10 Wines to Buy Now At Wine Access [Amex Offer Ends Today]

An Amex Offer for Wine Access is set to expire today (2/28/2021).

There were two variants of the offer going around:

• $30 off $100
• Can be used 3x (up to $90 back on $300)
• -or-
• $20 off $200
• Can be used 3x (up to $60 back on $600)
• Can reach targets through multiple transactions

When combined with other promotions (see "Deals to Stack" below) this presents an opportunity for very deep discounts on very good wines.

One scenario I haven't personally tried is whether a single $300 purchase would trigger $90 back if you have the $30 back on $100 offer. It typically does work for Amex Offers but it would probably be safest to break it up into 3 transactions.

Any way, I thought it would be helpful to point to a few noteworthy wines. It's hard to stay on top of their pre-release Limited Time Offers because they sometimes take a while to ship, and by then they're often sold out.

But as of now these wines are all in stock, at least for shipment to Massachusetts. I think their inventory can vary regionally.

Ten Wines to Buy Now at Wine Access [affiliate links below]

2019 Bedrock Wine Company Old Vine Zinfandel

$25/btl

Morgan Twain-Peterson continues his father Joel Peterson's (Ravenswood) legacy with this reliably outstanding California red. I had the 2018 vintage recently. The 2019 should be just as good. More here...

2018 Kahler Cellars Pinot Noir Sonoma County

$25-30/btl

This is the one wine on the list I haven't tried yet. I've ordered some, it isn't scheduled to arrive for a bit. The metrics are strikingly similar ($85 for $30) to this other California Pinot Noir I wrote about yesterday that apperas to have now sold out.

2018 County Line Vineyards Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

$28/btl

Brilliant California Pinot Noir Radio-Coteau's second label is an oustanding value. More here...

2019 Arnot-Roberts Syrah Sonoma Coast

$36/btl

I've bought a bunch of these and each bottle has been spectacular. 13% alcohol, a masterful interpretation of the Rhone style in Sonoma. Tremendous.

2018 Moundsman Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Napa Valley

$36/btl

I liked it fresh off the truck (93 points) and a recently opened bottle showed even better. More approachable now than their Yesterday NDA bottlings, this could be the best value on the page.

2016 Black Kite Cellars Pinot Noir Sierra Mar Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands

$42/btl

I'm a big fan of Black Kite's Pinot Noirs, and this is a great opportunity to try one of their single vineyard bottlings. I bought and cracked open a bottle recently and it's solidly outstanding: 92/100 for me.

2018 Radio Silence Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

$45/btl

Surprised to see this still in stock. A little pricey for an NDA wine at $45 but I think it carries it (93 points). Compared at $500+ they say.

2017 Hirsch Vineyards San Andreas Fault Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

$55/btl

Unbelievably satisfying for a 12.7% alcohol wine. More here...

2018 Dragonette Cellars Pinot Noir Radian Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Santa Barbara

$75/btl

The biggest discovery for me on the page, and the one I'd like to enjoy again - price not a consideration. More here...

2016 VASO by Dana Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

$85/btl

If you're not up for trusting their NDA wines, here's a "no smoke and mirrors" offering. Just as good as the better NDA offerings, but also a little more expensive. More here...

Can't Decide? Lock in the Amex Offer Savings with a Gift Card

Wine Access sells e-gift cards. I tested, and the purchase triggered the offer. 

Especially if you have the $30 off $100 deal it could be worth buying GCs for future savings that can be stacked with other promotions.

Deals to Stack

If you don't have a Wine Access account:

• Shop through a portal
• Get $50 off $150 with first-time order through referral
• Free shipping on $120+
• New customers get a $100 credit after spending $1,000 in the first year.
• Use this Amex Offer (expires 2/28/2021)

If you do have a Wine Access account get 20% off with this offer.

Or this one for 21% off (source)

If you've already used those, try this link for 15% off your next 3 orders.

And if you've used that 15% try this one.

Bottom Line

The good news about this Wine Access Amex Offer ending is that a new one might be just around the corner. Subscribe to the WWP to get email notifications of new posts.

Read more...

