As for $ amount, let's call it $180/bottle for everyone except oto. That's $5/bottle for shipping which is maybe a little high but probably not tremendously so (no woot shipping prices here!). Oto, I will let you know $ amount once I have actually shipped your bottles.

edlada wrote:A very good Sauternes that is considered to be right behind d'Yquem is Chateau Rieussec. It is priced a bit lower and is mighty fine. The vineyard is owned by the Rothschild family and they take good care of it. I had a '95 a while back that was absolutely fantastic, good acid to balance the sugar, a lot of apricot, peach and floral notes and a finish that went on into the next week! Well worth checking it out if you don't have the money for d'Yquem.

Nice tip. Can get that locally. Not the '95, though.

Your perfume will be sent out later this week. Just need addresses.

for those curious, it appears you can get a 750 for $360 here

ddeuddeg wrote:Nice tip. Can get that locally. Not the '95, though.

Greetings to you and the lovely bawhm from Basia and I.

I talked about the '95 Chateau Rieussec because that is the only one I have drank however everything I have read on the internet suggests just about any year the wine is very good and in some years fantastic. I looked around and find it scores in the low to mid 90s (and even high 90s FWIW) almost everywhere, so go to your local wine shop and get a bottle! ;)

The check is in the mail for one bottle. I suppose I will get it someday from Krugsters or Polar Bear or HAK or someone else in "Woot-land." Thanks again to everyone who will be passing the bottle from person to person to person across the country. How fun!

dsapp wrote:The check is in the mail for one bottle. I suppose I will get it someday from Krugsters or Polar Bear or HAK or someone else in "Woot-land." Thanks again to everyone who will be passing the bottle from person to person to person across the country. How fun!

Yeah, with them being shipped to K, I'm assuming I'll pick up your bottle and PB's two bottles when I get my bottle at some point before the end of May and then I'll bring them up to PB along with all the other wine I'm holding for him & mother & darlene.

OK, let me know.
Thanks!

You piqued my curiosity to see what I could find here in L.A. WITHOUT going to Costco. The best deal for a half bottle of d'Yquem was at Woodland Hills Wine Company. A 1997 375 ml sells for $124.99...so I bought a bottle. Not sure whether to thank you or curse you...

http://www.whwc.com/p/306889

luckyinla wrote:You piqued my curiosity to see what I could find here in L.A. WITHOUT going to Costco. The best deal for a half bottle of d'Yquem was at Woodland Hills Wine Company. A 1997 375 ml sells for $124.99...so I bought a bottle. Not sure whether to thank you or curse you...

http://www.whwc.com/p/306889

Looks like that store near you is also the cheapest pretty much anywhere. A quick wine-searcher search shows everywhere else being more expensive than that. So you at least got the best deal available for that vintage.

luckyinla wrote:You piqued my curiosity to see what I could find here in L.A. WITHOUT going to Costco. The best deal for a half bottle of d'Yquem was at Woodland Hills Wine Company. A 1997 375 ml sells for $124.99...so I bought a bottle. Not sure whether to thank you or curse you...

http://www.whwc.com/p/306889

Nice catch!

So, folks, what's so good about this that it's $250 for 750ml at its best ever deal? this is more than vintage port!

richardhod wrote:Nice catch!

So, folks, what's so good about this that it's $250 for 750ml at its best ever deal? this is more than vintage port!

You've never had a Sauternes?

Oh, my friend, you're in for a treat. Next time you're in town, we'll crack my '03 Lafaurie-Peyraguey. ("Infanticide!" they'll cry.) And from what I understand, d'Yquem is in a whole different universe from the rest of the pack.

Of note, you can always get decent deals on various rare or hard-to-find vintages of d'Yquem and other such delicacies at WineBid as well. Sadly, my birth year was a terrific vintage in Sauternes, so I have as yet been unable to afford a birthday bottle. Luckily, though, that means I'll have many, many more years of exquisite birthday Sauternes to look forward to. (Edit: actually, looking at WineBid, some of the lesser chateaus' '88s aren't outrageously priced at all. Hmm...)

k1avg wrote:You've never had a Sauternes?

Oh, my friend, you're in for a treat. Next time you're in town, we'll crack my '03 Lafaurie-Peyraguey. ("Infanticide!" they'll cry.) And from what I understand, d'Yquem is in a whole different universe from the rest of the pack.

Of note, you can always get decent deals on various rare or hard-to-find vintages of d'Yquem and other such delicacies at WineBid as well. Sadly, my birth year was a terrific vintage in Sauternes, so I have as yet been unable to afford a birthday bottle. Luckily, though, that means I'll have many, many more years of exquisite birthday Sauternes to look forward to. (Edit: actually, looking at WineBid, some of the lesser chateaus' '88s aren't outrageously priced at all. Hmm...)

