This one's for you.





This was a flawless wine. I mean that; it had no flaws. Unfortunately, it didn't have any strengths, either.

It occurred to me tonight- after drinking this wine- that a lot of the CA/West Coast Cabs are, well, ordinary. It's not that they lack anything, it's just that they don't possess anything special.

The nose of the Columbia Crest was respectable after the volatile acids departed the glass. There wasn't any doubt about it being a Cab. I took the first swallow at about five minutes after decorking. It was a bit rough, but in a way you knew it was gonna improve. And it did improve to the degree that I didn't find anything wrong with the wine. The fruit, tannins and hints of cassis and leather (barely) were all present and accounted for. If 9finger served this wine with dinner, I'd happily have a second glass.

The color was decent enuf and it developed a few long, lanky legs on one side of the glass. But this isn't a destination wine; it's not one that you'd go searching for on a winter's night when your lady is fixin' some pretty good Stroganoff and you have an inkling you're gonna get lucky. Rather, take this wine to the company Christmas party because the bottle's pretty, the label says "Reserve" and it's likely you'll score some points with the boss 'cause he prolly doesn't drink RunRig most nights.

At about $40 a bottle:

Taste: 8.4/10

Value:

WE:

One of my favorites, although since I am frugal by nature, I tend to lean toward Educated Guess. Have you tried it?

Just a lurker in this forum, but I'm loving this thread. Tried the RunRig and it was amazing. Leo, have you tasted "The Prisoner" yet? Had it over the weekend curious what your thoughts might be?

http://www.theprisonerwinecompany.co...ction-the-wine

I have not, but would be willing to give it a go.

Assume the regular bottle is in the $40 range? I perused the link and I'm admittedly intrigued and will look for the bottle on my next foray to the store. What year(s) have you tasted?

It was a 2012 decanted for about 2 hours. Yes, it's in the $40 range.

If you like big cabs, both educated guess and smith & hook are winners in the $20 range. I hope my local binnys carries Thursdays choice as I would like to drink along

I checked the K&H (I think, that's the name) at our Costco and Daveco, 0/2. Still looking.

At costco now, they had about 50 bottles of the Columbia crest reserve (mostly 2009 but some 2008) for $29.99

At $29.99, I would have upgraded the value to + 1/2

So fellas, how we doin' on the acquisition?

Going to call a few more places tomorrow. So far, no love. Wish I could pronounce the vineyard.

Doesn't seem like anyone's having much luck. I'll review the wine later today unless someone posts that they have it, then I'll wait.

I'll propose a group drink with Seven Deadly Zins for our next one. Surely that's available, right?

There are 3 or 4 bottles in the wine fridge downstairs, so that's pretty easy.

Unfortunately, the nearest store that carries it is 95 miles away.

Stop by, I'll give you one of mine.

Have annoyed many local stores mispronouncing Las Acequias, there is none around. So, I'm intrigued. Menage a trois will be the steak eating wine this evening. Wish some of you guys were closer, I'd share the beef. The hand raised stuff is in a different league.

I couldnt find it either. Maybe we should have a few weeks lead time on obscuresque wine so we can order on the internets?

Was busy this week so wine drinking has not gone to plan, though I did have the boxer last week which was excellent and also noted that it passed the 'not-seeing is believing' test with flying colors.

This Las Acequias was impossible to get here but seven deadly zins is available. I'd seen it before but I always thought it had too gimmicky a name to be a good wine. I always thought good wine should be called something like 'appellation d'chateau de blah-bleu-blee' or something like that.

Didn't get a chance to look for the Las Acequias this week, but drank 2/3 a bottle of '11 Meiomi Pinot tonight. Might have to sub an Immortal Zin for the 7 Deadly Zins next time, but thesilverbail is right -- you can buy 7 Deadly pretty much everywhere in CA, I think every supermarket in a 10 mi radius carries it.

Cliff notes: I am drunk.

Think you could find 7 Deadly Zins in the wine fridge here. Solid choice. Had the Ménage à Trois last night with steaks, and I recommend that for sure.

play better

We have found a third thing that is conserved between us. The drunk.

Money, work, alcohol.

The cause of, and the solution to, all of life's problems.

I managed to secure Seven Deadly Zins, The Prisoner, and Menage a Trois malbec tonight. Couldn't find anything else that has been mentioned here. I think I know where to get RunRig, but I'm still waiting for that undeserved pot.

I have another wine to review tomorrow. This one was truly special.

If we're going to quote Homer J Simpson, we can at least give him credit.
Enjoying this thread much, thanks all.