From the fruit forward aromas to the lingering flavors, this red wine blends the characteristics of each grape seamlessly: red fruits with a touch of cooking spices; cherry and berry flavors with bright acidity and light toast notes. A medium bodied blend, there is an underlying structure of rounded tannins bringing balance along with a peppery and toasty finish.
The classic style invites you to gather round the table as it becomes part of the meal not the centerpiece. It is the sharing of this wine with family and friends that defines it as a standard.
Specs
Vintage: 2020
Composition: A proprietary blend of Merlot, Sangiovese, Syrah, Zinfandel, Tinta Madeira and Souzao.
Appellation: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Aging: 11 months in American Oak barrels, 20% new oak
For nearly a century, the Pedroncelli family has been crafting exceptional wines in Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley. It all began in 1927 when John Pedroncelli, Sr. purchased a vineyard and a small winery west of Geyserville; two elements have remained unchanged since then - the exceptional place the Pedroncelli family farms their vineyards and their dedication to creating fine wines.
For nine decades, the Pedroncelli family has been producing wines of the highest quality, tradition and heritage. Their commitment to excellence and their family-run business make them a trusted source of great wines - enjoy them with confidence.
@hammi99@rjquillin Pedroncelli leftovers? “ A proprietary blend of Merlot, Sangiovese, Syrah, Zinfandel, Tinta Madeira and Souzao.” Reminds me of when Bob and Linda Belcher won the blind tasting.
I shouldn’t. I really, really, REALLY shouldn’t, for any number of reasons.
But dammit, it’s Pedroncelli. Specifically, it sounds very much like their Friends red, which I absolutely LOVE.
/giphy magnificent-cheesy-scrooge
@warpedrotors You’re absolutely right. I didn’t go in on that deal, so I’d forgotten about it. Doesn’t make me regret my purchase, fortunately! (I bought both of the previous “Cheer” offerings, and have been completely satisfied.)
@Foobarski absolutely nailed this one! Way to go, Foobarski!
This Meh Cheer wine offering is or seems to be exactly the 2020 Pedroncelli Sonoma Classico, Dry Creek Valley, Barrel Select relabled and at a fantastic price point.
Here on Meh, there are lot of discussions on IRK or “Instant Regret Kit” events. Well, I would label this one an IDK, which doesn’t stand for “I don’t know” as in text speak, but “Instant Delight Kit.”
Here is the Casemates write-up:
Tasting Notes
From the fruit-forward aromas to the lingering flavors, Sonoma Classico blends the characteristics of each grape seamlessly: red fruits with a touch of cooking spices; cherry and berry flavors with bright acidity and light toast notes. A medium-bodied blend, there is an underlying structure of rounded tannins bringing balance along with a peppery and toasty finish.
The Vineyard & Cellar
Overall a good growing season with a warm Summer and a few heat spikes in September. Grapes for the blend come all from estate vineyards in Dry Creek Valley. The grapes were picked during the second week of September based on maturity and acidity levels. High concentrations of phenols and aromatics are reflected in this vintage.
Barrel aging took place over 11 months in new and seasoned American oak barrels with 20% new oak. Working toward an approachable style, the time in oak softens the wine and adds complex layers to the finished product. The oak influence is nuanced and a supporting player because of the judicious use of new oak blended with neutral barrels.
Winemaker Notes
Sonoma Classico: the standard by which all others are measured
Definition of a classic: judged over a period of time to be of the highest quality and an outstanding example.
Sonoma County’s classic roots are in those early blends ranging from “Burgundy”, “Claret” and “Mountain Red” to today’s high-end “Red Wine Blends”. These wines have been a regular part of Sonoma County’s heritage. Sonoma Classico is the next step in the evolution of these blends. The classic style invites you to gather round the table as it becomes part of the meal, not the centerpiece. It is the sharing of this wine with family and friends that defines it as a standard.
Specs
Composition: A proprietary blend of Merlot, Sangiovese, Syrah, Zinfandel, Tinta Madeira and Souzao
Appellation: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Aging: 11 months in American Oak barrels, 20% new
Alcohol: 14.9%
pH: 3.83
Total Acidity: .577g/100ml
@InFrom Add me to the people uttering curse words over this deal. What a crazy f-up of an order.
Friday night at midnight, deal rolls in, I buy half a case.
Saturday morning, I see that a Casemates friend has asked if I want to share a case. We agree that I’ll try to get the order changed to a case.
10 am, write to CS to ask if they can up the order.
4:30-ish, comments about case sellouts start popping up here. I’m getting ready to leave the house, not following the conversation here. Bummer.
5:25 leave for an event, no checking email until past midnight.
5:38 CS writes back, sorry, can’t up your order, but we can cancel it so you can order the thing you want. We have cancelled your order.
Saturday evening, six-packs sell out.
Early Sunday morning, check email, get the news.
No wine for you!
@InFrom Just shows to go you: Not everything on Meh is meh. But you can’t snooze. (The old IRK system taught me that.) Sounds like a blame for the GOAT.
