659220 Tue Oct 13 15:02:33 -0700 2009 7 34 Wine 0 5100705 Just got back from a discount retailer and saw this wine marked down to $19.99. Should I definitely buy it or should I pass? Tue Oct 13 15:02:33 -0700 2009 125609 BigWoodenSpoon 1 5100739 Saw that one too (at Grocery Outlet in Berkeley). Just looked it up in Wine Spectator. They rated it an 87 and "Best from 2000 through 2006." Interesting that it had a release price of $25. I saw a few other cabernets at that same GO from 1996, but can't remember what they were. I'm happy to look the others up too. I did Tue Oct 13 15:21:40 -0700 2009 5100705 23227 anewman 1 5100924 You never know what the storage conditions have been like, but for $20 it would be fun to try just for cuiosity sake if it's a wine you are interested in. Hell, I still have mid 90' pinot that are fun to drink just because...and a lot of them have still been 90 plus point wines. Just do it! =) -mJ Tue Oct 13 16:43:08 -0700 2009 5100705 192452 njfoodies 1 5101493 I'm assuming you're talking about the Cabernet, right? If so, I'd skip it. I don't like their wines in general, and the 1996 vintage didn't much impress me (others may disagree). I've found most of my '96 bottles are in the Drink Now stage. Tue Oct 13 21:17:05 -0700 2009 5100705 92744 invinotheresverde 1 5101833 If stored properly should be in good drinking form. Decanter's vintage guide indicates "drink soon." http://www.decanter.com/vintageguides/region_guide.php?region=California%20Cabernet%20Sauvignon Big caveat is, as NJFoodie points out, storage. At a discounter, may have sketchy provenance. But at $20 for a well made wine (from a wine maker with a restrained hand) with bottle age, it's worth taking a chance on a bottle. If it's good, I would then gamble for more, if you liked it. Wed Oct 14 05:21:03 -0700 2009 5100705 138502 chefdilettante 1 5101899 I've had a couple of Clos du Val cabs in the last year. 1994 and a 95 IIRC. I'd pass. These are way too long in the tooth. Wed Oct 14 06:01:48 -0700 2009 5100705 182910 Strawman 2 5102707 Thanks everyone! I talked to one of the wine guys at work and he said that '96 wasn't a great vintage, so I'll probably pass and pick up a couple of bottles of something else instead. Anybody try Greg Norman's Cab/Merlot (90/10) blend from the Limestone coast? I really liked his sparkling wine, so it made curious about his reds. Wed Oct 14 11:03:43 -0700 2009 5101899 125609 BigWoodenSpoon 3 5104255 I am surprised that it would even be $20. You can get current releases for a little bit more. Wed Oct 14 21:05:56 -0700 2009 5102707 292404 redmeatfan