OMFG! This Cab is to die for!

[Peter_C]

Mike I agree, that type of reasoning is ridiculous regardless of region or varietal, including Champagne and Red Burgundy, which are my wheelhouse. Bordeaux might be the worst offender of them all.

I think it’s a nice story, heck, I’m in PR so I love a good pitch.

It’s not to pick on this wine or its price, just the silly justification of the price of a wine just b/c others are higher.

[Kevin_Patrick]

Really wish I could have been a part of this. Everything about the evening is right in my wheelhouse. I can’t tell you what a disappointment it was so miss everything. If there were extra packets of information that were distributed that night I would love an extra.

Thanks for setting it up Robert and I hope my late cancellation wasn’t too much of a problem.

Sounds like Graeme & Co. have put together something really special.

[Neal.Mollen]

The difference is that it is very very rare for there to be a “first time release” burgundy or bordeaux. Winemakers may change, and the chateau may buy or sell or segregate specific parcels, changing the blend a bit, but there aren’t many new bdx labels. It is actually one of the things I envy about CA wine lovers. Every year, there are a ton of new entrants (and a bunch exiting), so the landscape is constantly evolving. There is nothing like this for the wines I (typically) buy.

[Robert.A.Jr]

@Neal.Mollen

The difference is that it is very very rare for there to be a “first time release” burgundy or bordeaux. Winemakers may change, and the chateau may buy or sell or segregate specific parcels, changing the blend a bit, but there aren’t many new bdx labels. It is actually one of the things I envy about CA wine lovers. Every year, there are a ton of new entrants (and a bunch exiting), so the landscape is constantly evolving. There is nothing like this for the wines I (typically) buy.

I’m plenty fine with that, Neal. How many times have you bought new wineries on hype or solid recommendations only to figure out later it’s just not your cup of tea? The $150 price point is a lot for a flyer.

[M_Dildine]

@Neal.Mollen

The difference is that it is very very rare for there to be a “first time release” burgundy or bordeaux. Winemakers may change, and the chateau may buy or sell or segregate specific parcels, changing the blend a bit, but there aren’t many new bdx labels. It is actually one of the things I envy about CA wine lovers. Every year, there are a ton of new entrants (and a bunch exiting), so the landscape is constantly evolving. There is nothing like this for the wines I (typically) buy.

There is an attraction to the dynamic, more exprimental environment in California. That said, I sometimes miss the more stately, heirarchical and timeless structure that you find in Bordeaux.

Ironically, this MacDonald offering, with the iconic site, the mature vines and the family connection is almost more French-like than a new California offering. I still hope to be offered!

[MarkH]

@dougwilder

VINE AGE
As far as age of the vines, the oldest block (shown on the cover of my report) was planted in 1954 and were the first to go into Oakville after prohibition. Other blocks were added over the last 40 years.

This vineyard appears to be the (formerly-known-as) Horton vineyard: 404 | NVWLA

Tom Garrett made a 2002 cab from those old vines under the Detert label: http://web.archive.org/web/20041208040338/http://www.detert.com/OurWines.htm

It’s one of the best Napa Valley cabs I’ve ever tasted and is the only post-1995-vintage Napa Valley cab I have in my cellar.

[M_Dildine]

@Robert Alfert

@Neal.Mollen

The difference is that it is very very rare for there to be a “first time release” burgundy or bordeaux. Winemakers may change, and the chateau may buy or sell or segregate specific parcels, changing the blend a bit, but there aren’t many new bdx labels. It is actually one of the things I envy about CA wine lovers. Every year, there are a ton of new entrants (and a bunch exiting), so the landscape is constantly evolving. There is nothing like this for the wines I (typically) buy.

I’m plenty fine with that, Neal. How many times have you bought new wineries on hype or solid recommendations only to figure out later it’s just not your cup of tea? The $150 price point is a lot for a flyer.

Robert, the great continuum in Bordeaux is site. I’d argue that if you’ve ever tasted a Mondavi Reserve or an Opus One, this isn’t a flyer for you any more than a new vintage of Lafite.

[Robert.A.Jr]

@M. Dildine

Robert, the great continuum in Bordeaux is site. I’d argue that if you’ve ever tasted a Mondavi Reserve or an Opus One, this isn’t a flyer for you any more than a new vintage of Lafite.

I’ve had many of both, though candidly, much preferred the Mondavi Reserve to the Opus. Have not had either in any vintages past 2002. Yes, great sites, but the maker himself/herself, can dramatically effect what gets put into the bottle.

