Discontinued Whine

Have you ever discovered a new, old favorite hanging out in the closeout rack of your local wine shop? 

Just last week I noticed a few 'last call' bottles of Chateau Montelena's Potter Valley Riesling (2000, $20).  I'm always game for Riesling from lesser known appellations, so I took it home.  I must say, this wine was one of the most character-full American Rieslings I've ever sampled.  It was deep, thick gold in color.  I was immediately reminded of a German Spätlese.  Montelena's Riesling offered up an intriguing scent combination of honeyed pear and seriously mature earthiness.  As I prepared to take a sip, my taste buds braced themselves for rich, thick late harvest-like wine.  The wine was indeed thick and viscous.  Yet it was dry, albeit with slightly low acidity.  Still, I found this to be a very unique expression of Riesling.  I wanted more.  Yet, that is all there was.

I say, "was," because this wine is no longer offered (at least not in a retail shop).  Damn.

And this isn't the first time I've happened upon a tasty wine, which, after I've enjoyed it and want more, I come to find out that it has been discontinued.  For example, a while back, I found Chappellet's Sangiovese to be a comely red wine.  "More please." I said.  However, the Chappellet's said, "Sorry, we no longer produce a single-varietal Sangiovese."  Double damn.

The question of the day is this:  What wine have you fallen in love with; only to find out that it is no longer produced?

Technorati Tags: riesling, white wine, wine

Comments

[Trish]

The Ortman Rose of syrah was my favorite, and while it's still being produced, they've changed it beyond recognition. They tood this perfect wine and blended in viognier. Why? I don't know. It's dead to me!

[beau]

Trish - perhaps they were thinking of making a traditional nothern Rhone red (which often contains a small percentage of Vio). Then when the result came out, someone in the winery thought, "Eh not so good. Let's add more Viognier and make it a blush!"

[JD]

Sorry I'm late to this conversation, but I had to add my two cents. Cline Mourvedre. I enjoyed it for a couple of years about 10 years ago -- very earthy and peppery for just $10. An then, poof, gone. Sigh.