The Deals Are Here
Blog Archives
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Under $12 Deals: Bookwalter Notebook NV-2 ($9.95)
March 6, 2013
Under $12 Deals 
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I've often written that value-priced Cabernet-based wines from California should generally be avoided. Most of those wines have made their money on the reputation of the grape, not on the quality of what's in the bottle. So, let's say you're looking for a great Cab-based wine and you don't want your hard-earned dollars lining the pockets of some beret wearing Frenchman. Where do you turn? Washington.This particular wine from high-end producer J. Bookwalter is a very interesting blend of both multiple grape varietals and multiple vintages. The goal is consistency from year to year. It contains 18% Syrah, 33% Merlot, 42%, Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% other varieties from the following vintages: 7% 2011, 69% 2010, 7% 2008, 4% 2007, 13% Other. Champagne producers use the exact same
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High-End Values: Two from Anderson’s Conn Valley (94, 95 points)
February 21, 2013
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In July of 2010, my wife and I spent two memorable hours in the cave of Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyard with winemaker Mac Sawyer tasting several wines out of the bottle and several more out of the barrel. The last barrel tasting was the 2009 Reserve Cabernet, which has just been released with a 96+ point score. Read all about our experience here.This past May, we had another cave tasting scheduled with Mac but when we arrived, no one was there. We later found out that he had suddenly passed away a few days earlier. A very sad end to a brilliant winemaker's life, but his legacy lives on in these three wines which achieved some of the highest scores in Sawyer's career.
The 2009 Reserve Cabernet is almost sold out, so I won't write it up other than to say it's a brilliant wine.
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High End Values: 2010 Caymus Is Here and It’s Good!
February 19, 2013
High End Values -
Caymus was one of the first Napa Valley wineries to release their 2010 vintage. Why? Because their wines are so popular they release almost a full year before everyone else. Popularity certainly doesn't always equal quality, so just as I have with the 2007, 2008 and 2009 vintages, I tried the 2010 soon after its release. I've since tasted quite a few 2010s and this one keeps rising to the top.2010 was the first of two difficult growing seasons in California, with low yields, cool temperatures and a late season rainstorm. Despite the difficult season, Caymus managed to do what they're known for - putting out a remarkably consistent and remarkably good wine.
Style is a preference, so if you aren't into the rich, sweet and extracted style Caymus is known for, you won't like this
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High-End Values: Clio is Back ($37.95)
February 14, 2013
High End Values -
Our last Spanish wine sold out within minutes of the post going live, so here is another, albeit a couple of notches up. If I could buy just one under $50 Spanish wine each year, this would be it. It has this exotic element to it that I haven't found in any other wine, and an energy and concentration that's really spectacular.
What makes this so exotic and concentrated? It's made from 70% Monastrell or Mourvedre and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, a unique blend I haven't seen anywhere else. Furthermore, the Monastrell vines are an incredible 70 years old and yield a minuscule 1,500 pounds per acre. As a point of reference, the typical yield in Napa is 6,000-12,000 pounds per acre. Less grapes per vine equals more concentration and flavor. It's that simple.
El Nido Clio
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90+ Bargains: 2010 Volver Tempranillo (ST91, RP90, $12.95)
February 11, 2013
90+ Bargains -
2010 is the third vintage of Volver's Single Vineyard Tempranillo that I've written about on this blog. View previous posts here. CliffsNotes: this wine, year after year, is easily the best value in Spanish Tempranillo, which makes it the best value in Tempranillo.I drink many wines in this price range. Some are good. Some aren't. But none are as polished and decidedly high-end as this. The nose is totally explosive, the wine is ultra concentrated, and the finish lasts for an eternity. How do Rafael Canizares and Jorge Ordonez do it? Simple. They make Volver from vines planted in 1957 and age it in expensive French Oak barrels. And it sells for $13! Crazy isn't it?
