As I think about dabbling one last time (… sigh…I’m so weak), I started to think about where I would buy from.
With the PC shitstorm in mind, I started thinking about where everyone thinks is a ‘safe’ reliable source. I’ve used Sherry-Lehman (expensive), JJ, Zachys (expensive) and KL before. Just curious where people are buying from now.
I’m likely not playing, but did in 2014, and have always used for the last 20 or so years, B-21 Wine. Solid family-owned business, great inventory and competitive pricing. It’s pretty rare not to have an order filled and if there is an issue, they make it right.
If I lived in Florida or even east coast, I’d definitely shop at B-21. In Colorado though there is basically never a good shipping window from Florida (I try to never ship above 70F anywhere along the route).
If I buy any 15 futures (and I’m tempted), it will probably be from WineX-- I’ve bought futures from them since the late 90’s, great prices, timely delivery, never had an issue.
I split my '14’s between Posner (grapes) and total wine (who I kinda hate but I might move back to Texas before delivery. And terms are good).
Macarthurs is also a great east coast option but I do more business with Posner so stayed with him.
I’m buying 2015 Bordeaux futures from the same place I bought 2014, 2013, and 2012 - nowhere. As previously mentioned, when it comes to Bordeaux I simply Bordeaun’t. How’s that for self discipline?
I will buy, just not sure when or what, depending upon pricing, whether my highly valued choices look like they are in short supply or selling out, but have had lots of luck over the years with MacArthurs in DC, and locally here in NJ with Gary’s ((competitive pricing). But way too early to think about it too hard. Maybe I wait until they arrive, or nearly so…
Probably BBR for me. Although I am back in the US now, their pricing is good, the GBP is weak and I already have a lot stored over there from my days in London.
For the 2014s I bought from JJ Buckley, MacArthurs and B-21. They have all always delivered for me, so I went with the best price on Wine Searcher. I tried to just keep it to 2-3 stores.
K & L is still my favorite store, but they seem bent on getting $5 more for every bottle. I only bought from them on futures from 2006-2009, but once I found Wine Searcher and started price comparing, I started buying more from others. If the price is equal, I buy from them. They always deliver. I love their real time inventory as well as the staff and pro tasting notes. Great service too.
Could be my model too. Good chance they’ll be cheaper in real dollars in ten years and of course there’s no risk of nondelivery (storage is another matter).