klezman wrote:I'm down for that :-) I've heard of these Leoville-Barton characters and would like to try some one of these days. I just don't understand why you'd molest a perfectly excellent-sounding steak by melting cheese on it. Maybe a sherry or port mushroom sauce...but cheese??

Not big on mushrooms or I'd be having a steak with them, agreed. I do very much like red bell peppers though, hence my looking forward to the above.

Speaking of Invino.... 1985 Napa Rutherford Hill Cab for $19.

If you've never had aged cab, this might be a good one to take a cheap flyer on.


Just remember that bottles this old generally reek of bottle boquet when first opened and will need 10-30 min to come into their own.

cmaldoon wrote:But I promise to Lab rat so everyone can enjoy.

If I like it and buy more I'll share it with you if you ever come up for a bay area event... If it's far enough down the line I'll open an 06 corison and 06 leoville Barton to compare.

infanticide!!!!!!!!

klezman wrote:I'm down for that :-) I've heard of these Leoville-Barton characters and would like to try some one of these days. I just don't understand why you'd molest a perfectly excellent-sounding steak by melting cheese on it. Maybe a sherry or port mushroom sauce...but cheese??

High quality gorgonzola on steak? Yum! Gorgonzola makes everything taste better.

gcdyersb wrote:High quality gorgonzola on steak? Yum! Gorgonzola makes everything taste better.

I'm not so keen on Gorgonzola with chocolate bunnies

Could anyone comment on the William Harrison Rutherford Red 2006 on Invino?

I'm very tempted...

rlmanzo wrote:Could anyone comment on the William Harrison Rutherford Red 2006 on Invino?

I'm very tempted...

As promised:
Pop and pour (unfortunately)

Color - light was poor but looks like a deep garnet ruby color

Nose - black cherries with a touch of red currant. Floral honeysuckle leads into a pure vanilla oak. 

Palate - black cherry with bracing acidity leading into notes of cedar. Rutherford dusty (now I know!) minerality and a hint of strawberry(??)  (there is more than this but that's all I can describe)

Feel - medium body, far from surpy. It has 14.5 alc. But does not seem like it. Finishes into light dusty tannins and a decent length finish. 

This wine was also obviously getting better as the night progressed. My last sip wowwed me with hints of cumin, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

I bought 4 more bottles and plan to hold for 5 years to let the tannin resolve some.

richardhod wrote:infanticide!!!!!!!!

Don't get your knickers in a bunch Richard. I said down the line. I'm thinking 2018. These should be past adolescence by then.

Can anyone comment on the WTSO deal this morning for Gundlach Bundschu Winery Vintage Reserve Estate Vineyard Sonoma Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2006?

Thinking of buying two but hoping for some additional input

cmaldoon wrote:Don't get your knickers in a bunch Richard. I said down the line. I'm thinking 2018. These should be past adolescence by then.

lol phew!

angryprez wrote:Can anyone comment on the WTSO deal this morning for Gundlach Bundschu Winery Vintage Reserve Estate Vineyard Sonoma Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2006?

Thinking of buying two but hoping for some additional input

it was my favourite of GB's wines, but I declined to buy the ordinary CS @ $40 at the winery. IS the reserve (more concentrated? More Napa-y?) worth its 2x list price?, now $40 @ 50% off.

HEre's comparative stats descriptions for the [http://www.gunbun.com/cab]08 Cab[/url] and Reserve Cab for you all to choose.

rlmanzo: (editing)
The Harrison would be good, but I got it for $30 and others got it for @20 at invino! I'm unsure why they've put that price up.

Looks like a tossup between the two if you want a $40 cab

Edit again: rlmanzo I was responding to your message, but saving post space... Might be confusing people here though

So....would you recommend the GB 2006 reserve for $40 or the William Harrison reserve red for $40?

richardhod wrote:it was my favourite of GB's wines, but I declined to buy the ordinary CS @ $40 at the winery. IS the reserve (more concentrated? More Napa-y?) worth its 2x list price?, now $40 @ 50% off.

HEre's comparative stats descriptions for the [http://www.gunbun.com/cab]08 Cab[/url] and Reserve Cab for you all to choose.

The Harrison would be good, but I got it for $30 and others got it for @20 at invino! I'm unsure why they've put that price up.

Looks like a tossup between the two if you wat a $40 cab

Thanks for your attention to my questions.

Unfortunately the edit function of this board makes me look like an i-d-i-o-t for asking my question "after" your response!!

Thanks again Richard. Cheerio..

rlmanzo: (editing)
The Harrison would be good, but I got it for $30 and others got it for @20 at invino! I'm unsure why they've put that price up.

Looks like a tossup between the two if you want a $40 cab[/quote]

Looks the the $20 was for the cabernet, not the "Reserve Red"..

Thanks.

rlmanzo wrote:rlmanzo: (editing)

Looks the the $20 was for the cabernet, not the "Reserve Red"..

Thanks.

