Comments on: Why I Stopped Buying Harlan Estate

By: Badger

Badger — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:17:49 +0000

As a person (snob) with a “nothing rated under 90″ policy for my cellar, and who doesn’t think twice about spending over $100 for a fine cabernet, the Harlan Estate wines are no longer a good value for drinking. There are far too many excellent cabernets out there for much much lower prices. I tried The Maiden last year and was unimpressed, hoping that time will improve it. However, if prices keep doubling after release, I’ll be happy to buy my allocation and sell it to pay for wines I do like.

By: jatemack

jatemack — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 17:52:26 +0000

Hi Peech,

Thanks for your comments. The difference with Bordeaux is the latest vintage rated extremely well by numerous critics, and can now command those price increases. Bill Harlan seems to be raising prices regardless of how the wine rates. IMHO, you can find wine that is just as good, if not better, for a lot less money.

First Growths are in demand around the world, more than overpriced Cabernet from California. Besides, he seems to be the only one that calls himself a “first growth” in Napa, when there are plenty of other wineries that rate similarly, consistently, and yet still leave their pricing reasonably structured.

Maybe his strategy has always been to cater only to the rich. If the U.S. economy experiences a down turn, who else can afford spending all that money on fermented grape juice?

By: Peech

Peech — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 11:05:41 +0000

Given that Bill Harlan sees the wine as the equivalent of First Growth in California, you can compare the prices of recent vintages of First Growth Bordeaux… prices have basically doubled in the last 2 years. The 2004 will be released at $450, which is a 70% from 2 years ago…
Is it really expensive? Yes. Will I buy? Yes, because wine prices will probably continue trending up.

By: jatemack

jatemack — Thu, 24 May 2007 15:24:38 +0000

I doubt the 04 will do near as well as the 01 and 02 which have more than doubled on the secondary market. Only time will tell.

-J8

By: JB

JB — Mon, 21 May 2007 20:05:04 +0000

I always wondered what the original prices were for mailing list customers. Thanks for letting me know. What will be interesting is also to see how the secondary market reacts to the price increases and potential increase in supply…

By: lmac

lmac — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 04:39:04 +0000

yea, It should only raise it twenty more bucks according to his price increases each year. I will just spend my money on high fuel prices,everyone wants to rip us off, and thats a bunch of sour grapes. lmac

By: Allen

Allen — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 23:07:19 +0000

I agree, fine vintage has always commanded a fine price but perhaps this one has gone a tad to far too soon. Sad when you think about it.

By: salvador

salvador — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 22:17:49 +0000

at those prices, i could not agree with you more jathan.