Hits and misses from a bizarre bargain bin

[dananne]

In a liquor store in the 'hood in downtown Atlanta, one finds many interesting things. And, no, I'm not just talking about the customers. Bypassing the many isles of 40 oz. beverages, last year I discovered a cache of close-out '97 Chateau Grand Mayne St. Emilion for $12. Have enjoyed several bottles this year, and I recently saw it at an upscale wine store for $65. Yay for me. This most recent excursion was interesting, as well. 2002 Guelbenzu Cab-Carmenere from the Colchagua region in Chile ($3), 2001 Carchelo Jumilla ($5), and Domaine du Pesquier Vin de Pays de Vaucluse ($3) were among the interesting pick-ups. I also bought a 1998 Brandborg Cellars Russian River Valley Zinfandel for $3. Opened it recently and was quite puzzled by it. The nose, flavor profile, mouthfeel, etc. all were oddly and uncannily like a Rioja, and an aged one at that. Consumed it over 3 days, and it was consistently good until the last, with the Zin elements not even really showing until the 3rd day. Can't ask for much more interest, complexity, or longevity from anything else running $3. Did some Web sleuthing, and it seems like this outfit packed up and moved to Oregon. Go figure. Picked up some more. Was not so lucky with a 2000 Bridgeview Merlot from Oregon ($4, and totally undrinkable) and a Benton Grove California Cab (NV? At any rate, $3 -- and undrinkable). The guy running this odd little shack of a 40-Dog liquor store just gets these random deals -- sometimes they're hits, and other times not. He's working on a 2000 Bordeaux deal right now with "a guy." If it pans out, I'll give the details.

Wierd time to be a consumer.