What's your STOM?

The month isn't over, but what has been you wine STOM (Steal of the Month)? Are there any great bargains out there that you've discovered?
I've been in a "reduce the cellar" mode for a couple of months, so I haven't really had any flaming bargains lately. Although the 2006 ESJ Gamay @$13 is pretty nice. But, then again, Steve's wines always are value priced IMO.
Redwinger

Next week I'll be picking up about 250 lbs. of locally grown Pinot Noir for about 75 cent/lb. That should yield about 85 bottles for about $2.25/bottle. I'm planning on making 35 bottles of Blanc de Noir and 50 bottles or red.

[James Roscoe]

Next week I'll be picking up about 250 lbs. of locally grown Pinot Noir for about 75 cent/lb. That should yield about 85 bottles for about $2.25/bottle. I'm planning on making 35 bottles of Blanc de Noir and 50 bottles or red.

Oh, ya! Howie is the bomb!

2006 Joseph Drouhin Bourgogne Pinot Noir - $15

Cono Sur Pinot Noir $10 - Chilean Pinot Noir? Yes! Earthy and light - you could tell me I was drinking basic Bourgogne and I'd believe it.

[Robin Garr]

Although the 2006 ESJ Gamay @$13 is pretty nice. But, then again, Steve's wines always are value priced IMO.

DARN nice. As I recall, it was around $17 here.

Domaine Manoir du Carra 2006 Beaujolais-Villages, $11. Used to be under $10. But absolutely delightful.

It's probably not a steal but I bought some bottles of Amon Ra 2005 for 39Euro's and I'm looking forward to open a bottle.
The 2007 halbtrocken Rieslings of Schafer-Frohlich are steals for sure, amazing wines!

[Robin Garr]

I was mighty happy with Glatzer '06 Grüner Veltliner for $9.99. A "starter" GV to be sure, but it shows the classic character, and in these times, any interesting wine under 10 bucks has to count for something.

Runner-up: Villa Pozzi 2007 Nero d'Avola for $8.99. It's interesting to me that the low-end Nero d'Avolas seem a bit less likely to be Parkerized monolithic fruit bombs than the more pricey stuff. This one's nice, with good acidity, a touch of complexity and some tannins to carry it down the road a bit.

Nothing bought in the last month - very rare

:? Nothing bought in the last month - very rare

BRAVO, Ian

I saw some well-priced bargain-bin wines yesterday but I didn't purchase any. A 1990 Cornu Aloxe-Corton for 30USD and some Clair Marsannay rose from 2001 and 2002 for 5USD. I wasn't sure how the Clair aged but was very tempted for the price, although in the end I didn't want to carry it..

Several 97 Huet le Mont Moelleux 1er Trie for $40 on close out.

Cono Sur Pinot Noir $10 - Chilean Pinot Noir? Yes! Earthy and light - you could tell me I was drinking basic Bourgogne and I'd believe it.

Dave, what vintage is that Cono Sur? I can get that wine locally for $7.50 per and 10% off if I want a case. BTW, Montes makes a pretty decent chilean pinot too. Thanks.

Dave, what vintage is that Cono Sur? I can get that wine locally for $7.50 per and 10% off if I want a case. BTW, Montes makes a pretty decent chilean pinot too. Thanks.

What I'm seeing is the 2007. And $7.50 is a great price too. Washington is definitely an expensive place to buy wine. Would you say Kentucky is an inexpensive state generally? Cono Sur has a whole line of varietals, and I'm seeing the brand in a lot of the better grocery stores around town. I can't vouch for any but the PN though. That's the only one I got a chance to taste.

What I'm seeing is the 2007. And $7.50 is a great price too. Washington is definitely an expensive place to buy wine. Would you say Kentucky is an inexpensive state generally? Cono Sur has a whole line of varietals, and I'm seeing the brand in a lot of the better grocery stores around town. I can't vouch for any but the PN though. That's the only one I got a chance to taste.

I was getting the Cono Sur "visions" SB for the $7.50 price, but that was a under priced. I now get the regular SB for that and it is worth the price easily. Haven't tried the other wines, but based on these two I suspect they are good for thew price. I don't think of Ky as expensive on prices, but I do think that my retailers are deficient in some areas, like the Loire etc. My largest retailer (Liquor Barn) has a habit of raising prices on in stock wines when the new vintage is up in price, and I hate that.

I was getting the Cono Sur "visions" SB for the $7.50 price, but that was a under priced.

Bob, the Vision label rocks. Out of stock here right now but coming back shortly. Min $24 for most varietals!

Vini di Bacco Vino da Tavola Rosso NV for $5. Did fall apart a few hours after openning, but the first two glasses were lovely.

Two from Dressner, purchased locally: 2005 Clos Roches Blanche Cabernet; reduced to $12. Can still use a year or two to soften up. Also Mas St. Joseph "Aventure" reduced to a few cents over $11. What a lovely wine for the money.

2002 Beaulieu Tapestry $.99.

Of course to get it at that price, you have to buy an expensive Clone 337 Cab.

"Petit Caprice" 2007 Vin du Pays du Vaucluse, 75% grenache, 25% syrah, real bistro wine (as opposed to "bistro-style" wine) for $7.99.

Woulda coulda shoulda: Steal of the Year was 2002 Domaine de la Guintrandy Visan Cotes du Rhone Village, $9.99. Fastest seller of the year in our shop, and with good reason!

[Jenise]

Cono Sur Pinot Noir $10 - Chilean Pinot Noir? Yes! Earthy and light - you could tell me I was drinking basic Bourgogne and I'd believe it.

Really! Oswaldo reported quite favorably on it recently too...must find some. Does Vino Verite carry it?

2005 Champy Bourgogne Rouge "Signature" for $19.99 ($16.99 if you buy a case.) With Burgundy prices so high, and this very food-friendly and enjoyable at a tasting, I consider this a steal.

[Robin Garr]

I don't think of Ky as expensive on prices

One oddity: As I understand it, Kentucky sales tax is embedded in wine and liquor prices. It isn't calculated separately at the end, but adds a hidden 6% to the shelf price. In Louisville, the wine market is fairly competitive, which seems to hold prices down at most shops except Liquor Barn, which seems to have high prices for most stuff but occasionally gets back-up-the-truck deals from the wholesalers and passes along the swag.