In for a couple. One for me and one as a gift. I bought this the last time it was offered on Dec 4, 2021. Let me tell you folks, this is good juice. Anything put out by Pedroncelli Winery is good stuff.
Funny, as it happened I just open the last bottle from the 2021 purchase a few minutes ago to add to a heel of Meh 2021 Cheer that I was having with some Gorganzola and a bartlett pear, when lo, it came to pass that a light from a monitor displaying the pleasures of Meh.com should appear.
It told me to not be afraid, for it is the juice of the Pedroncelli of Geyserville, CA
I was told that there in the city of Petaluma, near the Dry Creek Valley, was but a blend of good Cheer! for 2023.
It was a blend of Merlot, Sangiovese, Syrah, Zinfandel, Tinta Madeira and Souzao and contained some 14.9% alcohol, I was sore amazed.
@phendrick that was a super funny episode. back in the “olden days” I used to record show on VCR. and you didn’t really know what the episode names were. I named that one “Stan’s gay dog”. I think that was the first season.
@mike808@PHRoG I’m really glad to hear it’s the same producer. I really enjoyed that batch and when I ran out I wish I’d bought a second case. I won’t make that mistake again!
@mike808 I was enjoying the last of the penultimate Cheer wine, no relation to Cheerwine, and anticipating a refill from the the very last 2019 vintage, when I saw that a new offering was available. Knowing full well it would be sold out probably before morning, I got my orders in.
I cannot say if the 2020 vintage being offered will be exactly the same as it is both a different vintage year and blend.
2019 Cheer 14.4 abv pH 3.78, total acidity 5.55 g/l
Produced by: Pedroncelli Winery 2019 Blend of Merlot, Syrah, Sangiovese, and Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County 10 months in American Oak barrels, 20% new
2020 Cheer 14.9% abv, pH 3.83 total acidity 5.77g/l Produced by Pedroncelli Winery Composition: A proprietary blend of Merlot, Sangiovese, Syrah, Zinfandel, Tinta Madeira and Souzao Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County Aging: 11 months in American Oak barrels, 20% new oak
I am no expert oenophile and can’t really use all the flowery language and nuances of the swirl and sniff set. I suspect that once you get more than about three wines in a blend, you are making very, very small changes.
At six wines making up the 2020, it sounds like it was a way to get rid of some small amounts of odd bits, such as the Tinta Maderia and the Souzao. Though I could be wrong.
Nonetheless I consider the Pedroncellis to know what they are doing, and I have never had a bad wine from them. Period.
@mike808 With @Foobarski’s identification of the Pedroncelli Classico offering earlier this year on Casemates, I stand corrected on my comments as to Pedroncelli finding a use for odd bits of stock to come up with a blend of six wines just for this Meh offering. Though this could still have been a least a partial driver for the original Pedroncelli Classico blend.
Rather it appears to be a good business decision on the part of Pedroncelli to move some wine that hasn’t sold out by offering it under a semi-private label, “Meh Cheer.” Semi-private because the winery identification is preserved. This essentially improves the books for that offering and doesn’t sully the price point for future Pedroncelli Classicos.
And it is a boon for Meh members! When it comes to Pedroncelli, their spirits tend to move me to reach for the “Buy” button.
@nineseven It’s hard to say if this will meet with your approval for wine, like other things is a bit of an acquired taste. For most it will be an IDK and not an IRK (see comments to Foobar above). But YMMV.
One thing is certain, though you will not have any trouble getting rid of it if you don’t care for it. Just take a bottle to two along when invited out to give to the host, or offer a bottle as a gift to a special friend or relative.
Let us know, 97, if you like this or not. In any case look up the full comments on the Casemates offering of this and read the one unusually, brief Lab Rat report comment on the Classico Blend (aka Meh Cheer).
nccrocker said Mon, Sep 18th 2023 at 3:00pm ET:
Cherry cola and baking spices wrapped in a warm leather blanket! Love Dry Creek valley wines, and the Perdoncelli Sonoma Classico feels like amalgam of all the features of this warm weather region. Both me and my wife were impressed!
@Jackinga had the case delivered today. Very pleased with flavor and its mild astringency. Not regretting the purchase at all. I was planning to bring 2 bottles each to xmas eve, xmas, NYE, and NY parties but im knocking that down to 1.
Well people were noting that the Pedroncelli branded bottles were “expensive” at $17.25 a bottle.
So now we are under $10 for a shipped case of wine. I can’t get a decent drinkable red in NH for $10, I usually end up around $18-20.
For me this is a very solid deal! Had to resist getting a 2nd box. Literally no room left in the wine closet for more wine right now. Need to drink faster…
@outdoorslife Rack it up; Pedroncellis have a reputation for ageing well. As an example, Wine.Woot sold ‘Bonus Level’ under their Woot Cellars label a while back for around $13/bottle. This was a Pedroncelli Petite Sirah. You can see comments over time here. (I think I have three bottles left; perhaps I’ll pop another today.)
Two points are made that are typical for Pedros: a potential for ageing and an appreciation for decanting.
For me, it’s an auto-buy, and I expect to shelve most of them them a few years.
