Wine & Spirits Bargains at the PLCB (Part 2)

[shacke]

While I am not a big fan of this particular wine, I see that the Louis Latour Beaune Rouge 1999 has resurfaced again. I know it was popular amongst folks here the first time around.

Evan

[mrbigjas]

While I am not a big fan of this particular wine, I see that the Louis Latour Beaune Rouge 1999 has resurfaced again.  I know it was popular amongst folks here the first time around.

yeah they have a ton of it at 19th & chestnut.

as a side note about that store: i was told last week by one of the very nice ladies who works there that they're in the process of renovating that store, including putting in a climate controlled room and whatnot, like they have down on delaware ave. pretty cool! but i hope they can stay open during the process; my route home from work doesn't go by 12th street...

[KatieLoeb]

The latest list of upcoming Chairman's Selections:

Alderbrook Old Vine Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley 2002

91 points in Wine Enthusiast, March 1, 2005

Quoted at $19.00...Now $8.99...Save $10.01

ETA early June code 14454

Artesa Merlot Napa Valley 2002

Suggested Retail $20.00...Now $9.99...Save $10.01

ETA late May code 12188

Bodegas Norton Privada, Argentina 2004

Quoted at $21.00...Now $12.99...Save $8.01

ETA late June code 28888

Cabreo Il Borgo 2000

92 points in Wine Spectator, October 15, 2003

Quoted at $40.00...Now $19.99...Save $20.01

ETA late May code 23461

Campo al Mare Bolgheri DOC, Super Tuscan 2004

Quoted at $30.00...Now $19.99...Save $10.01

ETA late May code 23489

Castello del Terriccio Tassinaia, Super Tuscan 1999

90 points in Wine Enthusiast, October 1, 2004

Regularly $45.99...Now $19.99...Save $26.00

ETA late May code 23446

Chateau Mont Redon, L'Aire du Rossignol Rose, Provence France 2005

Suggested Retail $14.99...Now $8.99...Save $6.00

ETA early June code 21360

Chateau Taillefer, Pomerol 2001

90 points in Wine and Spirits Magazine, December 2004

Regularly $44.99...Now $19.99...Save $21.00

ETA next delivery early June code 19053

Conti d'Arco Pinot Grigio Trentino, Italy 2005

Suggested Retail $21.99...Now $12.99...Save $9.00

ETA mid June code 25227

d'Arenberg, The Laughing Magpie, Shiraz/Viognier 2004

92 points by Robert Parker in The Wine Advocate, October, 2005

Suggested Retail $34.99...Now $17.99...Save $17.00

ETA early June code 27447

Domaine Louis Latour Batard Montrachet Grand Cru, Burgundy, France 2001

89-92 points by Pierre Rovani in The Wine Advocate, April 2003

Suggested Retail $249.99...Now $104.99...Save $145.00

ETA late June code 21537

Domaine Louis Latour Puligny Montrachet 1er cru "Sous les Puits" 2001

Suggested Retail $44.99...Now $21.99...Save $23.00

ETA late June code 21544

Feudo Maccari Renoto, Sicily 2004

Suggested Retail $17.99...Now $9.99...Save $8.00

ETA late May code 23551

Feudo Maccari Saia Nero d'Avola Sicilia 2003

91 points in Wine Enthusiast, September 2005

90 points in Wine Spectator, May 31, 2006

Quoted at $33.00...Now...$18.99...Save $14.01

ETA next delivery mid June code 24999

Fra Guerau Montsant Tinto 2003

Suggested Retail $14.00...Now $7.99...Save $6.01

ETA next delivery late May code 25901

Freemark Abbey "Lineage" Merlot 2002

Suggested Retail $25.00...Now $9.99...Save $15.01

ETA mid June code 12183

Gloria Ferrer Pinot Noir Carneros 2002 (375ml)

88 points in Wine and Spirits Magazine, February 1, 2006

88 points in Wine News, June 2005

Suggested Retail $18.99...Now $9.99...Save $9.00

ETA late May code 13011

Gloria Ferrer Royal Cuvee 1997

Suggested Retail $29.99...Now $17.99...Save $12.00

ETA late May code 29201

Henri Abele Brut Champagne 1996

92 points in Wine Spectator, August 31, 2005

Quoted at $55.00...Now $24.99...Save $30.01

ETA next delivery late May code 29435

Highlands Zinfandel Napa Valley, Black Sears Vineyard 2001

Quoted at $32.00...Now $17.99...Save $14.01

ETA early June code 13711

Lake Sonoma Winery, 2003 Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley

