The Weenie Surrenders!!!

[winoweenie]

I've been wrestling with this problem all week and have finally made a decision. I've been a fan of the Eisele vineyard since 1974 and have experienced some of my greatest drinking moments with this marvelous wine.For the first 3 vintages after they purchased the vinyard, Daphne and Bart priced their wine at 40 per bottle. Seeing as how they invested over 7 mil in improvements over and above the purchase price, plus the fact they produced one of the 5 best wines made in the valley, this was a bargain. With all the Johnny-comes'- pricing their wines at 50 to 100% above these bottlings and having NO track record the vineyard began the inevitable pricing. I've stood by and have been a staunch supporter but the latest offering finally brought me to my knees.Here is my allocation and the pricing

1998 Araujo Eisele estate wines

3 litre cab...1 bottle....750.00
1.5 litre cab..3 btls.....@ 300.00
750 cab...6 btls.........@ 125.00
1999 Red Table wine..3 btls @ 60.00
1998 Syrah....6 btls @ 60.00

The 99 Table wine is juice from their young vines, in other words their 2nd label. This was the turning point. I just received my 2000 Bordeaux futures and Carrudes de Lafite is 37 smackers

I hate to publish this for all to see, but I'm not buying any more Calif Cabs above 75 bucks. Any one who wants on the Araujo list can use mine. Dernit' , they done lost this dedicated Cali-phile. I'm also off My close friend Al Braunsteins list, Caymuss SS etc. etc. and so-on. Thank goodness I have enough to last me thru the rough spots.Please don't send flowers. WW