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

WINE TALK
21

Let’s also consider the huge demand became a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy and got even bigger when it invited numerous flippers jumped into the fray. Wineries reacted as prices shot up.

The Wall Street Journal once listed Chateau Montelena futures as one of the best investments running. Also if you were on the Harlan Estate list not terribly long ago you could double your money on the secondary market. Now Montelena only sells futures from the winery and Harlan prices are $500 per bottle. We all know you cannot flip these for profit on the latest vintages today.

Unless you are on the latest “it” wine allocation such as Scarecrow or Schraeder where high scores and low volumes will drive prices up, the inevitability for most others is discounting.

Over the long term, winemaking quality has shot up everywhere. While some say that Parker has fried his palate, that he is handing out too many high scores, perhaps it is because winemaking today is being scrutinized to levels never seen before. I think we will begin to see lots of higher scores not only from RP, but from many other reviewers as well.

[popcorn.gif]

22

Alex;

Great points! Especially the last paragraph.

So here is the question: Will the critics finally recalibate? The word on the street is that WS already has, although with Suckling it’s hard to tell.

To me, scores seem to be based on some old wines where average (75) was a lot poorer wine than today. As time goes on, how many people will remember what those old Italian wines, that were really crap, and assigned a 75 in 1975 really tasted like? I’m not sure people like Molesoworth even do!

Is it time to recalibrate scores to reflect todays’ wine selection? I drink wines today that I believe deserves a 77 score, but the rater says "oh no, a 77 is like some extinct wine that doesn’t exist anymore, this wine is a 84 based on how the extinct wine tasted. This combined with blatant score inflation drives me nuts.

23

$90 is list and I don’t think Kevin will have much problem selling 2007. He doesn’t make alot of wine and while the “points” might not be where some want it to be, I can say that they believe 2007 will be their best vintage to date (first vintage was 2001).

I also don’t think they “want” to sell out. Most Kobalt drinkers have been for years and they have a following that will keep them in business. If there is any left, I am sure a few restaurants would want more than their past allocations. I know he has been stingy with restaurants and only a few actually get his wines direct.

24

So we have established that the $90 IS list for Kobalt. (Although it took 3 posts to believe it).[basic-smile.gif]
Does that make this thead moot?
newhere

25



Thank you, Gordon. [bow.gif]

I think RP will not, though others will. I like how the theory of forgetting seasonal variables where an 86 point wine from a great vintage in a legendary location is rated the same as an 86 point wine from somewhere else in different conditions. Last I heard, RP strives to do this.

If there is too much bunching up at the top, then hairs will inevitably be split finer than today, though I do not see conditions as being quite there yet.

26

New offer for Kobalt 07 just landed in my mailbox… $78.73
Bit for 2 never tried them…

27

I would give them a try for that price. Of course there is tax and shipping to be considered, but it is a step in the right direction.

28

Anyone want any 2005 for $90?

PM me.

29

From the winery or retailer? That clearly represents discounting by someone.

Also, I find buying from retailers at the same price as wineries to be a bit cheaper (usually) because their shipping charges are less and no tax charged.

Chris

30

This is from a retailer that I buy from regularly and they hold until I have a case to ship.

31

Is this a buy at $70?

Just got an offer at that price.

32

Bill,
If you’re talking about Kobalt. I would say yes judging from the kinds of Cabs you like. What vintage ?

33

Sorry…yes, 2007 Kobalt for $70 a bottle.

34

Bill,
I haven’t tried the '07, the '06 is good. I imagine the '07 is even better and that’s a great price for it . I do like the style of his wines.

35

Bill, buy!

36

I received the same offer and might take a few bottles as well. I suspect we’re going to see more offers like this in the next few months.

37

Where’s the offer. It’s a buy at that price, for sure.

38

What Napa Cabernets would you recommend in the price range of $50 - $70?

I find that $80 - $120 is the range where I find some fantastic representations of Napa Cab. I am not fortunate enough to buy a ton of them annually, but when I shop Napa Cab, this is the price range I usually fall into.

The $150 - $250 is sort of the next level, and although I have had a number of them and enjoyed them, I can’t afford to buy many of those, if any at all.


*side note… I should probably point out that I am ITB, and am producing a Napa Cab starting with the 2008 vintage (Beckstoffer Georges III). But I also buy and love Napa Cab. This question is part research in trying to find out who makes quality Cab for under $70, but I would also like to purchase and save some of these gems for personal consumption.

39

In my humble opinion, there are certainly some great Cabernets in the $45-$75 range. Some of my favorite cabs in that price range are: Emerson Brown, Meyer Hestan, Anderson Conn Valley and Rivers Marie.

40

That’s just reduction… It should blow off.