The Wellesley Wine Press

Wine Access 20% Off Black Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Robert) — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 00:27:00 +0000

Wine Access is offering 20% off select wines for Black Friday. One wine in stock (for now) that I highly recommend is:

2019 Yesterday Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa Valley

15.1% Alcohol

$30/btl (before discounts)

This wine is in line with prior "Yesterday" Napa Cabs, which is to say: Boldly fruit forward with ample supporting toasty oak notes and absolutely delicious.

92/100 WWP: Outstanding

It's surprising they're pricing the Reserve bottling at just $30 (they've also got a "regular" bottling going for $35 and it's not part of the promo). This one will sell out soon and I can't imagine having too much on hand/regretting going in on some of this.

Free Shipping on $150+ and $50 off your first $150 order through referral:

Referral Link

Amazon Black Friday: 37% Off Best Everyday Wine Glass of All Time

noreply@blogger.com (Robert) — Thu, 28 Nov 2024 23:10:00 +0000

Back in 2009, James Laube from Wine Spectator wrote an article with a strangely-specific recommendation. He singled out "the Tritan Burgundy Glass by Schott Zwiesel 'Forte' (model 8465/140), which sells for about $9 a stem".

I took him up on that recommendation, have enjoyed the perfect balance of these stems since, and agree: It's the one wine glass to rule them all.

I noticed they are on sale at Amazon right now, for $49.49 for six ($8.25 per stem). That's less in 2024 than Laube suggested was the retail price of $9/stem in 2009 so it's a solid deal compared to today's $78 retail price.

Wine glasses don't last forever. They break. They get tired. It's always nice to have some extras on hand. Might be a good time to stock up even if you have some already.

https://amzn.to/4eSWFwj (affiliate link)

Is this the Best $20 Pinot Noir on the Market?

noreply@blogger.com (Robert) — Thu, 28 Nov 2024 18:55:00 +0000

Ever on the hunt for an outstanding readily available $20 Pinot Noir, this one has somehow managed to fly under the radar after a 92 point rating from James Molesworth at Wine Spectator in September.

What I like about it is how it's readily available for around $20 before discounts, and more balanced and versatile than some of the bruisers coming out of California in this category.

2022 Chalk Hill Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.7% Alcohol

16,760 Cases Produced

$29 Release Price

Beautiful translucent ruby red in the glass, the somewhat-high alcohol level makes it cling to the glass and provides heft to this otherwise elegant domestic Pinot Noir.

Ripe strawberries and dusty briar patch on the nose giving way to a clean but satisfying palate-flooding experience. No heat to speak of as the finish lingers.

Varietally correct in every way. The only thing standing in the way of true greatness here is the [very] occassional aromatic off note.

91/100 WWP: Oustanding

Wine.com has it for $19.99 (affiliate link) and although they haven't been running the promo codes as reliably lately it's indicative of how affordable this wine can be.

There's even a $24 mail-in rebate available when purchasing 12 bottles.

Prefer a bolder California Pinot Noir?

See: Five Fruit-Forward Pinot Noirs (besides Meiomi)

[Targeted] 2,500 Wells Fargo Rewards for $25+ at Wine.com: Too good to be true?

noreply@blogger.com (Robert) — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 21:00:00 +0000

I was poking around the Wells Fargo Rewards site and found an offer that seems too good to be true:

Earn 2,500 Wells Fargo Rewards on $25+ purchases at Wine.com

This targeted offer is for Wells Fargo credit card holders, through the rewards site linked to their cards. You have to make the purchase with your Wells Fargo credit card, then presumably the rewards post some time later.

The crazy thing is that Wells Fargo Rewards are worth $0.01 each, so 2,500 is break-even. If you have a Wells Fargo Visa Signature card points are worth $0.015 towards airfare booked through their travel portal.

Especially since this can be repeated multiple times, this could be a very lucrative offer.

The last bit at the bottom of the terms gives me some pause. It says that the offer cannot be combined with any other offer(s), coupon code(s) or promotion(s), unless available through this site. Hmm...

Does that mean if I use a promo code to get the order down to just a little over $25, will it still trigger the offer?

What about orders that leverage StewardShip? Is that an offer or a promotion?

What if I use a gift card to cover a portion of the order?

What about gift card purchases themselves?

The way this one works is that you have to use your Wells Fargo credit card for the purchase. Is the offer nullified if I shop through a portal?

So many questions, so much potential. I wish I'd found it sooner so I could do some testing.

As always, drop me an email at wellesleywinepress@gmail.com if you'd like to discuss.

Full terms below...

Earn 2500 Bonus Points on multiple purchases of $25 or more at Wine.com

Expiring 31 Oct 2022

Offer Details

Offer is valid on multiple purchases of $25 or more during the validity period ending 10/31/22. Please review your state and local laws regarding the purchase, shipment, and delivery of alcohol. Purchaser must be 21 years or older.