@outdoorslife several years. I bought it when they first did it in 2020. Was good in 2020, even better in 21, aged really well for 22 and I’m excited to pop open the last bottle here in a couple weeks!
@outdoorslife@PHRoG
Interesting enough, I had the opposite experience (at first).
Upon receiving, I thought the 2021 was way better than the 2020, as I didn’t like the 2020 when I first got it.
Fast forward, about a month ago I opened a 2020 and 2021 for a party. The 2020 aged magically and was far better than the 2021.
Moral of the story, don’t be afraid to give these a few years to really mature. Truth be told though, it’s hard to make them last that long.
@outdoorslife we had a bottle of the 2021 sale (2019 Chear is almost here) a couple weeks ago. My wife said, “oh, are there any more of those, they’d make great Christmas gifts”, which is logical. I told her unfortunately no, because whoever we gave them to would open them and not decant enough, that they would make better gifts in 2-5 years. The bottle we were drinking I had opened that morning and poured into the big Bordeaux glasses so it would decant all day. (And that would leave room in the bottle for the remaining Cheer to decant faster.) Bottom line, I know this wine, and know it’s better after decanting all day (and would be good out of the bottle after years in cellar)
This is a great wine to stock up on. If you forget about it for 5 years, it’ll be better. If consumed in the next year or so, decant a lot! It’s a good weeknight wine in that you can pour half the bottle into glasses in the morning, and drink that night. While the remaining half bottle on the counter will only get better, for days.
In previous years we knew exactly what wine this corresponded to in Pedroncelli’s line up. I’m not 100% sure of that this time, but really, these folks don’t know how to make sub-par wine. They just don’t do it.
@unksol I haven’t been signing for wine shipments since Covid. But if you can’t find a pair of pants that is not 75% cat hair, consider just putting on a few cats and go with the 100% cat hair look.
@Jackinga I mean I once answered the door out of the shower for an exercise bike. But. It’s been awhile.
UPS says
All Spirits shipments must be made using the UPS Delivery Confirmation Adult Signature Required service, requiring the signature of an adult 21 years of age or older upon delivery.
Maybe wine isn’t spirits for technical reasons? That’s both dumb but would be helpful since I have vacation/am not decent at random
IDK if you have cats but 100% involves sharp things and delicate areas. So. I try to avoid
@Packageengineer I decant it and then return it to the bottle. The act of pouring it back and forth probably exposes more of the wine to the air than the actual sitting process.
If anyone in the Rochester, NY area is interested in splitting a case, let me know. Still have a bit of Friends Red left but I just couldn’t resist at the case price
/giphy goodhearted-fluffy-gratitude
I wasn’t feeling good last night and was busy all day with a funeral, so I missed ordering. I was debating how much to order when I first saw and should have just ordered a case immediately.
If anyone around Milwaukee area is willing to part with even 1 bottle, you’d make me happy. At least I can try it and then add the empty to the collection. Thanks!
Has anyone had their order ship yet? I was thinking that with the branding, these would arrive before all of the holiday parties and gift giving nonsense. Meh humbug!
I see a couple tracking numbers from WCC in transit in the UPS app. It’s either one tracking number for each case I got or one for the 2 cases of Cheer and 1 for the mystery magnums. Might check the UPS app. They probably just haven’t updated the order statuses.
For general information, in the chatter on the Casemates forum, I see reports that shipments of the Cheer are going out, so there is yet hope for arrival before next Monday. Contact meh.com/support for definitive information.
Your expected delivery for this order was yesterday! However, MEH doesn’t even show that it shipped yet. When will this order ship? And what is the tracking number? Second request for this information! So far MEH has not been accurate or responsive to my inquiry! I guess going forward, I will not be able to trust MEH with my purchases!
@steelersluver My understanding is that these require an adult signature, but it would be wise to ask meh.com/support for confirmation. If that’s the case, and your driver is honest, then if there is no one present to sign for it, the package goes to the local distribution center and gets held for pickup for a period of time, usually about a week (but once again, ask Support). You can also request a redelivery during that time. It may be possible to get it redirected to a different address as well - and as before, ask Support.
Delivery is going to be tomorrow while I’m at work, and UPS wants to charge me 5.99 to either hold it at another location or change the delivery day. Looks like they’re just going to have to keep delivering it to an empty home for three days until my next day off. Why is UPS so bad now?
@lowlypeon depending on your driver, they may just leave it regardless… otherwise, I think after one missed delivery you can redirect it. (or, if you call and ask nicely they’ll tend to do it…)
I live in western Nebraska, closer to Denver than to Omaha. My order went from Colorado to North Platte, Ne, 150 miles from me, to Omaha, 400 miles from me and left Omaha this morning. I know I live in podunkville, but surely there must be an easier way. Looking forward to receiving it
I finally received my case on Fri. At the suggestion of a community member, I poured a glass and left it on th counter all day. I drank it with dinner and I loved it! While I’m not a connoisseur, it was not overly dry nor was it overly sweet. I did take a sip when first poured and I tasted what I believe was a tannins flavor. But after sitting out all day that flavor was gone. I’m very happy I got a full case and very thankful to the member that gave me the “pour and wait” recommendation. Hope you all have a safe and enjoyable Holiday. Cheers
2020 Bottled Cheer Red Wine, Dry Creek Valley
Tasting Notes
Specs
What’s Included
6-bottles:
Case:
About The Winery
Price Comparison
Not for sale online, $264.00 per case MSRP
Warranty
90 days
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Dec 18 - Wednesday, Dec 20
It can make a margarita! A splash of red wine on top of a margarita is delicious.
