Garagiste

• By Jon Rimmerman
  12/3/2010 (link)

  (MICHELE Nicholas Cole) Cabernet Dear Friends, Deal of the Year? Maybe. No tales of terroir, stories of strife, natural winemaking or other – just a crazy price. As much as I disdain retailer garble such as “deal of the year”, in this case, today’s offer commands you put personal predilection aside and hit the reply button in an expeditious manner – there will be an occasion in your future where the individuals involved will thank you (even if you disdain high-fruit/raspberry-laced domestic Bordeaux blends). I'm not sure if the avalanche of requests we’ve had over the last month (and especially since last week?) for more Nicholas Cole was a response to the fall shipping/receipt of one of the Mystery Wines or whether the inquires were spurred by a retailer offer but one thing is for sure – there’s no way I can respond to each email so I'm lumping everything I would have said into this offer. First thing’s first: Nicholas Cole is about fussed over results. They pride themselves on top-end/big-extract wines that wish to compete at the very highest and darkest colored rung in Washington State (i.e. Quilceda/Leonetti tier, not the typical tier in our state). Opinions will differ as to the winery’s success over the past decade but this is a first-rate operation with vineyards to match. While their wine routinely eclipsed a few years ago (well over at local restaurants), everything finds its place in the universe at some point... That point is your obvious gain. Unlike the “Camille” (which is Merlot heavy), Nicholas Cole’s “Michele” is Cabernet heavy (nearly 70%) so it is typically the wine that sells out the fastest. The 2006 was recently released – here is the winery link: http://nicholascolecellars.com/wines/2006-michele So what’s the big deal? Instead of the expected 90+ rating for this wine in the Wine Advocate, it received an 88 a few months ago. In a classic “flight to safety” move for them, that means turning the investment into something more secure – cash. What that means for you is a estate grown Washington Cabernet blend for – no Mystery Wine required. Is the 2006 that bad? No. Is the 2006 as good as the 92pt 2005? No Is it half as good? Yes – more like 90% as good You do the math. If history tells us anything, the best days for this wine are 4-8 years off (despite what you read in the above review). Many of the Nicholas Cole wines require several days of decant to start showing their stuff and the Michele often requires the most decant time. Keep that in mind for near-term consumption but also for cellaring. In addition, this wine would be an impressive gift – it has an expensive bottle, label and “A” grade cork that says $50 to your lucky recipients (not $16+). So, here goes... Due to bizarre tariff, this offer expires on Monday 12/6/2010 at 9:00am Pacific or whenever we run out (which could be in a few minutes) FIRST COME FIRST SERVED up to 48/person until we run out. This parcel is directly from the winery cellar with perfect provenance: 2006 Nicholas Cole “Michele” (Columbia Valley) - (WA88) (compare at , you’ll have to check the 2005 Michele for price comparison and community TN’s, etc - there’s probably very little out there on the 2006 as it’s a new release) To order: niki@garagistewine.com This parcel is set to arrive in a week or two (it will be available for pick-up in time for the holidays, please check OARS after Dec 17th). This wine will ship during the Spring shipping season. This parcel is set to depart the cave – it will arrive in Dec (please check OARS for local pick up after Dec 15th). It will ship during the Spring shipping season. Out of state orders will be held for free under ideal storage conditions (56 degrees/70%humidity) until shipping is possible. Locals may pick up at their leisure. For current local pick up and arrival/ship information, please see your OARS link below (at the bottom of this offer) - don’t know how to access your OARS? Simply click the link and see your account. You can also paste the link into your browser. If you are having trouble with your link or your account, please contact: support@garagistewine.com NO SALES TO RETAILERS OR WHOLESALERS Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA WA5799 Click here to view the status of your orders in O.A.R.S.