Wine Insiders

Expertly chosen wines delivered to your door

About two weeks ago I purchased a $75 Groupon to Wine Insiders for $25. I'm so glad I didn't pass this one up. I thoroughly enjoyed shopping for my wine online and when it was delivered today it felt like Christmas morning. I only went $5 over the $75 Groupon amount. So essentially I spent $30 and I got six bottles of wine. I chose three red and three white.

You do understand that's $5 a bottle, right?!

The bottles retail at $9.99 with the exception of the Clos LA Chance Hummingbird Cab Sauv which was $12.99. I love that Wine Insiders had a ton of inexpensive bottles, with fun labels to boot. Lets take a look at the individual bottles, shall we? I'll start with the whites. And I'll preface by letting you know the wine information came directly from the Wine Insiders website.

2008 Estrada Creek Sauvingnon Blanc

Region: California
Total Acid: 0.67 g/l
Alcohol: 13%
Residual Sugar: 0.015 g/l
Cellaring: 2-3 years

Panel's Notes: A light and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc with accents of lemon, tangerine and melon. Soft herbal flavors and a touch of oak add interest and carry the citrus flavors through a crisp finish.

Winery Background: 2008 is considered one of the best this decade, fruit ripened slowly and evenly leading to full fruit flavors balanced by a naturally crisp acidity. Grapes were harvested at night, crushed immediately. A portion was aged in new oak to add complexity while most was aged in stainless steel to retain all the natural fruit flavors. Estrada Creek only produces Sauvignon Blanc in exceptional years.

Food: Pair with sautéed seafood or roast chicken.

I'll be honest, the acid and the residual sugars mean little to nothing to me. The alcohol content is pretty interesting though! As are the Panels Notes, the Winery Background and what types of Food to pair it with. I tried to purchases a variety of wines that paired well with different types of meals.

2009 Myth Chardonnay

Region: California
Total Acid: 0.66 g/l
Alcohol: 12.5%
Residual Sugar: 0.025 g/l
Cellaring: 2-3 years

Panel's Notes: Intensely fragrant with aromas reminiscent of pineapple, grapefruit, apple, and peach with a touch of honey. A crisp finish adds a tart, food friendly note to this "go-to, easy drinking white wine"

Winery Background: Produced by a “flying” winemaker who spends 6 months in California and 6 months in Australia where she developed a fondness for crisp, flavorful white blends such as Australia’s famed Sem-Chard. In California, she blends soft, fruity Chardonnay with crisp, citrusy Colombard to come up with a favorite warm-weather quaffer.

Food:Ideal slightly chilled as an apertif or when paired with fresh grilled seafood or light salads.

2008 La Petit Tour Classic White Region: California
Total Acid: 0.67 g/l
Alcohol: 13%
Residual Sugar: 0.015 g/l
Cellaring: 2-3 years

Panels Notes: Delicately aromatic with flavors of ripe pear and surprisingly bright citrus notes in a medium bodied, delicious to the last drop quaffer.

Winery Background: La Petite Tour wines were introduced more than 30 years ago. This blend of white grapes has remained the family’s favorite. It was only made in small lots for their own table, until now. Exclusive to Wine Insiders.

Food:A versatile food wine, pairs well with any fish dish or lighter dishes of grilled chicken or vegetables.

2005 Geja's Big Bold Red Region: California
Total Acid: 0.66 g/l
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 0.025 g/l
Cellaring: 1-2 years

Panels Notes: A wine with attitude. It’s big and bold and unabashedly lip-smackingly delicious – ripe fruit flavors float over a fine structure of ripe tannins and natural fruit acidity. “Keep pouring, I’ll tell you when to stop”.

Winery Background: Do we need one? Seriously! One sip and who cares? Okay, okay: A winemaker with more than 40 years experience and more gold medals than he can count goes for his own idea of gold: a wine he’d drink every day at an affordable price, and this one is it.

Food: Grilled or braised meats, pizza, hearty pastas.

2008 Saddlehorn Zinfandel Region: California
Total Acid: 0.64 g/l
Alcohol: 12.5%
Residual Sugar: 0.0 g/l
Cellaring: 4-5 years

Panels Notes: Bursting with flavors of ripe plum and blackberry with a delightful hint of black pepper, chocolate and toasty oak. A thread of fruit acidity carries through a lengthy finish and makes this Zin-lovers Zin a panel favorite.

Winery Background: Saddlehorn Cellars is based in California’s Central Coast region and sources grapes from prestigious growing regions throughout the Central and North Coast areas.

Food: A versatile Zinfandel, equally good with mushroom pasta or a roast turkey or beef burger.

2006 Clos LaChance "Ruby Throated" Cabernet Sauvignon Region: California
Total Acid: 0.64 g/l
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 0.014 g/l
Cellaring: 2-4 years

Panels Notes: The wine opens with bright berry fruit, plum tobacco and a subtle floral note in the aromas. On the palate, the wine is full and rich with flavors reminiscent of blueberries, blackberries and dried cherry.

Winery Background: One of the “Hummingbird Series” from Clos LaChance, wines produced from their Estate Vineyard and other select Central Coast locations. Each wine is named after a species of Hummingbird, the symbol of Clos LaChance Vineyards that, because of its ability to chase off grape eating birds, thrives on the eco-friendly and opulent estate.

Food: Enjoy on its own or when paired with roast or braised meat based dishes or slow cooked dried bean casseroles. And there you have it. My first experience purchasing wine online. Score!Have you ever ordered wine online or from Wine Insiders?
Ever tasted any of the above wines?