When crafting our limited-release blend, we went back to Mendocinoās Redwood Valley appellation - where our visionary founder first put down roots - for the majority of the grapes for this wine. A blend of Syrah, Zinfandel and Petite Sirah, this deep ruby wine opens with richly spiced fruit aromas framed by threads of chocolate and fennel. A palate of blue and black fruit notes accentuates firm but supple tannins.
Cheers to the next 50 years of Fetzer!
Vineyard Notes
While a lot can change in 50 years, at Fetzer weāve found that much can remain the same too. When Barney Fetzer founded our winery back in 1968, he believed what was good for the earth was good for the grapes, and what was good for the grapes was good for the wine. Our acclaimed collection shows that he was right, so weāve stood by Barneyās approach and his pioneering spirit - both still at the heart of everything we do.
Specs
Vintage: 2016
Blend: 70% Syrah, 20% Zinfandel, 10% Petite Sirah
Appellation: Mendocino County
Alcohol: 14.2%
Case Count: 200
Included in the Box
6-bottles:
6x 2016 Fetzer 50th Anniversary Reserve Red Blend, Mendocino County
Case:
12x 2016 Fetzer 50th Anniversary Reserve Red Blend, Mendocino County
Since our inception 50 years ago, Fetzer has stood by the simple philosophy that whatās good for the Earth is good for the grape, and whatās good for the grape is good for the wine. Our collection is grounded in the character of American classics like Fetzer Valley Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon, Sundial Chardonnay, and Shaly Loam GewĆ¼rztraminer, iconic wines standing for quality and sustainable practices. Founder and pioneer Barney Fetzer remains our inspiration, having set a standard 50 years ago for thoughtful farming and excellence in the cellar.
Fifty years ago, the California wine industry was just getting started. The rest of the world hadnāt yet heard of Mendocino County, but Barney Fetzer knew heād found an extraordinary place to grow wine grapes. An early pioneer of sustainable farming, he helped shape the quality and environmental consciousness of California wine. Beyond whatās in the glass, our Valley Oaks Food and Wine Center was a vital locale for more than 20 years, catalyzing the farm to-table movement before it became a widely valued ethos.
From humble roots, weāve built a legacy of classic American wines rooted in a deep commitment to the land. Over five decades, weāve grown to source fruit from talented growers across Californiaās most revered regions, yet we remain dedicated to the vineyards, people and vibrant community life of Mendocino County. One thing hasnāt changed in 50 years: our wines are mindfully crafted to be balanced and flavorful.
Every day, we work in ways that are better for the environment, better for communities and better for workers. As the largest Certified B Corp winery in the world, we live and breathe social and environmental responsibility in everything we doāfrom vine to bottle. And weāre proud to be part of this B Corp community alongside companies like Patagonia and Cabot Creamery, who share our commitment to turning business into a force for good.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, KS, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI
Fetzer 50th Anniversary Reserve Red Blend
6 bottles for $49.99 $8.33/bottle + $1.33/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $89.99 $7.50/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2016 Fetzer 50th Anniversary Reserve Red Blend - $10 = 9.99%
@FritzCat Wow! Back in the dayā¦
It was their Sundial Chardonnay that started it all for me in the mid-1980s. Havenāt had it in decades and donāt drink much Chard any more, but it definitely started me on the road to drunken poverty.
@FritzCat@pseudogourmet98@NatasG - Sundial Chardonnay was a good value, but I always preferred Fetzer reds. Too many other good whites available at reasonable prices in California back in the day before Chardonnay became super-popular and almost everyone started oaking it to death, whether with barrels, staves or bags of chipsā¦
Fetzer wasnāt exactly a pioneer in Mendocino - plenty of people (including briefly, Tony Perelli-Minetti) made wine there before (and during) Prohibition, and, of course, the Parducci family has been long been there. That said, Fetzer was one of the first in the ā60s generation of winemakers to make and widely distribute solid, sound, inexpensive varietals with a Mendocino origin. Fetzer became well-known by the early ā70s for excellent value, and especially for Zinfandel. Cab to a lesser extent, but still good value. Fetzer distributed worldwide: in the early 1990s, I was visiting SWMBOās family in Norway and managed to find 1985 (a very good year) Fetzer Zinfandel at the Vin Monopol (state liquor stores) to pair with the wild Salmon SWMBO negotiated for at the open air fish market where the boats brought their catch in Bergen. I also found both Fetzer along with Mondavi reds in Vienna in the ā80s.
Iād like to propose a toast to logistics. It may not be as beguiling as ride hailing applications, chemically modifying plants to replicate meat or shared work spaces with world changing aspirations, but it may be the innovation with the greatest impact on the decade gone by. Think of it. This humble fifth-gallon of glass-ensconced old grape juice was care free in California, and within 24 hours it had been uncorked on a counter near Columbus. The Fetzer 50th Anniversary Reserve Red Blend unexpectedly announced itself to me last night and I dutifully pulled the long, high-quality natural cork the moment I got home from work today. I was a little surprised to see this brand on offer; my prior experience with Fetzer was after coming of age in College with little money to spare. Setting bias aside, I noted that only 200 cases were made, which automatically made it casemates-worthy.
The wine pours a deep plum with violet edge. It thickly coats the glass and the long legs develop in about 2 seconds. There are subtle dark fruit (plum) notes on the nose along with a touch of brown sugar. Clean, not overpowering, no volatile alcohol to report. Medium body, cherry/berry flavors balanced with oak and bit of that savory syrah āmeatinessā. Fairly long finish of 5+ seconds. Minimum tannic grip but firm acidity gives nice balance and elegance to a graceful, mature wine. Delightful.
