Ravenswood

Interesting article, at least to me.

https://www.winespectator.com/articles/ ... d-in-limbo

Maybe it caught me eye due to recent Bedrock release....

[David M. Bueker]

Been an interesting road for Joel. His Once & Future wines are delicious. They are worthy successors to the Ravenswood legacy.

That is interesting, and dismaying. Is it possible that the prestigious single-vineyard wines are getting bulked out? Seems like if you have to pay for the grapes it would be worth it to make the wine, right?

[David M. Bueker]

That is interesting, and dismaying. Is it possible that the prestigious single-vineyard wines are getting bulked out? Seems like if you have to pay for the grapes it would be worth it to make the wine, right?

No. The single vineyard contracts expired. Peterson is now making Old Hill, Teldeschi and in 2019 Dickerson under the Once & Future label.

Took a quick look at Cellar Tracker and it seems the 2018 vintage wines are in the $35 - $60 price range, according to the CTers. Not all of these would include taxes & shipping IMHO. Have not signed up for the mailing list.

Anyone have a take on pricing and their assessment of QPR?

[David M. Bueker]

Took a quick look at Cellar Tracker and it seems the 2018 vintage wines are in the $35 - $60 price range, according to the CTers. Not all of these would include taxes & shipping IMHO. Have not signed up for the mailing list.

Anyone have a take on pricing and their assessment of QPR?

Pricing is in line with the former Ravenswood single vineyard wines, as well as the equivalent site Bedrock wines (e.g. Old Hill and Teldeschi). The wines are definitely worth the prices asked.

[Jenise]

"In 2001, Constellation bought Ravenswood for $148 million...Peterson had all-but transitioned out when in April 2019 Constellation agreed to sell Ravenswood, along with 29 other wine and spirits brands, to E. & J. Gallo for $1.7 billion."

WOW.

Reminds me that I was a loyal buyer before 2001. Six bottles of each of the single vineyards would come into Anchorage where I lived, and I was annually offered the chance to buy one of each. The Monte Rosso and Dickerson were my favorites. Then the winery got sold and I noticed the Vintners Reserve wines were coming from Australia--absolute dreck for what had once been a good entry level zin. Lost interest in the brand completely at that point.

[David M. Bueker]

The Vintners Blend was and remained a “California” appellation wine.

Got message today from Joel Peterson about a Once & Future release of old wines. Mixed case, varied. August 4. Unlikely I'll be enticed, but sounds intriguing.

In the UK , The Wine Society have had a 30+ year relationship with Joel Peterson and were the first to import to the UK his Once & Future wines.

They've been hosting a great many Zoom sessions with winemakers from around the world; the recording of Joel Peterson's Zoom presentation is here

https://youtu.be/5-Hqz24li4o

In it he talks about his history in wine, history of Tribidrag/Zinfandel/Primitivo, starting Ravenswood, Constellation times, Vintners Blend, and the vineyards he uses for Once & Future, all illustrated by photos.

The introduction by Anna Spooner of TWS, and then USA buyer Sarah Knowles MW takes up the first 2 minutes, if you want to skip those start at 2 minutes.

I bought a case after seeing it....

The Q & A's there wasn't time for on the Zoom are here https://community.thewinesociety.com/t/ ... at/8236/32

Once & Future mixed case release today. $450 for mixed case of older wines. Easy decision for me:

Decline.