California Wine Lists: Largest gap from list to aftermarket?

[Bdklein]

I feel like a ton of lists do. While sure, there are exceptions for certain cuvees, vintages, or maybe deals to be had once in a while a lot of wines from the following producers have significant (if not huge) markups in the secondary market vs. DTC:

• Aubert
• Fingers Crossed
• Myriad
• Rivers-Marie
• Ultramarine

I’m sure there are a ton more, but these are ones I’m familiar with since I buy from them.

RM and Myriad have significant secondary markups? Really ?

[J_Rock]

I feel like a ton of lists do. While sure, there are exceptions for certain cuvees, vintages, or maybe deals to be had once in a while a lot of wines from the following producers have significant (if not huge) markups in the secondary market vs. DTC:

• Aubert
• Fingers Crossed
• Myriad
• Rivers-Marie
• Ultramarine

I’m sure there are a ton more, but these are ones I’m familiar with since I buy from them.

RM and Myriad have significant secondary markups? Really ?

Myriad’s Napa Valley Cab retails for $100 every time I look (and I’ve looked several times as I try to recommend it to people looking for a Napa Cab under $100), but it has sold for $75 the last few years (i.e., 33% markup at retail). Also, Myriad Dr. Crane Elysian Cab is something like $180 off of the list and $250 -$300+ at auction. Rivers-Marie has large mark ups on several wines (e.g., Platt Pinot [$70 vs $150+], Herb Lamb Cab [$135 vs $190 at auction and $250ish at retail]).

I’m not saying you can necessarily make a living flipping all of the wines made by the producers listed, but I the pricing difference is large enough to where it makes sense for me to buy direct instead of retail or auction.

[HoosJustinG]

If you’re talking about a premium of 50% or more, I’d guess Screaming Eagle (especially the Sauv Blanc), MacDonald, and perhaps Kinsman Eades.

Scarecrow was there with the 2016 vintage, but I think that their gap has narrowed. Dalle Valle MDV still seems to enjoy a big markup, but I was just offered 2013 Maya for $600, which is above the price that it is (still) available locally.

SQN is mixed. I’ve been able to buy the occasional bottle of SQN from wine shops for below release prices, but none of the extended barrel age ones. Even then, I’d be surprised if the markup were 50%. I don’t know anything about Realm Absurd.

You’re always going to pay a premium for ex-producer library releases. I wouldn’t read too much into ‘13 Maya pricing … the ‘18 MDV cab was offered at $550/btl, for instance, as a current release. And yes, as you say, there is still a lot of markup on the secondary market even with the $550/btl price.

[Marc_Hauser]

I feel like a ton of lists do. While sure, there are exceptions for certain cuvees, vintages, or maybe deals to be had once in a while a lot of wines from the following producers have significant (if not huge) markups in the secondary market vs. DTC:

• Aubert
• Fingers Crossed
• Myriad
• Rivers-Marie
• Ultramarine

I’m sure there are a ton more, but these are ones I’m familiar with since I buy from them.

RM and Myriad have significant secondary markups? Really ?

The high-scoring RM, yes.

2018 Rivers-Marie Platt Vineyard Pinot Noir

[OwenB]

I see the offers for Rivers Marie and Myriad at prices above list price, but I always assume those with the big mark-ups aren’t actually trading. I think a very limited production wine that gets 100 points is a one-off exception to the rule.

[Marc_Hauser]

I see the offers for Rivers Marie and Myriad at prices above list price, but I always assume those with the big mark-ups aren’t actually trading. I think a very limited production wine that gets 100 points is a one-off exception to the rule.

There’s a rule?