My wife said it was quite dark, with a pleasant garnet color, nicely balanced between fruit and earthy flavors, had medium body and was easy to drink. She said it was worth $20, so I then asked her if she would buy it. Sheās a bit frugal, especially when it comes to my wine accumulating hobby, and she thinks that the 100 bottles cellartracker claims we have in the basement to be āenoughā (yeah, I can hear you old timers sneering āsounds like a good start!ā I digress.)
She replied: āWe donāt need any more wineā.
Me: āRetail on this is $13, casemates charges $7.50ā
She: āHoly cow! Thatās a bargain, youāre making me rethink myself.ā
Me: āWell, this offer doesnāt ship to Ohioā
She: āWould they ship to my parents in Minnesota?ā /scene.
It went well with a dinner of roasted chicken thighs. Black olives brought out an undesirable, overly sweet brown sugar note but green olives and assorted cheeses were a fine match. This is a well-made, crowd pleasing wine with sufficient complexity to drink on its own and enough acidity to pair with lighter meats and darker vegetables. Iāll leave it on the counter, uncorked, overnight to give you all an indication whether it will keep a little longer or best consumed this year. Thanks to WCC and Fetzer for giving me the opportunity to taste this bottle, to Ariana for picking my name out of the hat, and to UPS for fantastic feats of transportation. Salut!
@KitMarlot It got from Sonoma to Columbus far more quickly than to Los Angeles! My rat bottle has been on a truck in LA for about 9 hours so far.
I just hope it arrives early enough before I have to head out for part of the evening.
OK! Last minute lab rat email and UPS notification came within an hour or so of each other last night. Despite UPSās initial estimate of 12-2pm for delivery, the bottle showed up a bit after 6pm. So this is fresh off the truck!
Strangely enough, I couldnāt find the vintage listed on the bottle, so Iām glad the offer states itās 2016.
The wine pours a fairly dense red-purple. Plenty of pigment in here gives away itās Syrah and PS components.
Right on opening with a couple swirls the nose is pretty muted: nothing distinct aside from a general sort of fruitiness. Palate is also fairly nondescript, but clearly is fruity with good acidity. The finish lingered, along with the tingly sensation that I attribute to minerality. I am not perceiving a lot of tannin so quickly after opening. This clearly needs some air after its day long journey around Los Angeles.
Even 10-15 minutes later this is opening up to reveal aromas of raspberry, plum, and some floral notes. The palate remains light to medium bodied, decent acidity thatās most apparent on the finish, but no distinct fruits that I can detect as of yet. Thereās a tiny hint of meatiness and iron that hint at the Syrah component, but to be honest I wouldnāt have noticed it without looking for varietal signatures.
I have a meeting to run out to this evening, so after the first glass the rest will sit corked on the counter for further sampling!
The fruit profile has darkened somewhat, to more plum and blackberry from the earlier raspberry. Iām getting a hint of blueberry here and there as well. Some dusty earth aromas show up too. The tannins have hardened up slightly while I was away, but this would still not count as significantly tannic. Otherwise this is not much changed from before. Perhaps I should have left it uncorked instead.
Iām thinking this would be a great cellar defender/daily drinker/party wine. Itās got a little something for everybody: itās not overly sweet (either in RS or fruit quality), itās got enough structure to stand up to some food, but is soft enough to enjoy on its own. Iād bet it will improve for a couple years yet, but I doubt this will turn into anything all that complex. But for $13 retail and $7.50 for the case price you shouldnāt be expecting a seriously complex wine. This easily drinks at or above its retail price point, and the CM price is a solid deal.
For those who might want a comparison, it reminds me a bit of the Wellington Duke, but I think it has more structure than some iterations of the Duke, making it better for my palate.
@rjquillin, feel free to incorporate this into the main post.
@cdgrimm Check your order status. If you can, early enough, cancel and reorder. Otherwise, perhaps check with CS? @thumperchick
Iāve got the same issue, but past the cancel window.
Iām not necessarily complaining, but I received today six bottles of the Anniversary Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon rather than six bottles of the Red Blend. I donāt mind because I bought this when it was previously offered and it is fine.
@cdgrimm Same thing happened to me, except that my order was for a case. I still had nine of the Cab from the offer last year. Unfortunately, I wasnāt all that impressed with it, although itās okay at the price point, so Iām not really unhappy. It would have been interesting to try the red blend, though. With luck, maybe the Cab will improve with age.
My case was just delivered. I lugged the box to the basement, opened it and the enclosed info sheet says anniversary blend. After storing a few bottles, I discover itās actually a case of cab. @#$!%&! How does this happen?!? While the out of pocket wasnāt big, I was originally on the fence about this (not so with the prior offering of this cab, which I passed on.) Unfortunately, it will be a week+ before I have a chance to try a bottle, so wonāt know if this is or Wonder if I could/should find a bottle of the blend for comparisonā¦
Darn, same thing happened to me. I really wanted the blend, but got the cab. Similarly, I put it in the cellar, and wonāt try it for a while. Maybe we will have an opportunity to get the blend at a good price pointā¦
@FritzCat My case shows up tomorrow. This is annoying. We donāt like/drink Cabs, wouldnāt be interested in that. I hope I get luck and get what I ordered.
Mine too.
