"I've been thinking about this for a little while. Quite often when you find a great retailer, it's like a secret. You don't want to share it, you don't want others to jump on your little lump of gold. But is that fair to the retailers who really help you out? I hate negative selection.

Well, I'm gonna disclose mine. Here's a list of my favorite retailers. To make this list, I have to have done business with them for at least 3 years. They have to offer access to great wines at great prices, and they also have to give me great client service. Yep, allocated wines at great prices with great service. It is possible!

I can't believe I'm doing this, but all deserve a wider audience. Some are well known and I believe some are Not Known At All!

In The UK, in Alphabetical Order

1) Bibendum. Great guys, I went to Burgundy with them, invited by Joe Marchant who no longer works there (more about him, later). Great prices on new vintage Burgs, also very fair on Bordeaux futures. And some occasional good deals on existing inventory.

2) Howard Ripley. As simple as it gets, if you love Burgundy and you're not trying to work your way onto Sebastian's allocation list, you're nuts. Amazing Burgs at great prices, but you have to get in line (and I'm happy to be in line!)

3) Jeroboams. Absolutely outstanding. They get great allocations from the various Burg domaines and they're very fair about distributing these allocations. Call James Wormall and get on his list!

4) Joe Marchant. Not a store, just a guy! Wherever he's worked, he's done it all for me. Found me amazing wines at good prices, and worked really hard as well! And he loves Barbecue ('Q)! Presently at Bordeaux Index. Call Him!!!

5) Ten-Acre. Brian Peacock used to work at La Reserve before it was purchased by Jeroboams. He's gone out on his own, and he's great at finding the 'off beat' guy. Great wines at really nice prices, and he's a great guy.

I could have named a few more (Alban, Richard Kihl, Claret-E, Connolys, etc), and many others have been extremely helpful, but these are my top-5 go-to places in the UK.

Now, on to the USA!

The USA is tricky as so many people have helped me out, over the years. Whether it's Barry at the Rare Wine Co, or Bryan at Vins Rare, Jason at Knightsbridge, or Woodland Hills, Winex, Wine Club, Binnys, Sams, the amazing Gary Vaynerchuk at the Wine Library, there have been a bunch of amazing retailers. And I'm sure I left a bunch off, So many tied for #3..

But I'm only 'outing' 2 in the USA. One well known, one not very well known.

In order.

In my #2 position in the USA... Premier Cru.
You have to talk to Leah, you have to get in the email loop. The deals aren't every day, they're not even every week. But when they come, wow, they're great. Burg, Bordeaux, CDP, etc. If you want the allocated stuff at a great price (not all the time, but sometimes), you have to be in the Premier Cru loop.

And finally, my #1 retailer in the USA...
Village Wines in Nashville TN. Hoyt Hill. He's an occasional poster on this board. Really great long term relationships with both producers and importers. Great supply of allocated wines. Also a good guy. Yes, it's hard to figure out how to get the wines out of the state. You have to go down there, pick 'em up, or have a friend buy 'em and store 'em, and drive/fly 'em home yourself. Crazy laws in TN. But if you buy enough, or live nearby, it's worth the trip!

Anyway, there you go. And just for the record, I have no financial stake in any of these stores or people. Just want to thank them for all the great wines over the years, and more great wine in the years ahead."

 

Another client in an email to us:

I had occasion to open a bottle of the 2005 la Piece Sous la Bras last night. I was converting the leftover Christmas turkey into enchiladas for New Year's Eve. Before I could finish my cooking duties I realized that I was pouring the last of the wine from the bottle. It was not just good, it was delicious! The blend on this chardonnay is just right to soften the wine to perfection. Hoyt this wine is a steal at $5. I would think it could go at $10 a bottle and be a runaway seller. Some people dropped by and I opened another. I asked them to tell what they thought and how much I paid for the wine. They all thought it was $40-$50 bottle and all loved the blend.