At What Price Point Will You Boycott The 2008 Taittinger Comtes?

[DanielP]

I look forward to the Berserkers 2008 Comtes buy-it-from-the-UK group buy thread

[Curtis_Chen]

After reviewing this thread it’s obvious that quite a few people were really anticipating the release of this wine. It’s also obvious that quite a few are very disappointed with what at least now appears to be a substantial increase in price, enough to be a deal breaker.

Magic Johnson, is that you?

[Matthew.Rashbrook]

The only offer I’ve gotten is the Total Wine mentioned above (199 for 1, 189 for 6+).

I think at 125/bottle I’d probably buy a case without tasting it, at 150 I’d buy a bottle to sample and then make some decisions.

If others will pay $190, god bless – as they say, “That’s what makes a market.”

[Greg_K]

I look forward to the Berserkers 2008 Comtes buy-it-from-the-UK group buy thread

Champagne has always been cheaper in the UK (less so for grower stuff, I’ve found), but I’m going to be following price in London very closely. This is my favorite big marque champagne (outside of Krug, which fills a very different niche), so I’d love to buy the 2008, but at $200 it’s a different consideration.

[Brent_S]

William Kelley (Parker) just hung a 98 point score on it…

“the finest Comtes de Champagne since the brilliant 2002”

[Josh_Grossman]

I’ll just wait to see what Envoyer and Lopa offer it at. If it’s over $135, I’ll probably pass completely. Envoyer offered the 2006 at $119.

[William_Kelley]

William Kelley (Parker) just hung a 98 point score on it…

“the finest Comtes de Champagne since the brilliant 2002”

Gave it the same score a year ago, so I don’t think this is particularly revelatory! But it’s true that I haven’t left much space for the others…

[Kris_Patten]

I’ll just wait to see what Envoyer and Lopa offer it at. If it’s over $135, I’ll probably pass completely. Envoyer offered the 2006 at $119.

Finally saw some looks at pricing. I think you’ll see it between $179 and $219 depending on what a retailer really wants to make.

There isn’t much of it currently in the US, not sure how much more is in Europe, wonder if William or Brad know 2008 production. Seems like closer to 150k bottle level than some of the heavier 300k bottle years.

Really look forward to trying it.

[Michael_S_Monie]

I guess it’s good that it didn’t get 100 points or it would be $500 a bottle.

[Robert_M_yers]

FWIW, DP wholesale is cheaper than European negotiants where CDC is cheaper in Europe. CDC has been cheaper than DP historically by $20 or more. I say wait. Euro vs $ is 10% higher so this is a factor as well. One issue is that you have to buy equal amount of the 07 to get to the 08.

If they want to sell an equal amount of 07, how about bundling 1 of each 07/08 for $250. I won’t participate in a 50 to 100% markup based on greed for a vintage. Despite a 98 score Im guessing t’s just not THAT much better than other wines.

[Kris_Patten]

William Kelley (Parker) just hung a 98 point score on it…

“the finest Comtes de Champagne since the brilliant 2002”

Gave it the same score a year ago, so I don’t think this is particularly revelatory! But it’s true that I haven’t left much space for the others…

Any idea on 2008 production William?

[Brent_S]

So our favorite critic scored it 98 on two separate events. I’m excited, provided the price is “reasonable”. Most likely it will come out initially expensive and then work its way down. This is a high production wine. Lots to go around and minimal Restaraunt purchases

[Kris_Patten]

So our favorite critic scored it 98 on two separate events. I’m excited, provided the price is “reasonable”. Most likely it will come out initially expensive and then work its way down. This is a high production wine. Lots to go around and minimal Restaraunt purchases

It’s 150k to 300k bottles how is that high production? We will see what William or Brad say but I’d bet 2008 is lower than the usual low side.

[Kirk.Grant]

It really depends on how much folks want to pay for that specific bottling. I’ll happily shift my buying over to some other more reasonably priced Champagnes if the wine comes out above $150. Let’s also not forget that premium wines may be struggling if our economy continues to tank under current shifts. I think companies that are considering ratcheting up the price may need a little reminder that when money is tight, luxury wines are the first place many can comfortably cut back. It would be a bummer, but I’ll drink the Pierre Peters BdB for $59 all year long if my budget needs to come down…and tete de cuvée seems like an easy starting place to cut back on the wine budget.

