I don’t know what it is, but I would put my money on a bet that it’s not a cab (at least not a cabernet sauvignon). Maybe a pride merlot?
I didn’t get any, but I’m really curious if it was even red.
Michael
On the mystery CA offering - sounded interesting but I thought it was very strange that he didn’t mention professional reviews as he usually would - just CT reviews - signaled a big pass for me at the $40 price point.
I agree it sounds like a Pride cab, cab franc or merlot but the winery shows these wines sold out. Maybe the winery just shows sold out to maintain demand?
I don’t think it’s a pride merlot, as the email said it was the winery’s “top red wine,” 500 cases were produced and sells for $70-90. According to the Pride website, their merlot sells for $60 and over 5000 cases were produced.
The email said “a big, strapping Napa/Sonoma Cabernet-based wine from 2012 or 2013” so I would take the other side of that bet.
Kris, I’m always happy to get together with other wine lovers for sample tasting. I’ll send a PM.
As for the recent Mystery CA red wine, there are too many choices to even begin to speculate, and most of the wines are overpriced at suggested retail. I find it interesting that Jon says he has never offered one of their wines before, yet claims the winery “owed him a favor”.
P Hickner
Maybe he was going to sell one of their wines, something fell through, and he ended up getting shorted, so somehow they gave him a karma credit for the future.
The price points of so many of these unknown California wines $80 etc, feel like WTSO list prices. I don’t understand who is really paying that. Is it the ocassional drunk visitor to the tasting room?
Ah, I missed that part, just noticed at the end where he kept calling it a Bordeaux varietal. THough maybe a cab franc/merlot blend?
Pleasantly surprised. It’s red. 
The wine was 2010 Jaboulet Cornas Domaine de Saint Pierre. Single vineyard at the top of the appellation from an historic (and improving) producer. I much prefer the northern to the southern Rhone, so this was a good buy for me. Wine Searcher shows lowest US price as $65, so I’m OK with saving $5 per bottle from that price.
http://frederickwildman.com/national/wine/paul-jaboulet-aine/cornas-domaine-de-st-pierre/2010
I should have had more confidence. It was the Castello di Ama San Lorenzo. Well, I got one out of curiosity.
P Hickner
2009 Boudreaux.
P Hickner
The 2010?
Wow, I actually know a mystery wine! (#111) - Result of a Crush. Must be one of the easiest ones ever to guess then.
On the best QPR I know, was just in Walla Walla for release weekend and they were selling the 2011’s for $20. So I already grabbed a bunch.
Terrance,
You beat me to it. His clues on this one aren’t very obscure (I assume intentionally so…) and are all consistent with the Reynvaan sisters’ “cheeky” wine. I’ve had these before, and they’re a darn sight better QPR at $17 than most WA reds…
Michael
I might have missed it, but did anyone post what the 2010 Brunello Mystery (Tusc73) turned out to be?
2011
La Serena di Andrea Mantengoli
Thanks!
Great price today on the 2011 Nicolas Joly Coulee de Serrant.