Shop at a location near you or at the retailer website.

Offer expires 10-31-2022 11:59pm ET. Participating merchants of the Earn More Mall® feature control the variability of the offers shown. Merchant bonus offers may be offered on a limited-time, promotional basis and are subject to change without notice. Offer valid at participating merchants in the 50 United States of America. Bonus Points will be earned on net purchases (purchases minus returns/credits) when using your Wells Fargo rewards-based credit card for qualifying purchases with participating retailers. Bonus Points will be earned based on the net purchases of eligible goods and services purchased, excluding tax, shipping and handling, or any special services. Bonus Points will be added to your Rewards Account within 30 days of purchase or 30 days after your travel plans have been completed. Bonus Points will not be earned at retailers who are not participating merchants in the Earn More Mall feature.

This offer cannot be combined with any other offer(s), coupon code(s), or promotion(s), unless available through this site. See full Earn More Mall feature Terms and Conditions for all earning details.

[Targeted Amex Offer] $30 off $100 at WTSO

noreply@blogger.com (Robert) — Sat, 22 Oct 2022 09:58:00 +0000

I found a $30 off $100 at Wines 'Til Sold Out buried in my Amex Offers on my Old Blue Cash card.

Expires 12/31/2022. They usually run gift card deals around the holidays (here's an example from last year) so that could be an optimal time to lock in the savings. Or you could just buy a $100 eGC for yourself now to lock in the savings.

There's a bunch of other wine Amex Offers going right now, most notably for Wine.com - but that seems to be more targeted than in the past. As if they're refraining from targeting people who have used Wine.com offers in the past perhaps?

Not sure, but $30 off $100 at WTSO is a pretty good deal.

[Sold Out] Deal: 2018 AldenAlli Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir on Last Bottle

noreply@blogger.com (Robert) — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 16:52:00 +0000

Last Bottle has just released what I think is a compelling offer.

2018 AldenAlli Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir for $25/btl with free shipping on 6.

The wine retails for $48/btl and has been reliably outstanding for me over a number of vintages.

If you're new to Last Bottle you can get a $10 credit on your first order through referral.

These offers tend to go quickly - I'll update this post when it sells out.

First Look: Lockheart Restaurant in Wellesley

noreply@blogger.com (Robert) — Fri, 22 Jul 2022 00:02:00 +0000

Lockheart Restaurant Bar Area (click photos to enlarge)

Lockheart Restaurant opened in Wellesley last week, and we had a chance to visit tonight for the first time. The taco-driven table service restaurant and bar overtook space previously occupied by b.good (and boloco before that) after a deep and tasteful renovation. Parking is convenient with spaces in front on Central Street and in the rear parking lot for Central Plaza.

We got there very early in the evening and things started hopping shortly after. By the time we left the place was packed (thanks in part to this review on The Swellesley Report getting the word out) so it wouldn't hurt to make a reservation if you want to ensure a table.

Lockheart Dining Room

The Wellesley restaurant scene is poised for better times thanks to recently relaxed liquor laws.

I think the space will accomodate a lot of gathering situations effectively. Not so fancy as to require an occasion, but not so basic as to be boring. I thought the build-out and concept was novel, smart, and comfortable with good energy. The young staff was friendly and attentive.

Drinks and Appetizers

You can have a look at the food menu here.

And the drink menu here.

I opted for beer (Maine Beer Company Lunch IPA on tap and a Lawson's Sip of Sunshine can.) The Lockheart Standard was a hit with others in our group.

The Sheet Pan Nachos are a good way to get things going. Queso goodness finds its way to almost all of the hand-cut corn chips on the tray with good accompanying flavor throughout.

Lockheart Sheet Pan Nachos

I was a little confused what the lobster guacamole would entail, but I think the photo below sums it up well. Chilled lobster claw and knuckle is presented atop very good guac with a refreshing bit of citrus acidity.

Lockheart Lobster Guacamole

Tacos

I'd encourage ordering a variety of tacos because a) They're all very unique and b) I thought they were all really good.

I tried three tacos: The Short Rib Birria, the Ribeye Steak, and the Ahi Tuna.

The Ribeye was very good, but the Birria was next-level satisfying. The Birria taco is fried and presented with consomme for dipping derived when cooking the Short Rib. Utterly delicious.

The dark red Ahi Tuna was outstanding and anchored a well-composed taco. The commitment to fresh, high quality ingredients is evident here. They also make an Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl, showing good range that I think will satisfy a wider audience and keep people coming back.

Tacos: Short Rib Birria, Ribeye, and Ahi Tuna

Bottom Line

The Wellesley dining scene is ramping up and I'm here for it. Lockheart slots in nicely next to Alta Strada and Laughing Monk Cafe (another recently opened restaurant.)