@baddestrobot But why ruin a perfectly good margarita?
Maybe make some sangria instead…
@PhysAssist gotta give it a try!
Using my ALLIRKNOBAG coupon from the other day to make the extra sweet. TY meh ilysm
No lab rat report?
@hammi99 It’s Pedroncelli
@hammi99 @rjquillin Pedroncelli leftovers? “ A proprietary blend of Merlot, Sangiovese, Syrah, Zinfandel, Tinta Madeira and Souzao.” Reminds me of when Bob and Linda Belcher won the blind tasting.
@hammi99 @peabs007 @rjquillin yeah, it’s a blend, that’s the feature… it’s no different than the high end blended bourbons out there.
Pedroncelli is exceptionally good at it too.
@hammi99 @PHRoG @rjquillin Don’t worry. I still bought two cases.
@hammi99 @peabs007 @rjquillin
/giphy high five
@peabs007 @PHRoG @rjquillin
Yep, I do like Pedroncelli, lots of cases in past from here/casemates
/giphy sappy-lucky-prancer
@hammi99 @peabs007 @PHRoG @rjquillin Except this wine, not bourbon so in other words, completely different
/giphy seasonal-seasonal-gelt
AUTOBUY! 2 cases… I’ve been checking daily for this for weeks! I’ve yet to be disappointed with their holiday blends… except that I didn’t order more…
Actually…
I shouldn’t. I really, really, REALLY shouldn’t, for any number of reasons.
But dammit, it’s Pedroncelli. Specifically, it sounds very much like their Friends red, which I absolutely LOVE.
/giphy magnificent-cheesy-scrooge
@Foobarski my mother in law has been requesting more Friends lately. This will hopefully fill the bill.
@Foobarski I agree with your assessment on the identity of the wine. So it’s an easy pass for me!
@Foobarski This one seems to actually be the Sonoma Classico Barrel Select previously offered in this deal:
@warpedrotors You’re absolutely right. I didn’t go in on that deal, so I’d forgotten about it. Doesn’t make me regret my purchase, fortunately! (I bought both of the previous “Cheer” offerings, and have been completely satisfied.)
@Foobarski @warpedrotors
@Foobarski absolutely nailed this one! Way to go, Foobarski!
This Meh Cheer wine offering is or seems to be exactly the 2020 Pedroncelli Sonoma Classico, Dry Creek Valley, Barrel Select relabled and at a fantastic price point.
Here on Meh, there are lot of discussions on IRK or “Instant Regret Kit” events. Well, I would label this one an IDK, which doesn’t stand for “I don’t know” as in text speak, but “Instant Delight Kit.”
Here is the Casemates write-up:
Tasting Notes
The Vineyard & Cellar
Winemaker Notes
Specs
/giphy compassionate-lovable-rooftop
@InFrom Add me to the people uttering curse words over this deal. What a crazy f-up of an order.
Friday night at midnight, deal rolls in, I buy half a case.
Saturday morning, I see that a Casemates friend has asked if I want to share a case. We agree that I’ll try to get the order changed to a case.
10 am, write to CS to ask if they can up the order.
4:30-ish, comments about case sellouts start popping up here. I’m getting ready to leave the house, not following the conversation here. Bummer.
5:25 leave for an event, no checking email until past midnight.
5:38 CS writes back, sorry, can’t up your order, but we can cancel it so you can order the thing you want. We have cancelled your order.
Saturday evening, six-packs sell out.
Early Sunday morning, check email, get the news.
No wine for you!
@InFrom No one will be surprised to know that CS couldn’t help me. Reason: it’s sold out.
@InFrom Just shows to go you: Not everything on Meh is meh. But you can’t snooze. (The old IRK system taught me that.) Sounds like a blame for the GOAT.
@InFrom Hey, I’m just seeing your post today. I can let you have a few bottles from my case, but I’m not sure how we will connect. Whisper me!
Fuck… fuck… fuck! I was bummed they didn’t offer it last year and figured they passed again this year. I’m already way over budget, ughhhhhhh!
In for a full case of this and a couple of the Magnum, cuz, why tf not!
Will go nice with the last bottle of 2020 Cheer I’ve been saving!
/giphy naughty-playful-gathering
In for a couple. One for me and one as a gift. I bought this the last time it was offered on Dec 4, 2021. Let me tell you folks, this is good juice. Anything put out by Pedroncelli Winery is good stuff.
