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We have access to a local dealer (Specs, in Houston) with a large wine selection, and we can also order wines from their central wine warehouse. However, I find that many of the wine selections recommended by Wine Spectator, Parkers, WSJ, or other reviewers are either not available locally, or were available and are already sold out. Also, our local dealers don't keep listings of wines currently or normally in stock. The wines listed and discussed in WS and other periodicals seems to amount to only a very small percentage of the wines carried locally, so few of the interesting wines are available locally. ALSO, the wines carried locally (despite the relatively large selection) aren't often discussed or reviewed. - For example, there are lots of Bordeaux wines in the racks of our local dealer that aren't listed in wine books of Parker, Wine Spectoator, Wine Enthusiast, etc. Also, I don't have lots of confidence in the recommendations of some of the local "wine experts."
For example, I recently noticed a review of a highly rated Washington State wine (the 2005 Columbia Crest "Columbia Valley Reserve" Cabernet) in this month's WS. This wine had a WS rating of 95 points, yet sold for less than $30. (Others with such high ratings were priced at $75 - $125.). Although the article stated that they made 6,000 cases of it, so "there's plenty to go around," I began searching for it the next day. However, it was sold out at all the sources I called, including our large central Specs warehouse store. I even called the winery, offering to buy a case and pay the mailing costs. But they told me that it had been sold out for several months. (I've had similar experiences with other recommended wines.)
I'm not interested in discussing the accuracy or importance of WS's rating system. (Maybe it wasn't a great wine after all.) However, I would like to know what's required to follow up on some of these recommended selections. - For example, do I need to subscribe to the magazines to check out their recommended selections before they sell out? Or possibly join one of the on-line services?
Also, considering the issue from the other direction, how could I get a better overview and evaluation of the wines our local dealer already has available? - I'm thinking that one approach would be for me to take the time to go to the store and write down notes regarding the wines (mostly Cabernets and Bordeaux) that look interesting, take the notes home, and do some research on those wines on-line or in my reference books.
Perhaps others have similar experiences. - What's a good approach for someone who doesn't want to spend hours and hours researching the issue?
Jim
Follow Ups:
If you want to go with rated wines and maybe get some of them before they are all sold out, I would recommend joining Wine Spectator online. They email you their early review list prior to print publication. If something interests you, google the winery and make a quick phone order. I've done this a few times with good results. You can also access WS massive wine rating data base.
As for Spec's, I too live in Houston and frequent their big store. Quite a mess of wines. I find they have a lot of good wineries in off vintages to fill their shelf space. It really helps to know something before going in there. You can go to their website, specsonline.com, and cross check a couple of wines with WS reviews.
I always recommend to people to find a wine store employee who has similar tastes. You may have to go through a few to find one you agree with. As of yet, no one at Spec's (except the couple of times I've talked to Bear Dalton) has met my grade.
Houston Wine Merchant and Richard's (Bill Krausse at the Richmond store and John Cooper at the Westheimer store are good) are options.
Just to let you know, I worked my way through college at Richard's.
First let me give you some info from the other end. Magazines move at a glacier like pace. At this stage, I still don't make lots of wine....sure every year I make more than the year before, but I also have more customers who have "found" me as time goes on. I sell out a wine vintage in about 10 months. I don't send wines out for review right away because I know they will keep getting better, especially the first 3 or 4 months after they are released..so now it's July or August and then the wines have to be scheduled to be tasted and that could be another month or so, then they are scored...and then the writing, the editing, the printing. Almost all magazine reviews have been published after I've run out of that wine.
So what to do...?
1) don't buy wines by score...ever! You will almost always be let down
2) taste, taste, taste...any wine shop worth it's salt should have tasting events for little or no cost...this is the best way to expand your palate. Nothing beats tasting.
3) find someone at your store who has passion for wine, who gets excited when you ask a question..ask if they've tasted anything that's wowed them recently..buy what they recommend ... did you like it? where they accurate in their description? If so ask them again and build a relationship.
4) read, read, read...there are lots of great free online forums...check out Wine Library TV forums..not so snooty and lots of info
5) go find the 2006 Crest reserve and buy a bottle...2006 was a great vintage for Cabernet...not as tannic as 2005, but absolutely beautiful...btw, I seriously doubt that the 2005 was worthy of 95 points, but did I mention....
6) don't trust reviews!
Steve
Steve,Thanks very much for your response to my note. I'll certainly consider (but probably not follow) your recommendations.
You apparently either didn't read or completely ignored my concluding request. Which was: What's a good approach for someone who doesn't want to spend hours and hours researching the issue? - While wine is obviously of great importance and interest to you, it's not the only, or the most important, of my interests. Quite frankly, and as indicated in my original note, I don't intend to spend hours of my time researching new wines, going to various tastings, having ongoing discussions with my dealer, etc. On the other hand, I do appreciate wines, particularly the reds. (For example, I've tasted all the first growths, and appreciated every one of them, along with many other good Bordeaux wines and Cabernets.) Again, however, I simply don't intend to devote substantial amounts of my time to tastings, discussions, research, etc., ad nauseum.
