Wine Berserkers - international wine social media, online community, and forums

Mike Kuller

Tom - have you tried Butter Chardonnay? I have a morbid curiosity about this wine and every time I'm in TW, I want to buy it but just can't. "California - Butter Chardonnay has aromas of apple pie and a rich creaminess that surrounds you at each sip. Aged in oak, this wine sees brightness, complexi...

Mike Kuller

Tom - have you tried Butter Chardonnay? I have a morbid curiosity about this wine and every time I'm in TW, I want to buy it but just can't. "California - Butter Chardonnay has aromas of apple pie and a rich creaminess that surrounds you at each sip. Aged in oak, this wine sees brightness, complexi...

Mike Kuller

Was at the Concord, CA Costco today. They only had the 2017 Signature Series Columbia Valley red.

Mike Kuller

Our local wine shop has lots of Turley and some Rafanelli zin priced much higher than retail from the wineries.

Mike Kuller

Why was this wine - 2015 Fontodi 'Flaccianello $119 at my Costco and $80 at yours? I've seen the variation like this before. There are two Costcos within about a 15 minute drive in either direction (Concord and Danville) - one is in a much nicer part of town and their prices can be a little higher ...

Mike Kuller

I had not heard of this winery so I searched here and found this thread. Not surprised to see the reaction by some, I share it. The new Cuvee has a skull on the label, and can be yours for the fair price of, $250! 447FA6CE-05B3-4150-81D4-FCFB024D0F3C.jpeg Reminds me of Armida's Poizin zinfandel - "...

Mike Kuller

Buena Vista Winery's transformation additionally says he wants to do things with a flair. Every winery wants a differentiating story. One of the earliest Ca wineries has servers and greeters in old Western attire and the theme continues with a wine having a sheriff's star affixed to the bottle. His...

Mike Kuller

Two weeks ago we spent a 3 day weekend in Healdsburg. On Saturday, our last stop as we tasted wines downtown around the square was the flamboyant JCB tasting room. We have been fans of JCB's Raymond winery in Napa since the winemaker gave our tasting group and wives a tour a few years ago. It was th...

Mike Kuller

When I had the 2013 at Merril's I felt the same way. But it took a little longer to completely open up - maybe 6 hours. Delicious Now you are giving up all our secrets...6 hours with me? [wow.gif] Yeah, thanks for noticing. It just seemed like 6 hours. [cheers.gif] We started tasting at about noon ...

Mike Kuller

When I had the 2013 at Merril's I felt the same way.

But it took a little longer to completely open up - maybe 6 hours.

Delicious.

Mike Kuller

John Morris wrote: ↑
August 8th, 2019, 12:59 pm

Mike Kuller wrote: ↑
August 5th, 2019, 7:41 pm
Wineries have to sell the wine to you at retail unless you join their wine club.
I know if no such requirement anywhere.

If they discount bottles, how will they get you to join their club with discounted regular shippings?

Mike Kuller

In talking to Santa Cruz (MJA) and Capitola (Armida) CA tasting room personnel, a number of locals have joined the wine clubs to get free tastings and they come in regularly for free wine before dinner. MJA has had to limit the free wine for club members to once a week. Despicable misuse of the int...

Mike Kuller

In talking to Santa Cruz (MJA) and Capitola (Armida) CA tasting room personnel, a number of locals have joined the wine clubs to get free tastings and they come in regularly for free wine before dinner.

MJA has had to limit the free wine for club members to once a week.

Mike Kuller

I thought Steve Zichichi in Dry Creek has a great business model. He's an interesting guy who was the orthopedic surgeon for the NO Saints but after hurricane Katrina he retired and brough his young family to property they owned here. We discoverd him over 10 years ago and others may do something si...

Mike Kuller

Back in the day, in the 1980s and 1990s, the Napa wine tasting rooms used to be called "hospitality" as a way to introduce customers to their wines. Tasting fees were low and could be applied to a purchase. Some let you keep the glass. Fast forward to the late 1990s. More wineries popping up, more t...

Mike Kuller

EHeffner wrote: ↑
August 7th, 2019, 7:49 am
For anyone who’s had the 16 Kirkland oakville, would it benefit from sitting a year or two or just drink away?

I think it's a little tight and would benefit from a year or two.

Mike Kuller

Wineries have to sell the wine to you at retail unless you join their wine club. Then you get perhaps 20% off.

