In theory Le Clos Jordanne did the release of their 2005 wines last weekend
in Ontario through Vintages in LCBO stores.
Looking down the web site though almost nothing in volume terms was actually
released and as such these wines are unavailable as they sell out in minutes
with these tiny volumes.
I am interested in what people feel about the release of their own local
wines and their availability to the general public (ie not restaurant owners
or people with friends in high places in the LCBO).
I was looking because I had some very pleasant Le Grand Clos at a restaurant
last year and would like to acquire some for drinking at dinner parties etc.
I actively dislike the american system of cliquey mailing list only sales
and much prefer the egalitarian european en primeur system.
To me the LCJ release is a move towards the US system where a cult is
attempted to be built up rather than a brand based on the quality of
product.
Anyone get any / have an opinion on their release strategy ?
post Nov 28 2007, 07:15 AM
It was really screwed up.
Incompetence rules!
Last year the first 'formal' release was via the LCBO "v-mail" notification.
I ordered all the wines offered and obtained them in quantity (but the
smaller production wines weren't available).
Then came the 'normal' release through Vintages. Line-ups out the door and
restricted to 1 bottle per person. Sold out immediately (although a good
quantity of the 'village' wine cropped up later - possibly lost in the
warehouse).
I picked up the 1 bottle per person wines at the SAQ months later. In
quantity! Case upon case sitting out undisturbed (the Chardonnays just
picked up this month).
Hype sells (in Ontario anyway - just release small quantities and watch the
people dance).
The 2005's just released were a disaster organizationally. Another "v-mail"
told us to phone the stores - but no stores knew what they were getting.
Eventually a retraction was issued, promising they would appear with the
'regular Vintages release'. However there were a couple of "pre-release
tastings" which were not widely advertised. At those, all the 2005's were
tasted and 'theoretically' orders taken. However, no money was collected and
no confirmations given - we're still waiting. If they're not honoured, we've
now missed our chance to get them on the release. And for the rarer wines
(e.g Le Grand Clos Pinot Noir) I'm not sure how many bottles actually
reached the shelves. At my local store only 3 bottles were available -
wonder how they shipped that as they come in packs of 6!!!!!!!!!
But there will be other releases - let's hope the remainder is handled more
professionally.
But does anybody care about the public?????
PRIVATIZATION PLEASE. Maybe I still won't get any - but at least I'll have
somebody with a face to complain to.
More at
http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?s=7ae1e2141969fcc980c9a1be382b905d&showtopic=110276
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