2006 Pride Reserve

WINE TALK
1

This morning on “that other board” I commented that I’ve been buying Pride for years and have never made the Reserve list when others after me had. Well about 15 minutes ago I got a call from Pride wanting to make nice and offered me their wine.

I told them I didn’t want 6 bottles (there’s a 6 bottle minimum) so they offered me whatever I wanted. Well, after my rant of the other board I hate to be hypercritical and buy it and also is the 06 Pride Reserve worth $125 a bottle?

Thanks.

2

Oh how the times are changing in favor of the consumer.

I think Dandridge tasted these from barrel and said they were some of the best wines Pride has produced.

3

I remarked on “The Board That Shall Not Be Named” how weird that I received this offering after not buying Pride for years. The worm has indeed turned in the wine world.

4

Steve,
Pride does a pretty diligent job monitoring that site. I complained about not being on the reserve list once and almost immediately got a lengthy email from Mike Campbell explaining how the reserve list is filled. Ironically I had a conversation with him a few months before that during our visit about getting on the list - he was a great host that day. He even sold us a few bottles of the reserve in the tasting room that day as a goodwill gesture - which I appreciated.

I wasn’t aware of the 6 bottle minimum, though, as my initial allocation for my first offer last year was for only 3 bottles.

That being said, I have only tried the 99 and 03 reserve cabs and thought they were outstanding. Is it worth $125? Relative to other Cali cabs at the same price point I would say absolutely. I have heard only good things about the 2006’s and hope to have enough available credit to order as much as they offer me next week! I wonder if I can use multiple credit cards for one order…

5

Are the 2006 Reserves available for purchase? I haven’t seen anything yet but did receive an offer last year…

6

My understanding was you have to buy three to stay on the list

7

I bought my full allocation last year (of the Reserves) but I have stopped buying the regular bottlings. It was my understanding that the two were separate, however.

8

Just got an email offering. Mine says:

  • We ask for a purchase of a minimum of three bottles of Reserve Cabernet to maintain your place on the reserve list.

  • If you have been allocated Reserve Claret and/or Sangiovese and do not purchase it, it will not be included in your allocation next year.

9

Steve,
I think it’s a go for you. A, you have the unintended consequences of your actions (bitch and then refuse - which you’ve acknowledged) and B, as I stated when we discussed the Merlot - the Resv is a fantastic wine. It truly is far different from the remainder of the offerings and I’ve been at many tastings where (blind) it’s done quite well against others.

I don’t know if you want to part with 7+ bills for a 6’er - but, grab three. have one when it lands and has settled to benchmark it and then in 5 years try it again. I think you’ll find that it’s worth the price of admission.

10

I have been buying Pride for years. I just got an email “Click here for your Pride Reserve Allocation”. I clicked and “You have no allocation.” [shrug.gif] I’m not bitching because I was not going to buy anyway. . .just seems like not the best PR to me, IMHO.

11

That’s got to be a mistake, Bruce.

Has anyone tasted the Cab Reserve? RP’s review doesn’t make it seem worth the freight.