Bonus Posting: Deals to be had out there

I'm not reviewing anything in particular here but I do want to encourage all of you to hit the close-out sections of your local wine outlet. Some of my friends and I have really found some deals out there lately. Some of those include:

• Le Signal (that super cinsault-mouvedre) - $9.88 but regularly $22
• Landmark Overlook chardonnay - $5 per half bottle (bought 2), regularly $40+ per
• Stonestreet chardonnay - $9.99, regularly $28 per
• Mercer sauvignon blanc 2007 - $8.99, regularly $17
• E.Guigal Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2003 - $19, regularly $40+

This is just a small sample, believe me. You can try your regular grocer (Kroger is good), party store, or wine merchant. It seems that they need the shelf space, so those bottle that have been sitting around for a while need to go.

I was a bit concerned about the age and how they were stored while in the shop. But, none so far have been corked or super-heated so I think you're safe. Most of your local merchants will have no problem whatsoever returning the bottle if you bring it in cork and all.

People like me who shop for bargains are out there, so if you see one in the clearance cart, jump on it. Those with I-phones and Blackberries will have the added advantage of getting reviews while in the shop.

Bottom line, shop the close outs. If nothing else, it's a good way to stock your cellar and wine racks with better-than-average bottles for average or less prices.

Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Have you seen Bottle Shock, the movie? If you're a wine lover, I'd recommend it. Chateau Montelena put Napa whites on the world stage back in '76. But, how's the red? Inquiring minds wanted to know.

First of all, it's not cheap - $43. At that price, I expect a mighty good cab, even from Napa. I know what I'm getting in a wine like Hess Alomi ($22), Joseph Carr ($22), and Simi ($20 or so), so for twice the price, I'm thinking it better be pretty darned good.

The nose is nice, much of what I expect from Napa cabs, licorice, leathery, a bit of black pepper and some dark fruit. It's quite dark and full on the tongue with plenty of fruit forward. The finish is nice and long but lacks the large roll off the tongue that others like Peju and Alpha Omega provide.

It's good, but it's no value. It has very good structure and cellar potential. I believe if you have the patience, let it sit for another 2 or 3 years. The structure will make this a long-lasting bottle that will probably only get better over the years. Chateau Montelena tends to gain value with age, so if you are planning to speculate, this would be a good selection.

T-Scale 88. I'd like to try one from 2001 or so to compare.

Bernardus Ingrid's Vineyard Chardonnay - 2005

I enjoyed two monumental chardonnays this weekend, the first being this the 2005 Bernardus Ingrid's Vineyard Chardonnay. I obtained this from the source in Carmel Valley in August at a bonus half-off rate. I checked their website today and saw this vintage is now sold out... too bad for me.

This instantly gets promoted to my top five chards of all time. This has the nose of white Burgundy with the full roundness of the Talbot and Landmarks. Very full bodied with no oak on the tongue. Some malolactic fermentation sensed, but not overly so. Figs, butterscotch and pears with some citrus throughout. Lasting nice nice finish makes this a complete wine.

This is not available outside of the winery unfortunately. The regular offering from Bernardus is however. The current vintage of Ingrid's Vineyard is priced at $50 per bottle. Not cheap, but far better than most. Consider this your "I deserve this" white for that special occasion. I've had maybe two I like better and they fetch about the same price.

T-Scale 92. I would rate it higher, but you can't get it. Even if you could, you would pay a premium for it. This is a top-five chardonnay!

Elizabeth Spencer 2008 Sauvignon Blanc Mendocino

Having a large wine retailer in your area sometimes brings great advantages to you. Case in point: the small tasting I attended last night with Spencer Graham, winemaker at Elizabeth Spencer in Rutherford, Napa.

I left the tasting with two autographed bottles, one of which is this, the 2008 Sauvignon Blanc Mendocino. It's 100% organic and all grapes come from one vineyard.

Those who know me know that I pursue sauvignon blanc always looking for new and interesting bottles. Most of my peers turn their noses up at my usual smelly, grassy greenish sauv-blanc, but sometimes, they agree with my assessment. This is one of those times!

Big grapefruit nose with hints of lemons and flowers. Tart and a just a bit grassy with... gooseberry? I've heard gooseberry is like grapefruit with roundness at the end, so it applies here. Big big big for a sauv-blanc. Super great for hot days on the deck. Pair it with your shrimp and fish dishes or your light cheeses. Brie would be a great complement as would a dry-jack (we had it at the tasting, reco!)