Ah, I see you're right.. I got the Cab. Both Rutherford: I wonder how different they are! Edit I don't see overwhelming amazing positivity for the Rutherford Red in CT, but i suspect this is as good a price as you'll get if you want to try to improve on the cab.

Thanks for the input and discussion -- I was actually considering the Harrison too -- maybe I just need to buy two of each!

richardhod wrote:it was my favourite of GB's wines, but I declined to buy the ordinary CS @ $40 at the winery. IS the reserve (more concentrated? More Napa-y?) worth its 2x list price?, now $40 @ 50% off.

HEre's comparative stats descriptions for the [http://www.gunbun.com/cab]08 Cab[/url] and Reserve Cab for you all to choose.

rlmanzo: (editing)
The Harrison would be good, but I got it for $30 and others got it for @20 at invino! I'm unsure why they've put that price up.

Looks like a tossup between the two if you want a $40 cab

Edit again: rlmanzo I was responding to your message, but saving post space... Might be confusing people here though

Richard, Invino had the william harrison cab up a while ago for $30, this is their flagship bordeaux blend which I have not seen before on invino

-edit... that's what I get for not reading the whole thread first, someone already corrected you.

Additionally - The Rutherford red brought one other wine to mind: Juslyn Spring Mountain Cab

cmaldoon wrote:Not big on mushrooms or I'd be having a steak with them, agreed. I do very much like red bell peppers though, hence my looking forward to the above.

Just giving you a hard time because it's fun I guess I'm just a bit of a purist at heart when it comes to steak. e.g. I think horseradish on prime rib is the worst idea ever - not helped by my general dislike of horseradish in the first place.

cmaldoon wrote:Richard, Invino had the william harrison cab up a while ago for $30, this is their flagship bordeaux blend which I have not seen before on invino

-edit... that's what I get for not reading the whole thread first, someone already corrected you.

Additionally - The Rutherford red brought one other wine to mind: Juslyn Spring Mountain Cab

np. Incidentally, anyone know if there is a difference between WM Harrison's Estate bottled Napa Cab we got on invino, and a Reserve Estate Napa Cab (both Rutherford) which CT has as separate?

richardhod wrote:np. Incidentally, anyone know if there is a difference between WM Harrison's Estate bottled Napa Cab we got on invino, and a Reserve Estate Napa Cab (both Rutherford) which CT has as separate?

Think this is the one on CT that corresponds to the Invino deal-- http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=821407

richardhod wrote:np. Incidentally, anyone know if there is a difference between WM Harrison's Estate bottled Napa Cab we got on invino, and a Reserve Estate Napa Cab (both Rutherford) which CT has as separate?

After doing a web search, I found that cellartracker is the only site that references a reserve cab from WH. I think someone put in a screwy reference and many have followed. At least one of the reserve reviews specifically states the name and it does not include "reserve"

cmaldoon wrote:After doing a web search, I found that cellartracker is the only site that references a reserve cab from WH. I think someone put in a screwy reference and many have followed. At least one of the reserve reviews specifically states the name and it does not include "reserve"

that's my tentative conclusion too. the label is from 01 on the "reserve" one. I suspect they're the same wine. This happens a lot in CT

For existing Invino members, you are probably already aware of the promo going on this month, whereby they will donate 10% of sales to a charity of your choice. If you don't have a charity in mind, and you decide to buy anything from that site, please consider a donation to my favorite outdoor free summer Shakespeare festival by entering the code uncork_sdp2012 in the cart. If you're not already an Invino member, and would like to sign up (it's free), please consider using this handy signup link.
Full disclosure: I'm a member of the Board of Directors for Shakespeare in Delaware Park (Buffalo, NY) as is bahwm, and we put in a fair amount of time and effort to keep it alive and running (and free). It is a registered 501(c)3 corporation.
The signup link above, unlike the standard one that gives me a credit, makes sure your purchase gets credited to the charity, and gets you a free bonus bottle.

Speaking of Invino . . .

They have 2008 Robert Mondavi Winery Pinot Noir Solaire for $14.99/bottle, free shipping on a case.

CT reviews:

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=798498

Seems like an OK deal, although it was never an expensive wine to begin with.

What's intriguing is this is supposed to be Robert Mondavi's last pet project.

In the 1990's Mondavi planted the Bianchi Bench Vineyard in Santa Lucia Highlands, where they grow Pinot & Chard. This is the first bottling of the Pinot.

Anyone tried this before? Thoughts?

Got this today from Invino:

I see in your order you have (1) bottle of the 1987 and (1) of the 1989. I'd be happy to offer you replacement bottles from the following options, all wines in prime condition. Because the Corison wines are some of our top-valued Cellar Collection wines, I'd be happy to offer you (3) of the following wines as a replacement.

Replacement Options:
1981 Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
1986 Hess Collection Cabernet Sauvignon -90pts Wine Spectator
1991 Kenwood Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon - 90pts, Wine Enthusiast
1983 Kenwood Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon - 92pts Wine Spectator

I would appreciate anyone's input on whether or not I should take the substitutes. Thanks.

jmdavidson wrote:Got this today from Invino:

I see in your order you have (1) bottle of the 1987 and (1) of the 1989. I'd be happy to offer you replacement bottles from the following options, all wines in prime condition. Because the Corison wines are some of our top-valued Cellar Collection wines, I'd be happy to offer you (3) of the following wines as a replacement.

