Higher end Cali. Cult wine + unexpected lower scores = 07 Discounting?

[Chris_S_p_i_k_e_s]

Just got an offer for the 07 Kobalt at $90 which I believe is below the mailing list price. I expect to see more and more of this, I’m just surprised it happened before the wine is even released.

Sounds like a great wine, it just didn’t garner “the Palate’s” highest scores.

Chris

[Bill_Tex_Landreth]

I expect lots more of these types of offers. If you didn’t make a 96+ pointer, your wines will be cheaper on the secondary market.

[mike_pobega]

Good for the drinkers amongst us. Point chasers need not apply.
Great price on the Kobalt. I believe it’s list.

[Steve_Eisenhauer]

It’s list and it is unusual. I’ve seen it at retail in previous vintages at ~50% over list. I passed on Kobalt this year for the first time for a few reasons, mostly related to making my own wine.

[Daniel_Posner]

95 points does not sell at those prices from Napa anymore. As I said on another thread, Maybach 2006 was 95 points, limited production and struggled to sell out.

[Cris_Whetstone]

Shades of Australia. Who could see this coming???

[Bill_Tex_Landreth]

@Cris Whetstone

Shades of Australia. Who could see this coming???

[Ken_V]

@Bill Tex Landreth

@Cris Whetstone

Shades of Australia. Who could see this coming???

[Barry_P]

Huge correction coming. Among other reasons,

1. Usury rates on credit cards (even if you have good credit) has gotten peoples’ attention and they are no longer willing to carry big balances.
2. These wines will appear (for certain producers in certain vintages) much later for less than, or at, what you paid.
3. In poor vintages (e.g., 2008), prices do not drop as they do for Bordeaux.
4. Whether it is score inflation or better wines being made, 96 is the old 93. To sell out now you need an RMP 98, 99 or 100. There are a ton of wines who are scoring in the 93-97 range.
5. The price point for many has been met. For me, I’m out at $500 for Harlan, $400 for Abreu, $250 for Araujo, etc. Simply too much.
6. The economy is still scaring the crap out of folks.

[Bob_Kaminski]

@Barry P

Huge correction coming. Among other reasons,

1. Usury rates on credit cards (even if you have good credit) has gotten peoples’ attention and they are no longer willing to carry big balances.
2. These wines will appear (for certain producers in certain vintages) much later for less than, or at, what you paid.
3. In poor vintages (e.g., 2008), prices do not drop as they do for Bordeaux.
4. Whether it is score inflation or better wines being made, 96 is the old 93. To sell out now you need an RMP 98, 99 or 100. There are a ton of wines who are scoring in the 93-97 range.
5. The price point for many has been met. For me, I’m out at $500 for Harlan, $400 for Abreu, $250 for Araujo, etc. Simply too much.
6. The economy is still scaring the crap out of folks.

Barry,

The economy is fine and getting better every day. It must be true because I saw it on TV.

[mike_pobega]

@Daniel Posner

95 points does not sell at those prices from Napa anymore. As I said on another thread, Maybach 2006 was 95 points, limited production and struggled to sell out.

Dan, is ‘sell out’ the goal? Fans wll buy regardless, and I don’t think Chris sitting with extra cases is a bad thing-- for him. The true lovers of these will buy regardless, unless they are making thier own wine…

[mike_pobega]

@Cris Whetstone

Shades of Australia. Who could see this coming???

Nothing at all like Australia.
In Australia, the fruits bombs from the whole price spectrum felt the impact of the US market getting wise to the style. These wines are in demand, just where and what you are willing to spend is the question. I am not speaking of the ultra cult, but more the mid tier cult grouping. Schrader has transcended to the point chaser group, so its no longer included.
In my book, a 95 point Merus, Maybach, or Kobalt should be a fine wine indeed. One I would like to have on my table, for list price, if that’s what it takes.

[Daniel_Posner]

I would agree with Mike…Napa’s issues are nothing like Australia. The wines still sell, even if they get slightly discounted.

Many Australian wines are not selling at any price.

[Veronica_Castro]

agree with Posner. The F.U. and “The Wine” by Ringland (both 99 pts WA) we barely moved even with Christmas, and will be taking a bath in it, soon.

[Daniel_Posner]

Veronica,

I consult, for a small fee.

[Victor_Hong]

@Veronica Castro

agree with Posner. The F.U. and “The Wine” by Ringland (both 99 pts WA) we barely moved even with Christmas, and will be taking a bath in it, soon.

Does unsold cult wine fetch much revenue, as spa treatment compound? The purple color must get underneath fingernails and toenails.

[Veronica_Castro]

@Victor Hong

@Veronica Castro

agree with Posner. The F.U. and “The Wine” by Ringland (both 99 pts WA) we barely moved even with Christmas, and will be taking a bath in it, soon.

Does unsold cult wine fetch much revenue, as spa treatment compound? The purple color must get underneath fingernails and toenails.

Indeed. Cheers to the 99-pointers!

[Victor_Hong]

@Veronica Castro

@Victor Hong

@Veronica Castro

agree with Posner. The F.U. and “The Wine” by Ringland (both 99 pts WA) we barely moved even with Christmas, and will be taking a bath in it, soon.

Does unsold cult wine fetch much revenue, as spa treatment compound? The purple color must get underneath fingernails and toenails.

Indeed. Cheers to the 99-pointers!

Must be in Chateauneuf du Pape, Bordeaux bottle notwithstanding.

[Cris_Whetstone]

I still beg to differ. The style thing is exactly what is happening to Napa as well. People are realizing that they don’t have to pay the premium for a huge fat ripe wine that is nearly identical to a wine for far less. The sameness of the wines across the top levels is not going unnoticed in conjunction with the ridiculous point inflation for those wines. It was only a matter of time and the economy is making people think twice about what they purchase which makes them stop and think about these matters.

Aussies failed because people had alternatives…Napa Cabs to fall back on plus new stuff from Spain.

[Jim_Karegeannes]

@Cris Whetstone

I still beg to differ. The style thing is exactly what is happening to Napa as well. People are realizing that they don’t have to pay the premium for a huge fat ripe wine that is nearly identical to a wine for far less. The sameness of the wines across the top levels is not going unnoticed in conjunction with the ridiculous point inflation for those wines. It was only a matter of time and the economy is making people think twice about what they purchase which makes them stop and think about these matters.

Aussies failed because people had alternatives…Napa Cabs to fall back on plus new stuff from Spain.

Nice points. There is also an austerity people are showing in every day matters including purchasing decisions. No one is impressed with how much you spend anymore.