by Frank Mangio
During the holiday period, one of the sales days in the wine department of the COSTCO store in Carlsbad, north of San Diego, brought in 120 thousand dollars, a huge number by any standards. Not only has the volume gone through the roof, the price point for the wines has increased measurably. Witness a French large bottle format wine, the Pontet Canet Red Bordeaux from the Paulac District. It’s a 2009 vintage that scored 100 points in a leading wine publication.
The COSTCO wine department in Carlsbad north of San Diego carries over 250 brands, many with higher ratings and higher prices.
The cost is a whopping $2,399. This is not an isolated event. Standing beside it is five other sought-after French beauties with prices ranging from $229.99 to $1,599.
I quizzed Mathew, the department manager and he said “we have sold some of these expensive bottles, and I have some names of our regular customers that want to be notified if prices are reduced.”
Napa Valley is also well represented with this new inventory of premium wines, including: Joseph Phelps Insignia, 2007, for $139.99; BV Georges De Latour, non vintage for $179; Hall Cabernet, 2009, $35.
The Italians dominate with three times the space they used to claim. The Banfi Brunello, 2007, is $49.99; Il Poggione Brunello, 2006, was recently $75.99; a Gaja Ca’ Marcanda Promis, 2010, was $34.; and a Guiseppe Rinaldi Barolo/Nebbiolo, 2007, was $199.99.
COSTCO has a very large number of corporate buyers who are scanning the world’s markets for value, and who have parlayed this wine surge into a 1.4 billion dollar business for COSTCO. The cardinal rule at COSTCO for any item carried, and in particular for special wines at value prices (they state that no wine is marked up any more than 15%) is “if you see it…buy it. It may not be there tomorrow.”
Six Romantic Wines to Try for a Special Occasion
Castello di Amorosa La Castellana Blend Napa Valley, 2008. $68. An authentic 13th century Tuscan winery that houses this mix of 70% Cab,16% Merlot and 14% Sangiovese. An American Super Tuscan, sold only at the castle. www.castellodiamorosa.com.
The magnificent Castello di Amorosa near Calistoga, Napa Valley CA. It has 107 rooms with
eight levels and 900 feet of caves.
Castello Banfi Brunello, Tuscsany Italy, 2007. $49.99. The finest style of Sangiovese. Minimum 4 years in barrel, one year in bottle. Intense ruby red color and flavor. www.castellobanfi.com
Arnaldo Caprai Collepiano Sagratino Di Montefalco Italy. 2005. $60. A unique grape native to Umbria, Italy. Rich and complex. Drink with meats and roasts. www.arnaldocapraiusa.com.
Enza Prosecco Sparkling Wine, Treviso Italy, non vintage. $14.99. Sensual hints of honeysuckle, green apple and citrus. Clean and crisp. Try with fine chocolates. www.wjdeutsch.com
Monte De Oro Synergy 65 Owner’s Blend, Temecula Ca. 2008. $33. Five varieties of grapes aged for 28 months produce plum and pepper accents. Award winner at a recent San Francisco competition. www.montedeoro.com.
Rombauer Merlot, Carneros Napa Valley CA. 2008. $30. Limited production, high quality vintage. A Merlot for Cab lovers. Concentrated flavor. www.rombauer.com.
Wine Bytes
More Valentine’s Day dinner events include: a Prix Fixe three-course dinner from 5 to 10 pm at Marina Kitchen San Diego. Call 619-234-1500. In Temecula Wine Country, Vineyard Rose Restaurant has a 4 course feast. RSVP at 951-587-9463.
At Wilson Creek a five-course prix fixe meal is being presented. Reservations at 951-699-9463. And Miramonte Winery has a 4 course romantic dinner with live music. Call 951-506-5500.
Adobe El Restaurante at Estancia La Jolla Hotel and Spa presents Napa Meets Verona, an evening of the wines of Trinitas and Fumanelli with owner Marchesi Armando Fumanelli, Fri. Feb. 22 from 6 to 9pm. A five course dinner accompanies. $125. pp. RSVP at 858-964-6521. This event is a launch of the new Meritage Collection of resorts, at Estancia, and in Napa Valley and Balboa Bay Resort Newport Beach on Feb. 20 and 21 respectively. More details at www.estancialajolla.com.
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