Was also surprised to see Last Bottle and WineBid both scheduled shipments to Chicago this week…
I’m a cheapskate who didn’t spring for shipping insurance, so fingers crossed…
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I had two wineries proactively hold mine, but I’m not that concerned about Chicago temps. Something I’m missing between here and CA?
It looks like Last Bottle is running a Marathon from December 11th - 13th. It’s kind of wild that I just received my August marathon orders this week 
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Looking forward to my Elivette popsicles!
Would be the chef’s kiss after getting heat damaged bottles directly from SMV this summer.
Still:
Seven cases of marathon and summer hold wines were finally shipped on Monday, arriving in PA next Monday. Right through the first cold snap. Can’t time this any worse. Two month of perfect weather for shipping and they eff it up royally.
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That’s so weird. Well, i didn’t have 7 cases from them…but we live like a literal mile from each other and I received multiple separate orders from them since that time. I ordered some mags via email direct and they came just before Thanksgiving…was colder than I would have preferred, but still fine. Safest bet is just redirect for store pickup but then you have that hassle too, so yeah, agree…the timing is bad.
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FWIW, I got a non-LB case shipment last night (8:30 pm) in Chicagoland and while it was f’ing freezing outside, the bottles - while chilly - were in good shape.
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Wine Access shipped me wine this Monday, was set to arrive Wednesday but delivery exceptions mean now scheduled for today. Curious as to condition after five days of freezing temps. At least WA has very good customer service which may come into play if the bottles are showing pushed corks.
I had the same thought though, as these have been on weather hold since summer. Why wait until now to ship?
Was it a prearrival offer?
No. Weather hold since summer.
Oh, and also have a LB order weather held since summer for which I received a shipping notice weeks ago and still showing not shipped on the website.
Mount Eden cab up. 2020? Are there smoke taint worries?
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if it was any other vintage but I’m unfamiliar with the fires in that area
CT reviews (all recent) are quite positive!
I might be wrong but can’t see how they dont have smoke taint based on santa cruz fire dates vs harvest dates?
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LNU fire was in August so no harvest before then. The CT reviews are positive.
Regarding 2020 Mount Eden cab…this was also talked about in the 2020 Monte Bello discussion. Adam Lee posted this Wine Advocate review of the Mount Eden:
88 points. “The wildfires of this vintage were particularly devastating in the central Santa Cruz Mountains and are unfortunately evident in the 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, however slightly. The nose offers predominately classic aromas of saddle leather, violets and dark, luscious fruits; however, faint flutters of campfire smoke aromas dart in and out of the glass with time. While the mid-palate texture is classic Mount Eden in its balanced restraint and elegant structure, the finish initially falls short and hollow before filling out with extended aeration. I tracked this bottle over several days, and the issue was slight but persistent, consistently weaving in and out of the nose and finish. Considering the enormous challenges, it should be viewed as a relative success.” Matthew Luczy April '24
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Call me a skeptic but ‘dashing in and out’ seems no where like what others have said about the Monte Bello.
Seen campfire used as a positive to note toasted oak notes.
Was his review based off blind tasting?
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That review was for the 2020 Mount Eden cab, not the Monte Bello. The Mount Eden was discussed in the Monte Bello thread