Bottom line: Although you advise NOT relying on ratings by (any?)of the wine publications or wine columns (never, never, you say), I AM NOT going to follow that advice. Instead, I WILL CONTINUE to use such ratings as one tool for identifying new wines of possible interest or unusual quality and value. (We ARE in a recession, in case you hadn't heard.) Again, I think your opinions and advice in this matter are colored by your ongoing day-to-day involvement with the industry and the wine-making art and science generally.
Getting back to the Columbia Valley Reserve Cabernet, when will the 2006
vintage be available generally, and can we order a case at this time? If so,how?Thanks again for your response, and congratulations on the good work you have been doing, as confirmed by the favorable reviews of both the reserves, and also of several others of your wines. Also, for the rational and fair pricing policies you have adopted. I've tasted a number of them over the years, and, IMHO, most of them are very good choices in their respective price ranges.
Jim Cate
Edits: 07/11/09
Jim, I'm sorry if I gave the impression that I work for Columbia Crest...I do not.
I'm not sure how I gave you the impression that I don't like value wines..I love values, but I also remember the last time I bought a Parker wine that was rated at something like 92 points for $11..it was an undrinkable cocktail of green vegetables...awful stuff.
As with all things, what you receive is proportional to what you put in...I don't know shortcuts.
Imagine the disaster if you put together a stereo based on reviews!
Steve
Sorry for my misinterpretation. - I saw the name "Walla Walla" in your ID and your mention of making wines, and selling out of wines in 10 months, so I wrongly assumed you were with CC. I'm assuming you do work with one of the Washington wineries. - Is this so?
I can understand (and share) the interest you and others have in researching wines, going to wine tastings, developing a relationship with a wine merchant, etc. However, as mentioned, I also have a number of other interests, some of which are expensive and time consuming. (E.g., sailing, and maintaining a sailboat; astronomy (operating several rather large scopes, going to observing events, meetings, etc.), music (listening, playing the piano, attending concerts, etc.); reading, in a number of categories; travelling; socializing, with my wife and others; Alliance Francaise activities; exercising at a local gym and elsewhere; doing occasional legal work (although I'm substantially retired); church, charitable, and community activities; etc. Also, of course, modifying and listening to my stereo/HT system, into which I have invested many $$$ and many hours. Reading a number of related sources, including the Asylum.
My point isn't that my interests are any more important or interesting than those of anyone else, but I feel that I should at least try to follow some of priorities when deciding how I spend my time. - And spending hours and hours studying wines, going to wine tastings, etc., in order to become an expert oenophile is not at the very top of my bucket list.
In any event, thanks again to the several AAs who have posted suggestions. Incidentally, I have been to a number of wine tastings, including tastings at our local wine outlet. I'm particularly interested in Bordeaux wines, and if anyone has suggestions for some good choices for under $30 - $40 or so, I would appreciate getting them.
Jim
Jim, I work for myself...my winery is called Trust. Crest is about 90 minutes from Walla Walla in the middle of nowhere in a town called Patterson. Fun Fact number #1: Columbia Crest and Chateau Michelle (and the other 8 or so wineries in the fold) are owned by US Tobacco makers of Skoal!
Sign up for a mailer from K and L out of CA. I always see lots of reasonably priced Bordeaux wines in their mailers, some of which they directly import.
BTW, for two years I worked under the former director of winemaking at Chateau LaTour in Bordeaux...now I can make a 100 point wine anytime I want!! (that's a joke)
Steve
I'm very impressed with what I read about your winery, and I will try to get some of your wines. - They don't seem to be available in our area, but I'll try to order some. If you apprenticed with the Latour Chateaux people, you no doubt have an appreciation for some of the French Bordeaux wines. - By the way, if you ever try to duplicate one of the Ch Latours there in Washington State, please put my name on the order list.
I was interested in your program of aging good Cabernets. I'll sign up for your mailing list, but I was trying to get a general idea of typical prices.
Jim
Jim,
Sorry, that's not me..I'm trustcellars.com in Walla Walla. I actually have no desire to create a First growth wine in Washington. I don't believe too much in the international winemaking style.....I'd rather develop my own style that's suited to the fruit that we have here which is immensely different than in France or Spain or Australia, etc..
Steve
What's your promotional code? I want to order some wine but I'm always looking for a deal. Seeing how we're one of the few on this forum, help a brother out.
What would you compare your dessert wine to?
...who have a large selection have weekend tastings.
In addition they are very knowledgeable about the wines and can direct you to some to try out given your particular tastes.
Short of that, you'll have to try a bottle of wines you see recommended or look interesting.
Personally, I tend to read the print WS and use their ratings to seek out wines to try at the discount stores.
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