I passed on the Cab last time also, we were looking forward to trying this blend. I donāt ever remember getting a āSubstitute Wineā before (W00T -2009 to present). What gives: I agreed itās not a high dollar purchase, but come on.
PS: I missed the 1st delivery attempt,(because it was changed at the last minuet) so it only took me an hour to retrieve the wine I didnāt order, from the "Distribution center". This keeps getting betterā¦
Usually tagging @WineDavid49 or @ArianaWCC will get their eyes on these sorts of issues more quickly.
Iād lay odds they accidentally delivered a pallet of the wrong wine to WCCā¦
Picked up the shipment today and also found the cab. While I donāt normally pull a cork an hour after delivery, the discussion here prompted that.
This Cab sure tastes more like the cab review than what the Rats here have reported, that at PnP resembles a mediocre $5 grocery store bottle, at best.
Mistakes happen. Some can be rather expensive.
Not sure what the outcome of this one will be.
Can give it away and not be out all that much, except for others wondering why I drink this, but others may not be quite as forgiving.
@kainc@strongry Ironically I suspect if anyone got the Red Blend they would not be here either looking or posting . . . But I would be curious if some people did get it or if the whole thing was a mix up. Either way, WineDavid will make it right. He has taken care of me before.
Cab here. Notified customer service. I specifically told them I had no interest in the cab which I passed on the first go round. I was sold on the blendās components and rattage. Followingā¦
Recall the Sep 30 2011 offer when 2010 Esterlina Riesling shipped instead of the offered 2010 Esterlina Riesling Dry; that was then correctly replaced and shipped around Nov 11?
Still have some of both that are drinking just fine.
@rjquillin@Winedavid49 Yeah, weāve still got a couple of that as well. Turned out to be (a) an amazing discovery and (b) one of the best values ever purchased, even though somebody took a bath on it.
Same boat, got the cab. For those who like Cabs and had this Cab (whether before or with the current mistaken delivery), is it good?
My wife and I arenāt into Cabs, and I doubt weāll want to drink these (although of course Iāll give it a try just in case), but I know people who like Cabernet Sauvigon. Itās not like itās a weird unknown varietal that few people like. I should be able to move this product as gifts and such. As long as itās reasonably good. And for $7.50 a bottle it doesnāt need to be amazing, just solid.
I guess if thereās going to be a mess-up and they send the wrong wine, better for all involved that it was this than sending us the Fetzer 50th Anniversary Norton/Gamay blend or something. I (personally) would have rather a āmess upā give me PS or Grenache or Tempranillo, but for varietals I donāt care for, Cabernet Sauvignon is easy to move at least. Just trying to look on the bright side. And of course I really want the Syrah.
@PatrickKarcher I went ahead and tried it. I like Cabs very much. This was pretty meh. More on the lower end grocery store variety. Just my two cents though. Would be interested in others thoughts.
@PatrickKarcher@sammypedram
IMO, itās a decent low end Cab. I usually expect better from Fetzer, but considering the price, itās acceptable. Iām a little surprised that they would put out a ā50th Anniversaryā wine at this quality level, though. As I said above, maybe it will improve with age.
It may also turn out to be a good blending wine, to mix with something at a similar price level where the blend is better than the components. Iāve got a case of Lucky Star P.S. that I want to try it with. If it works, Iāll have two cases of cheap dinner wine.
@DickL@sammypedram You know, I had a glass of it yesterday evening when I need just one more glass with steak and cake. (remainder of first bottle I opened has been under argon-seal) It really wasnāt bad. I guess Iāve come to think of it as two-buck chuck, but I was pleasantly surprised. Not ā50th Anniversaryā quality certainly, as you say, but if youāre not expecting much, itās really fine.
@Winedavid49 wow yāall, see my post earlier about having confidence this would work out (+100%!!). Kudos WD - somebody got hurt here, but not the customer. There was an error, but this is the absolute best way to handle it. Own it, and know that this only secures our loyalty to this wine movement! I for one will keep this in mind when Iām on the fence on an offer. My comment that youāve screwed me over āneverā still stands. And to reiterate, Iām not surprised.
@Winedavid49 I am thrilled to death to hear this. I really was looking forward to the red blend and cannot wait to enjoy it. Thank you so much for taking care of your customers as it is becoming a lost art these days. By the way, I went ahead and opened one of the Cabs last night. It was not big and bold like a Cab I would prefer, but itsā softer less complex structure was enjoyable. Thank you.
@gar@Winedavid49 Pretty amazing service, double when you consider this is a low-margin, discount site. (And my feelings about Fetzer are pretty good too.)
@Winedavid49 This goes above and beyond. Thank you very much. Iām looking forward to popping one of these blends, but they just came off the truck and Iāll bet they are something less than 32 degrees! Great service, Casemates!!
@winedavid
I echo all these sentiments. Of course Iām involved for the deals and the camaraderie but the level to which you āstand upā is truly unparalleled. Thank you very much for all you (and everyone at WCC) do.
This happened to me as well (50th Anniversary Cab instead of blend). I only just discovered the error, and sent customer service a message before checking this thread. Are the replacement cases just going out to everybody automatically?
Just got my shipment of the correct wine. Awfully hard to compete with this kind of service. And for what its worth I find the Cab very drinkable with something like a cheeseburger. thanks for making it right.
I just opened my replacement case. First thing I see when I opened the box was an invoice for 1000 Stories āBatch Blueā Carignan. I thought āoh no, here we go again.ā The wine was the Fetzer Red Blend however. This gives new meaning to Mystery Case!