90 points The Wine News, Online Review May 2006

Suggested Retail $21.00...Now $12.99...Save $8.01

ETA late May code 14455

Louis Jadot Morgon Cote du Py Chateau des Lumieres 2003

94 points in Wine & Spirits Magazine, December 1, 2005

Quoted at $30.00...Now $14.99...Save $15.01

ETA early June code 19189

Louis Latour Montagny 1er cru la Grande Roche 2002

87-88 points by Pierre Rovani in The Wine Advocate, February 2004

Quoted at $28.00...Now $12.99...Save $15.01

ETA next delivery late June code 21392

Michele Chiarlo Barbaresco Asili 2001

Suggested Retail $70.00...Now $29.99...Save $40.01

ETA late May code 23296

Michele Chiarlo Barbaresco Riserva 2000

Suggested Retail $65.00...Now $24.99...Save $40.01

ETA late May code 23291

Michele Chiarlo Barolo Brunate 2000

91 points in Wine Spectator, July 31, 2004

Quoted at $85.00...Now $39.99...Save $45.01

ETA late May code 23290

Michele Chairlo Barolo Tortoniano Riserva 1999

Suggested Retail $65.00...Now $34.99...Save $30.01

ETA late May code 23288

Michele Chiarlo Gavi 2005

Suggested Retail $17.99...Now $10.99...Save $7.00

ETA late May code 25211

Michele Chiarlo Monferrato Montemareto Countacc (Super Piedmonte) 2000

90 points in Wine Spectator, November 30, 2003

Suggested Retail $46.99...Now $19.99...Save $27.00

ETA late May code 23304

Montes Alpha Chardonnay Special Cuvee, Casablanca Valley, Chile 2004

89 points The Wine News, August/September 2005

Quoted at $23.00...Now $9.99...Save $12.01

ETA mid June code 29020

Montes Alpha "M" 2003, Chile

94 points and Highly Recommended in Wine Spectator, November 30, 2005

Quoted at $82.00...Now $49.89...Save $32.11

ETA early June code 29003

Nozzole Chianti Classico Riserva la Forra 2000

88 points by Daniel Thomases in The Wine Advocate, April 2004

Quoted at $38.00...Now $15.99...Save $22.01

ETA late May code 23465

Nozzole Il Pareto 2001

92 points by Daniel Thomases in Wine Advocate, April 2006

91 points in Wine Spectator, October 15, 2004

Quoted at $75.00...Now $39.99...Save $35.01

ETA next delivery late June code 23471

Omaka Springs Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough, New Zealand 2005

Quoted at $17.00...Now $7.99...Save $9.01

ETA next delivery early June code 27380

Pedroncelli Mother Clone Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma 2003

Quoted at $14.00…Now $9.99…Save $4.01

ETA next delivery early July code 13833

Penfolds "Winemaker's Reserve" (Bin 28 Shiraz), South Australia 2001

92 points in Wine & Spirits Magazine, June 1, 2004

Suggested Retail $25.00...Now $12.99...Save $12.01

ETA late May code 27326

Richard Hamilton Burton's Vineyard (54% Grenache/46% Shiraz) South Australia 2002

93 points by Robert Parker in The Wine Advocate, October 2004

Quoted at $38.00...Now $19.99...Save $18.01

ETA mid June code 27644

Ridge Home Ranch Montebello, Santa Cruz Mountains 2002

Suggested Retail $69.99...Now $29.99...Save $40.00

ETA mid June code 11198

Rosemount Estate Traditional Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot 2003

