A slight thread drift… I’m always quite surprised to see that Bordeaux wines are quite often priced at about the same level as in Europe. Always found that odd given the cost of transport and the 3T system.
Somewhat back on topic - the advise I got in a previous post to try Leoville Barton was solid. Thought it was a terrific wine (2020).
that is interesting, I do know that the negociant and producer are many times the same, or under a producer consortium. So there is little to no mark-up there aside from the transactional.
It’s worth noting to your point, the valuation gap between European wines and California is at an all-time extreme in my opinion. It’s becoming difficult to justify spending 2nd Growth prices for many California Cabs
Cost of transport for $50+ wines in percentage terms is negligible, and there are plenty of stores such as Zachys, Wally’s, MacArthurs etc who are direct importers and by pass the three tier system.
I have noticed that some wines here and there as “abnormalities” with wineries such as Roagna, Tiberio, some Chianti wineries, that have been priced as in Europe so that probably is as you mentioned.
My feeling (it’s only based on wines I have looked at over 4-5 months) has been that for Bordeaux it applies to plenty of wineries, and with the volumes of Bordeaux wines I thought they had to run through the 3T to absorb the volume. But could also be that the WS low has been with direct importers.
If you are speaking of wines bought at a store or caviste in France, I have often noticed this and not just for bordeaux. I have always assumed it to be due to a combination of the following: higher taxes (VATs) in France, the fact that prices ex domaine to individuals can be much higher than prices to importers, the fact that in-store pricing in France is after tax, while in the US it is before sales tax, and, for the last couple of years, the strength of th dollar. Where you can buy ex domaine, prices are usually under those in th US and sometimes considerably so.
Looks like a decent number of Second wines - wines that I don’t see very often in the US (maybe I just don’t look for them). Wines like Forts de Latour or Pavillon Rouge often will be available. I guess what I am asking for those who may know, aside from a handful of the first and second growths, are a decent amount of 2nd and 3rd wines from the lesser classified growths actually imported into the US?
Wines from the tasting are available at Wine, Liquor, and Beer Store in Van Ness-UDC Washington, DC 20008 - Calvert Woodley Wines & Spirits
I think there are some interesting points which in some cases might play a role or be the reason. In EU there is mostly no significant difference (except for some countries/markets) so yes something like French retail is what I have in mind.
On the other hand when you look at many other wines regions, shouldn’t that in such case apply to those wines as well?
I guess one of the key points must be what was mentioned earlier that by passing the 3T is what makes the difference. Though I though it would be quite challenging to squeeze through the Bordeaux volume without the 3T sales channel.