When it comes to rating the top online wine sellers today, the last word is Last Bottle.
I’ve been following it and another two dozen sites for several years now and, yes, I faithfully look at everyone’s daily deals, special offers, clearance sales and whatever else.
Most sites are hyping the same wines after covid and are so predictable.
But not Last Bottle.
Wine.com is great in many ways, but it doesn’t list many of the small, hidden gems that Last Bottle uncovers.
I also think highly of winespies.com, reversewinesnob.com and wineaccess.com.
Last Bottle, however, is best at 3 key things:
- Big, real discounts!! Often over 50%.
- Great selection, ever changing, not the usual fare.
- Exciting, informative, and fun to read website and wine comments.
All of this along with a proven track record and yet there’s no personality behind it, no person by name.
And therefore no ego in evidence. No sommelier or wine expert showing off.
It is all done by teamwork, by wine competence, and by a crazy, noisy, got you by the throat style.
The question remains: who the heck are the people behind Last Bottle?
I asked that and several other questions and was surprised at the quick and informative response.
But I still don’t know that much about the people. The best I have is this photo:
What sets their sales approach apart from the others are the unusual and energized wine descriptions. Here’s a typical introduction to a featured Shiraz:
“Quick poll…who’s seen the video where the guy rescues his dog from the headlock of a big ol’ kangaroo and then squares off (you might want to Google it)!? Man, those Aussies are just the best. Speaking of BEST, how about 94 POINTS and THIRTEEN American dollars (that’s 18.60 Aussie dollars, by the by)??!! Mount Langi Ghiran SHIRAZ!!! Pure craziness.”
Or this one about a Barbaresco:
“WOOHOO!!! If you could make Burgundy with nebbiolo, this just might be it. Fine, elegant texture, no heaviness, but STACKED, simply soaring with beautifully fresh and dried roses, red cherry, orange pekoe tea, a dash of allspice and cinnamon, freshly turned earth, and shaved truffles, some toasted hazelnuts…my, oh my! SO GOOD! This will age like a champ, too – so get a few extra to save. We get all contemplative and nostalgic whenever we drink Rivetti. This is complex, thoughtful, fine, focused, and distinctly reaching for a higher level.”
These atypical wine comments keep on coming and may strike some as silly and irreverent, but their descriptions are clever, creative, and so unlike the mechanical writeups encountered elsewhere. And the wines are top quality.
To learn more about these folks, see my article posted at http://www.winereviewonline.com
Here’s one question I asked that’s sure to tease you:
Q: You say your team tastes 40,000 wines a year, or roughly 800 a week. Really? Is that true or hype?
A: This is 100% true. When the tasting bar becomes too packed with bottles we set them on the floor, and have to carve little paths to get through. It can seem ridiculous, but it speaks to our commitment to assessing every wine to find the gems that make it into a daily offer.
Here they are hard at work: the Chateau Les Feet of wine sellers:
Norm Roby's Unfiltered Guide to Savvy Wine Shopping 