Funny, as it happened I just open the last bottle from the 2021 purchase a few minutes ago to add to a heel of Meh 2021 Cheer that I was having with some Gorganzola and a bartlett pear, when lo, it came to pass that a light from a monitor displaying the pleasures of Meh.com should appear.
It told me to not be afraid, for it is the juice of the Pedroncelli of Geyserville, CA
I was told that there in the city of Petaluma, near the Dry Creek Valley, was but a blend of good Cheer! for 2023.
It was a blend of Merlot, Sangiovese, Syrah, Zinfandel, Tinta Madeira and Souzao and contained some 14.9% alcohol, I was sore amazed.
@Jackinga this reads like you were trying to make a wine-related version of that 'twas the night before Christmas poem, but with schizophrenia.
@warpedrotors Nope, Luke 2:8-20. Report early for Sunday School.
@Jackinga I don’t want to jeopardize my already secured spot in hell. My Bible knowledge comes from watching reruns of Supernatural.
/giphy furry-silent-falalalala
this is going to sell out.
“Your order number is: blustery-magical-goose”
Only after the wine arrives!
/giphy blustery magical goose
@phendrick
/image blustery-magical-goose
@phendrick interesting. mine is symbolic-timeless-goose
kinda got a Christmas goose theme going here.
@ekw Are Christmas gooses (geese?) still politically correct now?
@ekw @phendrick as long as you don’t “misgander” them.
@phendrick I think of Big Gay Al’s Big Gay Boatride - a gaggle of gay goothes
@ekw Had to google that (show was not on my usual playlist).
@phendrick that was a super funny episode. back in the “olden days” I used to record show on VCR. and you didn’t really know what the episode names were. I named that one “Stan’s gay dog”. I think that was the first season.
@jackinga @phrog Is that the “Cheer” is almost here or the “Cheer” from over here?
Both are delicious, and I’ve still got some left of both. Although not for long, now that I’m reminded there’s still some in the cellar.
SWMBO says … I … must … resist … temptation. I am so conflicted on this (otherwise) autobuy.
@mike808 yes, same producer: Pedroncelli.
This is the 2023 edition! They skipped 2022.
Do not resist, buy now… it will sell out!
@mike808 @PHRoG I’m really glad to hear it’s the same producer. I really enjoyed that batch and when I ran out I wish I’d bought a second case. I won’t make that mistake again!
@mike808 I was enjoying the last of the penultimate Cheer wine, no relation to Cheerwine, and anticipating a refill from the the very last 2019 vintage, when I saw that a new offering was available. Knowing full well it would be sold out probably before morning, I got my orders in.
I cannot say if the 2020 vintage being offered will be exactly the same as it is both a different vintage year and blend.
2019 Cheer 14.4 abv pH 3.78, total acidity 5.55 g/l
Produced by: Pedroncelli Winery 2019 Blend of Merlot, Syrah, Sangiovese, and Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County 10 months in American Oak barrels, 20% new
2020 Cheer 14.9% abv, pH 3.83 total acidity 5.77g/l Produced by Pedroncelli Winery Composition: A proprietary blend of Merlot, Sangiovese, Syrah, Zinfandel, Tinta Madeira and Souzao Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County Aging: 11 months in American Oak barrels, 20% new oak
I am no expert oenophile and can’t really use all the flowery language and nuances of the swirl and sniff set. I suspect that once you get more than about three wines in a blend, you are making very, very small changes.
At six wines making up the 2020, it sounds like it was a way to get rid of some small amounts of odd bits, such as the Tinta Maderia and the Souzao. Though I could be wrong.
Nonetheless I consider the Pedroncellis to know what they are doing, and I have never had a bad wine from them. Period.
@mike808
I still have several bottles of both as well & this was definitely an autobuy.
@mike808 With @Foobarski’s identification of the Pedroncelli Classico offering earlier this year on Casemates, I stand corrected on my comments as to Pedroncelli finding a use for odd bits of stock to come up with a blend of six wines just for this Meh offering. Though this could still have been a least a partial driver for the original Pedroncelli Classico blend.
Rather it appears to be a good business decision on the part of Pedroncelli to move some wine that hasn’t sold out by offering it under a semi-private label, “Meh Cheer.” Semi-private because the winery identification is preserved. This essentially improves the books for that offering and doesn’t sully the price point for future Pedroncelli Classicos.
And it is a boon for Meh members! When it comes to Pedroncelli, their spirits tend to move me to reach for the “Buy” button.
/giphy cozy-spiked-falalalala
/giphy rejoicing-fantastic-decor
Hooray! I should probably buy more than one?
@sillyheathen
Most likely
/8ball
Y’all talked me into it!
/giphy legendary-familiar-griswold
/giphy glowing-radiant-companion
I bought a case of 12. If it’s terrible i will never listen to the meh community again and just passing this around during the holidays.
@nineseven It’s hard to say if this will meet with your approval for wine, like other things is a bit of an acquired taste. For most it will be an IDK and not an IRK (see comments to Foobar above). But YMMV.
One thing is certain, though you will not have any trouble getting rid of it if you don’t care for it. Just take a bottle to two along when invited out to give to the host, or offer a bottle as a gift to a special friend or relative.
