I picked this half bottle up on a lark last week at Costco for $20 because I read the back label and saw that it was produced in conjunction with Alois Kracher…I mean what the hell, how bad could it be?
What I got was an amazing bottle of wine for the dollars. I popped it last night after a bottle red to enjoy with the last of the Cabrales on the cheese plate. Very pale in color…almost clear as tap water, but very viscous without being syrupy. Wonderful nose of tropical fruits with a violet component. On the palate, the wine is very sweet without being overly cloying as the acid is there to hold it in check. Great tropical flavors of pinapple, grapefruit, blood orange and lychee. This is an amazingly complex wine that I have to get more of. At the price point, it is a no brainer and I think it blows like priced Sauternes away. Probably not for everyone, but I think it is a must try for desert wine afficianados.
Bill, these Ordonez stickies are great values. We recently had the #1 at our wine poker night and for the $19 I spent was more than impressed by it. It had nice tropical fruits and not too syrupy. I’ll have to find a #2 to compare them
Bill, thanks for the note and overall impressions. I first had the #2 (I think it was the 2004 vintage) at the restaurant Clio in Boston (one of my very favorites in the city–going there again in April for my birthday) and really enjoyed it. The sommelier said he also had some #3, but I seem to recall it being much more rare and therefore more expensive (not sure by what multiplier).
I bought some 2004 #1 at Whole Foods for like $24, and as Zach said he bought the 2005 for $19. You got the 2006 #2 at Costco for $20. Now I am feeling ripped off (as usual, with Whole Foods, anyway!). I’ll have to serve Zach the 2004 one of these days so we can compare to that 2005 he opened last weekend.
As I recall, the #2 does ratchet things up a bit with the viscosity level, but as you say it is never cloying or heavy. I like the muscatel rose blossom/orange peel/dusty violet thing going on on the nose, in particular. A very pretty wine–thanks for write-up.
-Michael
They have a bin full of maybe 40 bottles. I’ll get some more and have Zach mule some back to Bean Town after Flannery Fest.
I think I can handle that!
Bill that’s a crazy price on an awesome wine… which costco?
Michael, the #3 is more like $60 retail… There is also a #4 “Essencia” which is $100 and 99 points WA
Ahhhh, nectar of the gods! One of my favorite dessert wines. Perfectly balanced with luxurious mouthfeel. Off to Costco tomorrow to hunt some down.
Finished the bottle last night. After 48 hours, zero signs of oxidation. The wine is like liquid crack.
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