Got a package via UPS this morning, opened it, and to my surprise, found an invoice reading:
1000 Stories āBatch Blueā Carignan
But it was really the Fetzer blend. Had me wondering for a few seconds, though.
Just popped the cork on one of the blend, and Iām happy. I think itās better than the Cab, at least more to my taste.
This was definitely good service from Casemates-- there was a screw-up somewhere, but they made it right (and then some).
Got my half caseā¦Thank you so much.
Somebody said this tasted like āThe Dukeā, and I happened to come across a bottle of NV (no idea what vintage) The Duke in my cellar, so I popped it for tonight. By the way, itās delicious. If the Fetzer is this goodā¦
Wife said -You didnāt tell me you ordered more wine: I didnāt. To our surprise a 1/2 case of the Fetzer 50th Anniversary Reserve Red Blend showed up last night. Thanks WineDavid/WCC/CaseMates for the great customer service!!
Going to give it a try with the slow braised pot roast tonight.
I should have checked the forums before I emailed support. I also recd. the Cab, but since I only thought they had one 50th anniversary āthingā, I did not bother to check the bottles. However, I have been drinking it and liked it better than I expected. Then, I recd. the replacement case of the blend, and opened a bottle last night. Quite a bit more tart (which I donāt like especially) and it surprised me, as without checking the forum I assumed it was just a duplicate shipment of the same wine and wondered why it had a different taste profile.
Question: with the blend being 70 Syrah, 20 Zin and 10 PS, do you think the tartness will mellow out with age? I am happy to put it away for several years. I usually keep my 100% PS for at least several years to let them work themselves out. Thoughts?
These two cases are about gone thanks to the pandemic. Overall, we found the cab to be more interesting. Both were enjoyable though. Thanks again for the great customer service, @winedavid !!
@strongry I canāt agree more. I had the blend last night, and it was good, so we finished that bottle and opened a bottle of the cab tonight. Both were good. I canāt thank WD and/or Fetzer enough for the amazing customer service.
I had to buy this offer because 20-some years ago, Fetzer Cab was often the accompaniment to visits with she who is now my wifeā¦memoriesā¦
Tasting Notes
When crafting our limited-release blend, we went back to Mendocinoās Redwood Valley appellation - where our visionary founder first put down roots - for the majority of the grapes for this wine. A blend of Syrah, Zinfandel and Petite Sirah, this deep ruby wine opens with richly spiced fruit aromas framed by threads of chocolate and fennel. A palate of blue and black fruit notes accentuates firm but supple tannins.
Cheers to the next 50 years of Fetzer!
Vineyard Notes
While a lot can change in 50 years, at Fetzer weāve found that much can remain the same too. When Barney Fetzer founded our winery back in 1968, he believed what was good for the earth was good for the grapes, and what was good for the grapes was good for the wine. Our acclaimed collection shows that he was right, so weāve stood by Barneyās approach and his pioneering spirit - both still at the heart of everything we do.
Specs
Included in the Box
Price Comparison
$156 a Case/$13 MSRP, Not sold Online
About The Winery
Winery: Fetzer Vineyards
Since our inception 50 years ago, Fetzer has stood by the simple philosophy that whatās good for the Earth is good for the grape, and whatās good for the grape is good for the wine. Our collection is grounded in the character of American classics like Fetzer Valley Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon, Sundial Chardonnay, and Shaly Loam GewĆ¼rztraminer, iconic wines standing for quality and sustainable practices. Founder and pioneer Barney Fetzer remains our inspiration, having set a standard 50 years ago for thoughtful farming and excellence in the cellar.
Fifty years ago, the California wine industry was just getting started. The rest of the world hadnāt yet heard of Mendocino County, but Barney Fetzer knew heād found an extraordinary place to grow wine grapes. An early pioneer of sustainable farming, he helped shape the quality and environmental consciousness of California wine. Beyond whatās in the glass, our Valley Oaks Food and Wine Center was a vital locale for more than 20 years, catalyzing the farm to-table movement before it became a widely valued ethos.
From humble roots, weāve built a legacy of classic American wines rooted in a deep commitment to the land. Over five decades, weāve grown to source fruit from talented growers across Californiaās most revered regions, yet we remain dedicated to the vineyards, people and vibrant community life of Mendocino County. One thing hasnāt changed in 50 years: our wines are mindfully crafted to be balanced and flavorful.
Every day, we work in ways that are better for the environment, better for communities and better for workers. As the largest Certified B Corp winery in the world, we live and breathe social and environmental responsibility in everything we doāfrom vine to bottle. And weāre proud to be part of this B Corp community alongside companies like Patagonia and Cabot Creamery, who share our commitment to turning business into a force for good.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, KS, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI
Estimated Delivery
Thursday, January 30th - Monday, February 3rd
Fetzer 50th Anniversary Reserve Red Blend
6 bottles for $49.99 $8.33/bottle + $1.33/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $89.99 $7.50/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2016 Fetzer 50th Anniversary Reserve
Thereās a bottle of this on the way. Iāll report back tomorrow late afternoon.
@klezman Going to have any help?
Iāve enjoyed many Fetzer over the years.
@klezman hereās hoping! i love the look of the bottle. and the price is nothing to sneeze atā¦
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2016 Fetzer 50th Anniversary Reserve Red Blend - $10 = 9.99%
Back when I started drinking wine, Fetzer was my go-to <$10 bottle of Cabernet. Fond memoriesā¦
@FritzCat Wow! Back in the dayā¦
It was their Sundial Chardonnay that started it all for me in the mid-1980s. Havenāt had it in decades and donāt drink much Chard any more, but it definitely started me on the road to drunken poverty.
