2013 Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon Cold Creek Vineyard – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley (11/9/2018)
Day 1: After the disappointment of the first bottle (89 not really that disappointed) I decided to try another since they are $20 locally. Better bottle out of the gate. The great fruits of Washington emerge with Bing cherry, plum and blackberries. On the palate spices, oak, vanilla and floral notes. Very concentrated wine and flavorful. Just the slightest hint of heat on this wine. 91 points
Day 2: Very similar to day 1 with a little more spice showing on the palate. Picking up some cinnamon. The slightest heat from day 1 has dissipated. Finish is medium plus and this wine is packed with nice fruit. 91 points (91 points)
12 bottles left
$19.99
2014 Marietta Cellars Christo – USA, California, Sonoma County (11/6/2018)
Day 1: First pour was tight but the second opened up some really nice fruit, spices, red licorice, pepper and violets. Medium plus finish. Great value for $21. 90 points
Day 2: This wine seems to do better with time. Nice bramble quality with licorice, spices, white pepper and violets. Medium plus and good acidity. This is a stealer wine for the money. 91 points
Day 3: Very similar to day 2. A little more spice on the palate but equally satisfying. 91 points
Recommendation: This wine will go for another 5 plus years. The price point is outstanding! Buy. (91 points)
2 bottles left, your welcome
$18.99
2015 Landmark Chardonnay Overlook – USA, California, Sonoma County (5/10/2018)
Day 1: Warmed up for 10 minutes in the glass. Oak, shells, lemon, spice and citrus fruits. Short to medium finish. Nice use of oak and enjoyable. Better than most at $15. 88 points
Day 2: A different experience on day 2. More Chablis like. Shells, lemon, subtle oak, saline and minerals. Not a over the top Cali effort that you seen often from Napa. While not a long finish with concentration the acidity is present. Just a great Chardonnay for the money. While be excited to see transformatoin on day 3. 90 points
Day 3: Still drinking really well. Similar to day 2 with a bit more saline quality. I have always enjoyed the Overlook from Landmark and is one of the better Chardonnay values in the world. 90 points
Recommendation: I would age these for a few years or drink on day 2 and 3 as it is more attractive. (90 points)
2 bottles left
$14.99
2014 Cambria Chardonnay Bench Break – USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley (11/11/2018)
Day 1: Subtle oak, lemon, spice, dust and chalk. Short to medium finish. Lacks some acidity. Decant value wine. Solid B. 85 points
Day 2: An Amazing value! Integrated oak, vanilla, chalk, flint and match stick. While I wish for more fruit there is some subtle lemon and sour apple on the finish. A little better on day 2. 86 points (86 points)
10 left
$9.99
For those who like sweeter style wines over $30 at 15.5% alcohol
2017 Orin Swift Zinfandel 8 Years in the Desert – USA, California (10/11/2018)
Hennepin Lake Tasting 2018; 10/11/2018-10/14/2018 (Minneapolis, MN): Terrible wine. One of the worst wines of the year candidate. If you are into Orin Swift wines you slam them and don’t smell and move the wine in your mouth. Overripe fruit and not acidity. I am not sure how a pro critic could give this above an 85. I will take over for you if you did. (82 points)
12 bottles
$29.99
Thanks for the heads up. Will stop by today as I loved cold creek
I remember the good old days at their St. Paul location on the closeout deals.
Gary yes those were the good old days and the best pricing on wine in the US. Tim make sure you grab a few cold creeks as I am going to be back on Wednesday.
The Cambria sounds good for the money. I like less oak on my Chardonnaays.