Perhaps more than anything, I can see Lockheart being a useful restaurant I'll return to frequently. Don't get me wrong: I love a good steak. It's just that I can't justify splurging on a high-end dining experience on a regular basis. Lockheart threads the fun/interesting/comfortable needle very well. I think they'll do well here in town, and I wish them many years of success.

Check 'em Out:

Lockheart Restaurant

102 Central Street in Wellesley, MA

Reservations on OpenTable
(781) 943-3737

Fresh Off the Truck: 2020 Martin Ray Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

noreply@blogger.com (Robert) — Thu, 26 May 2022 22:15:00 +0000

I still think it's harder to find a good $20 bottle of Pinot Noir than a satisfying $12 full-bodied Cabernet (Columbia Crest H3) or Monastrell (Juan Gil).

At around $20 I tend to see Meiomi and similar wines in the domestic Pinot Noir category, and a lot of those are a bit over the top for what some might consider varietally correct.

So I was interested in trying a wine that's gotten some attention recently that's less than $20. Let's get right into it...

2020 Martin Ray Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.8% Alcohol

30% opaque with a ruby/magenta hue. It appears light-bodied but like any good California Pinot Noir, it delivers satisfying aromas and flavor.

On the nose, I get fresh ripening fruit, strawberries, and a hint of white pepper.

On entry, it lands with satisfying weight. Low acidity with just a hint of fine silky tannins on the backend. This is a very drinkable wine, devoid of off-notes with broad appeal. Impressive at this price point.

89/100 WWP: Very Good

So here's an interesting puzzler on how to buy this wine...

Wine Access has it for $18. You could buy 7 bottles to get to $126 for free shipping, and that would trigger the $100 Amex Offer. You could also buy $100 eGCs to avoid overshoot. Or if it's your first order you could to $150 for $50 back on your first $150 order through referral.

Wine.com has it for $18.99 in Massachusetts. If you have Stewardship you could get 3 bottles of it for $56.97 and get $20 off $50 with code JOURNEY50 (HT Diego Santos on Wine Berserkers). That seems like a pretty great way to try just a few bottles, or mix it in with some other wines you like to get to $50.

Bottom Line

It's still surprisingly hard to find a solid bottle of Pinot Noir for $20, but this one delivers for less than $20 before discounts. Give it a whirl and see whether this might make it into your rotation?

[Targeted Amex Offer] $60 back on $200 at First Bottle

noreply@blogger.com (Robert) — Tue, 10 May 2022 10:53:00 +0000

There's a new Amex Offer for $60 back on $200 from First Bottle.

Expires 7/5/2022.

HT: Ryan P on Wine Berserkers

First Bottle doesn't have an affiliate program, so they don't participate in shopping portals.

Free shipping on 6+ bottles.

Get $10 off your first purchase through referral

See also:

$30 off $100 at Last Bottle through Amex
$30 back on $100 at Wine Access through Amex
$30 back on $100 at Wine.com through Amex
30%+ off at Wine.com through Citi/AA Simply Miles

Targeted Citi/AA Simply Miles Wine.com Offers: 30+% Off

noreply@blogger.com (Robert) — Mon, 09 May 2022 23:15:00 +0000

Tim at Frequent Miler spotted a couple of new stackable Wine.com offers...

There seem to be at least a couple versions of these offers swirling around, from two separate but semi-related entities.

Citi Offers

I see one of these offers on each of my Citi cards:

$30 back on $100+
$10 back on $100+

The ones that have the better $30 offer seem to be cards that I didn't use the prior offer on. On cards I did use the prior offer, I was only targeted for $10 off $100.

Citi's IT is notoriously flaky. Although they recently expanded their Offers program to include all (most?) Citi cards I've had difficulty bringing them up on desktop. The Citi mobile app seems to be a more reliable way to activate these offers.

Gift card purchases have triggered the $30 back in the past.

When multiple cards are targeted each seems to be able to take advantage of the offer, which is superior to how Amex mostly limits us to one offer per SSN now.

This offer expires 6/30/2022.

AA Simply Miles

While not nearly as lucrative as a prior iteration of this offer in conjunction with a 5x multiplier, there are at least two active offers on stackable Mastercard-linked AA Simply Miles.

1,400 miles for $100+
450 miles for $100+

These should stack with the Citi Offers, and thankfully many of the cards Citi issues are Mastercards - which is the only card type that AA Simply Miles currently supports.

Tips

I have never found a shopping portal that pays out on the purchase of Wine.com gift cards. Portals do pay out when paying with gift cards, but never when buying them. It doesn't mean it's not worth trying, but I've given up.

That said, card linked offers do seem to reliably pay out on the purchase of gift cards. This is true of Amex Offers and the more recently introduced Citi Offers.

