Hey, Dinsdale

[Goober McTuber]

Any opinion on this one?

https://www.wine-searcher.com/wine-1545 ... valley-usa

I can buy it for $19.99 for a limited time. Regularly $28.99 here.

[Dinsdale]

In a word... no.

Haven't had it. But if it's anything like the usual offerings from Willamette Valley Vineyards, it's probably above average. Last time I had anything from there was at some even or another (I think it was deece -- been a few years). They're a big outfit (3rd largest in the state, I believe). A friend was head of sales there for several years.

But I don't go out of my way to drink pinot, so there's that. But a Willamette Valley pinot for $20 ain't a bad deal.

[Goober McTuber]

Yeah, I don't drink a lot of Pinot either, but I occasionally entertain guests who will probably be impressed. I like Spanish Garnachas and certain Cabs. And 19 Crimes (I don't care what you say, the stuff is drinkable and cheap).

[Mikey]

Expecting my fall shipment from Tablas Creek, which I've been anticipating for a while, to arrive today.
All Rhone style blends and varietals from Paso.
A little pricey, but I don't drink this stuff every day.

The wines featured in the fall 2017 Collector's Edition shipment are:

• 2 bottles of Esprit de Beaucastel 2007 (Our highest-scoring ever vintage of our flagship Mourvèdre-based red wine; 95 Wine Advocate; 96 Rhone Report; 94 Wine Spectator)
  
  1 bottle of Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc 2011 (Our flagship white from the cool, frost-reduced 2011 vintage; 96 Decanter, 92 Tanzer's IWC; 92-95 Rhone Report; 93 Wine Advocate)
  
  3 bottles of Esprit de Tablas 2015 (Our flagship red blend, based on Mourvèdre, from one of our greatest recent vintages; 92-94 Wine Advocate and 92-94 Vinous)
  
  1 bottle of Esprit de Tablas 2013 (Our flagship red blend, based on Mourvèdre, from a classic California vintage; 93 Vinous, 93 Wine Enthusiast, 97 BevX)
  
  2 bottles of Esprit de Tablas Blanc 2015 (Our flagship white blend, based on Roussanne, from one of our greatest recent vintages; 93-94 Vinous, "racy and precise ... impressive")
  
  1 bottle of En Gobelet 2015 (Our blend sourced exclusively from dry-farmed, head-trained vineyard blocks; 92-94 Vinous, "sexy ... seamless, expansive, and sweet ... excellent clarity and energy")
  
  1 bottle of Grenache Blanc 2016 (Our varietal bottling of the southern Rhone white grape we introduced to California; citrusy, textured, and mineral)
  
  1 bottle of Cotes de Tablas Blanc 2016 (Our showcase for Viognier in a lovely Viognier vintage; peachy richness balanced by racy acidity)

[Bucmonkey]

[Dinsdale]

(I don't care what you say, the stuff is drinkable and cheap).

You have me confused with That Guy. I'm the opposite of wine snob -- if you enjoy it, and feel you're getting value for your dollar, that makes it "good wine."

Lots of decent cheap shit out there. Snoqualmie (Chateau St. Michelle) does a great job with corporate swill. As do many of the California outfits.

Sounds like Mikey will be drinking well.

[Mikey]

I've been buying this stuff at Costco lately for $8.99. One of the best deals out there, IMO.




Also the Kirkland (Costco store brand) Rutherford Meritage and Sonoma old vine zins at about $14 are great buys.

[Dinsdale]

Columbia Crest really cranks it out. Not sure what their production numbers are, but they're huge. Also part of Chateau St. Michelle. The Tri-Cities area grows shitloads of grapes. There's usually a lot of bulk wine in Tri-Cities for the buying, at a reasonable price, if one needs to bulk up to fill out a Costco order. Buy it from them, come up with a label, bottle it, and make a low margin. Lots of that going on. Hot, dry, and long growing season in the Lower Columbia Valley.

If you look at the back of the Kirkland bottle, it will say where it was made, and by whom (hence my "no such thing as 'generic wine' "statement), but it's likely some megacorp's throwaway label, and probably won't give too many specifics, beyond appellation (if it's a single AVA). And I believe a "Meritage" will list what the blend is.

[Mikey]

The Rutherford Meritage is from Rutherford which, I think, is its own AVA.

[Dinsdale]

The Rutherford Meritage is from Rutherford which, I think, is its own AVA.

Right you are. I thought it was just part of Napa... which would still be a single AVA. My bad.

[Diego in Seattle]

I heard quite a few radio spots for Columbia Crest in the mid '00s. Haven't heard any in years.