Venting ahead:

Maybe this is indicative of the type of day I'm having but I saw this ad from a retailer that I'm familiar with and it ticked me off.  I'm all for capitalism but there is a point where some retailers cross the line.

Note that I've complained about this business before because although they have good quality, rather exclusive wines they mark them up in some cases over 40%.

Some of you might guess the retailer by this text:

2005  Domaine du Clos du Caillou Cotes du Rhone le Clos du Caillou Reserve
80% Grenache and 20% Mourvedre
Dry  Red Table wine
Cotes du Rhone, Southern Rhone, Rhone, France
 
Review by Robert Parker
Wine Advocate # 169 (Feb 2007)
Rating: (92)
Drink 2007 - 2012
Â
(review deleted for space)

so, there we have our final installment from the phenomenal Caillou!

                 in stock and just amazing to taste right now!

                 we finished off yet another bottle with lamb chops last night -- you just can't imagine the drama...

                 specially offered by the 6-pack for $65 per bottle...

                  or a fraction of what this wine is truly worth when you buy it by the case: $59 a bottle on the 12 pack...

                 I want you to understand that this wine will trump practically anything from the region in the 100+ range any day!

                 Parker has said so much, Tanzer has told us the same...

                 or, just ask the regulars around here, they'll tell ya'...

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A quick check in Wine Searcher show this wine from $25 and up, averaging about $35.   He is selling it for $59 in deal of the century.  This for a Cotes du Rhone, not a CDP.

The wine store is Christopher's Fine Wines in Houston.   The buyer should beware.Â

Don't know if this came to you by e-mail, but what amazes me is how many retailers spam you with their wines and prices by way of computer, but think that you are too stupid to use that very same computer to log on to wine-searcher!  To all you vendors out there.....I have a computer, and I know how to use it!

Yes, by email. And it is stores similar to this one that lobby state governments to pass restrictive shipping laws (along with the evil distributors). They think if they are the only game in town that things just might work out.

That said I don't totally go by price when shopping for wines from retail outlets. I'm finding better-handled wines with some of the places that are direct importers and will pay a bit more for better provenance.

I have to admit, I've bought based on emails, then later checked wine searcher and realized I got ripped off :-(