Let us know, 97, if you like this or not. In any case look up the full comments on the Casemates offering of this and read the one unusually, brief Lab Rat report comment on the Classico Blend (aka Meh Cheer).
nccrocker said Mon, Sep 18th 2023 at 3:00pm ET:
Cherry cola and baking spices wrapped in a warm leather blanket! Love Dry Creek valley wines, and the Perdoncelli Sonoma Classico feels like amalgam of all the features of this warm weather region. Both me and my wife were impressed!
@Jackinga had the case delivered today. Very pleased with flavor and its mild astringency. Not regretting the purchase at all. I was planning to bring 2 bottles each to xmas eve, xmas, NYE, and NY parties but im knocking that down to 1.
/giphy glistening-decent-elves
A case of Pedroncelli for $100? No brainer.
/giphy radiant-quiet-yulelog
One thing I’ve found with these is that if you stash a few until next year, they really improve with time.
/giphy abominable-dear-sugarplum
@Springbank Or the year after or the one after that…
Well people were noting that the Pedroncelli branded bottles were “expensive” at $17.25 a bottle.
So now we are under $10 for a shipped case of wine. I can’t get a decent drinkable red in NH for $10, I usually end up around $18-20.
For me this is a very solid deal! Had to resist getting a 2nd box. Literally no room left in the wine closet for more wine right now. Need to drink faster…
/giphy layful-woolen-toy
Does anyone know how long this might last properly racked up or should it be on the “daily drinker” list?
@outdoorslife Rack it up; Pedroncellis have a reputation for ageing well. As an example, Wine.Woot sold ‘Bonus Level’ under their Woot Cellars label a while back for around $13/bottle. This was a Pedroncelli Petite Sirah. You can see comments over time here. (I think I have three bottles left; perhaps I’ll pop another today.)
Two points are made that are typical for Pedros: a potential for ageing and an appreciation for decanting.
For me, it’s an auto-buy, and I expect to shelve most of them them a few years.
/giphy freezing-gratifying-cookie
@outdoorslife several years. I bought it when they first did it in 2020. Was good in 2020, even better in 21, aged really well for 22 and I’m excited to pop open the last bottle here in a couple weeks!
The 2021 has also aged very well!
@outdoorslife @PHRoG
Interesting enough, I had the opposite experience (at first).
Upon receiving, I thought the 2021 was way better than the 2020, as I didn’t like the 2020 when I first got it.
Fast forward, about a month ago I opened a 2020 and 2021 for a party. The 2020 aged magically and was far better than the 2021.
Moral of the story, don’t be afraid to give these a few years to really mature. Truth be told though, it’s hard to make them last that long.
@outdoorslife we had a bottle of the 2021 sale (2019 Chear is almost here) a couple weeks ago. My wife said, “oh, are there any more of those, they’d make great Christmas gifts”, which is logical. I told her unfortunately no, because whoever we gave them to would open them and not decant enough, that they would make better gifts in 2-5 years. The bottle we were drinking I had opened that morning and poured into the big Bordeaux glasses so it would decant all day. (And that would leave room in the bottle for the remaining Cheer to decant faster.) Bottom line, I know this wine, and know it’s better after decanting all day (and would be good out of the bottle after years in cellar)
This is a great wine to stock up on. If you forget about it for 5 years, it’ll be better. If consumed in the next year or so, decant a lot! It’s a good weeknight wine in that you can pour half the bottle into glasses in the morning, and drink that night. While the remaining half bottle on the counter will only get better, for days.
In previous years we knew exactly what wine this corresponded to in Pedroncelli’s line up. I’m not 100% sure of that this time, but really, these folks don’t know how to make sub-par wine. They just don’t do it.
@outdoorslife @wardad
Yes! More people need to try drinking the first bottle of a wine over several days to get a feel for it.
That’s really how wine was dranked in ye olden days. Pepperidge Farms remembers.
Today’s wine drinkers think everything is “pop and pour” and “goes bad” if left out for more than an hour - Ain’t nobody got time for that!
They’re really missing out!
/image man shaking fist get off my lawn
Why not?! If only all the other crap I’ve gotten from here just collecting dust in a closet got better over time!
/giphy treasured-roasted-menorah
I don’t see the usual state exclusion list that I’m usually on… And I know the law hasn’t been fixed in all of them?
Even though at one point I could get some shipped a decade ago.
I assume I get notice I’ll have to sign. so I can. You know put pants on. Something that’s not 75% cat hair
@unksol I haven’t been signing for wine shipments since Covid. But if you can’t find a pair of pants that is not 75% cat hair, consider just putting on a few cats and go with the 100% cat hair look.
@Jackinga I mean I once answered the door out of the shower for an exercise bike. But. It’s been awhile.
UPS says
All Spirits shipments must be made using the UPS Delivery Confirmation Adult Signature Required service, requiring the signature of an adult 21 years of age or older upon delivery.
