Great wines at special prices: from $4.99 to $9.99 on up!
August 30th. My LOWEST per-bottle prices on these wines.
NOTE: these "leftovers" from the sale list may be in very limited quantities.
 Napa Valley reds at 40% off retail!
ROCKING HORSE This small 8,000 case production winery started in 1989 with a limited release of only 600 cases. Today they have built a reputation for good quality and good value, as so many Napa Valley wine become more and more expensive. Well-known for their ZINFANDEL, they also offer a lovely MERLOT (in limited quantities). The local supplier was looking to clear through some older vintages (both very good vintages!) and I jumped at this Special Purchase deal. Good supply now, but selling briskly already! Great price for any California wine of this quality, let alone Napa Valley! Wine Spectator says (about the 2002 Merlot): "Black cherry and spice fruit, with underlying notes of roasted herbs. Flavors are juicy and the tannins are soft. Drink now. 878 case made." (note the low case production!) Wine Enthusiast says (about the 2001 Zinfandel): "18 retail. This is a balanced wine with earthy berry flavors; it's not a show-stopper but has subtle sophistication." (note the 2001 vintage... ready to drink!) DAVE says: Both of these wines have lovely finesse and smooth ripe fruit in a classy and elegant style. These would be wonderful wines to have with a nice dinner, especially the Zin. For more casual sipping, the Merlot would be great! The MERLOT is quite pretty and plush with black cherry fruit and a hint of cedary oak (it spent 2 years in oak, but it is very well-integrated and subtle). Not at all heavy, but shows the plush fruit of the 2002 Napa vintage. The ZINFANDEL reminds me of a Mendocino style (or perhaps a Zinfandel crossed with Rosso di Montalcino?) and would make a wonderful dinner Zin as well as a drinker. The structure of the great 2001 vintage does show through, but 6 years of age has rounded the edges and brought out nice spicy complexity in this Zin. |
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SALE prices are valid on IN-STOCK merchandise only. Some supplies may be VERY LIMITED! The "retail" prices are taken from reviews in either Wine Spectator (WS), Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (RP), Wine Enthusiast (WE), or are an estimate of "average" retail price; but do not necessarily reflect BrightWines previous or regular prices, which are often lower than typical retail. Some prices are "special purchase" prices.
All sale prices listed are per bottle; no further case discount except if noted.
| WINE | retail | SALE | NOTES |
| Oxford Landing 2004 G.S.M. | $9 | sold out | 87 RP and 87 WS: bistro style, deep fruit |
| Oxford Landing 2006 Viognier | $9 | $5.33 | 88 RP: crisp and refreshing with ripe Viognier fruitiness |
| Wyndham Bin 333 Pinot Noir 2006 | $9 | sold out | 86 points WS, "Bright jazzy" lighter black-cherry style |
| Pavao Vinho Verde rose (new!) | $8 | $5.99 | First time in MN, a spritzy/fresh rose from Vinho Verde |
| Blanco Nieva 2005 Rueda | $12 | $6.99 | Verdejo in a crisp appley style (Spanish vinho verde?) |
| Sparkling Mad Shiraz | $16 | $7.99 | purple and rich bubbly, a hot new style for summer |
| Punto Final 2006 Malbec | $11 | $7.99 | BrightWines best selling Malbec, previously 90 pts WE |
| Razors Edge 2004 Mclaren Vale Shiraz | $12 | $8.99 | Jammy raspberry/mocha; 87RP & 87WS tastes better! |
| Jacob's Creek 2002 reserve Cabernet | $12 | $8.99 | Eucalyptus, dark chocolate, a smooth rich Cabernet!! |
| Duck Pond 2004 Syrah (Columbia Valley) | $12 | $8.99 | Peppery/bacon aromas and dark ripe fruit |
| Rocking Horse 2002 Napa Valley Merlot | $18 | $9.99 | Lovely black cherry and supple character from Napa |
| Rocking Horse 2001 Napa Valley Zinfandel | $18 | $9.99 | Classy "Rosso di Montalcino" style; 87 WE |
| Les Hauts de la Brune 2005 Coteaux Languedoc | $12 | $9.99 | Last year scored 90 WS, 2005 is a better vintage! |
| Benziger 2005 Carneros Chardonnay | $16 | $10.83 | Lush vanilla and vibrant fruit, lovely classic Calif style |
| Carmen 2005 reserve Carmenere/Cab | $15 | $10.99 | 2005 is a great vintage, join Carmenere bandwagon |
| Gazela (2007 bottling) Vinho Verde | $7 | $4.99 | Top-selling of summer, spritzy and fresh |
| Xplorador 2005 Malbec (Mendoza) | $7 | sold out | One of the best "cheap" reds in the market |
| Grand Destre 2005 VDP d'Orange | $8 | sold out | Gold Medal in Paris, from near Chateauneuf-du-Pape |
