This post is mainly relevant for readers in the San Francisco Bay Area, as I witnessed some pretty ridiculous deals last night and wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t pass them along. Spencer & Daniel’s, the hit-or-miss discount wine store, has pulled in a huge selection of wines primarily from Chile and Argentina that are worth checking out.

They currently have 3 or 4 vintages of Monte Folly, including the 2004, for $21.99. Down the street at BevMo the listed price is $76, and K&L has just marked it down to $57. Back home in BC, this puppy is going for $88 (although its the ‘06 vintage). Okay, you get the point. I ended up grabbing a bottle and my notes are below.

Another great sighting was the Philippe Delesvaux ‘03 Coteaux du Layon. An elegantly sweet botrytis Chenin Blanc from the Loire that I’ve had in the past. Usually around the $30 mark, they’ve got it for $5.99.

Anyways, I’m going to stop as I don’t want this to sound like a Spencer & Daniel’s promotional ad, but as you can tell, it’s gotten me a little excited. Must be my ingrained sense of thriftiness.

Montes Folly ‘04 Syrah

This is the easily recognizable Ralph Steadman designed label from Chilean producer Viña Montes. The grapes for the Montes Folly are grown on a single, high altitude and steep sloped vineyard within the Santa Cruz appellation of the Colchagua Valley; total production is 750 cases.

This is concentrated powerhouse ‘Syrah’ which I would feel much more comfortable calling Shiraz. Its breadth of flavours and rich plushness is what I would expect critics to call opulent; it carries 15% alcohol shamelessly. Lifted blueberry and dark berry fruit with mocha characters that aren’t overtaken with oak. The wine has good acidity, average tannin and is drinking great right now with nearly 6 years of age. This is delicious wine that will make a lot of people happy. Even though it’s a few degrees heavier than a style I usually enjoy, I’m having a hard time restraining a smile having paid $21.99 for it.