Bottom Line

Solid deals. Stack 'em up, buy some gift cards to avoid overshoot, shop through a portal, take a referral, sign up for Stewardship, and pick wines that aren't too price-inflated and this should result in some tremendous savings.

[Targeted Amex Offer] $30 off $100 at Last Bottle

noreply@blogger.com (Robert) — Mon, 09 May 2022 11:48:00 +0000

There's a new Amex Offer for $30 off $100 from wine retailer Last Bottle.

Expires 7/5/2022.

New customers can get $10 off $30 through referral.

As far as I know, Last Bottle doesn't have an affiliate program so they don't participate in shopping portals. So I think the best you can do is load the offer, take a referral, and wait for an appealing offer to present itself. The hurdle is usually low for free shipping.

[Targeted] Amex Offer: $30 Back on $100 (x3) at Wine Access

noreply@blogger.com (Robert) — Tue, 03 May 2022 15:34:00 +0000

Wine Access is back with a new iteration of a popular offer:

$30 back on $100+ which can be repeated three times.

Expires 10/29/2022.

I saw this on one of my wife's Personal Platinum cards, but not on my cards.
She hasn't gotten this offer before and I had, which makes me think this is perhaps targeted to accounts that haven't had the offer before. But who knows.

How to Maximize

1. Buy eGiftCards

To lock in the savings and avoid overshoot, buy $100 eGCs (affiliate link):

Wine Access eGiftCard

The eGCs arrive instantly and can be combined for future orders.

2. Use a referral for new accounts

Get $50 off your first $150+ order through referral

This is my referral link. Thanks in advance of using it.

3. Try stacking with a coupon

Wine Access does promo codes a little differently than other retailers. Rather than having promo codes that float around, they tend to send targeted emails out on your birthday and such. When you click on the link in the email, the offer is attached to your account. So sign up for an account and hope for the best.

What to Buy

I haven't bought from Wine Access lately, but I've got an order in for some new arrivals. I'll look to get back to some "Fresh Off the Truck" reviews when those arrive.

One notable recent winner is the 2017 Keller Estate La Cruz Pinot Noir. Familiarity with this one goes way back for me. Long-time readers (really long time) will recall my fondness for Zepaltas Pinot Noir. Ryan Zepaltas burst onto the winemaking scene with a 95 point Wine Spectator rating for his 2005 Zepaltas La Cruz Pinot Noir.

Besides tracking down Zepaltas Pinot Noirs, meeting Ryan, and interviewing here on the site I also visited and tasted at Keller. Their Pinot Noirs are fantastic, and the 2017 Keller La Cruz Pinot Noir shows very well. At $30/btl with these stackable discounts, it's one to try. Compare at $52 at the winery.

May 2022 Stackable Savings at Total Wine

noreply@blogger.com (Robert) — Sun, 01 May 2022 17:03:00 +0000

A new month brings new deals, and it looks like Total Wine is making a push with three deals that are potentially stackable depending on where you live and what's enforced:

Online shopping portals (online, certain states only)
Citi Offers (targeted, activation required)
AA Simply Miles (targeted, card-linked program for Mastercards)

Online Shopping Portals

There are two listings for Total Wine on Cashback Monitor:

It never much occurred to me to check shopping portals for Total Wine since I think of it mostly as a brick & mortar store.

But looking at their offerings with fresh eyes it looks like they also offer:

Delivery (to some addresses, presumably near stores, from $5.99)
Shipping (presumably to states where they operates stores but when you're far from a location)
In-store pickup (not all products are available to order for in-store pickup)

All of these should qualify for portal cashback, though I haven't tried personally.

Check the fine print on the shopping portal of choice.

Looks like Top Cashback is 10% at the moment.

Citi Offers

Some Citi credit cards are targeted for $20 back on $100 or more. This offer should work online or in-store. If you don't see it on desktop, check in the Citi mobile app.

Activation required.

It's said to be available only in these states (unclear whether it's enforced):

AZ, CA, FL, MD, MN, MO, NV, NM, NC, SC, and VA

Offer ends 5/22/2022.

AA Simply Miles

American Airlines Simply Miles is a card-linked program that's separate from the AA shopping portal. It works by linking any Mastercard credit card to your AA Simply Miles account, which in turn is linked to your AAdvantage account. Purchases should then automatically earn AA miles.

This should work online or in-store.

Since it's card-linked it should be stackable with the offers above.

The current offer I see is 930 miles for a purchase of $100 or more.

It's said to be available only in these states (same states as the Citi Offer):
AZ, CA, FL, MD, MN, MO, NV, NM, NC, SC, and VA

Offer ends 5/22/2022.