Suggested Retail $28.00...Now $8.99...Save $19.01

ETA early June code 27479

Rutherford Hill Chardonnay 2004

Suggested Retail $18.99...Now $10.99...Save 8.00

ETA late June code 17340

Sequoia Grove Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford 2002

93 points and a "Cellar Selection" in Wine Enthusiast, December 31, 2005

Quoted at $57.00...Now $24.99...Save $32.01

ETA early June code 11191

Sette Ponti Crognolo 2003

92 points in Wine Spectator, October 31, 2005

Quoted at $35.00...Now $19.99...Save $15.01

ETA next delivery late May code 23545

Sette Ponti Oreno 2003

95 points and Highly Recommended in Wine Spectator, October 31, 2005

#5 in WINE SPECTATOR Top 100 Wines of 2005

Quoted at $95.00...Now $44.99...Save $50.01

ETA late May code 23567

Sette Ponti Vigna di Pallino 2004

Suggested Retail $29.99...Now $9.99...Save $20.00

ETA late May code 23540

Silvio Nardi Brunello di Montalcino 1997

91 points in Wine Spectator, June 30, 2002

Quoted at $59.00...Now $29.99...Save $29.01

ETA late May code 23382

Silvio Nardi Brunello di Montalcino Vigneto Manachiara 2001

95 points at Wine Spectator Online, January 30, 2006

Quoted at $86.00...Now $49.99...Save $36.01

ETA late May code 23262

Taittinger's Bouvet Brut Rose Vin de Table Francais Excellence NV

88 points in Wine Spectator, November 15, 2005

Quoted at $14.00...Now $8.89...Save...$5.11

ETA late May code 29606

Tenuta La Fuga Brunello di Montalcino 2000

88 points in Wine Spectator, May 31, 2005

Quoted at $56.00...Now $24.99...Save $31.01

ETA late May code 23478

Tenuta San Guido Guidalberto 2004

Quoted at $53.69...Now $29.99...Save $23.70

ETA late May code 23439

Torres Gran Coronas Mas La Plana Gran Reserva "Black Label" 1989

Suggested Retail $75.00...Now $19.99...Save 55.01

ETA late May code 27002

Valdubon Consecha Ribera del Duero, Spain 2004

Regularly $15.99...Now $8.99...Save $7.00

ETA next delivery late May code 26882

Vina Montes Folly Santa Cruz Rapel Valley, Chile 2003

95 points in Wine News, August/September 2005

93 points in Wine Spectator, November 2005

Quoted at $82.00...Now $49.89...Save $32.11

ETA late June code 28855

Vionta Albarino 2005

Regularly $18.99... Now $11.99...Save $7.00

ETA late May code 25981

If the Artesa Merlot is as tasty as their Cabernet, it's a screaming bargain at $9.99. The Torres Gran Reserva looks to be a steal at $19.99 too.

[I_call_the_duck]

Thanks for the update, Katie.

Has anyone tried or read anything else about the Feudo Maccari Saia Nero d'Avola?

BTW, the renovation on the store on 17th & JFK is coming along fine. I think they're going to have a climate-controlled room. Sweet...right near the office!!

edited because it's getting past my bedtime and I can't read...

Edited May 14, 2006 by I_call_the_duck (log)

[Misha]

Pssssssst...

There seems to be a VERY limited number of the Montes Alpha "M" 2003 available now.

[KatieLoeb]

Tonight's treat.

Abadia Retuerta Selección Especial 2000. $12.99, purchased at Columbus Blvd. store.

A really delicious and meaty Spanish red. Soft, but with the muy macho leathery and tobacco notes one expects from Spanish red. Lots of spice too. This wine received a 91 score from Robert Parker, who described it as "Bordeaux-like". It was apparently also voted the #1 Red wine in the world at the London International Wine Challenge in 2005. Pretty high praise indeed. I had it with some leftover roast pork and rice and black beans from Tierra Colombiana and it was just perfect. Apparently there's a boatload of this still remaining at 12th & Chestnut. A brief Google search shows this wine selling for twice the price and more elsewhere. Well worth the cost of admission.

[doviakw]

The Oreno seems to have disappeared from the list of Upcoming Chairman's Selections. I guess I should have made the trek to Newtown!

[Kevin Porter]

Yup - the Oreno is also no longer on the PLCB Product Search page at the Chairman's Selection price (there is some @ $80).

I'm probably late on this as I haven't been shopping much, but it seems that the shipping problems are resolved. I just nipped (as it were) over to Bryn Mawr and they had cases all over the place. Lots of cases of Abadia Retuerta and Michele Chiarlo, amongst others.

