California Cult Wine Prices Are Going Crazy!

For those of you who have had the good fortuneyears of bottle aging data whereas the California
to get on the mailing lists of the "cult" wineriesnewcomers have at best at 10-15 year track
from California years ago you may be shakingrecord.I wonder if we are approaching some
your head in agreement as you read this notecritical mass where the wine buying public starts
about wine prices. Those readers who have justto seriously look and purchase wines from other
started collecting top California wines may notupcoming areas that reflect pricing of California
have the same perspective due to currentwines from 10-15 years ago.It is clear to me that
market prices in recent years.This time of yearone of the reasons Americans have fell in love
some of the best boutique wineries are sendingwith Australian wines in the past 5 years is that
out to their mailing list customers wine allocationsthe quality to price ratio is often 1/3 that of
notices and pricing for the upcoming vintage. Thesimilar California wines. Will the same hold true for
list of top California wineries has been growing duewine from Chile, Argentina and Spain? Only time
to improved financial backing, better winemakingwill tell.One of the wine world's best stories in
technology and sustainable agriculture practices; all2006 is the 95 points Robert Parker awarded to
of this is fueled by a very hot wine market. Froma $19.95 wine from Australia. The Mollydooker
my personal tastings, California's top "red""Boxer" Shiraz has one of the highest price to
winemakers and ones you should get on theirpoints ratio in the history of Mr. Parker's notes.
waiting list include: Harlan, Abreu, Colgin Cellars,The wine made by veteran winemakers Sarah
Bryant Family, Dalla Valle, Shafer Hillside,and Sparky Marquis defies gravity with a screw
Screaming Eagle, Sine Qua Non, Hundred Acre andcap enclosure and a rip-off wine label "tab" that
Pride Mountain.Consumers who have been onallows wine lovers to keep the name of the wine
these winery mailing lists from the beginning haveclose to their hearts. So much for the snooty
seen a steady rise in wine prices. For sometissue paper wrapped bottles from the Napa
wineries the price increases are staggering. TheValley!I would say that since this wine sold out in
2004 Screaming Eagle came out at $500 pera matter of days post his review, American's
bottle. Their first release in 1992 was selling forappetites for $150+ California Cabernet's may be
$50 per bottle. The 2004 Harlan came out atwaning. In closing, one of the best wines produced
$350 per bottle. Their first release in 1990 camein California is the Phelps Insignia which sells for
out at $75 per bottle.The free market systemaround $130 per bottle. This is widely available at
tells us that "goods" sell at prices that the currentwine retailers and every vintage is a great value.
market will bear. Today many cult wineries areSome of the best vintages can compare to the
having no problem selling their wines because oftop cult wines at 1/3 the price. I'm still amazed
the small quantities they produce. But at whatwhy this wine does not sell off the retail shelves
point do long time patrons of these wineries havein the first few weeks of sale! I commend the
to stop buying because they are either priced outJoseph Phelps winery for keeping this great wine
of the market or find more compelling wines atpriced for all to enjoy. I wish more wines of this
lower prices?Top California wines are approachingcaliber and aging potential were priced this
the bottle prices of the First Growth Bordeauxreasonably! I just recently tasted the 1994
wines. I think this will be a critical intersection toInsignia and it was superb!!!! This wine has a well
watch since the French have established 100+establish aging profile so give it a try.