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Buy Here: 2010 Volver Single Vineyard Tempranillo $12.95 (Sold Out. We'll let you know when it's available -
High End Values: Top 3 Champagne Deals
February 8, 2013
High End Values -
Valentine's Day is coming up, but I don't need a holiday, a birthday, a Friday or any other special kind of day to drink Champagne. Any old day works for me. So, since today does end in "y", here is a round-up of the best Champagne deals available now.
Piper-Heidsieck Brut ($24.95) - Go to your local wine shop and ask for their best Champagne under $30. They will walk you to the domestic sparkling wine aisle where you can politely tell them "this isn't Champagne". Any Champagne under $30 is pretty much unheard of, so this Wine Spectator 93 point rated sparkler, #84 on the wine of the year list, takes the #1 spot on the list at $25. Buy Here
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Duval-Leroy Brut ($26.95) - I did a full write-up on this Champagne here, but for those -
90+ Bargains: 2010 Domaine la Garrigue Vacqueyras (RP91, $17.95)
February 7, 2013
90+ Bargains -
You're going to start noticing a theme on this blog. Rhone varietals, specifically Grenache and Syrah, are where it's at when it comes to value. I enjoy a fine Napa Cabernet, French Bordeaux, or Italian Barolo as much as anyone, but if I'm picking a wine off a wine list, or for my personal weeknight enjoyment, I pick a Southern Rhone or domestic Syrah every time. Why? It's simple. Value. It's easy to get a fantastic Napa Syrah but it will cost you. Not the case for Rhone varietals - domestic or international.Vacqueyras wines are often called "mini Chateauneuf du Papes" but this is a wine many CdPs should look up to. It's a full-bodied, concentrated and peppery wine that, at the same time, remains somewhat delicate and refined. A base of Grenache with a spot of Syrah
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Under $12 Deal: 2009 Guigal CdR Rogue (IWC90, WA89)
February 5, 2013
Under $12 Deals -
Southern France's Rhone Valley must be the epicenter of wine value. Some would even say it's the epicenter of wine. I can't argue with either and wines like the 3.5 million bottle (!) production 2009 Guigal Cotes du Rhone Rouge, prove at least the first point.We drank this wine during the Super Bowl with delicious ribs and it was the perfect combo. Mostly Syrah and Grenache, this is textbook Southern Rhone with bright, high-toned fruit, nice density and a cutting acid that takes the finish to a nice length. The Guigal family makes Northern Rhone wines that cost several hundred dollars a bottle, including four 100 pointers in the 2009 vintage alone. Their expertise certainly shows through in their value wines as well which include this wine and their white Cotes du Rhone, both of
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Under $12 Deals: 2012 Sherwood Stratum Sauvignon Blanc ($7.99)
February 1, 2013
Under $12 Deals -
When my shipment of wine arrived, it was 10 degrees outside. All the red wine was too cold to drink, so I decided on some Korean food and an $8 Sauvignon Blanc. Yeah, it's not very sexy for a first post under the new format, but I don't think the 2010 Baucastel would show very well at 42 degrees. Plus, I've been drinking more Sauvignon Blanc lately than any other white (could have to do with my newfound oyster obsession), so this seems fitting.I've said many times that I believe New Zealand produces the best Sauvignon Blanc in the world (though France does give the Kiwis a run for their money). That said, something makes this one exceptional: The price. It tastes better than many $15+ examples and at roughly half that price, it's a guilt free way to enjoy a great wine.
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New Look, New Format, New Wines Coming to Nickel and Dime Wine
January 31, 2013
90+ Bargains, High End Values, News and Opinion, Under $12 Deals -
In March of 2010 I launched Nickel and Dime Wine with the goal of bringing wine deals and (hopefully) entertaining commentary to our readers. Three years later, the purpose is the same, but we're changing the look and the format through which we deliver the deals. Going forward, posts will follow four themes which reflect the way our readers shop (and drink):1. Under $12 Deals
2. 90+ Point Bargains
3. High-End Values
4. News and Commentary
I will also feature some photography from my wine country travels on the "slider" at the top of the homepage for your viewing pleasure.
Well, that's it. Any feedback on the new look, post themes or photography (be gentle) is welcome in the comments section of this (or any) post.
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