How did I do with these wines?

I was in Ft. Wayne today and bought some wines that were deeply discounted at a grocery story that carries a few high end wines. These are what I bought for a total of $100.

1 bottle of 2001 Silver Oak "Alexander"
2 bottles of 2001 Beringer "Sbragia Limited Release" Chard.
1 bottle of 2001 Etude :Carneros" Pinot Noir
1 bottle of 2002 Beringer Chard. Private Reserve Napa

They all looked really good with high fills but the Sbragia's were slightly on the dark side. I am also not phobic about oak and am aware of Silver Oaks reputation and still love them along with oaky, big Cal. Chards. Anyone with my palate leanings think this was a good deal, if sound?

Certainly you did well from price standpoint. I've thought the Beringer Sbragia was good for the style (I occasionally like a big oaky CalChard).

Excellent deal, as long as you like the wines.

I think you will be fine on the reds..have some concerns re Cal chards with that much age and oak

I tried the Etude and a Sbragia Chard. last nite at a pre-graduation party and thought the Chard was excellent and the Etude P.N. just O.K. It was a little shrill with acidity and had no earthyness I like to see in a good P.N.

Hey, Jim...where does one shop for wine in Fort Wayne. I grew up there and it's still home

Hi Brian, I shop at Cap-N-Cork on Coldwater and Belmont Liquor at various stores and World Market by the Coliseum. The main Belmont store downtown on Harrison has been demolished but used to be the best store around. I have never shopped in Defiance, we visit Hicksville when up here, so if you know of any good shopping there please let me know. Jim

You certainly got the prices right but I am not a fan of Berringer Chards as they are loaded with oak. Sbragia, Beringer's wine maker, also makes his own wines. Last year, his chard got my vote for the worst white I tried all year, loaded with oak and if that was not bad enough it also tasted liked melted butter. You have to like this style but is is just not my cup of tea.
Walt

I tried the Etude and a Sbragia Chard. last nite at a pre-graduation party and thought the Chard was excellent and the Etude P.N. just O.K. It was a little shrill with acidity and had no earthyness I like to see in a good P.N.

Concerning the Etude, you may have just caught it a little early. I remember not thinking much of the 1997 until 2006/7 when I was down to my last 3 bottles. Based upon that experience, I have not touched the few 2001's that I own.

You certainly got the prices right but I am not a fan of Berringer Chards as they are loaded with oak. Sbragia, Beringer's wine maker, also makes his own wines. Last year, his chard got my vote for the worst white I tried all year, loaded with oak and if that was not bad enough it also tasted liked melted butter. You have to like this style but is is just not my cup of tea.
Walt

Funny but I could write almost the same thing but substitue Silver Oak for Beringer. A while ago I picked up some of the 1996 Napa SO for what was a very good price. Finally poured the last bottle down the drain just 2 weeks ago. No noticable winemaking flaw and it smelled great when poured into the glass but in the mouth it was all upfront oak that immediately died in the mouth. I guess one could drink it but it was completely devoid of any flavor besides oak and therefore completely joyless.

Funny but I could write almost the same thing but substitue Silver Oak for Beringer. A while ago I picked up some of the 1996 Napa SO for what was a very good price. Finally poured the last bottle down the drain just 2 weeks ago. No noticable winemaking flaw and it smelled great when poured into the glass but in the mouth it was all upfront oak that immediately died in the mouth. I guess one could drink it but it was completely devoid of any flavor besides oak and therefore completely joyless.

FWIW, Jim might be encouraged to know that the Silver Oak Alexander is often considered less oak-y than the Napa.