Wine Spectator Grand Tour 2022: $100 Off VIP Tickets

noreply@blogger.com (Robert) — Thu, 28 Apr 2022 20:19:00 +0000

Dates are set for Wine Spectator Grand Tour 2022:

Las Vegas Saturday, June 4
Washington, DC Friday, June 10
Florida Saturday, June 18

Direct Link

Reviews of past Wine Spectator Grand Tours:

It's great to see these events coming back. They're pricey but the best way I've found to develop a relatable frame of reference for many of the world's benchmark wines from important categories.

Get $100 off VIP Admission with code: CELEBRATEMOM

General Admission tickets are $275.

VIP Admission costs $375.

VIP gets you in an hour earlier than General Admission which provides a chance to try wines from the more popular tables with shorter lines.

Review: Tasting Menu w/Paired Wines at I Carracci in Bologna, Italy

noreply@blogger.com (Robert) — Sun, 24 Apr 2022 18:16:00 +0000

We're just back from a week in Italy, where we split time between Sorrento/the Amalfi Coast and Bologna. The Amalfi Coast was beautiful as you'd imagine but Bologna really stole the show.

Bologna and the Emilia-Romagna region probably aren't in the Top 10 tourist destinations in Italy, but perhaps that's why it's such a pleasant place to visit. It's devoid of tacky souvenir stands and shops, thriving with young professionals and students, and has a vibrant enough economy to support outstanding restaurants and international retail.

Especially if food & wine is a focus, I think Bologna is one of the best cities in Italy to visit.

I Carracci Restaurant

There are dozens of fabulous casual al fresco dining options in Bologna serving up local specialties like Tortellini, Mortadella, and Ragu Bolognese.

For an elevated take on these classics and more, we enjoyed our meal at the I Carracci Restaurant is within the Grand Hotel Majestic gia Baglioni.

It's a fine dining experirence; a bit old-school, with higher-end wines decanted by candlelight for example, but it's been a very long time since we've enjoyed a meal as much so I thought I'd write up here. Especially to remind myself which wines we tasted so I can try to find them here in the US.

Starter: Mortadella, squacquerone cheese and tigelle bread

Pairing: Cantina Paltrinieri Grosso (white Lambrusco) (wine-searcher)

We enjoyed a bunch of white Lambrusco prior to this, so it was nice to try a local sparkling white wine to get things started. Looks like their "Radice" bottling might be easeir to find than "Grosso" in the US.

[click photos to enlarge]

The dish was a fun little starter that introduced the Mortadella flavor and the delicious creamy Squacquerone cheese as well.

First Course: Tortellini in Capon Broth

Second Course: Tagliatelle with Bolognese ragù

Pairing: Vallenia Terre Rosse Emilia-Romagna Cabernet Sauvignon (wine-searcher)

I was impressed with their dedication to staying local with this delightful, well-balanced Cabernet Sauvignon from Emilia. Looks like it's not imported to the US which is a shame because I bet it's relatively affordable and outstanding with an appealing combination of pure fruit kissed with just a touch of oak influence.

This pure rendition of Tortellini en Brodo with its perfectly cooked pasta, flavorful meat filling, and complex broth was amazing and satisfying. The perfect accompaniment to a rainy evening.

The Tagliatelle with Bolognese ragù was outstanding, and probably the most carefully scrutinized dish of our trip. Sweet Basil in Needham has an amazing take on Bolognese, but the classic here in Bologna is simpler. Very meat driven. Very little sauce. Very delicous. The supporting pasta was off-the-charts perfection.

A dish we enjoyed elsewhere in Bologna and replicated upon returning home was Tortellini with Bolognese Ragu. It's hard to go wrong with any of these combinations.

Third Course: Veal cutlet Bolognese style with rosemary potatoes and friggione

Pairing: Fattoria Paradiso Vigne Delle Lepri Sangiovese Superiore Riserva (wine-searcher)

I'm sufficiently stuffed and "under the ether" of an amazing dining experience at this point, but I thought this was another winner. Eataly Boston scores points for carrying this one when very few other retailers in the US do.

Perhaps not the most Instagram-worthy entree, and I probably didn't need any more food at this point, but this was a terrific dish as well.

Dessert Course: Multiple

Pairing: Umberto Cesari Romagna Albana Passito "Colle Del Re" (wine-searcher)

Here's a fun label to decode.

Producer: Umberto Cesari

Location: Romagna Albana DOCG

Name of the Wine: Colle Del Re

Passito is a type of Italian wine made from dried grapes. This is a dessert wine, but Amarone is another example of a wine made from dried grapes that's not a dessert wine.

This wine was stunningly delicious but unfortunately hard to find in the US. Apricots and honey are backed with vibrant acidity to keep it clean. Gorgeous. Here's a link to it on the winery website. Here's a Romagna Albana Passito they have at Eataly Boston.

The tasting menu costs 95 euros per person.