[Robert_Dentice]

@Peter C.

@Robert Dentice

I do think this wine is as good as many others at $200 and over price points but this wine in my guess will not be anywhere near that. …

I always get a good, solid chuckle when the lofty price of a wine is justified b/c other wines that may or may not be good are priced higher. Good stuff.

I should have been more clear. What I meant is that it is better than $200+ wines from this area of Napa. I completely agree with your point. I have a very diverse collection with many amazing bottles that are far cheaper and more enjoyable to me than $200-500 Napa Cabs. The price tag reflects the cost of doing business in this area and on a relative basis is fairly priced.

[M_Dildine]

@Robert Alfert

@M. Dildine

Robert, the great continuum in Bordeaux is site. I’d argue that if you’ve ever tasted a Mondavi Reserve or an Opus One, this isn’t a flyer for you any more than a new vintage of Lafite.

I’ve had many of both, though candidly, much preferred the Mondavi Reserve to the Opus. Have not had either in any vintages past 2002. Yes, great sites, but the maker himself/herself, can dramatically effect what gets put into the bottle.

And I guess that’s the special thing about Bordeaux - winemakers never change?

[Russ_Williams]

Sorry, but my days of getting excited over a $150 cab are thankfully behind me.

[brianmcbrearty]

@Russ Williams

Sorry, but my days of getting excited over a $150 cab are thankfully behind me.

Gotta respect that. But it’s approaching singularity. A cali cab at any price that you’re excited about. And yet, every six months or so, I’d like to have one! Best case … at some point in the future I’ll carry this to a restaurant, pay the corkage and knock dead everything on the list south of $500.

[Glenn_L_e_v_i_n_e]

@Robert Alfert

The $150 price point is a lot for a flyer.

I guess since I know and enjoy both the fruit and winemaker I don’t think of this as a flyer, rather another intrepid step into wine enjoyment.

[Neal.Mollen]

@Glenn L e v i n e

@Robert Alfert

The $150 price point is a lot for a flyer.

I guess since I know and enjoy both the fruit and winemaker I don’t think of this as a flyer, rather another intrepid step into wine enjoyment.

I was in no way suggesting that this was an unwise purchase. And I get that this particular wine may have a lot more pedigree than the vast majority of “new” CA entrants. For me, part of what makes CA interesting is that it so dynamic. It is just that I really don’t buy $150 wines from anywhere, even ones with a century of history, and I most certainly am not tempted to bite on a “new” one from a region that has largely passed me by.

[Glenn_L_e_v_i_n_e]

Who would expect you to do so? If domestic Cabernet isn’t your interest I understand completely, though your interest in this thread seems evidence to the contrary.

[Russ_Williams]

Brian - see Peter’s comment below.

@Peter C.

I always get a good, solid chuckle when the lofty price of a wine is justified b/c other wines that may or may not be good are priced higher. Good stuff.

[Neal.Mollen]

@Glenn L e v i n e

Who would expect you to do so? If domestic Cabernet isn’t your interest I understand completely, though your interest in this thread seems evidence to the contrary.

That’s an odd position to take, Glenn. I’m generally interested in wine and read threads about a wide variety of things I wouldn’t spend $150/btl on. I even read burgundy threads sometimes. And with Jay’s OTT title, how could I not check the thread? There is a vast difference between “I’m interested in the subject” and “I’ll buy an allocation.”

[Glenn_L_e_v_i_n_e]

I understand Neal. I guess personally I read a lot of threads where I withhold commentary about not being an interested buyer, especially if the region holds only passing interest for me.

Now if I have had the wine and found it not to my liking I’ll usually chime in.

In this case I am just rooting for Graeme as he is warm, funny and talented. I meant no disrespect to you.

[Neal.Mollen]

@Glenn L e v i n e

I understand Neal, I guess personally I read a lot of threads where I withhold commentary about not being an interested buyer, especially if the region holds only passing interest for me.

Now if I have had the wine and found it not to my liking I’ll usually chime in.

In this case I am just rooting for Graeme as he is warm, funny and talented. I meant no disrespect to you.

And I didn’t take it that way. And any friend of yours is worth rooting for (and given the quantities, he doesn’t need an order from me to be a smashing success!0

[Nick_Ryan]

$150 is fair given the competition in this quality range, and for To Kalon fruit. I’m in for a few at that price.