Mike Kuller

duplicate

Mike Kuller

A local friend who did consulting in Portland for a couple of years raves about Wine on Broadway. Very knowledgeable women who run it who suggest some excellent Oregon pinot noirs to try.

Mike Kuller

MikeVenezia wrote: ↑
July 28th, 2019, 7:26 pm
Maybe it’s just me but the 2015 Beringer Napa Valley that’s 22 bucks in Novato seems to be the bargain cab of the century. Glad someone mentioned the Hess, I was thinking about trying that!

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=154049&p=2578208&hi ... r#p2575560

Mike Kuller

https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67496465_10218806854073077_3368208375379656704_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&_nc_oc=AQnXdJ66ADltkUPZKy4V_PyPrFUSYfTwCGJPj_t6z5S5MG4yI_kwtIDybNnz2wlfXrM&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=6f209af5e5d7330eba91d02d382403eb&oe=5DA13D76 2017 Hess Collection Allomi Napa Valley...

Mike Kuller

I agree with Robert.

Why can't someone ask a question here without all the comedians trying to get a laugh?

Mike Kuller

JohnP wrote: ↑
July 1st, 2019, 11:06 pm
Anyone seen the 16' Sassacaia at Costco yet?

I believe I might have seen it in Concord a couple of weeks ago, but it looked very pricey.

Mike Kuller

I thought TW direct are private brands (maybe wrong term) of which I have never heard ?? Am I mistaken/wrong ?? Nope, winery direct wines are, just like they sound, wines they procure directly from the winery and are mostly well known brands....... Which I assume allows them better pricing and the ...

Mike Kuller

J. Rock wrote: ↑
June 28th, 2019, 3:58 pm
I really love the 2014 Austin Hope GSM (from Paso). It's fruit forward and bold, but also had nice complimentary spice flavors.

Their 2017 cabernet is highly rated and seems to have a similar fruit-forward profile for around $45.

Chuck Wagner is a part owner.

Mike Kuller

On my iPhone using AOL, many times when I try to read a message, it doesn't recognize my password.

So each day or new place with WiFi I have to get a new one, since the one my LastPass remembers and tries, doesn't work.

Is it Apple, AOL or WB?

Mike Kuller

Sc0tt F!tzger@ld wrote: ↑
June 15th, 2019, 12:40 pm

Nick F. wrote: ↑
June 15th, 2019, 12:32 pm
Costco Arlington Texas
Schramsberg blanc noir
19.97
What vintage? That's a helluva price.

Same at Concord.

Also a few bottles of 2006 Dom mixed in with the 2009.

Mike Kuller

Stupid poll. I never drink wine to "chill out and destress after a shitty day." Yep. Don't drink much else besides wine and not often during the week, no matter how shitty the day was. On Friday nights, we start out with a bottle of champagne to destress from the week. If it was just me, it would b...

Mike Kuller

Thanks for a great write-up Ken.

I've visited Deaver and enjoy their zins.

Their 2015 Henry's House won our wine tasting group's blind zinfandel tasting last month.

Mike Kuller

No doubt you've see this study using MRI. Why expensive wine appears to taste better: It's the price tag When a bottle costs more, the reward center in the brain plays a trick on us Date: August 14, 2017 University of Bonn Summary: Price labels influence our liking of wine: The same wine tastes bett...

Mike Kuller

mango/cucumber/yogurt fish recipe is their best ever Oh my. [bleh.gif] You mean best mango/cucumber/yogurt fish recipe surely! Fruit and fish is a no no. Other than tomatoes, peppers, squash, or beans. Although I did have a friend from the West Indies who frequently made ackee and saltfish, and tha...

Mike Kuller

2018 had perfect growing conditions.

Should be much better than the 2017s (smoke in some areas, big heat spike everywhere) and maybe all of the 2000s.

So maybe vintage of the decade.

I've stopped buying most 2017s and will stock up on the 2018s.

Mike Kuller

My wife is a chardonnay drinker. From Costco, I get her Ferrari-Carano, Landmark Overlook and Neyers, all under $25. The Neyers is usually the best one. Sonoma-Cutrer Russian River isn't bad. Depending on the year, Kendall Jackson's area specific chardonnays (like Monterey) are good. Their $10 2015 ...