Fresh Off The Truck: 2018 Minasa Los Carneros Pinot Noir [$85 retail for $30 before discounts]

2018 Minasa Los Carneros Pinot Noir

Direct Link [affiliate, still in stock as of now]

14.5% Alcohol

$30/btl (compare at $85/btl winery direct)

As advertised this is pale in color, but presents attractive aromas and is full of flavor.

In the glass there's brilliant clarity, and on the nose it's classic California Pinot Noir. The wine is so smooth, elegant, and enjoyable.

I initially thought there might be some trouble in the mid-palate but it resolved with some time to breathe.

All in all, I'd say this drinks like a $40-$50 bottle of California Pinot Noir. It shows on the more elegant side of the spectrum and is a terrific example of Carneros [Napa] Pinot.

91/100 WWP: Outstanding

Commentary

The current Wine Access Amex Offer ends 2/28/2021 so this is one buying suggestion. I'll follow up tomorrow with more thoughts on what to buy based on current inventory. But if you're in a pinch consider buying gift cards for future use.

See: PSA: Complete Wine Access Amex Offer by 2/28/2021

Bottom Line

I'm going to order a few more bottles of this. I really like the style, and the wine is authentic, appealing, and right in my wheelhouse.

I like it better than their Star Treatment NDA Pinot Noir, but it's not nearly as good as this Santa Barbara Pinot Noir (that costs more than twice as much).

More to come...

Read more...

PSA: Complete Wine Access Amex Offer by 2/28/2021

Just a quick note to remind you the current Wine Access Amex Offer needs to be completed by the end of February. 

There were two variants of the offer going around:

• $30 off $100
• Can be used 3x (up to $90 back on $300)
• -or-
• $20 off $200
• Can be used 3x (up to $60 back on $600)
• Can reach targets through multiple transactions
• Expires 2/28/2021

My Situation

Sadly, I was only targeted for the $20 off $200 offer. 

I checked my Amex statement and found I'd spent $180 and hadn't yet triggered the $20 back. So I wanted to make sure I rounded out the offer.

Rather than placing a large enough order to qualify for free shipping, I instead ordered an e-Gift Card. That order triggered the Amex Offer.

If you find yourself in a similar situation (or just want to bank the Amex Offer) this could be a good option.

Solution: Buy Gift Cards

Buy Wine Access e-Gift Cards w/Instant Delivery [affiliate link]

They come in increments as small as $25 and arrive instantly. This way you can roundly knock out the spend hurdle and trigger the offer.

Related Reading

• A Stunning Santa Barbara Pinot Noir
• 2018 Ridge Lytton Springs for as low as $36/btl [before discounts]
• 2018 Delightful & Strange Napa Red [$100+ for $18?]

Read more...

A Stunning Santa Barbara Pinot Noir

“Dragonette is one of the most fascinating wineries in the Central Coast. The best wines are truly world class, and I don’t use those words lightly.”
- Antonio Galloni

"There are some wines you taste and instantly fall in love with—this is one of those bottles."

- Wine Access

2018 Dragonette Cellars Pinot Noir Radian Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Santa Barbara [affiliate link]

$75/btl

13.9% Alcohol

Light ruby in the glass, the wine is radiant and stunning from beginning to end.

Appealing classic California Pinot Noir strawberry and cherry aromas lead to an extraordinarily compelling flavor profile on the palate. Multi-layered flavors and textures, most notably a surprising Rhone-like Garrigue note. Finishes clean and pure.

Not an off note in the bottle.

94/100 WWP: Oustanding

A friend in the Santa Barbara area recommended I check this one out. I'd never heard of Dragonette before and normally I wouldn't take a flier on such a pricey bottle, but this one delivered.

I'm hoping to visit the area this summer and a visit here along with Sea Smoke seems like the perfect pairing. I'm hoping that can happen.

See: Behind The Smoke: 5 Questions with Victor Gallegos of Sea Smoke Cellars

Bottom Line

Get $50 off your first $150 Wine Access order through referral with free shipping on $120+.

Two bottles of this for $100 fully loaded? Not cheap by any means but totally worth it.

Already on board with Wine Access? Here are some other discounts you can potentially stack.

Read more...

[Sold Out] 2016 Cambria Pinot Noir Clone 4 for as little as $10.71/btl fully loaded

Last week I mentioned a $30 off $100 Amex Offer for Last Bottle.

