Here we are again at the BevMo 5-Cent Sale that runs from now until March 21, 2011. The BevMo brochure tells us that some 200 wines are part of this 5-Cent Sale. For those new to this sale, BevMo sells you the first bottle at full-price and when you buy a second bottle of the same wine, that second bottle is priced at 5 Cents. I have dissected the BevMo sale previously (read article) trying to figure out if the sale is just a gimmick or if there are some bargains to be had. I am convinced that in the mix of these 200 wines there are several good wines at bargain prices but also many wines that are to be avoided. The problem is how do you know what is good or bad? Here is what I like and don’t like at the current Spring BevMo 5-Cent Sale.
Highly Recommended – We purchased these two wines and they are delicious.
The Trumpeter 2009 Malbec – Price is $6.52 when you buy two bottle. Terrific wine from Mendoza.
The Vigilance Cimarron Red – Price is $9.02 when you buy two bottles. The Vigilance Website has the wine listed at $24. From organic vineyards in Lake County per bottle.
Recommended
BevMo has several Montgras (Chile) and Tapiz (Argentina) wines on the sale. I visited both of these wineries on my 2009 trip to South America. Both of these wineries make good quality wines and are good bargains at the 5-Cent Sale.
El Portillo Pinot Noir – normal price is $14.99 – Argentine Winery in Mendoza
During 5-Cent sale = $7.52 when you buy two.
Castle Rock Pinot Noir – normal price $13.99
During 5-Cent sale = $6.52 when you buy two. 87pts in CGCW
Clos LaChance Hummingbird Zinfandel ’07 normal price = $16.99
During 5-Cent sale = $6.52 when you buy two. Listed @ $18 on Clos LaChance Website.
Gerard Bertrand Tautavel ’07 – $10.02 when you buy two. 91 points Wine Spectator. They were sold out of this wine at my BevMo and it does not look like they are going to get more, it went that fast.
Lake Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon ’07 – $12.52a bottle when you buy two.
90 Points Wine & Spirits, a “Best Buy.”
Santa Ema Amplus Cabernet ’08 – $12.52 a bottle when you buy two.
90 Points Robert Parker
Not Recommended
Any obscure label that you don’t find in any other wines shops. Some examples:
Stanza, Sonoma Landing, Elena, Harding Estates, Unruly Red. Some of these wines might be very good but why take a chance? These wines are probably made just for the bulk market.
Breggo 2008 Pinot Noir
I tasted this wine at the BevMo Saturday afternoon tasting. I looked at reviews on Snooth and they were mostly positive. I found the wine to be watered down and I did not like the bit of smokiness to it. If you buy two bottles of this wine it is $22. That is way too much, I’ld rather take a chance on the Castle Rock 2009 Pinot Noir. I have been to the Breggo Winery in Mendocino and their wines are always top quality, but not this one.
Interesting Note
BevMo has a Renwood Lodi Zinfandel for $12.99 which means $6.52 if you buy two. I have visited the Renwood Winery in the Shenandoah Valley in the Sierra Foothills on several occasions. I think they make some very decent bargain wines. I checked the Renwood Website and nowhere could I find the Renwood Lodi Zin on their online wine shop. I called the tasting room and the guy told me that this wine is for the bulk market and they don’t even have it the tasting room.
Tread carefully at this BevMo sale and tell us in your comments if you have any wines to recommend or not.
I think the Schug Merlot is also a good deal. Give it a try.
Would you recommend Gloria Ferrer, 2006 Carneros Pinot Noir? ($20 reg price, part of .05 sale)
I’ve long been a fan of their sparkling wine, but never tried Pinot. It apparently sells for $22 (recently reduced from $28) at the winery.
Wine of the week: Gloria Ferrer, 2006 Carneros Pinot Noir
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100615/LIFESTYLE/100619746?p=1&tc=pg
Kess,
I have not tried this wine but I think it sounds like a good deal. I have been to Gloria Ferrer and I believe their wines are well made. It is worth trying. Let us know what you think of the wine should you buy it and taste it.
Joe
Thanks for the response. I will give it a try.
By the way, any sparkling wines that you can recommend from the sale?
The best deal at BevMo is the Rotari sparkling wine from Italy. It is not on the 5 Cent Sale but is around $10. I like it very much.
Kess I too enjoyed the Gloria Ferrer Pinot noir, a great value. I also founf a super bargain in the 2009 REDTREE PINOT NOIR. Reg $10.99, $6.52 with the 5 cent sale discount. I thought it was very drinkable for an every day wine.
One of our club members had the Gloria Pinot over the weekend thought is was terrific. Bruce also thinks BevMo is running out of this wine. Redtree, I will have to try.
Had a bottle of Stanza Cabernet that I bought from BEV MO two weeks ago, and it was excellent!
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You nailed it. Why take the chance on wines no one else wants to stock? And for the Unruly Red. Mouth wash at best for me. I stupidly paid 9 bucks for this and poured it down the drain after my wife and I had a few tastes. Let it sit even. Not good. How this “Wong” fellow gave it “90 points” I do not know. I went right out to Vons and bought a bottle of Clos du Bois Cab for the same price (on sale) and it tasted like an Estate wine. I really am starting to doubt Bevmo. For the wines under $20 seriously just go to Vons(Rodney Strong, Estancia,JLohr, Firestone, on and on) one of these is 11 bucks at any given time and will blow those Bakersfield Blends out of the water. Hell, so will BV coastal, Blackstone, etc… and they are only 7 bucks.