Norm Roby's Unfiltered Guide to Savvy Wine Shopping
Finding the best deals online & direct from wineries
Heading To Sonoma Wine Country This Weekend?
Check out the exciting deals at www.invino.com this weekend.
Maintaining its #1 ranking in my top 7 web retailers, invino is holding a Warehouse sale both Friday and Saturday in Sonoma, just off the Plaza.
For more buying tips and a detailed review of invino.com, go to: www.bestonlinewineshopping.com
Recently, one online retailer offered the 2015 Screaming Eagle
Napa Cabernet for $2,499.99 a bottle. That it was available was odd enough but then I asked myself, who would pay that for one bottle? And online?
Since millennials are the usual suspects for things we don’t understand, I created this fool-proof quiz to get some answers.
A. Which of the following would you buy for $2,499.99?
(hint, this can be pretend money or bitcoins)
B. Would you Who Checked “A-1” Buy the Screaming Eagle Based on this Review?
98-100 pts – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“Blended of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon reveals a medium to deep garnet-purple color and nose of crushed blackberries, black cherries and wild blueberries with notions of fragrant earth, garrigue, lavender, Sichuan pepper and dried leaves. Medium-bodied with signature elegance and finesse, it’s the incredibly fine, oh-so-pixelated tannins that help to define the signature of this vineyard, beautifully supporting the elegant fruit, finishing with great poise. This is a very sensuous, pensive style and not for those seeking a full-on blockbuster but rather will greatly pleasure lovers of wines with quiet intensity and subtle depth. Note that this was a tank sample, due to be bottled within a week.”
A.
“I’ll Be There In A Prosecco” T-Shirt offered on Amazon.
6. You know Dom? Feel free to invite me to the tasting.
B.
Yes, but who or what is a Robert Parker?
Is that an app, new designer running shoe or what?
And why so many, what are they…words?
No. How can you rate a wine before it is in the bottle? Tank sample?
Tank this!
And why does wine need an advocate, anyway?
Must be FAKE wine. SAD.
(Online only and does not include flash sales.)
Excellent finds/discounts in CA wines and direct imports.
Recent selections demonstrate a serious effort to find hidden gems. Moved to the top with new Italian wines and super California wines like Cuvaison Pinot and the unusual Marsanne from Mendocino’s Campovida. Offering 2013 “Prime Solum” Napa Cabernet from Bill (William) Hill tipped it for me.
Totally eccentric, often brilliant selection of imports.
Upgraded this week after securing excellent wines under $10 and super older wines like Qupe 09 Syrah. Provides excellent background on Bordeaux vintages.
Most complete and reliable site with decent discounts.
Showed well this week with 1 cent shipping option and much improved Bordeaux selection.
Solid, all-purpose site, part of the Wine Enthusiast.
Broke into the top 7 list this with several exciting offers.
Among them, Ferrari Carano’s Siena under $20 and lovely, all-purpose Primal Roots red for under $10.
Solid for discounted Italian and Spanish wines.
Enjoyed a strong week with exciting Barolo and Brunello deals,and specials on imported Roses. A double magnum of lovely Rose? Worked for me.
Rapidly improving. Best for CA wines.
Added hard to find wines from Tor and Jones Family, and Vermillion from Keplinger. Not all wines are discounted, this is more like a specialty online wine shop.
A go-to site if you love exploring new, small wineriesfrom Sonoma County. Added a Sauvignon from Bodkin and a new red from Jigar this week.
This site recently showed remarkable versatility with good deals on McLaren Vale Grenache, RustRidge Napa Zin and Phelps Napa Cabernet Sauvignon.
Norm Roby's Unfiltered Guide to Savvy Wine Shopping 