Here's a good opportunity to use it. I've seen this wine making the rounds on closeouts for very deep discount vs suggested reetail.

Cambria Julia's Vineyard Pinot Noir is a widely distributed wine you'll see around for around $20/btl. The Clone 4 bottling here supposedly retails for $56 but Last Bottle is offering it for $15/btl w/free shipping on 6.

It's a bit of a "mark it up to mark it down" or "compare at" tactic but hey - all things equal I'd rather try a $56 wine for just north of $10/btl than a $22 wine for $20.

If you have the Amex Offer you could buy 7 of them $105, and trigger the $30 offer. 

$75/7 is $10.71/btl.

If you'd rather just order 6 to clear the free shipping hurdle you could. The Amex Offer spend threshold can be met across multiple transactions. It expires 4/30/2021.

Last Bottle doesn't seem to participate in cashback portals, but they do have a referral program that gets $10 off first purchase.

Thanks in advance for using my Referral Link

Even if this one sells out quickly (I bet it will) I think it's a good mailing list to be on.

Read more...

2018 Ridge Lytton Springs for as low as $36/btl [before discounts]

Wine Access has the 2018 Ridge Lytton Springs available for a limited time.

2018 Ridge Vineyards Lytton Springs [affiliate link]

$40/btl 1-5 bottles

$36/btl 6+ bottles

14.5% Alcohol

Free Shipping on $120+

Commentary

Ridge Vineyards is one of the most enduring, iconic wine brands in America.

See: Visiting Ridge Monte Bello

Lytton Springs and Geyserville are consistently two of my favorites from their portfolio (well, except for the amazing Monte Bello Cab that lists for $230+). 

The 2018 Geyserville is outstanding and I'd expect Lytton Springs to be just as good with 96 point scores from Vinous and Wine Advocate. Spectator hasn't rated the 2018 yet.

See: 2018 Ridge Geyserville on Wine Access

Deals to Stack

If you don't have a Wine Access account:

• Shop through a portal
• Get $50 off $150 with first-time order through referral
• New customers get a $100 credit after spending $1,000 in the first year.
• Check out this Amex Offer (expires 2/28/2021, try purchasing a gift card to see if that triggers the offer if you're running out of time?)

If you do have a Wine Access account get 20% off with this offer.

Or this one for 21% off (source)

If you've already used those, try this link for 15% off your next 3 orders.

Bottom Line

If you're new to Wine Access this would be a tempting time to place a $160 order, get $50 back through referral for a fully loaded cost of $27.50/btl.

If you've ordered from Wine Access before, you'd need to order 3 bottles to get to $120. Then stack one of the 15%, 20% or 21% offers above. Nicely, the pre-discount price of $120 is all that's needed for free shipping.

If you like California reds, a couple others to consider mixing into an order:

• 2019 Arnot-Roberts Syrah Sonoma Coast $36
• 2018 Bedrock Wine Company Old Vine Zinfandel $24

I've had both of these and they are terrific. The Arnot-Roberts is more Rhone-like (in a very good way) and the Bedrock is rounder and more similar to Lytton Springs.

Read more...

2018 Purple Hands Freedom Hill Pinot Noir

Purple Hands is an Oregon Pinot Noir and Chardonnay producer. Let's get right into it with a tasting note for their 2018 Freedom Hill Pinot Noir.

2018 Purple Hands Freedom Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir [affiliate link]

$52.99 before discounts

14% Alcohol

70% opaque, this presents itself as appealing melancholy rainy day kind of wine. Dark and brooding with aromas of forest floor, cedar, and black fruits. Mild tannins with just a hint of grip on the finish, but overall plush and a joy to drink. A surprising amount of sediment in the last glass for such a young wine.

91/100 WWP: Outstanding

Purple Hands, and this bottling in particular, has been on a roll with Wine Spectator lately with the past 4 vintages landing at 92+ points.

Bottom Line

I've long wanted to try these wines, and it's good to see them in stock in Massachusetts at Wine.com (they've got other bottlings too).

The price point is particularly attractive to stack with a $20 off $50 promo code.

Read more...

