Yeah but is it JS?
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Then apply the Suckling Subtract Six rule.
Assuming Suckling, it’s an ‘89’, which is a very good wine, but not outstanding.
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Yeah- forgot about Suckling. Don’t remember ever seeing the Decanter caveat.
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The Decanter slander was funny.
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The mystery that we all (or at least I) strongly believed to be Rancia was offered at $48.70. Today, the unmasked Rancia was offered at $48.71. 
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Does anyone know what the mystery Cab is from August 9th is for $19 bones/bottle is
Cabernet Sauvignon Mystery 750ml (California)
Item Price: $19.96
Pretty confident the mystery Walla Walla cab is Zerba Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon (“CRAZY with a capital Z”).
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That is exactly what I came up with as well, assume the Z meant something.
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Not familiar with Zerba but I don’t see any professional reviews of their wines, much less four.
I’m not a buyer, but was curious as to what this might be.
I was thinking Seven Hills—if the discount was much more I think he’d try to entice you with something about the original price, whereas Seven Hills base cab is a $30 bottle.
Really it could be a bunch of stuff.
Zerba Cellars is OK. Not bad, not special. To tell the truth, most Walla Walla Cabs are fungible.
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I tasted through Zerba a year or two ago. Their best wine was a cab franc, but agree with peter in general that there wasn’t much to be excited about.
2005 Merlot = Hedges. We’ll see how it goes…
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some other mystery wines for those interested
4/8/25 - pinot noir mystery california - $27 - 2022 kendric
5/4/25 - dundee hills pinot noir - $29 - 2021 torii mor dundee hills select
7/29/25 - brunello - $50 - 2020 castello romitorio
8/12/25 - willamette valley chardonnay - $17 - andante
8/12/25 - willamette valley pinot - $17 - andante
had a couple mystery bottles that really came through last shipping season so emboldened me to try a few more than normal. most of these don’t excite me that much but hope to be pleasantly surprised. eyes wide open here
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Kendric is excellent - sadly they are going out of business
Wow!!!
$50 for the Romitorio is a great deal. That’s extremely close to the wholesale price.
Romitorio has been sort of a frequent flier as a Garagiste mystery. Often at very good prices.
Last year it was the entry level bottling, “Toscana IGT Romitorio”, which is an amazing wine for $17. I could also swear they had the Brunello once at that same $49 price.
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You’re right on the $49, picked up 2 of '19’s at that price last year. So wasn’t surprised to see as a mystery offering for the same amount.
An early-November 2021 mystery offer at $49, “2016 Garagiste Brunello di Montalcino Mystery”, was 2016 Castello Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino. (Note: In the CT Stores data, Last Bottle is also a major source for this wine and both WTSO and Costco were listed.)
There is currently a 95 point Mystery Syrah up that must be Big Basin. That is another name that shows up frequently in Garagiste Mysteries.
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Some recent mysteries revealed
- 2/5 offers #3 Barolo Mystery (Piedmont) (2020 Clerico COMUNE DI MONFORTE D’ALBA)
- #2 Barolo Mystery (Piedmont) (2020 Clerico Ginestra Pajana)
- #1 Barolo Mystery (Piedmont)(2020 Ginestra Ciabot Mentin)
- 4/8 offer - Pinot Noir Mystery 750ml (California) (2022 Kendrick)