I have been a huge fan of WTSO since their inception back in 2006 and the fact they still offer free shipping is amazing. About six months ago they started a monthly series of Premium Wine Club events. These are usually 2 or 3 bottle events that customers can purchase for $99.99 (free shipping of course). Not only do you get the wines in the gift boxes but you also get some nice wine accessories and even sometimes gourmet chocolates to go with the wine. The monthly zoom is run by Marc Supsic who offers a informational but interactive approach to teaching about the wines. Too many just list off facts and don’t allow for any guest discussion but that is not how Marc delivers the Zoom tasting.
One Thursday a month they offer a Zoom Tasting for all the members who purchased the subscription for the month. They have offered some amazing deals headlined by the 2015 Groth Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville) & 2015 Oakville East Cabernet Sauvignon Exposure (USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville) which was only $99.99! Here are my notes from the various events:
- 2019 Raymond Vineyard & Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon District Collection Atlas Peak – USA, California, Napa Valley, Atlas Peak (3/8/2022)
WTSO Recent Wines; 3/1/2022-4/16/2022: Day 1: Getting ready for the WTSO Raymond tasting this Thursday. On initial pour oak overload. Yes that blew off to reveal a much better wine which is wine all young wines need to be decanted. Cherry, oak, vanilla, spices, bitter chocolate and plum. Full bodied effort but dry in style. Still tannic and young. A lot of potential here and a very good value at $50.00. (Natural cork) 90-93 points.
Day 2: No surprise that a young Napa Cabernet is better on day 2. Still showing some oak but the other flavors are more present featuring blueberries, saw dust, cherry, vanilla, bitter chocolate and spices. Medium plus finish and good acidity. Solid wine. 91 points
Day 3: Oak, tannic, cherry, plum, spices, and bitter chocolate. For sure cellar this wine for 3 to 5 years.
Recommendation: You will be rewarded by opening this in 2026 or later. (91 points)
- 2019 Raymond Vineyard & Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon District Collection Yountville – USA, California, Napa Valley, Yountville (3/9/2022)
WTSO Recent Wines; 3/1/2022-4/16/2022: Day 1: Getting ready for the WTSO Raymond Tasting at WTSO. Very nice wine featuring bell peppers, raspberries, graphite, red berries, spice, floral and black licorice. Complex wine and medium plus finish. It is great on a pop and pour and will revisit over 3 days. (Natural cork) 92 points
Day 2: Bell pepper, spice, floral, raspberries, sour cherry, blueberries and floral notes. Certainly not an in your face type Cabernet. Holding to form on day 2. 92 points
Day 3: Less intense on the bell pepper and offers more robust fruit featuring blueberries, cherries and plum. Nice spice and graphite note. Medium plus finish. This is a solid wine. 92+ points
Recommendation: Very good value from WTSO for under $50. (92 points)
- 2015 Groth Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve – USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville (11/17/2022) SOLD OUT!
WTSO Premium Wine Club Event from November 17. $100 for the 2015 Oakville East Exposure and the 2015 Growth Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. Looking forward to Champagne on December 15.
Day 1: Quintessential Napa Valley Cabernet. While this lacks the elegance of the Oakville East it does deliver what many love including me about Napa. Rich wine with blueberries, dark cherry, dark chocolate, spice, oak, vanilla and floral notes. Medium to long finish. A touch of heat. 92+ points
Day 2: Better on day 2 and not surprised. This is a big time wine with plenty of life left in the tank. Cassis, dark chocolate, spice, oak, vanilla, floral and dust. A full flavor wine and long finish. The bit of heat is gone on day 2. This should drink well through 2030. 94 points
Recommendation: This was through the WTSO Premium Wine Club. For $100 you got this wine and the 2015 Oakville East Cabernet for $100 with free shipping. This wine alone is over $100. (94 points)
- 2015 Oakville East Cabernet Sauvignon Exposure – USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville (11/15/2022) SOLD OUT!
WTSO Premium Wine Club Event from November 17. $100 for the 2015 Oakville East Exposure and the 2015 Growth Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. Looking forward to Champagne on December 15.
Day 1: I am not normally a massive fan of Napa, but this is off the charts on a pop and pour. This is wine of the year caliber. Pencil lead, blueberries, minerals, sour cherry, earth, cigar and exotic spices. Long finish! Complex and all Napa wines should taste like this. 96 points
Day 2: Holding up well and offers a very Bordeaux like experience featuring gravel, minerals, sour cherry, cigar, pencil lead and blue currants. Medium plus finish. Super balanced effort. 95 points
Day 3: While still good this truly is a pop and pour and enjoy its awesomeness. Still good on day 3 however. Still shows spice, blue currants, menthol, cigar and earth. 94 points
Recommendation: This is $39.99 at WTSO and might be wine of the year. Just bought a bunch more. (96 points)
- NV Gardet Champagne Brut Réserve – France, Champagne (12/15/2022)
WTSO Premium Monthly Wine Club
Day 1: Elegant. Not as good as the Boizel but good overall. Spice, pie crust, light fruits, stems and lime. Short to medium finish. I find this very light overall. Certainly not bad but not going to pay more than $30. 89 points
Day 2: Similar to day 1 and again not a bad Champagne but not one I would buy again. Lemon, lime, pie crust, mild spice and tropical fruits. Short to medium finish. 88 points
Recommendation: Buy the Boizel from WTSO as it is outstanding. (89 points)
- NV Boizel Champagne Blanc de Blancs – France, Champagne (12/15/2022)
WTSO Premium Monthly Wine Club: Champagne Event
Day 1: Disgorgement date: December 2016. Nice Blanc featuring chalk, saline, citrus, lemon, spice, pear, sour apple and dough notes. Good acidity and this should improve over time. 92+ points
Day 2: Still showing well with citrus, lemon, spice, pear, sour apple, dough, chalk and saline. Good acidity and very refreshing effort. 91 points
Day 3: For sure 3 Day Wine Review not endorsing holding for 3 days. While drinkable not even close to the pop and pour.
Recommendation: This is a very good buy. (92 points)
- 2017 Speri Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Monte Sant’Urbano – Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico (1/19/2023)
WTSO Premium Wine Event: Amarone
Day 1: Pop and pour but not ready. Vinturi time and wow what a difference. Exotic spices, dried herbs, bitter chocolate, rose petals, coffee grounds and minerals. Excellent. 91 points
Day 2: Better than day one. Blackcurrants, roasted coffee beans, plum, spice, dark chocolate, toffee and minerals. Very complex and nice finish. 92 points
Day 3: Holding form on day 3 to the experience of day 2.
Recommendation: I would hold on to these for about 5 years and open one. Nothing wrong on the present but I think these will improve. 92-94 points (92 points)
- 2016 Monte del Frá Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva Scarnocchio – Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico (1/18/2023)
WTSO Premium Monthly Wine Event: Amarone
Day 1: Absolutely stunning out of the gate. Rustic and old school. Tea, funk, dried fruit, smoke, tar, baking chocolate and spice. Super long, concentrated finish. Absolutely fantastic. 93 points
Day 2: Funk, smoke, dark chocolate, spice, tea leaves, dried cherries, scorched earth and tar. Super complex and drinking well young. 93+ points
Day 3: No surprise on day 3 this is still rocking. Still has that nice old school funk along with baking chocolate, scorched earth, spice, raspberries, dried cherry and tar. Super complex wine and will drink well for another decade plus. 94 points
Recommendation: Buy as for around $50 a stellar deal from WTSO. (94 points)
Again to order the monthly subscription go to their Premium Wine Club Page.
Cheers,
John Glas