Maybe wine isn’t spirits for technical reasons? That’s both dumb but would be helpful since I have vacation/am not decent at random
IDK if you have cats but 100% involves sharp things and delicate areas. So. I try to avoid
This better be good—I expect a lot from my $8 bottles of wine!
/giphy flashing-sparkly-feast
@spiffchili
Check out
https://www.samsclub.com/p/premium-wines-of-europe-entertainment-bundle-12-pk-750ml/prod26692705
for wine < $5 per bottle, shipped.
Might be good, IDK. They won’t let me order it bc they don’t delver to my state, though Meh does! But they insist on showing me the damn ads every time, anyway.
Could put it in cart, & shipping fee showed as $9 for the case of 12, before they told me couldn’t order it.
Love the pedroncelli cheer!
/giphy iconic-nostalgic-cider
@a5meiser @jrbw3 @kasandrae Merry Christmas!
@a5meiser @kasandrae @kitkat34 Right back atcha Tommy! Happy holidays all.
@a5meiser @jrbw3 @kitkat34 Merry Christmas!
Always solid!
Never been disappointed, great for storing, ages really well, makes great gifts too.
/giphy hopeful-compassionate-fezziwig
Ya’ll talked me into my first Meh wine purchase. In for a case. Thank you!
@Packageengineer You shouldn’t be disappointed, but be sure to try tasting it after a day.
@rpstrong Should I decant it or just open it and let it breathe?
@Packageengineer I decant it and then return it to the bottle. The act of pouring it back and forth probably exposes more of the wine to the air than the actual sitting process.
(You also have the chance to filter sediment.)
@Packageengineer @rpstrong
See @wardad’s decanting guide above.
https://meh.com/forum/topics/bottled-cheer-red-wine-blend#65747eba69baf8dd6d74a055
The 2020 Classico is todays Ped “12 days of Xmas” deal. This is by far the better price.
/giphy spirited-spiked-yeti
This seems like a shitty ripoff of the real Cheerwine.
/giphy chilly-decorative-pinecone
@fjp999 It’s OK, shrinkage in that situation is perfectly normal.
If anyone in the Rochester, NY area is interested in splitting a case, let me know. Still have a bit of Friends Red left but I just couldn’t resist at the case price
/giphy goodhearted-fluffy-gratitude
@ybmuG fyi don’t think this one is friends
@danidani12 No, but as a good red blend table wine, I’m putting it in the same category.
/giphy lucky-baked-dancer
/giphy droll-bounteous-toboggan
/giphy scrumptious-legendary-greenery
/giphy lovely-grateful-skates
/giphy glowing-fancy-gala
I had two cases in my cart, clicked order, and they are sold out!
Any chance for a reload? It looks like there’s still some 6 packs left…
Damn, missed the cases. We give these as our holiday gifts every year! I guess only four people get a bottle this year.
/giphy blustery-icy-spruce
I’m more of a white drinker. I really need to fix my password for casemates but every time I check it they’re selling red so it doesn’t matter.
Oops. I must’ve hit refresh, I ended up getting two confirmation emails. I guess I’m getting 12 after all.
/giphy arctic-elfin-gratitude
/giphy cozy-indulgent-sneeze
Weird they are selling 6 packs and cases separately. Would order case but not 6 pack. Case is sold out. So no order
@datruandi Be weirder to sell them combined.
@datruandi I got my case. Too slow or maybe a skill issue?
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
darn it. cases sold out. I bought a six pack, hoping for a 12. don’t want to buy two sixes, maybe a restock?
/giphy thankful-friendly-stocking
meh?
ETA–and now I need a wine fridge. anyone?
The Original
well piss…sold out
@sosptuba Should have just stuck to the wine…
I wasn’t feeling good last night and was busy all day with a funeral, so I missed ordering. I was debating how much to order when I first saw and should have just ordered a case immediately.
If anyone around Milwaukee area is willing to part with even 1 bottle, you’d make me happy. At least I can try it and then add the empty to the collection. Thanks!
Has anyone had their order ship yet? I was thinking that with the branding, these would arrive before all of the holiday parties and gift giving nonsense. Meh humbug!
@capnjb not yet. Perhaps they’re aging it for us. You pay good money for wine vault service. Awfully nice if them.
Anybody’s ship yet? I’ve been seeing a lot of long pending-times this year. I don’t want this to show up after Xmas eve.
@peabs007 still processing…
@peabs007 Well the battery banks I bought three days later have already arrived. So, it’s not FIFO.
@peabs007 UPS app shows a shipping label printed, no package yet. Getting closer. Meh shows no shipping information.
Touchy email sent. Holidays are really f’ing close now.
I see a couple tracking numbers from WCC in transit in the UPS app. It’s either one tracking number for each case I got or one for the 2 cases of Cheer and 1 for the mystery magnums. Might check the UPS app. They probably just haven’t updated the order statuses.
“Estimated Delivery
Monday, Dec 18 - Wednesday, Dec 20“
Hope I get a tracking number for it today…
Ditto, bought it for a Christmas gift, but…
I checked my UPS app as suggested and see a Meh delivery for 12/21.
No tracking info today…oh well, might have to save the “Cheer” for another gathering.
