Fresh Off the Truck: 2016 VASO by Dana Estates Napa Cab

I received a shipment of some recently released Wine Access wines today. I wasted no time cracking the more intriguing options open. Let's get right into it...

2016 VASO by Dana Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Direct Link

15.3% Alcohol

$85/btl

Almost entirely opaque, the wine leaps from the glass aromatically.

Strikes serious yet approachable notes both aromatically and on the palate. Both experiences are consistent, and it conveys on the finish. Jammy and generous but with serious backbone. Amazingly well balanced. This is terrific stuff from beginning to end.

93/100 WWP: Outstanding

If this is a predictor of what the 2018 Yesterday Howell Mountain Napa Cab is going to be like in a couple years (and based on the clues I think it will be) we're in for a treat.

Deals to Stack

• $50 off $150 with first-time order through referral
• Amex Offer
• Shop through a portal on your first order

Read more...

New Wine.com Promo Codes: 5 Sparkling Rosé Suggestions

I like to serve sparkling wine around the holidays, and sparkling rosé in particular. I think it's festive, pretty, and a little fruitier than regular sparkling white wine while still maintaining a dry clean finish.

It can also be surprisingly affordable.

A couple new Wine.com codes have surfaced that can really knock the price down on the terrific options below.

Promo Codes

• $20 off $50 20HOLIDAY (source)
• $50 off $200 UNCORK50 (emailed to me)

Recommended Sparkling Roses

Billecart-Salmon Brut Rose $79.99

This wine has such a favorable reputation among people in the know. Consistently when I speak with restaraunteurs and professionals in the business they'll say this is the benchmark in the category.

Laurent-Perrier Cuvee Rose $79.99

Such a beautiful wine inside and out. We had a bottle of this last night and it hit the spot. Highly recommended.

Gruet Brut Rose $16.99

Switching things up a little bit price-wise and geographically, this comes from New Mexico. It's "peachy" in color (while others trend in more of a pink direction). Clean and delicious.

Bisol Jeio Cuvee Rose $16.99

When you find yourself in Cortona, Italy and consult the Gambero Rosso you'll likely wind up dining at Ristorante Preludio. They may very well start you off with a complimentary glass of Jeio Rosé Prosecco. Tasting this takes me back there every time.

Segura Viudas Cava Brut Rose $9.99

This Cava is probably the fruitiest option on the list and an amazing value. Maybe start off with one of the pricier options and follow up with this one? Also good with brunch given the fruit.

Notes

• Prices are as observed currently priced in MA and vary by state
• Wines ending in .97 don't work w/promo codes (Veuve Cliquot for example)
• Affiliate links above

Wine.com has been shipping in-stock wines surprsingly quickly to me in Massachusetts. Perhaps time to get these for New Year's Eve enjoyment.

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Fresh Off the Truck: 2018 Wine Access Star Treatment Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

The $140 for $30 Wine Access "NDA" Pinot Noir I posted about recently arrived and I wasted no time cracking a bottle.

2018 Wine Access Star Treatment Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

Direct Link (still in stock as of now)

14.5% Alcohol
$30/btl (or as low as $25/btl in quantity)

Light in color for a Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. Like a 3 on a scale of 1-10 on opacity (with 10 being completely opaque).

Attractive glistening ruby color. Initial impression immediately upon opening wasn't particularly favorable. But especially given that it just got here I poured a glass and gave it 45 minutes to breathe. And...it improved significantly. Worth noting: Wine Access suggests waiting 7-10 days post-shipment before enjoying.

Appealing typical CA Pinot Noir markers on the nose. Fresh picked stawberries. A little briar patch that continues onto the palate. Unfortunately, I'm picking up a bit of a "green" note on the tail end of the finish that's throwing me. Wine Access tasting note says "subtle mintiness" - if it's that I'm not particularly liking it.

This is a food wine, not a cocktail wine.

90/100 WWP: Outstanding (but was hoping for more)

What Else to Buy from Wine Access?

• 2017 The Phoenix Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley (another NDA Napa Cab)
• 2015 Coho Headwaters Proprietary Red Wine Napa Valley (a perennial favorite around here)
• 2018 Radio Silence Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley (review still in stock, enthusiasm for these NDA wines seems to wane north of $40)
• 2016 Antiche Terre Venete Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG (great price for a 91WS Amarone)
• 2016 VASO by Dana Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley (we suspected the Yesterday Howell Mountain could be this, seems even more likely now)
• I was able to grab a few bottles of O'Shaughnessey Napa Cab today - check whether are any remaining in your locale

Deals to Stack

• $50 off $150 with first-time order through referral
• Amex Offer
• Shop through a portal on your first order

Read more...

Wine Access $30 NDA Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir [compare at $140/btl]

Wine Access has been offering a lot of "NDA" Cabernets lately with varying degrees of success. I was impressed with the Yesterday Cabs. Radio Silence and Editorial as well. Commission not as much.

2018 Star Treatment Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
Direct Link (still in stock as of now)
$30-$25/btl (depending on quantity ordered)
14.5% Alcohol
Free shipping on $120+

Clues

• Antonio Galloni has called this winery's wines "off the charts" (I thought at first this might be Ceritas or Rhys)
• Jeb Dunnuck has hailed them as "truly brilliant" (turns out he uses this phrase quite a bit, but he has mentioned it in the context of Kistler Chardonnay)
• Robert Parker said they "can easily hold their own in blind tastings with the finest red Burgundies"
• "grapes that have inspired 98-point ratings"

Parker's words really have me thinking the source grapes are from Kistler.

Wine Access recently offered a Kistler appellation Pinot Noir for $75, so there's some association there already. That's a pattern we've seen with the NDA cabs as well.

But the bit about 98 point ratings has me thinking it could be from Kistler, but more specifically from Steve Kistler's family winery Occidental.

The average price of Occidental SWK Vineyard Pinot Noir on wine-searcher? $140

I'm in for 6-12 bottles of this. This is right up my alley.

If you're new to Wine Access $50 off $150 through referral:

http://share.wineaccess.com/v/robert_221

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