Plus 60 euros per person for generous pours of four wines.

Full menu here.

Bottom Line

Bologna is an amazing destination for food & wine. I heartily recommend spending some time there, especially if you've already visited the more famous destinations in Italy.

It was so nice to sit down and enjoy an evening of fine dining, especially internationally after a long period of not traveling. The food in Italy is so regionally distinct, delicious, and approachable. I Carracci is an outstanding high-end fine dining experience.

Eataly's wine selections here in the US is impressive (they also have a location in central Bologna in addition to FICO Eataly World just outside of Bologna). Take something as simple as Lambrusco: How many do they carry at Wine.com and Total Wine? Like zero decent ones combined.

For more thoughts on Bologna food & wine see this post on Instagram.

And for Bologna-area highlights including a visit to Pagani Automobili see this post.

Targeted March 2022 Wine.com Amex Offers: How to Maximize

noreply@blogger.com (Robert) — Sun, 06 Mar 2022 18:18:00 +0000

Amex is back with what's got to be the most reliably recurred deal in wine at this point. I'm seeing two variants of the offer:

$30 off $100 (thankfully can be used 2x)
$10 off $50

I'm seeing the $30 off $100 offer on business cards (I saw it on Business Platinum cards) and $10 off $50 on personal cards (I saw it on Personal Platinum cards).

This iteration of the offer expires 6/30/2022.

1. Add the Amex Offers to your card(s)

Amex Offers are limited to one per SSN.

If you have authorized users and they have their own Amex profile and are targeted they too can add and redeem offers.

2. Buy gift cards

Direct Link [affiliate]

The T&Cs don't exclude gift card purchases, and historically they have triggered Amex Offers. The reason I like buying gift cards rather than wine head-on is because it minimizes overshoot, and locks in the value of the Amex Offer.

Wine.com's gift cards are delivered via email shortly after ordering, and redundant plastic versions of the same codes are subsequently delivered in the mail.

Wine.com's interface for the redemption of gift cards has changed a bit over the years. Once loaded to a Wine.com account they stay associated with that account as a payment method. Their system allows use of 2 gift cards per transaction.

3. Get StewardShip

StewardShip covers wine.com shipping for $49/yr. If you shop with wine.com frequntly it's a good deal, but the key thing it enables is applying a promo code to an order while not having to pay for shipping.

You can only apply one promo code to an order, so without StewardShip you have to decide whether you want to use a promo code that discounts shipping -or- discounts the price.

See: Is Wine.com StewardShip Worth It?

4. Shop through a portal

I like to compare portal rates through Cashback Monitor.

Another site to consider is RetailMeNot (which isn't listed in Cashback Monitor) where rates tend to fluctuate between 10-20%.

Another is ShopSmarter where all merchants get 10% back everyday, but there's a $9.97 monthly fee. Paying for a membership for a shopping portal sounds crazy, but can make sense for people who do a lot of online shopping.

5. Use a promo code

Keep eye on this thread on WineBerserkers for new codes. There are a bunch of $20 off $50 and $50 off $150 codes that work well with this promo.

It's useful to have multiple variants of the same discount because a given promo code can only be used once per wine.com account.

Bottom Line

Despite Wine.com's somewhat inflated prices this recurring deal along with other stackable savings enables this to be one of the best ways to get deep discounts on wine.

The challenge is finding wines you're excited about that aren't marked up too much vs the best available price elsewhere. Inventory seems to have improved over pandemic depths so hopefully you can find some good ones in your market.

[Sold Out] Amazing Deal on a Legendary California Pinot Noir Producer

noreply@blogger.com (Robert) — Sat, 05 Mar 2022 18:21:00 +0000

NY retailer Zachys has what looks to be a great deal on the 2013 Joseph Swan Greak Oak Vineyard Pinot Noir.

Direct Link

Deals to Stack

Regular price is $49.99/btl
If you buy 12+ bottles the price should reduce to $19.99/btl
Get 20% off with code WeekendSave20
Shop through a portal for up to 5% back

Unfortunately, there's not an active Amex Offer for Zachys at the moment, and I'm not aware of any free shipping promo codes at the moment. If you're in the Westchester County area or pass through you could save with in-store pickup.

Even with shipping costs on the order of $55 for a case, this is a fabulous deal. I swear Zachys used to charge even more than that for shipping - maybe they made shipping costs a little more realistic lately?

I was saying to a friend the other day that any time I can get a really good bottle of Pinot Noir for around $20 I'm all over it. I've enjoyed Joseph Swan's more affordable "Cuvee de Trois" bottling in the past but the one offered here is a single

It's a little nerve-wracking cracking open the first bottle of a case like this - especially with a little age on it. But I've got enough faith in the producer here to recommend it.

