All but #1 have been released so far:
10: Booker Oublie Paso 2014
9: Pahlmeyer Napa Char 2015
8: Meyer Napa Cab 2014
7: Canon-La-Gaffeliere 2014
6: Huet Vouvray Demi Sec Le Mont 2016
5: Chateau de St Cosme Gigondas 2015
4: Casanova di Neri (white label) 2012
3: Chateau Cotet 2014
2: K Syrah Walla Walla Powerline 2014
1: released tomorrow
The wine geek negative reaction to this list every year seems so overblown to me. I think it’s kind of fun and interesting. Not worth arguing about though.
*great note of sarcasm, I am equally apathetic. This list may influence some people’s buying decisions but I cannot be counted as among them[/quote]
I doubt the list influence many of the board’s decisions. But I can tell you it does influence a lot of people’s decision. A lot. It also influences the price and availability of the wine, too.
The negative reaction is predictable.
Except when board darlings get top spots.
This predictably elicits positive reaction, praise, and congratulations from the people who formerly regarded the list with open disdain and derision.
Just one isolated incident but there is an impact. I was looking at Wine Searcher for the Huet the day before it was announced and saw it at Rye Brook Wine for $35.99. The day after it was announced it was up to $72.99. Others don’t appear to have raised their prices but several are now sold out.
im right there with you. I always think a funny aspect of the list is how rare it is to see a 98-99 point wine on it. seems like a wine that gets the highest score of the year should at least crack the top 10…
Someone last year accurately pointed out that the prices for #2-#10 always jump up right after the announcement but then go back to normal after a month or two.
case in point, you can get the Domaine Serene (#2 last year) for $40 now or buy the current release for $55 all over - which is around what it went for last year (no huge price increase). It was selling for $150 on winebid right after it came out though.
I enjoy going to wine-searcher and seeing how quickly they appear to be “Out of stock” on all 30+ wine shops offering that wine at the exact time the wine is revealed. Too Funny. Or seeing the prices on wine-searcher reflect what they use to be as soon as you click on the website and see the website has an updated 150% or more increase in price. Amusing. I still do enjoy it though. Its exciting. I once and only once scrambled to get a wine on the list. I think it was the 2009 shea estate pinot noir. I believe it was like #2 or #3? Cant remember. But I found them on Total Wine and More shelves and bought everything I could for like $35 I believe. The last two I’ve cracked open (in last two years) tasted almost medicinal and just sluggish, no structure. Thanks WS! I’m sure they were great early on and do remember opening one up shortly after the list was revealed but man were they wrong about its ageing potential.