Replacement Options:
1981 Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
1986 Hess Collection Cabernet Sauvignon -90pts Wine Spectator
1991 Kenwood Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon - 90pts, Wine Enthusiast
1983 Kenwood Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon - 92pts Wine Spectator

I would appreciate anyone's input on whether or not I should take the substitutes. Thanks.

What were your original wines? I'd not take any of those, but I do't know those other wines, and much older than 89 is IMO much riskier.

safeway (DC area) is having another one of their 30% off wine sale, and addition 10% off 6+ bottles...

anyone knows of any good deals? i'm itching to pull the trigger on the nice selection of bubbly in the georgetown location...

richardhod wrote:What were your original wines? I'd not take any of those, but I do't know those other wines, and much older than 89 is IMO much riskier.

They were CORISON cab's (87 and 89).

jmdavidson wrote:They were CORISON cab's (87 and 89).

Nah. imo. What happened? They ran out?

richardhod wrote:Nah. imo. What happened? They ran out?

No specific reason given. My guess is that they realized they were underpriced ($60, $45) or maybe even someone kept them for theselves. No proof...just sayin'.

jmdavidson wrote:No specific reason given. My guess is that they realized they were underpriced or maybe even someone kept them for theselves. No proof...just sayin'.

You can demand a cc refund if they do not provide what you contracted. However, customer services seem more than keen to do a swap, and I got a good deal as a result. Just ask for the refund. They may make anohter offer, and if you don't like their suggestions, think of another wine they have offered which you might want and they will likely also give you a $10 credit per bottle on top. They seem to be very keen on sending wine rather than refunds, so you may be able to get a better deal. decide what you want and stick to it!

Ask rpm or others in the Pub about the Kenwoods, they may be classics for all I know.

jmdavidson wrote:
I would appreciate anyone's input on whether or not I should take the substitutes. Thanks.

Did you have an issue with your order? The last time those were up was right before the new year.

I have been quite happy with their service and quality all around. The'll make it good. Perhaps see if you can in fact get what you ordered anyway (even if they have to go ask Cathy for a couple more)

cmaldoon wrote:Did you have an issue with your order? The last time those were up was right before the new year.

I have been quite happy with their service and quality all around. The'll make it good. Perhaps see if you can in fact get what you ordered anyway (even if they have to go ask Cathy for a couple more)

I ordered the 1987 and 1989 Corison Cabs from the Year End Sale. I thought all was well, until today. Almost 3 weeks after I thought I bought them, now they tell me they have no more. Instead they are offering a substitute. As far as I am concerned, there is no substitute for Corison.

I don't know about them asking Cathy for more. I got the impression Invino bought them from a private stock.

jmdavidson wrote:I ordered the 1987 and 1989 Corison Cabs from the Year End Sale. I thought all was well, until today. Almost 3 weeks after I thought I bought them, now they tell me they have no more. Instead they are offering a substitute. As far as I am concerned, there is no substitute for Corison.

I don't know about them asking Cathy for more. I got the impression Invino bought them from a private stock.

I can almost guarantee that's what happened. And I would ask for a refund for the wine and a credit for the BS.

kylemittskus wrote:I can almost guarantee that's what happened. And I would ask for a refund for the wine and a credit for the BS.

Their last email said they were working on it. Guess I'll find out tomorrow.

jmdavidson wrote:I ordered the 1987 and 1989 Corison Cabs from the Year End Sale. I thought all was well, until today. Almost 3 weeks after I thought I bought them, now they tell me they have no more. Instead they are offering a substitute. As far as I am concerned, there is no substitute for Corison.

I don't know about them asking Cathy for more. I got the impression Invino bought them from a private stock.

Probably someone from the Invino staff slipped into the warehouse and drank up all the Corison Who could resist?

The wine.woot off slowed down, and I spied this deal at WTSO:



Bodegas Ondarre Reserva Rioja 2004 #58 Top 100 Wines 2010. Good CT reviews too.

$11.49/bottle, had to jump in for an aged Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo (not familiar with this grape?) blend!!

I love good aged Tempranillo

bsevern wrote:The wine.woot off slowed down, and I spied this deal at WTSO:



Bodegas Ondarre Reserva Rioja 2004 #58 Top 100 Wines 2010. Good CT reviews too.

$11.49/bottle, had to jump in for an aged Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo (not familiar with this grape?) blend!!

I love good aged Tempranillo

It's decent, not a Friday wine but certainly drinkable

And a deal at 11.50 shipped

anyone with any comments on the 1983 kenwood on invino?
trying to locate a good birth year bottle for my sister's birthday in april...

sukeiasa wrote:anyone with any comments on the 1983 kenwood on invino?
trying to locate a good birth year bottle for my sister's birthday in april...

Try sending RPM a PM. He'll probably know.