Has anyone else been hit by their wine seller with a list of the "Not yet Released" WS Top 100, and what is sold out?

Just an e-mail from my seller, so far following sold out:
1,6,8 Pls inquire, 9 please inquire, 13,16,18,22,25,26,27, N/A,28,29,03,31,32,41,42,44,45,555,57,69,75,76,77,81,8283,85,88,96

As Board-O says, 'where is the urinating squirrel?"

IMHO, this list is developed for, paid for, and subsidized by the retailers and distributors. They take care of the big buck guys, and let the rest of us who have supported WS in the past in the lurch.

We should get the list as soon as the distributors to get a slight chance of obtaining the WOTY.

Prices for the balance:
#2 $70
#3 $50
#4 $50
#7 $170 1.5L
#10 $80
#11 $100
#12 $120

At least this guy isn’t sticking it to me on the pricing.

My $.02

Edward - from a retailer point of view, I dont look forward to this time of year when the WS puts out their list.
The list is 'new', sure, but the wines are not, they've already been rated (at some point during the past 11+ months, many of which sell out due to the high demand generated BY these ratings...at that time), so by the time this "rehash" list comes out, its interpredited as "new", when most wines are already sold out and/or are in small supply and/or already into their new vintage) and then factor in the variables of low production and/or highly allocated wines into the equation....what a mess. IMHO I think its frustrating for my customers and I know its
frustrating for me, but not so much for the distributor or winery.

Just my 0.212 cents (had to factor in NJ state tax.... )

I wrote an article about this a couple years ago called "The Wine Racket" for Fortune small Business.

Article

Fortunately my Top 100 has no correlation to the WS Top 100. I tend to be very narrow in my focus, so 80% of the wines on the list are of no interest to me. The ones left are either good QPR's (that are also not of any interest to me since my wine cellar is overcrowded), overrated wines by JL, and a few that I am actually interested in. Hopefully the few that I am interested in are not in the top 20 or 30 so their prices will not escalate. Also, I get most of my wine from mailing lists or futures, so I usually have what I want secured by the publication date anyway.

We need a Madder Than Hell Thread.

We have been discussing the WOTY for the last week. Today I get the WS magazine.

Agree withthe lack of interest in certain wines, but was the principle of the thing. I selectively purchase thru the year thos of interest, French, Spanish, Tuscan, Aussie etc. So once in a while I do wind up with a few of the wines.

Freud-- I had no idea you were a published author. Was that one of many articles?

I wrote a piece on the 2000 Bordeaux craze for FSB as well and am currently writing a story on the "Best Sommeliere in America" contest that took place a couple weeks ago at the Waldorf Astoria.

So, did you like the story?

Freud, when I clicked on the story, it came up as no longer being posted. Maybe they moved it or deleted it since it was a couple years ago. Do you have it achivered yourself, because I'd definitely like to read it.

jb

Nix that. I just read the story. Well done, Freud!

I have yet to be able to find a retailer who's tastes are similar enough to mine to be able to trust completely in their recommendations. Unfortunately, too many times I have been burned by a suggestion that I think was more predicated on moving some old stock (or something that provides them a greater margin) than giving me a real strong selection to enjoy. Not saying they have all sucked, but at this point, I have to do my own legwork. Or just get a reco from some of the intelligent folks here.

jb

Great article. I especially liked the point that different people like different things. Not to mention that your point that many people have gotten 'C's in school and become highly successful.

"Marcassin, a California wine that is made in minuscule quantities by famous winemakers Helen Turley and John Wetlaufer, will never show up in a retail store. Ever."

classic. and true.

Great article. Let us know when the next one hits the press.

Just read. What they said. Good points.

I agree that my top 100 also is nowhere near what WS top 100 picked.
I dont understand how they come up with those selections .In my book a top 100 should be a WOW wine or somewhere close to it.Especially #7 Antinori Brunello Pian delle Vigne 1997 is nowhere near an appealling wine at the moment,it might have been but not anymore .Atop 100 should be great for atleast some time after the list is published.