Martine?s Wines, an importer, changes hands

Martine Saunier started a wine import business in 1979 because she “couldn?t find anything exceptional to drink.” As of last week, she sold that company. Unlike another major transaction this month in the wine world, the buyers are identified and there’s a very professional press release. Saunier, 78, built the business based in Novato, CA [...]

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Winners of the Louis Roederer Wine Writing Awards 2012

Congratulations to the many winners of the Louis Roederer Wine Writing Awards presented tonight in London. Whilst the awards that Vrazon helped to create,the Born Digital Wine Awards, recognise the growing talent of content written specifically for online media, it is fair to say that this is not yet the mainstream of wine writing. Tonight’s categories [...]

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Luxury Gift Baskets

Every year with Uncorked Ventures Matt and I want to make improvements in both the way we handle our business (the processes involved) as well as the offerings we have. On the wine, simply continuing to grow our customer base as well as continuing to build relationships with wineries and vineyard owners will do the [...]

Source: http://winewithmark.info/archives/651

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Costco Value Alert(s)!

Just back from a shopping trip to Costco in Waltham, MA and they had what I thought were some very good deals for wine enthusiasts.

First off was a nice price on Riedel stemware. $99.99 for 8 Vinum Bordeaux stems. Compared to around $25 per stem that you typically see these going for this is a fantastic deal. Riedel sells these for $177 (buy 6 get 2 free supposedly). Amazon sells them for around 2 for $50:

...so $99 for 8 Vinum stems at Costco ($12.50 per stem) is a great price. If you're not near a Costco that carries these -- or if you're looking for a dishwasher safe, lead-free option -- I continue to think these Schott Zwiesel Tritan Fortes are the best $10 stem you can buy:

Next up was a closeout on the Vinturi Wine Aerator:


Vinturis normally sell for closer to $30 on Amazon. The price ending in "7" at Costco is our cue that it's a closeout so buy now if you want one at this price. Full video review of the Vinturi wine aerator here.

So two nice deals and we haven't even hit the wine section yet.

For those unfamiliar with Massachusetts liquor laws, it's illegal to sell wine contingent on a club membership so alcohol needs to be sold separately from other goods. Non-Costco members are allowed to buy alcohol without a membership. So alcohol is sold past the register in a separate caged area. Crazy, right?

Anyway, they've usually got pretty good deals on wine but the inventory is rather static. When they do get something good in it goes quickly. If you had a mole inside Costco it would be handy.

They had a few wines I took note of that I hadn't seen before.

First was the 2010 Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet for $14.99. With no tax on alcohol in MA this is a phenomenal price. The lowest I see nationwide on wine-searcher.com is $16.98. The 2009 rendition of this wine was rated 91 points by Wine Spectator. I popped a bottle tonight and it's a very nice bottle of $15 Cabernet. I'd say 87-89 points in my book.


They also had the 2009 Robert Mondavi Napa Cabernet for a little over $18. That's nothing new, but as we wander around the wine world seeking out obscure producers, Mondavi is one to come back to for palate calibration. I'll let you know if it's worth mentioning when I open it but I expect it to be what it always is: A solid Napa Cab for less than $20.

Finally, the Vieux Telegraphe CdP has clicked over to the 2009 vintage. At $58.99 it's on par with nationwide low pricing, but 2010 is a regarded as a better vintage. Maybe buy a bottle of the 2009 and stalk the bin to see if it ever clicks over to the 2010 vintage. Let us know if it does in the comments okay?


Don't forget - Scoop the Spectator 2012 runs through Friday. Get your entries in if you haven't already.

I've got a bunch of good stuff in the hopper for future posts including a write-up on the best California Pinot Noirs available at Warehouse clubs now. The suspense! Subscribe to the WWP to receive new posts via email.

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Deal Alert: 2008 Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Upper Falls Liquors in Newton, MA is offering the 2008 Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape for $35/bottle. With a 93 point rating from Wine Spectator and a $63 release price this is a good buy. But 2008 is one of the least heralded vintages of Chateauneuf in the past decade so let's dig a bit deeper into the numbers...

Parker rated it 88-90 from barrel and evidently never released a rating for the finished product.

Spectator's Vintage Chart for Southern Rhone rates 2008 "88 points":

Cool, wet spring and humid growing season saved by the mistral; a small crop, with many producers eliminating cuvées. Quality very heterogenous, but some excellent wines can be found; stick to top names
Well, Donjon is a top name. I hadn't tried many 2008 CdPs prior to last night when I popped a 2008 Clos des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape to get a feel for the vintage. That wine carries a $100 release price and is starting to be discounted as well. I rated it 92 points (to Wine Spectator's 95) and felt it lacked some of the power and flavor markings I look for in CdP. That said, I thought it was an incredibly enjoyable wine.

So what to do? Buy from a great producer in an "off" vintage? Or go for something like the 2010 St. Cosme Gigondas at a similar price point? Decisions, decisions.

The 2008 Donjon currently carries a 90.2 CellarTracker Community rating.

Nationwide best price on Wine-Searcher: $44.99
(one retailer has half bottles for $39.99!)

More information on the offer in this link

To order call Mike O'Connell at Upper Falls Liquors at (617) 969-9200 or drop him an email at postscriptwine@gmail.com

Question of the Day: What do you think? Deal or no deal?

PS If you're looking for Wine Spectator to start revealing their Top 10 wines of the year, it's been pushed back to Wednesday due to Hurricane Sandy. Subscribe to the WWP for the latest on that.

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