These Discounts are No Match for Zachys Shipping Costs

Scarsdale, NY retailer Zachys currently has some deals that stack nicely. Unfortunately, their shipping costs are so high it's probably not worth pursuing - unless you live in the area or might pass by for pick-up in the future.

Deals to Stack

1. $30 off $100 with code ZWINTER30

2. A $30 off $150 Amex Offer that expires 3/22/2021

3. Shop through a portal for $10 back on $100+ 

Zachys Shipping Costs

Zachys has a great assortment of compelling wines with what I'd characterize as "just slightly inflated" pricing. As I was experimenting to confirm the coupon code worked, I noticed that shipping costs are incredibly high.

The most affordable option is $50.11 to ship a single bottle of wine:

Prices don't increase much for a 12 bottle case ($52.08) so that could theoretically knock down the per-bottle shipping costs down as low as $4.34/btl. But it would also be challenging to find desirable wines that line up with the overall constraints of these deals.

So for me, the shipping costs kill the deal here.

If you live in Westchester County -or- travel through the area with any kind of frequency this actually could be a good deal. Sure you'd have to pay sales tax (there's no sales tax on wine in MA) but if you were able to stack all the offers on a few bottles you like the discounts are substantial.

Wine Shipping Price Models

Shipping has real costs for sure. I sometimes wonder how reatilers like WTSO do it. I mean - they'll have wines for around $14.99/btl with shipping included on four bottles. With pricing that low it would seem there's not much margin for shipping costs.

Another solution that works well is flat-rate annual shipping. We see this with Wine.com's StewardShip program and Wine Library's Library Pass. Customers like these programs because they can use promo codes without having to pay more for shipping. Retailers like them because it improves customer loyalty.

Bottom Line

Psychologically, it never feels good to "waste" money on shipping. I think it's effective when retailers find other ways to bury shipping costs in their overall pricing models.

I'd hoped this would be another online retailer to work into the mix here (along with frequent mentions of Wine Access and Wine.com) but I just can't make the numbers work currently.

Read more...

2018 Delightful & Strange Napa Red [$100+ for $18?]

A new NDA release from Wine Access arrived today. It comes in at a lower price point than most of their NDA wines so let's see how it compares...

2018 Delightful & Strange Napa Valley Red Wine [affiliate link]

$18/btl

$15/btl (12 or more)

15.2% Alcohol

The first thing you'll notice is the now-familiar "2018" cork enclosure they've used on all of these recent NDA wines.

It's a little reticent on the nose [ambushed fresh off the truck mind you] but it presents surprisingly earthy aromas initially, with dark brooding fruit in the background.

Malbec 44%

Cabernet Sauvignon 25%

Petit Verdot 15%

Merlot 13%

Cabernet Franc 3%

The wine excels when it hits the palate. Round, polished, and smooth on entry. Full-bodied and satisifying on the mid-palate. It finishes with a trail of silty but friendly tannins.

Overall, it's a high quality crowd-pleasing wine that's ready to go.

90/100: Outstanding

Deals to Stack

If you don't have a Wine Access account:

• Shop through a portal
• Get $50 off $150 with first-time order through referral
• New customers get a $100 credit after spending $1,000 in the first year.
• Check out this Amex Offer (expires 2/28/2021, try purchasing a gift card to see if that triggers the offer if you're running out of time?)

If you do have a Wine Access account get 20% off with this offer.

Or this one for 21% off (source)

I've seen some recent 15% off your next 3 order comeback offers for dormant accounts.

Bottom Line

With all the allusions to $100+/$200+/$250+ in the Wine Access write-up it can be difficult to keep expectations in check with this wine.

But if you think of this as a wine that's just north of $10/btl (after referral and/or discounts) it's a tremendous offering. It's solidly 90+ points/an outstanding wine.

What else would I drink at this price point that compares? Columbia Crest H3? Some Spanish red? That's the best I can think.

This is a great value at this price point with discounts. And it's a solid wine regardless of price. Give it a whirl - I doubt you'll be disapointed.

Read more...

New Amex Offers for First/Last Bottle [$30 off $100+, $50 off $250+]

Two new Amex Offers have appeared for related wine retailers:

• First Bottle [Spend $250, get $50 back]
• Last Bottle [Spend $100, get $30 back]

Check your Amex account for these offers.

Both offers expire 4/30/2021.