@FritzCat @pseudogourmet98 Hahaā¦Sundial was an early go to for me as well and I too now drink very little Chard! So funnyā¦
@FritzCat It was their Eagle Peak Merlot for me. I attempted to impress many dates back in college by opening a bottle of it.
@FritzCat @pseudogourmet98 @NatasG - Sundial Chardonnay was a good value, but I always preferred Fetzer reds. Too many other good whites available at reasonable prices in California back in the day before Chardonnay became super-popular and almost everyone started oaking it to death, whether with barrels, staves or bags of chipsā¦
This was offered here last February:
https://casemates.com/forum/topics/fetzer-50th-anniversary-reserve-cabernet-sauvignon
@kaolis That offering was for their 50th Anniversary Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (I was the rat for it). This offering is for a red blend.
Deleted, upon request.
Because the OP couldnāt.
@kaolis Again, this offering is for the red blend, not the Cab.
@Mark_L ahhhā¦posting whilst sleeping, almost as bad as posting whilst imbibing
Disregard my comments, wrong wineā¦ whereās the dam delete button ?
Cheers!
If Uncle Fetzer will sign a couple bottles, Iām in for a case.
Fetzer wasnāt exactly a pioneer in Mendocino - plenty of people (including briefly, Tony Perelli-Minetti) made wine there before (and during) Prohibition, and, of course, the Parducci family has been long been there. That said, Fetzer was one of the first in the ā60s generation of winemakers to make and widely distribute solid, sound, inexpensive varietals with a Mendocino origin. Fetzer became well-known by the early ā70s for excellent value, and especially for Zinfandel. Cab to a lesser extent, but still good value. Fetzer distributed worldwide: in the early 1990s, I was visiting SWMBOās family in Norway and managed to find 1985 (a very good year) Fetzer Zinfandel at the Vin Monopol (state liquor stores) to pair with the wild Salmon SWMBO negotiated for at the open air fish market where the boats brought their catch in Bergen. I also found both Fetzer along with Mondavi reds in Vienna in the ā80s.
This looks like it is very much worth buying.
@rpm ā¦ and with that - Iām in.
@rpm @woopdedoo Hey now!
youāre an all-star
@rpm @Winedavid49 ā¦ well and, of course, that this was a highly curated offering ā¦
Youāre sorely testing my SIWBM!
@FritzCat Andā¦itās done. I made it 8 days into the new yearā¦coulda been worse.
Iād like to propose a toast to logistics. It may not be as beguiling as ride hailing applications, chemically modifying plants to replicate meat or shared work spaces with world changing aspirations, but it may be the innovation with the greatest impact on the decade gone by. Think of it. This humble fifth-gallon of glass-ensconced old grape juice was care free in California, and within 24 hours it had been uncorked on a counter near Columbus. The Fetzer 50th Anniversary Reserve Red Blend unexpectedly announced itself to me last night and I dutifully pulled the long, high-quality natural cork the moment I got home from work today. I was a little surprised to see this brand on offer; my prior experience with Fetzer was after coming of age in College with little money to spare. Setting bias aside, I noted that only 200 cases were made, which automatically made it casemates-worthy.
The wine pours a deep plum with violet edge. It thickly coats the glass and the long legs develop in about 2 seconds. There are subtle dark fruit (plum) notes on the nose along with a touch of brown sugar. Clean, not overpowering, no volatile alcohol to report. Medium body, cherry/berry flavors balanced with oak and bit of that savory syrah āmeatinessā. Fairly long finish of 5+ seconds. Minimum tannic grip but firm acidity gives nice balance and elegance to a graceful, mature wine. Delightful.
My wife said it was quite dark, with a pleasant garnet color, nicely balanced between fruit and earthy flavors, had medium body and was easy to drink. She said it was worth $20, so I then asked her if she would buy it. Sheās a bit frugal, especially when it comes to my wine accumulating hobby, and she thinks that the 100 bottles cellartracker claims we have in the basement to be āenoughā (yeah, I can hear you old timers sneering āsounds like a good start!ā I digress.)
She replied: āWe donāt need any more wineā.
Me: āRetail on this is $13, casemates charges $7.50ā
She: āHoly cow! Thatās a bargain, youāre making me rethink myself.ā
Me: āWell, this offer doesnāt ship to Ohioā
She: āWould they ship to my parents in Minnesota?ā /scene.
It went well with a dinner of roasted chicken thighs. Black olives brought out an undesirable, overly sweet brown sugar note but green olives and assorted cheeses were a fine match. This is a well-made, crowd pleasing wine with sufficient complexity to drink on its own and enough acidity to pair with lighter meats and darker vegetables. Iāll leave it on the counter, uncorked, overnight to give you all an indication whether it will keep a little longer or best consumed this year. Thanks to WCC and Fetzer for giving me the opportunity to taste this bottle, to Ariana for picking my name out of the hat, and to UPS for fantastic feats of transportation. Salut!
@KitMarlot It got from Sonoma to Columbus far more quickly than to Los Angeles! My rat bottle has been on a truck in LA for about 9 hours so far.
I just hope it arrives early enough before I have to head out for part of the evening.
/giphy laboring-grassy-wilderness
I really had no choice. āFetzerā was our firstbornās pre-birth name.
@jrbw3 very disappointed in that gif. Edit: Kept re-saving until I got a better one.