Mike Kuller

Lacey, WA has 2015 Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir Dundee Hills for $33.99. This location has a very small wine selection compared to others. When I've visited my daughter in WA their Costos always seem to have much more Oregon pinot noirs than we find in the CA stores. And we have more CA choices. Go f...

Mike Kuller

For sparkling, Roederer Anderson Valley Brut is under $20 at Costco. Hard to beat for the money. For reds, as a zin aficionado, I agree with Bedrock Old Vine and Turley Juvenile. You may have to order the Turley from the winery but the Bedrock is available at good bottle shops, at least here in the ...

Mike Kuller

I am looking at planning a corporate event and am looking at renting a home in St. Helena. Do you have any good recommendations for wineries that handle groups of 20 well. First of all St. Helena is not in Sonoma. But you must know that. Some years ago we had a terrific corporate dinner at Merryval...

Mike Kuller

Karl F wrote: ↑
May 15th, 2019, 11:01 am
I was going to suggest the Kirkland Brand Alexander Valley Cabernet but they haven't had it for a while.
I walk in today and the 2016 just came in.
Alison Crowe Winemaker
Same as before.
I just finished my last bottle of the 15.

$9.89
Delaware

Did you try the '16?

Mike Kuller

rsmithjr wrote: ↑
May 14th, 2019, 6:04 pm
Josh Carr Napa, H3 from Columbia Crest, B- Side.

H3 - 2 for $20.

Mike Kuller

Jon Clayton wrote: ↑
May 11th, 2019, 5:13 pm
I am still learning the ropes here and hope that I do not get banned for this - tonight we are drinking Kirkland Cabernet Oakville (2016). It was 18.99 at my local Costco and I can find absolutely nothing to complain about at this price point.

Good choice but most have sold out of it.

Mike Kuller

Robert M yers wrote: ↑
May 11th, 2019, 11:14 am
Maybe Zinfandel...you can get Bedrock Old Vine for $20. Perfect bbq/pizza leave the rest for the next day type wine.

Also Turley Juvenile zin about the same price.

Mike Kuller

Never heard of Scarecrow cabernet? Neither had I, though I’ve been a fan of its winemaker, Celia Welch, for the past 20 years. I liked this part. There's a part of my that finds that statement to be slightly dubious. I am huge Tom Brady fan but what is this team, the New England Patriots, you speak...

Mike Kuller

Mike Kuller wrote: ↑
March 31st, 2019, 1:04 pm

bradkaplan wrote: ↑
March 31st, 2019, 12:56 pm
Atlanta (Brookhaven) now with the 08 Dom at $138. Good deal.
Same in Danville, CA.

Sorry, I was mistaken. It's the 2009.

Mike Kuller

bradkaplan wrote: ↑
March 31st, 2019, 12:56 pm
Atlanta (Brookhaven) now with the 08 Dom at $138. Good deal.

Same in Danville, CA.

Mike Kuller

Glenn L e v i n e wrote: ↑
May 15th, 2016, 10:37 am
Yes, Vino Noceto.

Two of theirs came in at #1 and #2 at our last sangiovese tasting.

Amador County.

Mike Kuller

Sabering technique:

Mike Kuller

David Wright wrote: ↑
March 27th, 2019, 9:36 am
With the neck of the bottle facing away from you (and anyone else), grab the cork with a pair of pliers and gently twist the bottle to loosen the cork.

Mike Kuller

I'll be spending the last week of March up in Healdsburg and have only 1 tasting reservation at A. Rafanelli on Saturday. But I'd really like to visit a winery that has some solid white wines. Any suggestions for a winery either near Rafanelli, or near Healdsburg that has some solid whites? Thanks!...

Mike Kuller

It's getting out of hand how much it costs to taste high end wine in Napa. Something like this as an alternative is a great idea for people who enjoy wine and are on a middle to lower middle class budget. I don't go to Napa often, except with out-of- town friends. Downtown Napa isn't bad, but I sta...

Mike Kuller

Neal.Mollen wrote: ↑
March 18th, 2019, 1:56 pm
Polish. And linearity.

Sounds more like your new amplifier

Mike Kuller

Anton D wrote: ↑
March 18th, 2019, 12:37 pm
I think it would be awesome if Vallejo-based island tasting rooms took off and fewer people were congesting Napa Valley.

But Napa is like Disneyland.

How much traffic will a miniature Wally's World take away?

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