I went for Kalin Cellars Chard and Semillon - not Chairman's Selections, not inexpensive, and worst of all, not red!! ...but wines to search out and try nonetheless. If for no other reason, when else will you get to try a recently- released 1994 Chard and 1996 Semillon? An unusual winery, to say the least, and one that I highly recommend.

[mike volker]

We tried the Torres Gran Coronas Mas La Plana Black Label 1989 last night and I was extremely happy that I only bought one bottle. Maybe its just my palate that's bad, but I find spanish Cabs that I like very rare. I found it thin and on the sour side. YMMV.

Best,

Mike

[doviakw]

We tried the Torres Gran Coronas Mas La Plana Black Label 1989 last night and I was extremely happy that I only bought one bottle. Maybe its just my palate that's bad, but I find spanish Cabs that I like very rare. I found it thin and on the sour side. YMMV.

Best,

Mike

←

My wife and I tried a bottle of the Torres Black Label on Friday evening with dinner and enjoyed it. In fact, we've since picked up a case. I'm weak on the tasting note thing but here goes ...

Color: Translucent garnet turning to brick at the edges when tilting the glass.

Nose: I got a light honey/leather combination with fading dark fruits. (Maybe that honey was really vanilla from the oak?) It had an "aged" characteristic that I don't know how to describe but that I have noticed (and liked) in other older reds.

Taste: Light (maybe thin!) for a cab but perhaps that's winemaker/regional style rather than a fault. I don't know enough about Spanish cabs to know any better. The fruit was still there up front with more acid showing as it went down. In our mind, this worked well with food. Still had noticeable tannins.

Finish: Not too much here that stood on its own but with food it worked. Lingering berry flavors with some acid persisting.

Overall: It worked for us. My wife remarked that it made her want to have a nice stew!

[Edited for phrasing]

Edited May 23, 2006 by doviakw (log)

[Jeff L]

Hey all, if you like the Kaiken Malbec, go out and get some San Telmo Malbec 2004. It just might be better than the Kaiken and get this, over a buck less! It's widely available and not just in speciality wine stores.

This is my new go to everyday stuff.

[doviakw]

Hey all, if you like the Kaiken Malbec, go out and get some San Telmo Malbec 2004. It just might be better than the Kaiken and get this, over a buck less! It's widely available and not just in speciality wine stores.

This is my new go to everyday stuff.

←

We picked up a bottle of the San Telmo Malbec 2004 for comparison with the Kaiken 2003 but have not had a chance to try it yet. Maybe over the weekend.

We did try the Vionta Albarino that's on the Chairman's Selection list. This is the first albarino that we have had and, I must say, that we liked it. We had it by itself and with a simple shrimp dish. Not being familiar with albarino, I can't say how true to type it is but it seemed about halfway between a sauv. blanc and vigonier. Fruity but with enough acidity to hold up well to the food.

[KatieLoeb]

Hey all, if you like the Kaiken Malbec, go out and get some San Telmo Malbec 2004. It just might be better than the Kaiken and get this, over a buck less! It's widely available and not just in speciality wine stores.

This is my new go to everyday stuff.

←

We picked up a bottle of the San Telmo Malbec 2004 for comparison with the Kaiken 2003 but have not had a chance to try it yet. Maybe over the weekend.

We did try the Vionta Albarino that's on the Chairman's Selection list. This is the first albarino that we have had and, I must say, that we liked it. We had it by itself and with a simple shrimp dish. Not being familiar with albarino, I can't say how true to type it is but it seemed about halfway between a sauv. blanc and vigonier. Fruity but with enough acidity to hold up well to the food.

←

Your description of the albarino is spot on. It has the apricot and peachy elements of the Viognier and the citrusy elements of Sauvignon Blanc. It's a delicious wine and one of my favorites for summer quaffing. Perfect with the shrimp too, no doubt!

There are good examples from Portugal as well, since albarino (or alvarinho as it's spelled there) is the main grape in Vinho Verde. Albarino grapes have a very thick skin so the yield of juice is pretty low compared to other varietals. It is rarely produced outside of Spain and Portugal but there are a few examples from other places. Verdad Winery in the Santa Ynez Valley makes a lovely domestic albarino.