@jrbw3 SOLD OUT good grab B-Dub
OK! Last minute lab rat email and UPS notification came within an hour or so of each other last night. Despite UPSās initial estimate of 12-2pm for delivery, the bottle showed up a bit after 6pm. So this is fresh off the truck!
Strangely enough, I couldnāt find the vintage listed on the bottle, so Iām glad the offer states itās 2016.
The wine pours a fairly dense red-purple. Plenty of pigment in here gives away itās Syrah and PS components.
Right on opening with a couple swirls the nose is pretty muted: nothing distinct aside from a general sort of fruitiness. Palate is also fairly nondescript, but clearly is fruity with good acidity. The finish lingered, along with the tingly sensation that I attribute to minerality. I am not perceiving a lot of tannin so quickly after opening. This clearly needs some air after its day long journey around Los Angeles.
Even 10-15 minutes later this is opening up to reveal aromas of raspberry, plum, and some floral notes. The palate remains light to medium bodied, decent acidity thatās most apparent on the finish, but no distinct fruits that I can detect as of yet. Thereās a tiny hint of meatiness and iron that hint at the Syrah component, but to be honest I wouldnāt have noticed it without looking for varietal signatures.
I have a meeting to run out to this evening, so after the first glass the rest will sit corked on the counter for further sampling!
Back from meetings, and time to taste again!
The fruit profile has darkened somewhat, to more plum and blackberry from the earlier raspberry. Iām getting a hint of blueberry here and there as well. Some dusty earth aromas show up too. The tannins have hardened up slightly while I was away, but this would still not count as significantly tannic. Otherwise this is not much changed from before. Perhaps I should have left it uncorked instead.
Iām thinking this would be a great cellar defender/daily drinker/party wine. Itās got a little something for everybody: itās not overly sweet (either in RS or fruit quality), itās got enough structure to stand up to some food, but is soft enough to enjoy on its own. Iād bet it will improve for a couple years yet, but I doubt this will turn into anything all that complex. But for $13 retail and $7.50 for the case price you shouldnāt be expecting a seriously complex wine. This easily drinks at or above its retail price point, and the CM price is a solid deal.
For those who might want a comparison, it reminds me a bit of the Wellington Duke, but I think it has more structure than some iterations of the Duke, making it better for my palate.
@rjquillin, feel free to incorporate this into the main post.
Iāve really enjoyed Fetzers from here and Costcoā¦ Not the same as this variety but Iām very confident at this price.
/giphy lofty-soaking-chalk
Good morning all!
I noticed that the 12-count is out. I ordered 2 6-counts. Would I still get the full case price this way?
/giphy able-corny-degree
@winedavid49 @arianawcc @dave
Any chance youāll be doing a bit of rejiggering to add more cases?
@arianaWCC @dave @rjquillin checking. stand by
@arianaWCC @dave @rjquillin @Winedavid49 must have been a successful re-jigger. I was just able to order a case.
I also had to order two six-packs. Any chance my order could be coverted to the case pricing?
/giphy vulnerable-miserable-weasel
In for a case. Always had a soft spot for Fetzer
Very happy to see the case offering back! Thank you to those with the power to get it done.
Cheers!
What do I need to do to change my order from a six pack to a case?
@cdgrimm Check your order status. If you can, early enough, cancel and reorder. Otherwise, perhaps check with CS? @thumperchick
Iāve got the same issue, but past the cancel window.
@cdgrimm
Contact CS via the order verification page.
āI need help with thisā
They need a request from you to change.
Itās been awhile, but adding back in the case option was a nice gesture @winedavid49
/giphy wilted-confused-van
you had me at ācellar defenderā enter link description here
(doh, not sure how to really giffy here)
Iām not necessarily complaining, but I received today six bottles of the Anniversary Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon rather than six bottles of the Red Blend. I donāt mind because I bought this when it was previously offered and it is fine.
@cdgrimm Blame it on @kaolis ā he started the mix-up!
@cdgrimm Same thing happened to me, except that my order was for a case. I still had nine of the Cab from the offer last year. Unfortunately, I wasnāt all that impressed with it, although itās okay at the price point, so Iām not really unhappy. It would have been interesting to try the red blend, though. With luck, maybe the Cab will improve with age.
My case was just delivered. I lugged the box to the basement, opened it and the enclosed info sheet says anniversary blend. After storing a few bottles, I discover itās actually a case of cab. @#$!%&! How does this happen?!? While the out of pocket wasnāt big, I was originally on the fence about this (not so with the prior offering of this cab, which I passed on.) Unfortunately, it will be a week+ before I have a chance to try a bottle, so wonāt know if this is
or 
Wonder if I could/should find a bottle of the blend for comparisonā¦
Darn, same thing happened to me. I really wanted the blend, but got the cab. Similarly, I put it in the cellar, and wonāt try it for a while. Maybe we will have an opportunity to get the blend at a good price pointā¦
@FritzCat My case shows up tomorrow. This is annoying. We donāt like/drink Cabs, wouldnāt be interested in that. I hope I get luck and get what I ordered.
Mine too.
I passed on the Cab last time also, we were looking forward to trying this blend. I donāt ever remember getting a āSubstitute Wineā before (W00T -2009 to present). What gives: I agreed itās not a high dollar purchase, but come on.
PS: I missed the 1st delivery attempt,(because it was changed at the last minuet) so it only took me an hour to retrieve the wine I didnāt order, from the "Distribution center". This keeps getting betterā¦
Has anyone requested a refund, and if so, what response did you get?
