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We have access to a local dealer (Specs, in Houston) with a large wine selection, and we can also order wines from their central wine warehouse. However, I find that many of the wine selections recommended by Wine Spectator, Parkers, WSJ, or other reviewers are either not available locally, or were available and are already sold out. Also, our local dealers don't keep listings of wines currently or normally in stock. The wines listed and discussed in WS and other periodicals seems to amount to only a very small percentage of the wines carried locally, so few of the interesting wines are available locally. ALSO, the wines carried locally (despite the relatively large selection) aren't often discussed or reviewed. - For example, there are lots of Bordeaux wines in the racks of our local dealer that aren't listed in wine books of Parker, Wine Spectoator, Wine Enthusiast, etc. Also, I don't have lots of confidence in the recommendations of some of the local "wine experts."
For example, I recently noticed a review of a highly rated Washington State wine (the 2005 Columbia Crest "Columbia Valley Reserve" Cabernet) in this month's WS. This wine had a WS rating of 95 points, yet sold for less than $30. (Others with such high ratings were priced at $75 - $125.). Although the article stated that they made 6,000 cases of it, so "there's plenty to go around," I began searching for it the next day. However, it was sold out at all the sources I called, including our large central Specs warehouse store. I even called the winery, offering to buy a case and pay the mailing costs. But they told me that it had been sold out for several months. (I've had similar experiences with other recommended wines.)
I'm not interested in discussing the accuracy or importance of WS's rating system. (Maybe it wasn't a great wine after all.) However, I would like to know what's required to follow up on some of these recommended selections. - For example, do I need to subscribe to the magazines to check out their recommended selections before they sell out? Or possibly join one of the on-line services?
Also, considering the issue from the other direction, how could I get a better overview and evaluation of the wines our local dealer already has available? - I'm thinking that one approach would be for me to take the time to go to the store and write down notes regarding the wines (mostly Cabernets and Bordeaux) that look interesting, take the notes home, and do some research on those wines on-line or in my reference books.
Perhaps others have similar experiences. - What's a good approach for someone who doesn't want to spend hours and hours researching the issue?
Jim
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