Deal ends March 7, 2022 but I bet they sell out sooner than that.

Fresh off the Truck: 2018 Editorial Reserve Napa Cab

noreply@blogger.com (Robert) — Wed, 22 Dec 2021 00:18:00 +0000

A batch of Wine Access NDA Cabs arrived today. This Editorial Reserve was the one I was most looking forward to tasting. Let's get right into it...

Main clue:

The man who helped fashion a mega-hit Cab blend that won Wine Spectator’s Wine of the Year Award (beating out landmark bottlings from Opus One and Robert Mondavi).

2018 Editorial Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

14.9% Alcohol

$37 (less in quantity)

Free shipping on $120+

First impression: High toned fruit and racy acidity. 80% opaque in an elegant ruby/magenta hue, it clings formidably to the glass.

Aromas of tart cherries and graphite give way to tightly wound but powerful fruit that triggers puckering when enjoyed without food.

Finishes pleasntly with fine, chewy tanins.

91/100 WWP: Outstanding

This wine is a departure from most of the Wine Access NDA wines that seem to favor round extraction over edgy acidity, which makes me think this wine in particular would benefit from aging.

Could the winemaker mentioned in the clue be Tod Mostero from this year's Wine Spectator Wine of the Year Dominus? Something about the style here paired with the way they say he helped fashion the Wine of the Year has me thinking in this direction even though it's perhaps too obvious with Dominus having won the honor so recently.

If you were targeted for the Wine Access $30 off $100 Amex Offer it's a good time to pair it with $50 off your first $150 order through referral.

If you can't decide what to get at the moment but want to lock in the Amex Offer, you can always buy Wine Access GCs. Throughout the month of Decmber 10% Of All Wine Access Gift Card Sales Donated to No Kid Hungry.

10% Off WTSO.com GCs

noreply@blogger.com (Robert) — Mon, 20 Dec 2021 18:19:00 +0000

WTSO.com is offering 10% off gift cards 12/20-12/24//2021 with promo codes:

$10 off $100 w/LASTMIN10
$15 off $150 w/LASTMIN15
$20 off $200 w/LASTMIN20

Direct link to buy gift cards

Once you've bought the discounted gift card you can get $30 off your first $100 order through referral:

https://www.wtso.com/referral?ref=RF1DF4THiLdNJVfG

Targeted and Stackable: Zachys $30 off $150 + Free Shipping

noreply@blogger.com (Robert) — Fri, 17 Dec 2021 17:02:00 +0000

There's been an Amex Offer for Zachys out there for a while.

It's $30 off $150+ and expires 1/16/2022.

I didn't think it was worth mentioning because Zachys because their shipping costs are so high.

But today only they've offering free shipping on $99+ orders with code: HOLIDAYFREESHIP

Zachys does participate in shopping portals if you're into that. They've got a couple different listings on Cashback Monitor and some are a fixed-price rather than a percentage, which could be a compelling addition.

What to Buy

I think the play here is to get more interesting wines than what you see at large retailers like Wine.com or even Total Wine.

Like, how many Beaujolais does your local supermarket offer?

Here's a few ideas to get you started:

[DEAD] Targeted and Stackable: 8,400 AA Miles for Spending $100 at Wine.com

noreply@blogger.com (Robert) — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 09:45:00 +0000

Update: AA Simply Miles has pulled the 5x portion of this deal, making it far less compelling. We'll see if they pay out on the 5x for orders submitted while this was live.

The American Airlines SimplyMiles card-linked program is offering two overlapping promotions at the moment.

The first is targeted, and you earn 1,400 AA miles for spending $100 at Wine.com. This ends 12/31/2021.

The second is available to everyone in the program: They're offering 5x (five times) the rewards that each promotion would earn. So a $100 wine.com purchase would earn 1,400 + (5 * 1,400) = 8,400 AA miles. This ends 12/27/2021.

I was skeptical when I first heard of this "5x" promotion thinking it would be 1,400 + just 500 for spending $100. But evidently they've run this promo in the past and this is indeed how it works. In fact, some people are using this as a way to buy AA miles for around 0.4 cents a piece by donating to a charity that's featured in the program.

Keeping it wine-focused here, this is a tremendous offer that should stack with other opportunities.

Here's how I'll play it...

Sign up for SimplyMiles
Link my favorite Mastercard
Activate the Wine.com 1,400 mile offer if targeted
Search for and activate the Citi $30 back on $100 offer
Buy a $100 wine.com gift card with the Citi Mastercard I linked and activated
Then shop wine.com through a portal
Buy Stewardship
Use a wine.com promo code (check this thread)

Gift card purchases should work. I don't see them excluded and I can confirm they worked for the $30 back on $100 Citi offer. I'd do this to lock in the savings while avoiding overshoot when ordering.