[Capaneus]

Hey all, if you like the Kaiken Malbec, go out and get some San Telmo Malbec 2004. It just might be better than the Kaiken and get this, over a buck less! It's widely available and not just in speciality wine stores.

This is my new go to everyday stuff.

←

We picked up a bottle of the San Telmo Malbec 2004 for comparison with the Kaiken 2003 but have not had a chance to try it yet. Maybe over the weekend.

We did try the Vionta Albarino that's on the Chairman's Selection list. This is the first albarino that we have had and, I must say, that we liked it. We had it by itself and with a simple shrimp dish. Not being familiar with albarino, I can't say how true to type it is but it seemed about halfway between a sauv. blanc and vigonier. Fruity but with enough acidity to hold up well to the food.

←

Your description of the albarino is spot on. It has the apricot and peachy elements of the Viognier and the citrusy elements of Sauvignon Blanc. It's a delicious wine and one of my favorites for summer quaffing. Perfect with the shrimp too, no doubt!

There are good examples from Portugal as well, since albarino (or alvarinho as it's spelled there) is the main grape in Vinho Verde. Albarino grapes have a very thick skin so the yield of juice is pretty low compared to other varietals. It is rarely produced outside of Spain and Portugal but there are a few examples from other places. Verdad Winery in the Santa Ynez Valley makes a lovely domestic albarino.

←

Had my first taste of albarino myself (I thought SB and riesling, but why quibble). I basically liked it, but felt it wasn't about to displace riesling, sauvignon blanc or vinho verde as my go-to whites, or white burgs at the high end, for that matter.

Even if the prices were competitive (and I can do as well with the others, much better with the vinho verde), it just seems to me to be less... distinctive, maybe? Interesting, if I were being unkind.

Edited June 12, 2006 by Capaneus (log)

[KatieLoeb]

Interesting, if I were being unkind.

You?? Unkind? Quibbling over wine? Et tu, Capaneus? Nah!

Sheesh. You had me scared there for a minute. I was wondering who you were and what you'd done with the real Capaneus...

[sockii]

I'm really enjoying the Cline Viognier 2005 Chairman's Selection right now - great light taste for the summer, good change of pace from the Sav Blanc's that I've been having for my everyday white for a while. Probably going to pick up a case tomorrow before too many more folks discover it!

[Capaneus]

I'm really enjoying the Cline Viognier 2005 Chairman's Selection right now - great light taste for the summer, good change of pace from the Sav Blanc's that I've been having for my everyday white for a while. Probably going to pick up a case tomorrow before too many more folks discover it!

←

You speak maybe of the Freemark Abbey "Carpy Ranch" Viognier?

I ken no "Cline" a-Chairman'd. If I may be so twee.

[sockii]

I'm really enjoying the Cline Viognier 2005 Chairman's Selection right now - great light taste for the summer, good change of pace from the Sav Blanc's that I've been having for my everyday white for a while. Probably going to pick up a case tomorrow before too many more folks discover it!

←

You speak maybe of the Freemark Abbey "Carpy Ranch" Viognier?

I ken no "Cline" a-Chairman'd. If I may be so twee.

←

Hmm, well, it's definitely Cline (the bottle's right here ). If I'm mistaken it may just be a specialty selection instead of a Chairman's? Whichever it is, it's damned good for $10.99.

It's kind of confusing at 19th & Chestnut right now (where I picked it up) as everything's all moved about the store...

[Capaneus]

I'm really enjoying the Cline Viognier 2005 Chairman's Selection right now - great light taste for the summer, good change of pace from the Sav Blanc's that I've been having for my everyday white for a while. Probably going to pick up a case tomorrow before too many more folks discover it!

←

You speak maybe of the Freemark Abbey "Carpy Ranch" Viognier?

I ken no "Cline" a-Chairman'd. If I may be so twee.

←

Hmm, well, it's definitely Cline (the bottle's right here ). If I'm mistaken it may just be a specialty selection instead of a Chairman's? Whichever it is, it's damned good for $10.99.

It's kind of confusing at 19th & Chestnut right now (where I picked it up) as everything's all moved about the store...

←

Yup, it's a mess.

