Maybe we got a bit far afield from SS Talk. But my problem with Total Wine is their many wines which are bottled just for them. There often is a rating from some heretofore unknown reviewer (Not Wine Spectator/Enthusiast/Advocate, Robert Parker etc). I suspect it’s like the bogus “National Sleep Foundation” which used to give an endorsement to the “My Pillow”. At Total Wine, they often have young attractive ladies pouring samples and then trying to sell them to me. Of course, the wine tastes better (at the store) than at home.
So, maybe the complimentary wine on SS will taste better than the Con List wine, depending on - - - No! There’s no good way to say this.