Well I've had mediocre sauternes and hmmm, meh. My current standard of exquisite in sweeter end is outstanding late harvest riesling. However, I am willing to be surprised!

k1avg wrote:You've never had a Sauternes?

Oh, my friend, you're in for a treat. Next time you're in town, we'll crack my '03 Lafaurie-Peyraguey. ("Infanticide!" they'll cry.) And from what I understand, d'Yquem is in a whole different universe from the rest of the pack.

Of note, you can always get decent deals on various rare or hard-to-find vintages of d'Yquem and other such delicacies at WineBid as well. Sadly, my birth year was a terrific vintage in Sauternes, so I have as yet been unable to afford a birthday bottle. Luckily, though, that means I'll have many, many more years of exquisite birthday Sauternes to look forward to. (Edit: actually, looking at WineBid, some of the lesser chateaus' '88s aren't outrageously priced at all. Hmm...)

Born in '88? I got underwear older than that.

What Costco in the Seattle area had this deal? Is there any left? I'm kicking myself for not reading this thread earlier and getting in on a local deal since I live in the Seattle area!!!

gregorylane wrote:Born in '88? I got underwear older than that.

I graduated high school in '88.

joshsting wrote:What Costco in the Seattle area had this deal? Is there any left? I'm kicking myself for not reading this thread earlier and getting in on a local deal since I live in the Seattle area!!!

Anyone in CA can get the 96 Yquem for $129 +tax from K&L wines. From what I can tell it's the least amazing of the recent vintages, but as Yquem still amazing.

richardhod wrote:Well I've had mediocre sauternes and hmmm, meh. My current standard of exquisite in sweeter end is outstanding late harvest riesling. However, I am willing to be surprised!

Yeah, I had some young, lower-end Sauternes not too long ago as well and it was highly unimpressive. You really have to go to the established chateaux (not physically, of course) to really get a taste for the stuff. Again, I've never had d'Yquem specifically, so it's possible it's just really expensive pancake syrup, but given the reputation, I doubt it.

gregorylane wrote:Born in '88? I got underwear older than that.

Well, okay. As long as you don't feel the need to tell me that whenever you're wearing it.

k1avg wrote:Well, okay. As long as you don't feel the need to tell me that whenever you're wearing it.

Deal!

But, don't call me an old fart.

k1avg wrote:Of note, you can always get decent deals on various rare or hard-to-find vintages of d'Yquem and other such delicacies at WineBid as well. Sadly, my birth year was a terrific vintage in Sauternes, so I have as yet been unable to afford a birthday bottle. Luckily, though, that means I'll have many, many more years of exquisite birthday Sauternes to look forward to. (Edit: actually, looking at WineBid, some of the lesser chateaus' '88s aren't outrageously priced at all. Hmm...)

My daughter was born in 88 as well. Tried to find a good birth year bottle for her 21st. I was looking at red wines.

Any suggestions?

polarbear22 wrote:My daughter was born in 88 as well. Tried to find a good birth year bottle for her 21st. I was looking at red wines.

Any suggestions?

Veuve Cliquot holds up well, and has the added feature of being festive, although not red.
Opus One has the color you're looking for, but they tend to be uneven in quality, and I don't know anything about the '88 vintage.

polarbear22 wrote:My daughter was born in 88 as well. Tried to find a good birth year bottle for her 21st. I was looking at red wines.

Any suggestions?

It was also a decent vintage in Bordeaux, so many of the better houses' offerings have held up pretty well. I had a bottle of Chateau Talbot (a fourth-growth, I think) last year for my birthday that was a little over the hill but still very drinkable and impressive, with tons of interesting secondary characteristics. I imagine there are some '88 Barolos that are still holding up pretty well too. It wasn't a great year in Burgundy and most Port houses didn't declare the vintage, so other than that, you're probably left with dessert wines and sparklies, as ddeuddeg suggested.

It wasn't much of a vintage in California (according to the charts anyway; you'd have to ask RPM for the real story), but I actually have a bottle of '88 Mondavi Reserve Cab I've been holding for this year. I suspect it will be significantly past its prime, but recent CT notes are somewhat edifying that there's at least something to be salvaged there. I probably won't look towards California for good '88s much longer though.

k1avg wrote:It was also a decent vintage in Bordeaux, so many of the better houses' offerings have held up pretty well. I had a bottle of Chateau Talbot (a fourth-growth, I think) last year for my birthday that was a little over the hill but still very drinkable and impressive, with tons of interesting secondary characteristics. I imagine there are some '88 Barolos that are still holding up pretty well too. It wasn't a great year in Burgundy and most Port houses didn't declare the vintage, so other than that, you're probably left with dessert wines and sparklies, as ddeuddeg suggested.