[Fred_Daniels]

LOVE LOVE LOVE the avatar. People who don’t know wine will be like WHAT?

Frankly I’m tired. I have articles from two and three years ago talking about the “imminent” release of the 2008 Comtes. I’ve cheered for it on this board and others, and with my wine merchants, and with people directly at the company. I had put aside budget a year ago and that is now almost gone on purchases of Vilmart and others. I feel that now they can’t win…if they release at a good price people will be like “I’m so tired of waiting for this” and if they release at a high price people will feel betrayed…

Pretty soon they are going to have to label it Late Disgorged.

[Josh_Grossman]

$119 a case. $125 half a case. $135 one bottle. $135.99 I’ll just buy more Marguet, Bouchard, Etienne Calsac, Laherte Frères, Moussé Fils, Vilmart and Ployez-Jacquemart; I hear there is a glut of Champagne.

Any idea when the 2008 Ployez-Jacquemart Liesse d’Harbonville is due to be released (or the 2002)?

[Jayson_Cohen]

$119 a case. $125 half a case. $135 one bottle. $135.99 I’ll just buy more Marguet, Bouchard, Etienne Calsac, Laherte Frères, Moussé Fils, Vilmart and Ployez-Jacquemart; I hear there is a glut of Champagne.

Any idea when the 2008 Ployez-Jacquemart Liesse d’Harbonville is due to be released (or the 2002)?

As much as I’m happy to jabber and read about 2008 Comte as nauseum, 2008 Ployez-Jacquemart Liesse d’Harbonville is like Fight Club. What’s the first rule?

[Josh_Grossman]

$119 a case. $125 half a case. $135 one bottle. $135.99 I’ll just buy more Marguet, Bouchard, Etienne Calsac, Laherte Frères, Moussé Fils, Vilmart and Ployez-Jacquemart; I hear there is a glut of Champagne.

Any idea when the 2008 Ployez-Jacquemart Liesse d’Harbonville is due to be released (or the 2002)?

As much as I’m happy to jabber and read about 2008 Comte as nauseum, 2008 Ployez-Jacquemart Liesse d’Harbonville is like Fight Club. What’s the first rule?

Certainly better than that mass produced, conspicuous consumption, Veblen good, LVMH shit. I do think I like no-malo Champagne for aging.

[Greg_K]

$119 a case. $125 half a case. $135 one bottle. $135.99 I’ll just buy more Marguet, Bouchard, Etienne Calsac, Laherte Frères, Moussé Fils, Vilmart and Ployez-Jacquemart; I hear there is a glut of Champagne.

Any idea when the 2008 Ployez-Jacquemart Liesse d’Harbonville is due to be released (or the 2002)?

As much as I’m happy to jabber and read about 2008 Comte as nauseum, 2008 Ployez-Jacquemart Liesse d’Harbonville is like Fight Club. What’s the first rule?

Certainly better than that mass produced, conspicuous consumption, Veblen good, LVMH shit.

If Comtes was a Veblen good, this thread would be going very differently.

[Josh_Grossman]

As much as I’m happy to jabber and read about 2008 Comte as nauseum, 2008 Ployez-Jacquemart Liesse d’Harbonville is like Fight Club. What’s the first rule?

Certainly better than that mass produced, conspicuous consumption, Veblen good, LVMH shit.

If Comtes was a Veblen good, this thread would be going very differently.

I’m pretty sure the people posting here aren’t your average customer (although we do like a good bargain):
https://www.wineintelligence.com/downloads/us-portraits-2018/

LVMH’s entire brand is Veblen goods. At a certain point, I do think that is what this thread is about. The question could also be posed, “Will you boycott 2008 Taittinger if they try to price it like LVMH?” I also don’t buy any wines made by LVMH. That said, I’ve also stopped buying PYCM. Certainly hype from enthusiasts builds the conspicuous consumption from the nouveau riche. How else are you going to show your class, taste, and refinement to the haute bourgeoisie?