Costco and the Wine Spectator 2009 Top 100

The WS published their Top 100 wines on Monday for those who have online membership. There was a pronounced emphasis on value in part due to the economic downturn, which affected pricing as well as purchasing power. As usual, I had managed to obtain a decent number wines on the list.

Today 11/17, I went to my local N Calif Costco today, and found the following wines on the Top 100 list.

• Catena 2007 Malbec Mendoza (WS 91, $17): Consistely at 90 or 91 points over the past 3 years, this is the first Catena I've ever bought.
• Neyers 2007 Chardonnay Carneros (WS 93, $23): A very ripe, heavy, smoky, oaky, on occasion bitter wine. Didn't care for one bottle and loved the other. You'll likely feel the same.
• Provenance 2008 Sauvignon Blanc Rutherford (WS 91, $15). A 91 pointer from Napa... I had to try this. Didn't know it was a Top 100.
• Juan Gil 2006 Monastrell Jumilla (WS 90, $11.89). I've liked 2 of the 3 bottles I've tried. Like a lovely ripe grenache when it works.
  
• Tohu 2007 Pinot Noir Marlborough (WS 91, $18). Intense but not heavy red cherry, with rose petals and some spice. Balanced. Some acidity. Typical of a fine New Zealand Pinot.
• Monte Antico 2006 Sangiovese blend Toscana (WS 90, $8). I bought a bottle and fortunately tried it this past weekend. Medium light bodied with red fruit with a beguilingly smooth and gently complex finish of spice, vanilla and chocolate. The second great bargain I've found in the last 2 weeks. Wow.
• Lehmann 2006 Shiraz Barossa (WS 91, $13). Decent ripe shiraz, but a bit hit or miss on the 2 bottles I've tried. (Much better than the green flavored 2005 which also strangely got a WS 91).
• Yalumba 2008 Viognier (WS 92, $13.50 sold out last week). The 2007 also made the Top 100 last year, but the year is even bigger and richer. A very nice wine.
  

I bought all of these wines except the Lehmann and the Yalumba, including more than a case of the Monte Antico, which was going fast.

A couple of other value buys with the ongoing wine coupons are

• Norton 2006 Malbec Reserve (WS 90, $12 - 2 = $10). Couldn't resist with the coupon. The Norton Malbecs have not done much for me but at $10 who can resist?
• Roederer NV Brut Anderson Valley (WS 91, $18 - $2 = $16). What a buy on a sparkling wine. The 2009 WS tasting notes are intruiging "A rich version, loaded with spicy cinnamon notes. Bold apple aromas, with a whiff of yeast, lead to complex, layered pear, crème brûlée and baked apple flavors that linger. Drink now. 80,000 cases made." With that production, it should not be hard too hard fine.