It's unclear from the SimplyMiles T&Cs, but I'm hearing wine.com is single use. Other merchants explicity state how many times the offer can be triggered.

If you're not targeted, or you just want to maximize the opportunity, be sure to create SimplyMiles accounts for each member of your household. That way you can get the 8,400 per $100 multiple times.

Quite an opportunity when you stack it all together.

Fresh off the Truck: 2019 Stay Home Napa Cab

noreply@blogger.com (Robert) — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 03:03:00 +0000

Most of the Wine Access NDA Cabs go for $30-$40. Here's one that's half as much.

The clues mention Chappellet, which immediately make me think Pritchard Hill. Beyond that I don't think there's enough info to pin it down. Once you've tasted enough of these NDA Cabs I think you start to realize it doesn't really matter. You just have to go off whether you like what's in the bottle.

Let's get right into it...

2019 Stay Home Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

15.2% Alcohol

$20/btl

$18/btl 12+

Free shipping on $120+ or 6+ bottles

Bold, brawny and luscious this wine is visually thick. 95% opaque and it clings to the glass for dear life.

Ripe fruit leaps from the glass. There's nothing complicated about the aromatic profile: It's a fastball right down the middle. Pure unadulterated Cabernet absent of any menthol, cedar, herb, or woody notes.

Chewy ripe tannins dominate on the palate with grippy lingering finish.

Great value here.

92/100 WWP: Outstanding

Of all the Wine Access NDA Napa Cabs, this one is most similar to the well-regarded Yesterday bottlings with a touch of Moundsman. That's a favorable association, especially with the price of this Stay Home roughly half of those other wines.

I thought the "Stay Home" name might have something to do with the point where Covid lockdowns were in place and the notion of "Stay Home/Save Lives" was all the rage.

Turns out the tagline is simply: "This wine is so good, you'll want to stay home."

Fresh Off the Truck: 2015 Varner Los Alamos Santa Barbara Pinot Noir

noreply@blogger.com (Robert) — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 00:32:00 +0000

I cracked another bottle from a recent Wine Access shipment. Let's get right into it..

The write-up:

Vinous founder Antonio Galloni to say their “deep, resonant Pinots remain some of the most compelling wines being made in California.”

Wine Advocate called Varner “one of the stars of the Central Coast,” and this is exactly why.

My thoughts:

2015 Varner Los Alamos Vineyard Pinot Noir

13.5% Alcohol
$19/btl before discounts

30% opaque visually, light-medium bodied on the palate.

Fruit on the nose is muted by "rubbery" off notes. Satisfying enough on entry, and on the palate, and while there is some mildly appealing aspects here the wine is haunted by a dour, tired aftertaste.

Disappointing given the prose.

79/100 WWP: Mediocre

They can't all be zingers...

Fresh Off the Truck: 2017 Etude Fiddlestix Pinot Noir

noreply@blogger.com (Robert) — Thu, 02 Dec 2021 00:01:00 +0000

A new batch of wines arrived from the recent Wine Access Black Friday sale. Many of these are still in stock so I'll likely taste through them and write a post about the good ones, and this is a good one.

After visiting Santa Barbara wine country this summer I was interested in exploring the area more.

I'll admit: I'm a sucker for a good vineyard name. Combined with Etude's elegant label I'm drawn to this bottling.

Add on recent news that the Fiddlestix Vineyard was very recently sold to Tyler winemaker Justin Willett and we've got quite the situation on our hands. Let's get right into it...

2017 Etude Fiddlestix Vineyard Pinot Noir

14.1% Alcohol

$50 Release Price

$36 at Wine Access before discounts

35% opaque with an attractive ruby/magenta hue.

Spot on aromas of strawberry, raspberry, and supporting brambly underbrush. Smooth, silky entry with satisfying palate-flooding presence. Silty tannins finish the experience. Not an off note in the glass.

Flavorful, racy, vibrant and luscious.

This is a really nice bottle of California Pinot Noir that more than carries its price.

93/100 WWP: Outstanding

The Wine Access Black Friday 20% off deal is over, but there's always another deal around the corner. And there are always promos you may have squirreled away in the past that might still work.

At minimum you can stack it with this $30 off $100 off that's executable three times for 30% off $300 worth of wine.

See: Targeted Amex Offer: $30 back on $100 at Wine Access

WTSO.com $10 off $100 eGiftCard

noreply@blogger.com (Robert) — Thu, 25 Nov 2021 18:42:00 +0000

WTSO.com is offering $10 off a $100 eGiftCard with code GIVETHANKS

Direct Link

If you're new to WTSO I'd recommend buying the gift card from a different email address than the account you intend to use long term. Because when you go to use the gift card you can get $30 off your first $100 order through referral.

It looks like this might be even more generous than intended at the moment so it may make sense to get some orders in soon: