I'm needing a lot of bargains for a low-budget dance gig I'm cooking for next weekend, so I cruised the aisles at the Grocery Outlet. I can never resist checking out the wine section when I'm there. Though most of what they've got is a bit too low end for me, they're unusually well stocked right now, and last night we tasted two of the wines I couldn't resist.
The first was a '99 Kerr Syrah Reserve, Bien Nacido VY, from north of Santa Barbara. With that kind of age I had no idea what to expect, but it's maker had the Northern Rhone in mind when he made a co-ferment, and at 13.5% alcohol and $4.99 I was willing to risk having to feed it to the rhododendrons. Fantastic syrah nose and good color for a 12 year old. Good palate presence with sweet and fairly primary fruit in the raspberry arena and not at all, at this point anyway, showing any California typicity. It was only marred by rather aggressive acidity which I liked well enough but was surprised to find here. After a short glass each we decided to leave it overnight to see what 24 hours would do, and both of us were fairly sure the result was that we'd be singing "back up the truck". Well, just sampled it, and it's oxidized. Weird--didn't even see that coming.
The other wine was a 2007 Merlot from Monticello Winery in Napa Valley. I don't follow the ins and outs of California vintages any longer, but this tasted like a cool-year version with a few green and herbal notes amidst the sweet black cherry fruit. Medium bodied and well balanced, with pleasing acidity and lightly rustic tannins. It held up well overnight--I'd judge it to be at peak, but no rush. Very good value at $10. The Outlet also had a Monticello pinot, which we'll try later.