Collector” wines don’t count.)

I used to have a $30 line in the sand — the line above which I thought of as splurging. Then I lowered it to $25. Now it’s $20.

Overall, I now expect a $20 wine to taste as good as a $30 wine did ten years ago, and $12 wines are certainly the equal of what used to cost $20-25. That’s progress! — Mark B
February 20, 2007

eatapc
BTW, I think Dionysus is wrong about the CARMENERE pronunciation. It’s car-men-YEHR. I was in Chile a few months ago and I didn’t hear anyone — including tour guides at some wineries — pronounce it â€œCarmenair-uh.â€
February 20, 2007

Len C
Top 100 is so lame! Even 100 is too
February 20, 2007

SS Chris
Comment 51: By Wil Neverspit wrote,

“Lastly, CHRIS S, I think the Sterling was a 2004. I saw it on the bottle when Erik zoomed in. Add that to the extremely excellent spreadsheet.”

Wil, thanks for the good words and for the heads up on the vintage (I saw the 2004 on the close-up as well). The WL code is the first item to be entered (actually by WL’s Chris Mott, aka Anti-Chris). At that point the other info (Vintage, Wine Name, Wine Price) auto-populates per the data in Wine Library’s database. Hence, the WL info in the WL database needs to be changed….I will let Chris Mott know so he can fix it.

I then manually enter Gary’s Tasting Notes and rating. Thanks again!!
February 20, 2007

Lawrence Leichtman
Dr. Loosen from 1982 that was originally purchased for $8.99, second the Gruet Blanc de blancs and the Blanc de Noir both under $12. Have not found the Garnacha here in VA but did find it in Houston at Central Market and it was a good buy. Isn’t Sterling ownde by Coca Cola. The only thing I’ve ever found impressive about the place is the tram ride.

I was recently corrected on Meritage pronunciation in Paso Robles by several of the wine pourers.
February 20, 2007

Neal Schmidt
I tasted the Aglianico over two evenings last weekend. I was really looking forward to it. However,I couldn’t get any smell or taste other than dirt, try as I might. There was no cherry, chocolate covered or otherwise. I generally like dry wines with earthy, tobacco like characteristics but this was over the top. How Gary can say this would keep a New World drinker interested is beyond me. I was very disappointed.
February 20, 2007

Joyce
Gary Kiiiiiiiiiiiidd!! I like it!
February 20, 2007

Dionysus
Eatapc: I was unsure how to pronounced Carmenere so I looked it up and found this:

“Carmenair-uh”

Though on further inspection I now find this:

“Car-me-NEAR”

And this:

“Kar-men-YAIR”

I guess its a case of po-tay-toe/po-tat-oh. However, “Carmenair-uh” sounds more Spanish to me.

Being a Canuck: I’m more familiar with French pronunciations than Spanish. It was from the Vay-ner-chuk himself, that I learned how to pronounce [b]Rioja (Reo-ha)[/b] and Tempranillo (Tempra-neo).

In the multinational world of wine, we all need help with our pronunciations from time to time. Certainly nothing to get offend over, right TommyBoBo?

Cheers!
February 20, 2007

Dionysus
Offended rather. I wish this comment section allowed editing of ones posts.
February 21, 2007

ThomasS
Nice ep. Good to taste everyday wines some time.
QOTD: mmm, so that’s 8-9 EUR for me. Maybe the Deetlef’s Pinotage then. 8,99, so, nice QPR. Not overwhelming, but ok. I would have bought some extrra case when I’d had the opp. still. The Bourgeui I’m sipping a know is a zilch in the glass though … pity.
C ya.
February 21, 2007

Badger Ann
QOTD: Quattro Mani Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. A beauty for $8! It really did evolve in the glass, unlike some of the extraction bombs in this price range I’ve had recently.
February 21, 2007

Dave-from-Katonah
Great show, Gary.

No line in the sand for me.

QOTD – Two Up Shiraz, thanks to Gary’s WLTV tip!!
February 21, 2007

Dave-from-Katonah
No avatar?
February 21, 2007

Corrado
QOTD:
White (and overall) is a 100% home-run for 2004 Brancott Sauvignon Blanc. Wonderful $12 wine.
Red: 2004 Concannon Petit Sirah, tasted (and over-rated by a point ) by Gary a bunch of episodes ago. Still an awesome $12 wine. You could DEFINITELY kill someone with the bottle. VERY thick glass.
February 22, 2007

AlanV
QOTD – 2005 Lindemans Bin 50 Cab – $5.99 on the rack, with a $2 rebate down to $3.99 – this may be the best wine value I have ever had.
February 22, 2007

Beth
Just had a glass of Katharine Kennedy for $12…….
February 23, 2007

elron
Once again, enjoyed the show. Nice wines that were enjoyed in last month or so.

Mcwilliams 2003 Shiraz($8)The 2004 was horible
Sharpshooter 2003 Cabernet($15)
Snoqualmie 2000 Reserve Merlot($??)
Columbia Crest 2001 Syrah($9)
February 23, 2007

Bexter
QOTD:
2004 Marchesi di Gresy La Serra Moscato d’Asti
2003 Escudo Rojo
2004 Feudi di San Gregorio Falanghina
2004 Fattoria di Petroio Chianti Classico
2004 Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc
2003 Genesis Merlot
2004 Bogle Petite Sirah
2004 Shoofly Shiraz
2004 Aquinas Cabernet Sauvignon
2004 Las Rocas Vinas Viejas Garnacha
2005 A to Z Pinot Gris
2005 Agricola de Borja Borsao
NV Sumarroca Cava (Brut)
February 24, 2007

ChrisR
Palo Alto Reserve from Chile is the best $12 wine I’ve ever had in my life. I give 93+ and I think that’s being conservative. This is an undiscovered masterpiece.
February 26, 2007

Wendy Elam
i’m a newbie (lurker, i guess?) best $12 bottle…2001 Kunde Estate Zinfandel.
March 1, 2007

SacramentoCharlie
Another month+ lurker has jumped in.

QOTD: I found the Rodney Strong 2003 Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon on sale for $11.99 and have went back for more. 90 WE and It’s an absolute steal at this price.
May 22, 2007

Kelly
I recently bought the Winner’s Tank Shiraz and was very pleased with it, I didn’t find it to be as over-the-top as you did but it still had very strong characteristics.

The best under 12 dollar wine I had recently was the 2006 Oyster Bay Sauvingnon Blanc which rocked my world.
May 26, 2007

Frances
I tasted a sip of my roommate’s glass of the Sterling and liked it a lot. The experience was probably very different than Gary’s because my roommate does not decant or let the wine sit after opening it. We both really like wines with chocolate flavors, and this one tasted like that to me.
September 20, 2009

ulu ulu ulu ulu
QOTD: Domaine la Garrigue Cotes du Rhone
October 27, 2009

John J.
qotd domaine schoffit chasselas

Gary be great to see you tackle a vin jaune on here