Monday, Dec 18 - Wednesday, Dec 20
Nope, No Cheer here either. No tracking.
Bah humbug.
For general information, in the chatter on the Casemates forum, I see reports that shipments of the Cheer are going out, so there is yet hope for arrival before next Monday. Contact meh.com/support for definitive information.
Hi All,
the wine is received, packed and in transit. ALL packages will be delivered (or at least attempted) this week.
i’ll keep an eye on this thread with any questions.
Winedavid49 of Casemates.
@Winedavid49 thanks for the update. We’ll cheer when it’s here!
@Winedavid49 Thank you for your update.
@Winedavid49 Thanks for dropping in with an update. I’ve got many more holiday stresses to worry about. I’ll just cross this one off the list
@Winedavid49 this is the content I came here for. Thanks!
@Winedavid49 E-mail just in from MEH saying order was delayed, I “should have tracking info in 3-5 days”
@pjmartin @Winedavid49 Me too. I think ‘Cheer’ just turned into ‘Oh, Dear’.
@capnjb @pjmartin i’ll reiterate, all wine will be delivered this week.
@pjmartin @Winedavid49
I have faith! 
@Winedavid49 ups says it will arrive tomorrow! (the 20th)
@pjmartin @Winedavid49 I’m starting to think that Meh is involved in time travel. This afternoon I got this message:
Your order was delayed, but we do expect it to ship shortly and you should have tracking within 3-5 days.
A few hours later I got this message:
Hey @capnjb, your order has been shipped!
SHIPPED:
December 15th 2023 7:32pm ET
Witchcraft I say!
I’m sorry if I bitched too much. EOY stuff at work has me on tilt.
@capnjb @Winedavid49 Same here - delivery to Ohio scheduled for tomorrow. Christmas is saved! Winedavid = magicman.
@pjmartin @Winedavid49 We should probably all chip in and get David a crisp High-Five.
@Winedavid49 Thanks - just delivered today in Michigan!
@Winedavid49 My box was just delivered here in Minnesota! Just in time to share with friends!! Thanks!
@Winedavid49 mine arrived this afternoon. thanks!
Your expected delivery for this order was yesterday! However, MEH doesn’t even show that it shipped yet. When will this order ship? And what is the tracking number? Second request for this information! So far MEH has not been accurate or responsive to my inquiry! I guess going forward, I will not be able to trust MEH with my purchases!
@valaprise Check the two posts above yours.
Will I get these by New Years?
Otherwise, I guess I’ll just have to store them for a whole year!
Bought the stupid fancy glasses too… 8(
@chrislemay Check the posts a couple up from yours.
I’m leaving for an extended time the 26th. What happens to my order if it does not arrive before Christmas?
@steelersluver My understanding is that these require an adult signature, but it would be wise to ask meh.com/support for confirmation. If that’s the case, and your driver is honest, then if there is no one present to sign for it, the package goes to the local distribution center and gets held for pickup for a period of time, usually about a week (but once again, ask Support). You can also request a redelivery during that time. It may be possible to get it redirected to a different address as well - and as before, ask Support.
Tracking for this should be updated on y’alls end shortly (few hours?). It looks like everything has shipped as expected.
@ChadP Thank you, sir!
Shipped! It’s a Christmas miracle!
/giphy flashy-sparkling-feast
Ew.
Delivery is going to be tomorrow while I’m at work, and UPS wants to charge me 5.99 to either hold it at another location or change the delivery day. Looks like they’re just going to have to keep delivering it to an empty home for three days until my next day off. Why is UPS so bad now?
Looking forward to trying this blend though!
@lowlypeon depending on your driver, they may just leave it regardless… otherwise, I think after one missed delivery you can redirect it. (or, if you call and ask nicely they’ll tend to do it…)
Just delivered to small town western PA and had to do a finger sign.
Included a postcard with a discount code for Casemates… is this for everyone or first time order to Casemates?
/giphy Happy Cheer!
@fjp999 I think everyone got the discount card. I’ve ordered dozens of times on casemates before this.
I live in western Nebraska, closer to Denver than to Omaha. My order went from Colorado to North Platte, Ne, 150 miles from me, to Omaha, 400 miles from me and left Omaha this morning. I know I live in podunkville, but surely there must be an easier way. Looking forward to receiving it
I received my order today, in MD.
There is a Casemate coupon in the case so if I ordered 2 cases, will I be able to use both?
It’s here!
/giphy wine cheer
I finally received my case on Fri. At the suggestion of a community member, I poured a glass and left it on th counter all day. I drank it with dinner and I loved it! While I’m not a connoisseur, it was not overly dry nor was it overly sweet. I did take a sip when first poured and I tasted what I believe was a tannins flavor. But after sitting out all day that flavor was gone. I’m very happy I got a full case and very thankful to the member that gave me the “pour and wait” recommendation. Hope you all have a safe and enjoyable Holiday. Cheers
What was the discount code? My wife trashed it.
@jwill1981 CHEER15
This wine has been a big hit here in Chicago! Everyone loves it!