Skipping as well. They priced themselves out.
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Admittedly I donāt have many of those eitherā¦ Over time Iāve slowly slide down to the 3rd-5th growths now just such a better value
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What about Pichon Lalande?
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I have to laugh a little at the not liking the release letter Taylor Swift reference. I mean she really is just everywhere.
But seriously, as I have said before on this thread, changing price at Memento Mori is something that we take very seriously and talk about for years. I explained a bunch above (in this thread) some of the rationale on why we felt this was necessary at this point; but just even days before the release we were still having a more than healthy debate about it. In the end, with all costs considered, we unanimously agreed that we would prefer to take a hit on the chin right now, do this once, and be done with it for the next 7-8 years. As a collector I get super frustrated when a winery raises the price by $20-30 every year. We didnāt want to do that.
I know there is sticker shock and the last thing we want to do is alienate people that love the wine. I have a ābut,ā to put after that sentence and I want to explain some more of the rationale, but I am not sure it matters that much if you love the wine and it is now just getting to expensive. For those that feel that way I just honestly can say I am sorry and I hope you can find ways to get the wine as it really is just getting better and better as we continue to gain access to better and better blocks in these amazing sites. But again, I understand and I am sorry.
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Iām seeing $300 price points from the 21 vintage from VV multiple TK SVDs, TOR Tokalon, $250 from Carter Multiple TK SVDs, Even Schrader is $305.
So, part of the decision to raise price by 56% ($225 for the '19 to $350 for the '21)) is bc āitās better to raise it all at once than to raise $20-30 yearly.ā Uh huh. Thanks, but I would rather pay $20-50 more each year if inflationary pressures donāt subside. Thatās easier for my rational mind to justify than believing or hoping this $125 increase will be all there is over the next 2-3 years? Reminds me of the āno new taxesā glib remark we often hear from politicians before they get elected, only to be ānecessaryā 1-2 years later. Cāmon man - itās because they can!
Iām not saying that the wine isnāt unique or a luxury item, or worthy of the new price point - which we wonāt know until years after we receive it in most cases. If I had a lot of demand (wait list) and a new winery being built at costs that have exploded, and my product is limited edition wines that sell out, Iād probably do the same thing. Itās the lay of the land right? Many of the customers that discovered MM and supported the winery as it grew, know that other newer customers (with deeper pockets) are waiting to take their place. Cāest la*vie.
Thatās the benefit of being a ācultā winery.
Iām glad to be able to still enjoy a few $90+/glass luxury Napa cabs. Iām looking forward to tasting all the MM 21ās as the expectations have been set. Personally, I think the added cost for the artsy cardboard shipping box that I toss for lack of space is an area that could save that wouldnāt be missed. Ok, Iām done.
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It is interesting that everyone sourcing high end fruit is raising prices. It is probably just a coincidence.
Steve, I can promise you if we were to raise our price every single year people would be pretty outraged. Having run companies for the past 25 years, I would compare it to doing a layoff every year. It would just destroy morale. To quote you, we do have a lot of demand (which we are incredibly thankful to both our winemaker Sam Kaplan and all of you for), we just purchased an absolutely incredible estate in Calistoga which has totally elevated the brand and I hope all of you get a chance to come see (I was personally with two of you on this thread this weekend), and you would be completely shocked at how many amazing unsolicited emails we get about the artsy cardboard packaging which we think is very important as it represents the ethos and creates a powerful first impression. 
All this said, your post put a smile on my face and I shared it with the Memento Mori and Vida Valiente teams. I think feedback like this is important and further empahasises the importance of really taking care as you think through how to handle price. I know there isnāt a way to make everyone happy, but I promise we are doing the absolute best we can. I hope we get a chance to win you back in 3 years when everyone is higher priced than we are. 
Also, I was busy today but was able to respond to your email about the bottle you had an issue with. I asked G to replace it for you and tried to answer your other questions. I was then alerted to your post on beserkers and wanted to make sure I got back to you here as well.
RTL
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First reviews are floating in for MM. Congrats.
Price justified?! In hindsight āyesā. Plus MM/Lauren has been great to work with when setting up Napa visit in February. 
Jeb Dunnuck, 2021ās:
100- MM (flagship Cab)
98 - LPV
100- Dr Crane
98 - VHR
No RP or AG
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I tasted this '21 flagship back in October at the Estate Opening Party, and can confirm that it was a standout among many great wines that evening. It was bested only (barely) by a '19 RTL. Not surprised to see it score a hundo. Glad to have a six pack snoring away in the cellarā¦
And from what I am hearing, the '23 could be right there as well.
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Would love to try the wines sometime but with price increases across the board ive had to cut down on lists and purchase quantities.
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