I'll have to try it. The Freemark Abbey I didn't love so much (bit of that overripe taint viognier sometimes gets), but it was more than $11 in any case.

Thanks for the tip.

[Jeff L]

We tried the Torres Gran Coronas Mas La Plana Black Label 1989 last night and I was extremely happy that I only bought one bottle. Maybe its just my palate that's bad, but I find spanish Cabs that I like very rare. I found it thin and on the sour side. YMMV.

Best,

Mike

←

I must report here that I agree with you 100% on this one Mike. While I didn't find it at all sour, I do agree completely on it being thin. I also don't get all the raves from Laban recently on this wine. I bought 2 bottles and have earmarked the 2nd as a gift for someone. Oh well, they can't all be great.

fyi, I tried responding to your pm several times and they all bounced back. Did you change your email address? If so, update it in EG

[doviakw]

We tried the Torres Gran Coronas Mas La Plana Black Label 1989 last night and I was extremely happy that I only bought one bottle. Maybe its just my palate that's bad, but I find spanish Cabs that I like very rare. I found it thin and on the sour side. YMMV.

Best,

Mike

←

I must report here that I agree with you 100% on this one Mike. While I didn't find it at all sour, I do agree completely on it being thin. I also don't get all the raves from Laban recently on this wine. I bought 2 bottles and have earmarked the 2nd as a gift for someone. Oh well, they can't all be great.

...

←

Boy, and I liked our second bottle better than the first! Maybe my taste buds are just goofy ... or my palate uneducated (which it most definitely is). We'll just have to wait a bit and break out a third bottle for another try.

[Jeff L]

Boy, and I liked our second bottle better than the first! Maybe my taste buds are just goofy ... or my palate uneducated (which it most definitely is).  We'll just have to wait a bit and break out a third bottle for another try.

←

I don't know if your palate is uneducated or not, I suspect not. Wine is really so subjective a matter it's less to do with an educated palate than personal preferences. That's not to say that you won't pick up on particular nuances with a more refined palate, just that people have different opinions about the same wine.

Then of course there's that cost justification thing, you know I spent x dollars I better love it

[Misha]

While I was late in getting turned onto it, I just took delivery of the '04 d'Arenberg Laughing Magpie. (code 27447).

Oh boy, what a delight this wine is. Deep garnet with purple depths. Stunning nose of jammy strawberry and raspberry with a hint of vanilla and cardamon. A tad sweet on the palate but not that that detracts, it justs accentuates the jammy aromas. Nice finish. While there's cellaring potential, I'm gonna have problems keeping my paws off this stash.

I see that the PLCB site says more is coming in mid-August...I can't wait!!! Bring it on and kudos to the Chairman for scoring this deal!

Edited July 3, 2006 by Misha (log)

[Jeff L]

While I was late in getting turned onto it, I just took delivery of the '04 d'Arenberg Laughing Magpie. (code 27447).

Oh boy, what a delight this wine is. Deep garnet with purple depths. Stunning nose of jammy strawberry and raspberry with a hint of vanilla and cardamon. A tad sweet on the palate but not that that detracts, it justs accentuates the jammy aromas. Nice finish. While there's cellaring potential, I'm gonna have problems keeping my paws off this stash.

I see that the PLCB site says more is coming in mid-August...I can't wait!!! Bring it on and kudos to the Chairman for scoring this deal!

←

Check the code on this one again. I just tried to search on the lcb site and got nothing for this code or for the vintner.

[Misha]

Check the code on this one again. I just tried to search on the lcb site and got nothing for this code or for the vintner.

←

Hi Jeff,

It is the right code as it's both on my receipt and on the upcoming selections page:

"d'Arenberg The Laughing Magpie Shiraz/Viognier, South Australia 2004

92 Points by Robert Parker in The Wine Advocate, October 2005

Suggested Retail $34.99... Now $17.99... Save $17.00

ETA next delivery late August Code 27447"

The reason you're not getting any "hit" must be because they are out of it for now.

I might even start checking the code in mid August so I can swoop some up. While WS has not yet rated this vintage, the past three years have all been given 91 and I can taste why. Very yummy, indeed. I know I'll be squirreling away some ducats so I can stock up when the magpie returns to PA.