| Pavao Vinho Verde (2007 bottling) | $8 | $5.33 | dry and crisp and spritzy with lemon/lime/apple tones |
| Wyndham Bin 555 Shiraz 2003 | $9 | sold out | Smooth with some oak and spice, tastes like $10 wine |
| Wyndham Bin 777 Sauv/Semillon 2006 | $9 | sold out | ringer for New Zealand at a fraction of the price |
| Wyndham Bin 222 Chardonnay | $9 | sold out | 86 pts WS with creamy pear apple and oak |
| Bleasedale "Bremerview" Shiraz 2002 | N/A | $5.99 | 89 RP, 375ml bottles, screwcapped, last of bin |
| Bleasedale "Mulberry Tree" Cabernet 2003 | N/A | sold out | 89 pts RP, 375ml bottles, screwcapped, last of bin |
| Domaine Ecu (demeter organic) Muscadet | $12 | sold out | A top producer! Bone dry and ready for mussels |
| Pearly Bay sparkling Celebration | $9 | $5.99 | Halfway between Moscato di Asti and Prosecco |
| Carmen 2004 Carmenere white label | $9 | sold out | Chilean red that combines herbs, earth and purple fruit |
| Headbutt 2004 Sauvignon Blanc - Steen | $10 | $6.99 | Bone dry Chenin Blanc (Steen) with a kick from SB |
| Jacobs Creek BRUT Chard/Pinot Noir | $10 | $6.99 | My favorite bargain bubbly in true Champagne style |
| Covey Run 2006 Gewurztraminer (Wash.) | $9 | sold out | Perennial Best Buy rated, grapefruit/peach fresh/sweet |
| Casillero del Diablo 2005 Carmenere | $9 | sold out | 88 pts WS and one of the best of its kind for $$$ |
| Pacific Estates 2002 Paso Robles Merlot | $16 | sold out | LAST of BIN classy Paso Robles Merlot |
| Vina Famatina 2003 Cabernet (Argentina) | $10 | sold out | European stylings with the rich fruit of Argentina |
| Vina Famatina 2003 Malbec (Argentina) | $10 | sold out | Last of Bin, dry but still ripe and bright fruit |
| Montebuena 2004 tinto Rioja | $10 | sold out | 90 pts RP, last of bin special, unoaked Tempranillo |
| Domaine Sauvestre 2005 Bourgogne | N/A | sold out | Bourgogne Grand Ordinaire aka Gamay (cru Beujolais) |
| Root 1 Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 | $12 | sold out | 90 pts RP and a BrightWines favorite! Cassis rich Cab |
| Chiaretto Rosato 2005 Lugana Provenza | $12 | $8.99 | dry and floral rose from Lake Garda in Northern Italy |
| Jacob's Creek reserve Pinot Noir | $12 | $8.99 | NEW and already the best Pinot Noir at the price !?! |
| Villa Orsini 2005 Chianti Superiore | $11 | sold out | a small step below Classico, but lovely Chianti! |
| Forth 2006 rose of Syrah | N/A | sold out | Very limited, 80 case production, last of bin |
| Kaapzicht 2001 Pinotage | $22 | $9.99 | "good sweet plum…. Coffee, earth" WS |
| Benziger 2004 north coast Syrah | $14 | $9.99 | California Syrah with nice Shiraz and Rhone tones |
| Carmen 2006 reserve Chardonnay | $13 | $9.99 | White Burgundy meets California, always a winner |
| Gradum 2004 Cabernet (Argentina) | $13 | $9.99 | Eucalyptus tones and smooth Cabernet fruit |
| Gradum 2004 Malbec (Mendoza) | $13 | sold out | SOLD OUT |
| Shooting Star 2005 Blue Franc | $13 | $9.99 | Unique varietal from Wash. Cab Franc meets Malbec? |
| Barone Fini 2006 Pinot Grigio | $12 | sold out | My new favorite Pinot Grigio, mineral, citrus, and melon |
| Poggio al Tufo 2004 Sangiovese/Cab | $14 | sold out | by Tommasi, new from Maremma on Tuscan seaside |
| ZEAL 2006 Marlborough Sauv Blanc | $13 | sold out | Sancerre style from the great 2006 NZ SB vintage |
| Gusto 2004 Sauvignon Blanc (Davis family) | $20 | $11.67 | Lemon and mineral, NS SB by famed CA winery |
| Cape Mentelle 2006 Sauv/Semillon | $16 | $11.67 | Western Australia top producer, Sancerre style |
| Cape Mentelle 2003 Cabernet-Merlot | $18 | $13.33 | Bordeaux style but definitely Aussie! Margaret River |
| Chateau Sissan 2002 reserve | $18 | sold out | Gold medal! Aromatically complex and elegant claret. |
| Casillero del Diablo 2005 reserve Cab/Syrah | $17 | sold out | Reserva Privada from the great 2005 vintage! |
| Steele 2004 "Lolonis" Chardonnay | $28 | $22.99 | Single vineyard Mendocino, top source for Chard |
| Steele 2004 "Sangiacomo" Pinot Noir | $30 | $24.99 | Carneros Pinot Noir with spicy aromatics and depth |
| Rosenblum 2005 Picket Road Petite Sirah | $35 | $29.99 | Napa Valley single vineyard Petite from a master! |
| Domaine Trapet 2003 Gevrey-Chambertin | N/A | $39.99 | blend of premier cru level wine labelled as "Ostreia" |
| Markus Molitor 2005 Auslese** | N/A | $39.99 | 97 points WS, a true rarity! Sweet but well-balanced |
| Rocca della Macie 2004 Morellino | $12 | sold out | Sold Out (Sangiovese from Maremma/Tuscany) |
e-mail orders accepted by dave @ brightwines.com