lcc, isn't it kind of late to get the 2001 Ridge Montebello futures? I ordered mine on 4/5/02 and I think it was only open until the end of April 2002 unless the futures allocation sold out sooner. I remember disagreeing with someone in the WS Forum who thought that the 2000 was fantastic and the 2001 mediocre. The $65 futures price was too attractive to pass up with 2001 being touted as a great year even back then.

stemor, you had them in your hands and let them go? Actually, even the Merkelbachs are hard to find here. I guess the WA ratings certainly helped. I got the phone number for the store (thanks for the name/city), so I'll call them tomorrow. I drove 25 miles to get one bottle after I called the store to have him set it aside for me. In the 45 minutes that it took for me to get there, the guy said that 2 other people called for the same bottle.

GATC: You are correct. I forgot. That is when I ordered it. A LOT of it. But, may be, VinoTyro can use the info anyway (in the future). It is a Great Wine, anyway.

LCC, Jones:

That is a great list - I will be emailing/calling most of them and checking them out. Will post if I hear anything exciting !

Thanks !!

vinotyro

OK, so when will these 2001s start hitting the shelves?

I'm also curious since 2000 wasn't a blockbuster, are we going to face the same issues with a full pipeline of 2000s and not an '01 in sight?

yep!

budman,

I live in NJ. I read in some food and wine magazine how the state alcohol control monopoly was creating a wine super store in Philadelphia - on Market Street. I went there, if I remember right, between 13 and 14th??? They had some decent wines and one of the few places I've found L'ecole 41 cabs from Washington State. There is some hope.

lab,
That's good news, but with PAs 24% tax up front (6% sales tax plus 18% Johnstown emergency flood tax of 1935!), how did the prices look compared to our neighbors?

Stemor, I was at Party Source today after work. They still have a few bottles left -- let me know if you want me to return and pick up some to hold for you.

FWIW, they still have numerous bottles of Merkelbachs left as well (Auslese and Spatlese).

Kimber,

I apprecate the offer ... but it looks like circumstances will have me passing through CMH, DAY, or CVG this weekend. I am planning on swinging by the store to get the additional three+ cases of wine that GATC and I have collectively purchased, sometime before going to a memorial service in CMH. It'll be a whirlwind visit, but well worth it! :-)

Budman, I don't remember being surprised by the tax on wine in Philly. I'll keep a better eye out next time.