Usually tagging @WineDavid49 or @ArianaWCC will get their eyes on these sorts of issues more quickly.
Iād lay odds they accidentally delivered a pallet of the wrong wine to WCCā¦
@klezman You did rat the blend, right, not a cab?
Picked up the shipment today and also found the cab. While I donāt normally pull a cork an hour after delivery, the discussion here prompted that.
This Cab sure tastes more like the cab review than what the Rats here have reported, that at PnP resembles a mediocre $5 grocery store bottle, at best.
Mistakes happen. Some can be rather expensive.
Not sure what the outcome of this one will be.
Can give it away and not be out all that much, except for others wondering why I drink this, but others may not be quite as forgiving.
@WineDavid49 @ArianaWCC
@klezman
Itās palate! Oh, waitā¦
@klezman @rjquillin
Bottom shelf at Vons right now.
@chipgreen Donāt get me started! I sure hope they didnāt deliver palates to WCC under any circumstancesā¦
Next thing you know weāll need to remind people about to vs too vs two! And theyāre vs their.
@klezman
I know, right? Loosers!
@chipgreen Better than tighters?
@chipgreen @klezman You forgot āthereā.
@chipgreen @klezman @Mark_L
Also got cab. Have reached out.
Also got the Cab, FYI. I have contacted customer support.
@sammypedram did ANYONE get the red blend??
@kainc @sammypedram
Rats!
@kainc @rjquillin @sammypedram I also got cab. I have an email in asking for a refund as I do not want the cab.
@kainc @sammypedram Curious about this, too. Did anyone get the red blend? I received the Cabernet Sauvignon (case).
@kainc @strongry Ironically I suspect if anyone got the Red Blend they would not be here either looking or posting . . . But I would be curious if some people did get it or if the whole thing was a mix up. Either way, WineDavid will make it right. He has taken care of me before.
@kainc @sammypedram @strongry agree. Since back in the WW days, they have shown rock solid customer service to me.
Also cab. Not what I wanted.
Cab here. Notified customer service. I specifically told them I had no interest in the cab which I passed on the first go round. I was sold on the blendās components and rattage. Followingā¦
Told yāall it was the cabā¦
@kaolis Hahahaha. Nice.
@kaolis lol. Good times.
@kaolis WD should have listened!
Hi all. we are looking into this and what to do about itā¦ this one is new territoryā¦
@Winedavid49 well youāve screwed me over so many, hmmm, well, never (100+ purchases), I have no doubt this will work out ok.
@Winedavid49 Thanks. Out of curiosity, do you know if anyone got the Red Blend or were all the cases you received the Cab?
@sammypedram appears to be the whole enchilada.
@sammypedram @Winedavid49
@Winedavid49 Ouch!!! Sorry!
@Winedavid49
well, not totally newā¦
Recall the Sep 30 2011 offer when 2010 Esterlina Riesling shipped instead of the offered 2010 Esterlina Riesling Dry; that was then correctly replaced and shipped around Nov 11?
Still have some of both that are drinking just fine.
Itās really a loss these old threads are no longer available
http://wine.woot.com/Forums/ViewPost.aspx?PostID=4648771
@rjquillin @Winedavid49 Yeah, weāve still got a couple of that as well. Turned out to be (a) an amazing discovery and (b) one of the best values ever purchased, even though somebody took a bath on it.
Same boat, got the cab. For those who like Cabs and had this Cab (whether before or with the current mistaken delivery), is it good?
My wife and I arenāt into Cabs, and I doubt weāll want to drink these (although of course Iāll give it a try just in case), but I know people who like Cabernet Sauvigon. Itās not like itās a weird unknown varietal that few people like. I should be able to move this product as gifts and such. As long as itās reasonably good. And for $7.50 a bottle it doesnāt need to be amazing, just solid.
I guess if thereās going to be a mess-up and they send the wrong wine, better for all involved that it was this than sending us the Fetzer 50th Anniversary Norton/Gamay blend or something. I (personally) would have rather a āmess upā give me PS or Grenache or Tempranillo, but for varietals I donāt care for, Cabernet Sauvignon is easy to move at least. Just trying to look on the bright side. And of course I really want the Syrah.
@PatrickKarcher I went ahead and tried it. I like Cabs very much. This was pretty meh. More on the lower end grocery store variety. Just my two cents though. Would be interested in others thoughts.
@PatrickKarcher @sammypedram Sounds like itād make a solid coq au vin or boeuf bourgignon.
@klezman
So would 2 buck chuck
@PatrickKarcher @sammypedram
IMO, itās a decent low end Cab. I usually expect better from Fetzer, but considering the price, itās acceptable. Iām a little surprised that they would put out a ā50th Anniversaryā wine at this quality level, though. As I said above, maybe it will improve with age.
It may also turn out to be a good blending wine, to mix with something at a similar price level where the blend is better than the components. Iāve got a case of Lucky Star P.S. that I want to try it with. If it works, Iāll have two cases of cheap dinner wine.
@DickL @sammypedram You know, I had a glass of it yesterday evening when I need just one more glass with steak and cake. (remainder of first bottle I opened has been under argon-seal) It really wasnāt bad. I guess Iāve come to think of it as two-buck chuck, but I was pleasantly surprised. Not ā50th Anniversaryā quality certainly, as you say, but if youāre not expecting much, itās really fine.
expect replacement shipments of the red blend to come your way in the near term. cab is on the house.
