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Chris Atkins

Never had the Realm Farella. Just wondering how it compares to the DiCostanzo Farella? For those fortunate enough to have tried both.

Chris Atkins · Re: 2018 Realm is coming (2/9/2021) How much might the Farella Vineyard cost?

How much might the Farella Vineyard cost?

Chris Atkins

My guess would be that the wine really is that spectacular to justify such unparalleled demand. I can only imagine how the wine compares to Napa’s elite. Their pricing certainly appears to play a role in demand, and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if they actually have zero turnover in some years?

Chris Atkins

Casey, that first modern day drought you're referring to was 1975-76 thru 1976-77, a severe two year event, which has since been eclipsed twice. 2014-15 was the fourth and final year of the worst drought in memory. Sierra Snowpack was only 5%, right on the heels of a dismal 25% snowpack the year bef...

Chris Atkins

Ah-I-No-Thing so.

$1,080 for a three pack is kinda ridiculous!

Chris Atkins

Tom used three throw curves! Fastballs too. RIP Tom. One of the most dominant pitchers of all time.

Chris Atkins

The MacDonald release may be imminent but my allocation is not

Chris Atkins

Bought two Saint Julien Grand Vins, one at 14.49% and the other at 14.03%. According to the retailer, neither are subject to tariffs. Don’t have a strong take on tariffs but I certainly do on the so called presidential election that just took place!

Chris Atkins

Glad you recovered Mark, and your palate will too. I am 58 as well, and tested positive in June. Fortunately I had a mild case with headache and slight fever on day one, followed by body aches and fatigue for another five days. I never lost my sense of taste or smell, only my appetite for about thre...

Chris Atkins

That’s a instant pass! Not that I had the slightest interest to begin with.

Chris Atkins

Costco had/has the 2016 for $70, so I decided try one to see if it’s worth going deeper. Holy Mackerel! Definitely in my wheelhouse!

Chris Atkins

My friend is going to pop open a 2010 Hillside Select for us in October. Do you think it will be mind blowing?

Chris Atkins

Meteorologists and the media need to stop announcing Red Flag warnings!

Chris Atkins

When you go from family owned to corporate this is often the result. Any surprise?

Chris Atkins

Interesting that Black Sears dumped their 2018’s because of the “Mendocino and Camp Fires”. Tbe Mendocino fire 🔥 began in July and while it was the largest fire in modern California history, it’s proximity to Napa Valley and Howell Mtn in particular was quite a distance, and I wasn’t aware of any ne...

Chris Atkins

I have plenty of faith in my producers as well, and I am confident that will not risk their brand by producing a compromised product. The good news is that we have two strong vintages in 18 and 19

Chris Atkins

Jeff, a highly doubt “there will be great wine made” in 2020. Does every vintage have to produce some great wine? No Does Mother Nature always comply with favorable conditions? No. There are great winemakers out there but sometimes it’s just out of their control. Mother Nature didn’t throw a curveba...

Chris Atkins

These are really well made but last I checked it was like a buck seventy five. Uggghh, tough Purchase to justify. It’s a pass here. Sadly there are so few Napa Cabs that are this good, but reasonably priced.

Chris Atkins

I thought I read where the allocation is guaranteed for a specific time period. Gonna get some Caldwell!

Chris Atkins

I don't receive Realm, no postcards here, just curious about Farella price?

Chris Atkins

How much is their Farella going for?

Chris Atkins

Yes they offer the buy 4 vintages and get the 5th for half price. This equates to a 12.5% discount, but you must commit to a full case each year which including the discount is $1,500 annually. It’s a good deal but a big commitment. I just had the 2013 Howell Mtn and it’s a monster needing another 5...

Chris Atkins

I doubt the newer Harlan’s are bigger than the older ones. Certainly the 90’s Harlan’s were extravagant wines, and pleasing to me.

Bryant however made perhaps the finest Cult wine for with their 1994 and 1995. Helen Turley!

Chris Atkins

At least with Harlan and Bryant, for a 4 year run some folks cashed in and got to drink half their allocation for free.

Chris Atkins

The lists evaporated because prices skyrocketed and demand plummeted. Consumers got smart and the Cults were blindsided!