Thanks to you and ddeuddeg. I have to start with when would we open it, to make sure what I get will last.

For my 50th, I had a 1959 Ch. Brainaire-Ducru. It was very interesting. I think it had held on, but it did fade quickly after opening. Fun experience.

k1avg wrote:It wasn't much of a vintage in California (according to the charts anyway; you'd have to ask RPM for the real story), but I actually have a bottle of '88 Mondavi Reserve Cab I've been holding for this year. I suspect it will be significantly past its prime, but recent CT notes are somewhat edifying that there's at least something to be salvaged there. I probably won't look towards California for good '88s much longer though.

Depending on it's provinence, that '88 might be pretty good for you. As you'll see in this post from our NYC Mondavi Tasting back in 2009, it was one of the favorites.

HitAnyKey42 wrote:Depending on it's provinence, that '88 might be pretty good for you. As you'll see in this post from our NYC Mondavi Tasting back in 2009, it was one of the favorites.

Yep, that's the one! Hopefully it's as good as the one you guys tried, although at that age two years can make a big difference. I'll let you know in a couple months.

joshsting wrote:What Costco in the Seattle area had this deal? Is there any left? I'm kicking myself for not reading this thread earlier and getting in on a local deal since I live in the Seattle area!!!

Issaquah. You could call and ask...

Bottles shipped today. Will arrive in MN Thurs and NY Fri. Ups ground. Will send tracking numbers.

aces219 wrote:Somehow, my Costco had this on closeout for $160. I bought 1 bottle. Should I go back and buy more tomorrow? The bottle is in pristine condition and Costco seems to take care with their storage.

I hope this works out for all of you. My experience with Costco Chateau d'Yquem was...not positive.

It was thin and almost tasteless. It certainly was not what I had been lead to expect.

And I paid a lot for it. Major disappointment all around for everybody.

aces219 wrote:Bottles shipped today. Will arrive in MN Thurs and NY Fri. Ups ground. Will send tracking numbers.

Thanks much. I hope my check beats the wine to NY.

And more, I hope that Joatmon's experience is an abberation.

JOATMON wrote:I hope this works out for all of you. My experience with Costco Chateau d'Yquem was...not positive.

It was thin and almost tasteless. It certainly was not what I had been lead to expect.

And I paid a lot for it. Major disappointment all around for everybody.

Do you suspect foul play or just a bad bottle?

The bottles have arrived! I have the babies resting in perfect storage conditions until they are collected.
I have no idea whose bottles these are. :p

I will pass off 4 bottles to HAK where I am sure they will make their way to their rightful lucky owners.

Thanks aces!

PS- the bottles look perfect. I compared it to the 2005 I already own and it is the same color, same ullage, same everything.

Krugsters wrote:The bottles have arrived! I have the babies resting in perfect storage conditions until they are collected.
I have no idea whose bottles these are. :p

I will pass off 4 bottles to HAK where I am sure they will make their way to their rightful lucky owners.

Thanks aces!

PS- the bottles look perfect. I compared it to the 2005 I already own and it is the same color, same ullage, same everything.

One is mine. I'm sure you'll take good care of them.

ddeuddeg wrote:One is mine. I'm sure you'll take good care of them.

One is mine, too. Thanks!

dsapp wrote:One is mine, too. Thanks!

And I should be the third with HAK the fourth.

dsapp - should I have HAK deliver yours to me with the others he is bringing around Memorial Day?

polarbear22 wrote:And I should be the third with HAK the fourth.

dsapp - should I have HAK deliver yours to me with the others he is bringing around Memorial Day?

On that subject, I don't mind waiting until the Clambake to get mine, so whatever way works best to accomplish that objective.

ddeuddeg wrote:On that subject, I don't mind waiting until the Clambake to get mine, so whatever way works best to accomplish that objective.

Defintely room in the cellar. So HAK, let me know.

Bottles have arrived safely.

Thanks!

polarbear22 wrote:dsapp - should I have HAK deliver yours to me with the others he is bringing around Memorial Day?

On second thought,

Krugsters: do you mind just holding my one bottle at your place? Next time I am in your part of the city (in a few weeks, I imagine), maybe my wife or I could send you a message and ask you to leave my bottle one day with your doorman. Would that be okay? If it's too much trouble, we can go the HAK to PB route.

And I have received pmt from everyone. Checks to be deposited when 19 gets around to it (he scans them in).

bump.