The spend threshold can be met across multiple transactions which is nice.

Referrals

These offers can be improved by going through a referral if you're a new customer:

• $10 off first First Bottle order
• $10 off first Last Bottle order

T&Cs

First Bottle Offer

In writing to enable string search:

Spend $250 or more, get $50 back

First Bottle Wines
EXPIRES
04/30/2021

Redeem Now

DETAILS

Get a one-time $50 statement credit by using your enrolled Card to spend a minimum of $250 in one or more transactions online at firstbottlewines.com by 4/30/2021. See terms for exclusions.

OFFER TERMS

Must first add offer to Card and then use same Card to redeem. Only U.S.-issued American Express® Cards are eligible. Limit 1 enrolled Card per Card Member across all American Express offer channels. Your enrollment of an eligible American Express Card for this offer extends only to that Card. Offer valid online via US website only. Valid only on purchases made in US dollars. Excludes Last Bottle Wines. Must be 21 years or older to consume alcohol, please drink responsibly. See merchant website for shipping policy. Some merchants may not ship to all areas. Offer is non-transferable. Limit of 1 statement credit per Card Member. The enrolled Card account must not be cancelled or past due to receive statement credit. Any benefit earned from this offer is in addition to the rewards (i.e. Membership Rewards or cash back) earned as part of your existing Card benefits, but your ability to earn spend-based rewards for the purchase will be based on the amount after any statement credit or other discount is applied. Statement credit will appear on your billing statement within 90 days after 4/30/2021, provided that American Express receives information from the merchant about your qualifying purchase. Note that American Express may not receive information about your qualifying purchase from merchant until all items from your qualifying purchase have been provided/shipped by merchant. Statement credit may be reversed if qualifying purchase is returned/cancelled. If American Express does not receive information that identifies your transaction as qualifying for the offer, you will not receive the statement credit. For example, your transaction will not qualify if it is not made directly with the merchant. In addition, in most cases, you may not receive the statement credit if your transaction is made with an electronic wallet or through a third party or if the merchant uses a mobile or wireless card reader to process it. By adding an offer to a Card, you agree that American Express may send you communications about the offer. POID: K1PN:0001

Last Bottle Offer

Spend $100 or more, get $30 back
Last Bottle Wines
EXPIRES
04/30/2021

Redeem Now

DETAILS

Get a one-time $30 statement credit by using your enrolled Card to spend a minimum of $100 in one or more transactions online at lastbottlewines.com by 4/30/2021. See terms for exclusions.

OFFER TERMS

Must first add offer to Card and then use same Card to redeem. Only U.S.-issued American Express® Cards are eligible. Limit 1 enrolled Card per Card Member across all American Express offer channels. Your enrollment of an eligible American Express Card for this offer extends only to that Card. Offer valid online only at lastbottlewines.com. Excludes First Bottle Wines and Invino. Must be 21 years or older to consume alcohol, please drink responsibly. See merchant website for shipping policy. Some merchants may not ship to all areas. Offer is non-transferable. Limit of 1 statement credit per Card Member. The enrolled Card account must not be cancelled or past due to receive statement credit. Any benefit earned from this offer is in addition to the rewards (i.e. Membership Rewards or cash back) earned as part of your existing Card benefits, but your ability to earn spend-based rewards for the purchase will be based on the amount after any statement credit or other discount is applied. Statement credit will appear on your billing statement within 90 days after 4/30/2021, provided that American Express receives information from the merchant about your qualifying purchase. Note that American Express may not receive information about your qualifying purchase from merchant until all items from your qualifying purchase have been provided/shipped by merchant. Statement credit may be reversed if qualifying purchase is returned/cancelled. If American Express does not receive information that identifies your transaction as qualifying for the offer, you will not receive the statement credit. For example, your transaction will not qualify if it is not made directly with the merchant. In addition, in most cases, you may not receive the statement credit if your transaction is made with an electronic wallet or through a third party or if the merchant uses a mobile or wireless card reader to process it. By adding an offer to a Card, you agree that American Express may send you communications about the offer. POID: K1PW:0001

Bottom Line

I'll refer back to this post when I find good deals in the future. For now, I'd recommend adding them to your Amex account(s) until a great deal comes along.

Read more...