@Winedavid49 Thank you very much! I see sangria in my future with the cab. Looking forward to the anniversary blend.
@Winedavid49 Wow! Very generous. Thank you so much! The level of customer service you and Casemates provide is absolutely top notch.
@Winedavid49 Fantastic! Thank you so much. All the more defense for my cellar.
@Winedavid49
Just got my refund, I wanted to say thank you very much!! Iām waiting for the re-appearance of the red bled, still want it.
@Winedavid49 wow yāall, see my post earlier about having confidence this would work out (+100%!!). Kudos WD - somebody got hurt here, but not the customer. There was an error, but this is the absolute best way to handle it. Own it, and know that this only secures our loyalty to this wine movement! I for one will keep this in mind when Iām on the fence on an offer. My comment that youāve screwed me over āneverā still stands. And to reiterate, Iām not surprised.
@Winedavid49 I am thrilled to death to hear this. I really was looking forward to the red blend and cannot wait to enjoy it. Thank you so much for taking care of your customers as it is becoming a lost art these days. By the way, I went ahead and opened one of the Cabs last night. It was not big and bold like a Cab I would prefer, but itsā softer less complex structure was enjoyable. Thank you.
@Winedavid49 Very cool and many thanks!
@gar @Winedavid49 Pretty amazing service, double when you consider this is a low-margin, discount site. (And my feelings about Fetzer are pretty good too.)
@Winedavid49 Wow, impressive save. Do we need to do anything to claim it?
@Winedavid49
Well done. That had to hurt more than just a bit.
Hopefully the winery chipped in as well.
Since this is UPS, and pickup is dicey, are we
going to get notified of shipping and tracking info?
@Winedavid49 This goes above and beyond. Thank you very much. Iām looking forward to popping one of these blends, but they just came off the truck and Iāll bet they are something less than 32 degrees! Great service, Casemates!!
@winedavid
I echo all these sentiments. Of course Iām involved for the deals and the camaraderie but the level to which you āstand upā is truly unparalleled. Thank you very much for all you (and everyone at WCC) do.
This happened to me as well (50th Anniversary Cab instead of blend). I only just discovered the error, and sent customer service a message before checking this thread. Are the replacement cases just going out to everybody automatically?
@moondigger I just got the shipment without knowing there was a replacement on the way. Seems to be an automatic thing.
Just got my shipment. @winedavid49, youāre the ruler. Thank you.
@WineDavid49
Pleaseā¦
Shipping/tracking information upon shipment.
Just got my shipment of the correct wine. Awfully hard to compete with this kind of service. And for what its worth I find the Cab very drinkable with something like a cheeseburger. thanks for making it right.
I just opened my replacement case. First thing I see when I opened the box was an invoice for 1000 Stories āBatch Blueā Carignan. I thought āoh no, here we go again.ā The wine was the Fetzer Red Blend however. This gives new meaning to Mystery Case!
Got a package via UPS this morning, opened it, and to my surprise, found an invoice reading:
1000 Stories āBatch Blueā Carignan
But it was really the Fetzer blend. Had me wondering for a few seconds, though.
Just popped the cork on one of the blend, and Iām happy. I think itās better than the Cab, at least more to my taste.
This was definitely good service from Casemates-- there was a screw-up somewhere, but they made it right (and then some).
Got my half caseā¦Thank you so much.
Somebody said this tasted like āThe Dukeā, and I happened to come across a bottle of NV (no idea what vintage) The Duke in my cellar, so I popped it for tonight. By the way, itās delicious. If the Fetzer is this goodā¦
@winedavid I just received the package - thank you and congratulations on the good service!
Wife said -You didnāt tell me you ordered more wine: I didnāt. To our surprise a 1/2 case of the Fetzer 50th Anniversary Reserve Red Blend showed up last night. Thanks WineDavid/WCC/CaseMates for the great customer service!!
Going to give it a try with the slow braised pot roast tonight.
I also received a replacement case of Fetzer red blend with an invoice for the 1000 Stories Carignan sitting on top. Very confusingā¦
I should have checked the forums before I emailed support. I also recd. the Cab, but since I only thought they had one 50th anniversary āthingā, I did not bother to check the bottles. However, I have been drinking it and liked it better than I expected. Then, I recd. the replacement case of the blend, and opened a bottle last night. Quite a bit more tart (which I donāt like especially) and it surprised me, as without checking the forum I assumed it was just a duplicate shipment of the same wine and wondered why it had a different taste profile.
Question: with the blend being 70 Syrah, 20 Zin and 10 PS, do you think the tartness will mellow out with age? I am happy to put it away for several years. I usually keep my 100% PS for at least several years to let them work themselves out. Thoughts?
@woopdedoo may mellow a little. but itās a California wine. I wouldnāt expect much. a very good daily drinker is the goal.
@Winedavid49 Thanks - letting it breathe a bit takes the edge off - and THANKS for sending us the replacement wine!
The mixups keep things interesting. Thanks so much, @winedavid! Very much appreciated the surprise.
These two cases are about gone thanks to the pandemic. Overall, we found the cab to be more interesting. Both were enjoyable though. Thanks again for the great customer service, @winedavid !!
@strongry I canāt agree more. I had the blend last night, and it was good, so we finished that bottle and opened a bottle of the cab tonight. Both were good. I canāt thank WD and/or Fetzer enough for the amazing customer service.
I had to buy this offer because 20-some years ago, Fetzer Cab was often the accompaniment to visits with she who is now my wifeā¦memoriesā¦