Chris Atkins

“Cult wines” are defined by the by the decade in which they emanated from, and folks there is only one, The Nineties! Prized heavyweights grew up that decade. The other criteria of course being a lengthy waiting list. The latter of which have all evaporated save for Screaming Eagle 🦅 Most of the cul...

Chris Atkins

If we had reservations and showed up with a bottle in hand, and we're informed "Sorry we cannot open your bottle" because they may be afraid of their own shadow with regard to the virus, I would respectfully tell them "Sorry we cannot keep our reservation" and go elsewhere.

Chris Atkins

Just picked up 4 bottles of 2016 Clos Du Marquis for $55.99

Chris Atkins

It's about time! Last weekend at a restaurant in Yountville at least 75% of the customers were not wearing masks, both indoors and out! Good luck enforcing that? Halloween is one evening, not four months! Our kids need to be back in the classroom this fall! Ready to support my favorite producers, in...

Chris Atkins

I pay for journalism that I want to read! If someone posts an article then yes it needs to accessible for all to read, no dead end pay walls!

Chris Atkins

Okay Schrader, Eisele, Maybach, and Realm. You're denying access to a professional wine critic because?? I am just curious what each these wineries found objectionable? and if anyone here would so kindly furnish any of these reviews which may be in question?

Chris Atkins

With all this hype does anyone really think it will offered for anything south of $250 per? I seriously doubt it!

Chris Atkins

"Ho hum" and "Had higher hopes" parallels mediocrity and melancholy in my book. Twenty eight years is pretty risky for a Napa Valley Cab.

Chris Atkins

I mistakenly opened a bottle of 2016 Farella Vineyard recently, rather than the intended 2013. No regrets however, I thought I was drinking Chateau Lafite!

Chris Atkins

Actually I didn't recall incorrectly, as I was offered a 30% industry discount! The 2001 was spectacular on nearly every occasion. Over the past decade its become too big and ripe for my liking and if now at $235, that only solidifies my decision to stop buying.

Chris Atkins

I used to be buyer until the pricing got out of control. I recall paying just under $100 for the 2001-2004. Where are they now?

Chris Atkins

What link? There’s nothing there!

Chris Atkins

"Really extreme" as in how much?

Chris Atkins

What do you really expect from a large production corporate wine

? Honestly this is slightly North of plonk!

Chris Atkins

Are some customers allocated 2 cases? I find that hard to believe with so many people waiting.

Chris Atkins

In 2017 all the fruit at Corison was harvested a week before Oct 1, that is two full weeks before the fires! At Dunn all the fruit was in. At Montelena 100% of the Estate fruit was in, with only a few blocks of second label fruit that was left for compost. Fruit still hanging on Oct 8, 2017? Wines d...

Chris Atkins

2017’s in the same league as 2016’s? I rather doubt it!

And why was fruit still hanging when the fires

erupted?

Chris Atkins

I just realized that a case of Estate plus Uncle Sam and shipping, will send someone back about $12,000! I don’t think too many of us are going to make that mistake!

Chris Atkins

Did you reverse the years?

The Maiden for $300, holy mackerel!

What are they asking for the Estate?

I just bought 2016 Chateau Pichon Comtesse Lalande for $180, how do you think the Harlan’s compare to that?

Chris Atkins

Jurgen,

I am drinking not investing!

Just picked up 2016 Pichon Comtesse Lalande for $180 each.

Chris Atkins

Bordeaux 2016 vs 2018. Without the luxury of tasting these, but tempted like never before to buy, what are the experts here at Berserker's thoughts on which vintage will reign supreme? or is it a toss up? Thus far I have bought a case from each vintage, and now I would like to secure one more case f...

Chris Atkins

I am buying the 2016 Grand Vin. This Reserve might make it into my cellar as well.

Chris Atkins

Go get the 2011 Dunn Howell Mountain. It appears to be available on the K&L website for $99. That is a steal for a wine of this caliber.

Chris Atkins

The Shafer is $310 while the Dunn HM is $130, and not too alcoholic.

Chris Atkins

Rich,

No It wasn't Mayacamas. It was a Cabernet from a producer on the trail, who's name I cannot mention because they are a good family.

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