Rhys Skyline PN Price To Jump Up $10/btl.

WINE TALK
1

The 08 Skyline is going up $10 to $69 per on the Spring release. Outch! The Swan went up $10 per btl last year. Recently paid $55 for the '08 Denis Bachelet Gevry Chambertin VV and $62 for the '08 Mugnier Chambolle Musigny. My decisions about Rhys are going to get a lot tougher in the years going forward, I fear.

2

The 2011 Rhys Vineyards Spring Release will include:

2008 Alesia Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir ($35)
2008 Rhys Bearwallow Vineyard Pinot Noir ($49)
2008 Rhys Horseshoe Vineyard Pinot Noir ($59)
2008 Rhys Swan Terrace Pinot Noir ($69)
2008 Rhys Skyline Vineyard Pinot Noir ($69)
2008 Rhys Skyline Vineyard Syrah ($49)


Any ideas what those of us new to the list will be allocated?

3

Don’t know, I’ve been buying the estate wines from day 1.

4

Craig,
I buy enough wine to understand your perspective!
That said, our prices have not gone up. All the prices in this release are the same as last Spring except for the Skyline Pinot (which increased $10).
In particular, our Alesia Sonoma Coast is $28 with case discount and we did not raise the price on Horseshoe Pinot despite the demand increase after some stellar reviews (those reviewers would not compare it to a Gevrey AC).

5

All I can say is “bring it”. One of the last few lists I’m on that I’ll buy all that I’m offered. And IIRC, the prices include shipping. So we have that going for us, which is nice.

6

David,
Brand new (waitlist) customers will be offered the Alesia Sonoma Coast. New customers (purchased in the Fall) will be offered the Horseshoe and Bearwallow Pinots.

7

Excellent. Thank you

8

As opposed to jumping down? [snort.gif]

9

We can always hope. But no, I expect a modest increase occasionally along the way, over the years. Assuming I have my facts right, $10 is substantial(14% I think). Apparently I’m wrong on the one cuvee that must have went up last year and I didn’t notice.

10

As with the French fine wine market in recent years Craig?

11

Thanks for clarifying. I’m surprised I overlooked that last year on the other cuvee being $69 already. Kevin, I know you’re a guy who doesn’t mind an honest customer reaction so I’ll let it rip. I could be the exception here but I’m pretty sensitve to the price for domestic PNs. I’ve hit a point with some producers that I decided not to exceed along the way. I’m in for this year as the past but, the decision gets tougher going forward if the prices keep rising $10 at a pop and starts to exceed my personal price quality ratio.

12

To me the Rhys estate pinots are more comparable to 1er and grand cru Burgundy than village-level wines, even from elite producers. I think they offer fantastic value at these prices.

13

Having tasted these wines, I absolutely agree with Keith.

14

Anybody decides they don’t want the Skyline pinot at $69, please e-mail me immediately.
Thanks, Jim

15

I didn’t get the e-mail, but then realized it was because I hadn’t updated my e-mail address in their system. I updated it last night and hope I get an offer - I passed the last go around.

16

I’ve been buying the wine since the '04 vintage so I’d flip the Skyline for a profit if I was going to sell it. I’ve remained on the list and kept buying to own the wines long enough to see what I think of them with age on them. So I have a pretty significant investment in Rhys at this point. My goal is to see if I want to keep buying and drinking them after I have a really good sample of how they drink when in thier proper drinking windows. I’ve had mixed results so far. Some glowingly good bottles and some very nice but not awesome btls too.

17

Are these first come first served? Last fall was my first order w/Rhys, and it sounds like I’ll get offered Bearwallow & Horseshoe, so I want to make sure I get them!

18

I’m very much looking forward to my first Rhys this weekend, an Alpine vineyard 2008.

19

I agree the quality is very high but so is the quality of the village wines from Mugnier and Bachelet that I bought for $62 and $55 respectively which also drink better than most village level wines.

20

I’m curious to hear what you think – please report back. I’ve been buying since 2004. I haven’t tried the Domaine wines yet and have had mixed results with Alesia. I keep coming back on the strength of reports of palates I trust; I look forward to the wines entering their window so I can find out first hand.