What’s in the Bag? Kori’s Value Wine Picks at Metropolitan Market



By Kori ~ June 25th, 2012.

Metropolitan Market, founded in 1971, is an award-winning grocery store with six locations in the greater Seattle area. They sell more than 1,200 different wines and beers and have recently added spirits as well. Seattle Magazine has recognized Metropolitan Market as the Grocery Store with the Best Selection of Washington Wines three times.

Recently, I participated in Metropolitan Market’s “What’s in the Bag?” promotion. I was given $90 to fill one of their reusable wine bags with 6 wines of my choosing. Watch the video to see what I picked and why.

Even though I was given $90 to spend, the grand total for these 6 wines (including tax and the 10% discount for purchasing 6 or more bottles) was about $75. All six of these wines are very good and deliver serious bang for your buck.

My picks:

NV Domaine Ste. Michelle Blanc de Noirs (Columbia Valley, Washington): 100% Pinot Noir. Pale salmon in color. Small, fairly fast bead of bubbles. Very aromatic with raspberry, strawberry, cherry, lime, and yeast aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied with crisp acidity and a long finish. A nice, refreshing weeknight or Sunday brunch bubbly.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Metropolitan Market (Seattle, Washington), $8.49; Available elsewhere, $8 to $15

2011 Nobilo Regional Collection Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, New Zealand): Pale, greenish straw yellow. Very aromatic with grapefruit, pear, and grassy aromas. Grapefruit, grass, and lime come through on the palate. Dry and light to medium-bodied with very tart acidity. Well-balanced with a long finish. Very crisp and refreshing.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Metropolitan Market (Seattle, Washington), $10.99; Available elsewhere, $8 to $15

2011 Barnard Griffin Rose of Sangiovese (Columbia Valley, Washington): Medium bright pink in color. Nice nose with strawberry, raspberry, watermelon, and floral aromas. More red fruits as well as orange peel come through on the palate. Dry and medium-bodied with crisp acidity. Very refreshing with a long, lingering finish. An excellent summer sipper and also great with food.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Metropolitan Market (Seattle, Washington), $10.99; Available elsewhere, $10 to $16

2009 Brian Carter Cellars Abracadabra Red Wine (Columbia Valley, Washington): 19% Sangiovese, 17% Merlot, 13% Syrah, 11% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre, 9% Tempranillo, 7% Malbec, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Cinsault, and 2% Counoise. Deep, purplish red. Aromatic with bright red fruit, spice, and creosote on both the nose and palate. Medium-bodied with lively acidity, medium tannins, and a long finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Metropolitan Market (Seattle, Washington), $15.99; Available elsewhere, $15

2010 Saviah Cellars The Jack Syrah (Columbia Valley, Washington): 80% Syrah, 10% Grenache, and 10% Mourvedre. Deep, dark purplish red. Nice nose with aromas of plum, raspberry, and cinnamon. Juicy red cherry, raspberry, plum, and spice come through on the palate. Medium to full-bodied with lively acidity, medium to high tannins, and a very long finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Metropolitan Market (Seattle, Washington), $14.99; Available elsewhere, $13 to $16

NV Jonesy Dessert Wine (Australia): Port-style wine. Dark amber brown. Very aromatic with toffee, caramel, and nuts on the nose. More toffee and caramel as well as raisins and molasses come through on the palate. Medium sweet and medium to full-bodied with medium tannins. Well-balanced with a long, very smooth finish. Note: This wine is no longer produced under the Jonesy label; it can now be found under the Trevor Jones Boots Dessert Wine label.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Metropolitan Market (Seattle, Washington), $12.99; Available elsewhere, $10 to $15

Full Disclosure: Metropolitan Market allowed me to keep and experience the wines that I selected, along with the wine bag, after I participated in their “What’s in the Bag?” promotion.


Filed under: American Wine, Australian Wine, Dessert Wine, Five-Bangs For Your Buck Wines, Port, Red Wine, Rose Wine, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz/Syrah, Sparkling Wine, Video, Washington State Wine, White Wine, Wines Under $10, Wines Under $15, Wines Under $20, Wines Under $25

Reader's Comments

  1. Vivian Mycroft | June 25th, 2012 at 9:21 am

    Nice selection!

  2. Kori | June 25th, 2012 at 1:33 pm

    Thanks, Vivian. Cheers!