From Elizabeth Spencer's posted tasting notes:

"Intensely fragrant, aromas of grapefruit. Hints of lemon rind, pear blossom. Crisp acidity braces the palate and provides structure for flavors of stone fruit, white peach and citrus while the hallmark hint of slate and fresh-cut grass provide intriguing counterpoints. This focused wine builds to a creamy fullness on the mid-palate and the flavors remain vibrant and complex through to the finish."

T-Scale 90. Great round sauv-blanc with structure much better than most California bottles. Feels like a Loire with a bit more umph. This one gets distributed so you can find it which is a bonus. At $17.95, it's a few bucks more than some, the same as Mondavi Fume, but better.

Sequana - Sarmento Vineyard 2007 Pinot Noir

Oh happy is the day when you get a chance to taste a pinot noir of this quality at a tasting, especially when you find that you can actually buy the wine locally! 2007 is the year of the pinot grape so it has been written. With William Selyem scoring 100 pts. on one bottle and 97+ on a few more, I can believe it. Since the high-scoring pinot is often cost prohibitive (nearing $100 per bottle) it is nice when one can enjoy a 92 point bottle for 35% of that cost.

Ok, $35-$40 is still a premium price, given. But pinot shows you where your money goes like no other wine. The Sequana is no exception. Big earthy nose I would compare only to a Burgundy. Blind, I would tell you this is Côte-d'Or made. I've had one other American-made pinot like this in Monterey - Talbot. I've said before that Talbot "Case" is the one to beat. While this doesn't... it is available where Case is not... much to chagrin.

Wine Enthusiast says: 92 Pts - Deliciously complex, with a rich range of flavors built around loamy currant, blackberry, plum and sassafras. Gets more interesting with every sip.

I say: Yep. Complex, earthy, spicy, long in the finish and pleasing on the nose. This is what the others should strive to achieve. It's still not my house pinot, but it's going to be a bottle I purchase a few times.

T-Scale 93 - exactly what pinot noir should be, but limited production will make it a bit of a challenge to find locally. Price is fair, but if you are looking for a bargain in pinot, you may want to consider a different grape... or Longboard Pinot!

2008 Cono Sur Bicycle Riesling - Chile

Looking for that great dry Riesling for the summer evenings on the deck? Here's a good place to start. Cheap, quite dry, and very tasty, the Cono Sur Bicycle possesses all of those great flavors you want in a Riesling. I detect a bright promising nose with a bit of blossoming flowers and lemon. Big white grapefruit up front, some minerals and a dry finish - almost briny.

I'm quite surprised at the quality from Chile on a grape not famous there. I've seen some good quality Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay lately, but this is very surprising. I'm told these vineyards are at higher elevations so the terrior imitates Pfalz or Alsace. It shows in this nice number from Cono Sur.

T-Scale 89+. It's quite nicely priced at $10 or so. I'd almost case this one just to have a great hot-weather deck-ready bottle just a bit chilled for that start to the weekend. At this price, why not. Summer's almost here so it's time to look for those great whites and roses.

Longboard Russian River Valley 2007 Pinot Noir

"...a chocolate-currant core enriched with smoky new oak... the texture is silky and fine, and the finish is dry and spicy. Drink now."

Wine Enthusiast

After reading this, I went looking for Longboard Pinot and finally found it at the Cincinnati Wine Festival along with one of the winemakers who was quite gracious in pours and variety. Pinot is hard to find below a certain high dollar threshold, so when I saw that Longboard scored up with the big money, I had to know...

It delivers. Bolder than many US bottles, this one is cola and spices up front with a cherry soda finish which is long and smooth. Great oaky nose and palate with refined middle and strong finish make this a contender for my new house pinot.

Sort of hard to find in the mid country, but I've found a local shop who ordered it in from one of their distributors in a few days. I've been seeing the Longboard Chardonnay out there, so if your favorite shop is carrying it, see if they can get the pinot for you. It's a T-Scale must try especially at this price. I got mine for $24 per bottle. I've seen it as high as $36 per for the 2007, which reviews highly.

Want a California pinot that holds its own against Burgundian without the promise of bankruptcy? Here's your chance to get one.

T-Scale 91+. At this price, you will NOT find a better pinot noir. There are some close, but not quite as rounded at this price level.