Been thinking about this for some time. I get certain Futures on Wines (i.e. Ch. Montelena, Ridge M.B.). And, we all know that subscribing to these Futures really helps to cut down the cost of Wine (before it is Released to the Public).

So, here is my question/request of you guys/gals. And, it may actually benefit others as well.

Can people (if not too much trouble) list/post the Wines that they get via Futures (CA & other USA, French, Spanish, Italian, Etc...). Wines that others can take advantage of also by getting on the "Futures" List(s). May be, there are some that an individual was Not aware that Futures are offered. I know that there are less & less of these, but...

And, if I or someone else sees something that they are interested in or have questions about (the Wine TNs, contact info)...that individual can send a PM.

Here are mine. Mine are the popular ones:

Chateau St. Jean (I get Club Member Discount of 20%).
Ridge Monte Bello
Chateau Montelena

I get the following on Futures:

Chateau Montelena
Ridge Monte Bello
Joseph Phelps Insignia
Joseph Phelps Backus

The Montelena and Ridge programs typically save money. The Phelps Insignia program may save money and the Backus futures are just about the only way to get the wine that I can see.

It should be noted that this is not ALWAYS a cheaper way to get wine. I've seen the 1999 Montelena Estate for sale at futures prices recently and the 1998 didn't go for very much higher than the futures price. So you can take your chances. In Bordeaux it is even more of a crapshoot. I'm actually betting that the retail pricing will be at or below the futures prices I saw for the 2000 vintage and the 2001 Bordeaux futures are rumored to not be selling (except for Sauternes).

I am interested in the following 2:

Joseph Phelps Insignia
Joseph Phelps Backus

I actually never knew that these are offerred on Futures. And, would like to hear more about it. I will send you a PM because I have a FEW questions. Easier that way for me.

And, I realize the Pricing of the Futures sometimes. But, it is nice to have that choice.

You hit on most of the futures that I participate in. The one that I really enjoyed and took advantage of was the futures program at the Wine Cask in Santa Barbara. I did not attend, but Jones' post was so comprehensive that I bought 2 cases of futures - the Brewer-Clifton Melville PN and the Melville Carre's Vineyard. Even though this was last Feb or Mar, the B-C shipped around November and the Melville is being shipped this week. For those who tried to get some B-C this year and faced the obstacle of having to buy the combo packs (and even those were pretty limited), you appreciate how valuable Jones' tip was last year. Attending this year's event or reading Jones' post (if he is kind enough to do this again) will be key to getting some hard to get wines from this area.

I will be attending this event this year. Do you know the dates yet?

jb

OK. Hopefully, he will post info like that. Hear that, Mr. Jones?

Now, on the "Brewer-Clifton" Wines, I am sorry, can I get on these Futures or Not (1-time offer)? If you can specify again. Didn't really understand your statement. Sorry.

Wine Cask futures dates are March 15 and April 26 this year.

I thought that to get the Insignia futures you needed to be part of the Phelps preffered program that made you buy a bunch of their other wines, maybe I'm wrong. I saw 99 Insignia for $89 buck at Canals's the other day, are the futures much cheaper then that?

mm, do you know where I can get more information about the futures tasting and where I can purchase tickets? BTW, will you be attending?
jb

TCK, Phelps does not give a huge discount on futures to anyone, even those in the Phelps Preferred club. You can purchase futures.www.klwines.com has them available. However you have been able in the past couple of years to find the wine at release for about futures pricing.

jb, you can go to winecask.com and email them or phone them. I didn't see any info on their site about the event, but that is who puts it on. Can't go myself.

lcc, I'm not sure if you asking about something I wrote or not. As far as I know (being on the B-C mailing list), I believe that the only futures that you could buy last year was through the Wine Cask futures tastings. I don't remember any futures offered by B-C itself. I didn't attend the Wine Cask Futures tasting, but called the Wine Cask in Santa Barbara right after I read Jones' post and ordered the wines. I believe that the wineries allocate a certain amount to the Wine Cask because Jones posted that the Melville Carre's Vineyard offering was 25 cases. I found out that Melville had allocated 25 cases for the Wine Cask futures event. The actual production was around 325 cases (if memory serves me right), which is still pretty small.

Got it. Understood, now. Was a little confused. Thank You. I thought that you said that B-C offers Futures. OK. Never mind...

Does anyone know of any "GOOD" Italians or Spanish Wine or Autralian or New Zealand futures? Just asking.

Based on recent offerings (and availability) it might be worthwhile to look into futures for the Numanthia Toro.

How much do they charge for Futures, do you know?

No, I don't. In fact, I don't even know what typical production of this wine is or if they even offer futures.

Perhaps the winery has a web site?