quote:

Originally posted by wine+art:

quote:

Originally posted by pantala:
North Seattle (Aurora) Costco has about three cases of d'Yquem (375) for $129.99.

Which year?

Crap, didn't catch my omission in time. Edited my post. 2003

posted this in another forum...

2004 concha y toro don melchor for $37...

Picked up a couple of 2000 Royal Tokaj Red Label 5 puttonyos for $20 each. Also saw 2001 Penfolds St. Henri at $22.50

Not the craziest, rarest wine of all time but I just saw an 04 Sequioa Grove Cab in Chicago for $24. Usually see it for $35.

quote:

Originally posted by KSC02:
For decent pricing and variety in Detroit:
East side: Woods (G-P Woods).
West side: Wine Barrel (Livonia)

Wow. Just found this thread, and I can't believe the number of metro-Detroiters on here. Northville resident here, and I pick up the majority of my wine at four locations: Costco (Haggerty Rd., Livonia), Wine Barrel (Livonia), Wine Styles (Haggerty Rd, Livonia) and Cost Plus Wholesale (Eastern Market, Detroit).

The Costco in Livonia has some excellent wines, but very little in the sub-$20 (other than an apparently never ending supply of Shingleback and Tapestry Shiraz). I wouldn't say every bottle they have is a bargain, but several of them are, and their variety and selection is great.

For great "deals", Cost Plus can't be beat, but it isn't exactly where I'd go for my "collector" wines.

As far as where I get my special bottles, the Wine Barrel is the best kept secret in the state. The Owner's cellar is absolutely mind-numbingly phenomenal ... just cases of just about anything you'd want going back 30 years. And whatever he doesn't carry, he'll be more than happy to track down and procure for you. If you buy in volume, you can play let's make a deal and really get some bargains. If you live anywhere near Livonia, it's worth a trip just to pick up a few bottles of 97 Insignia, or some 82 Stelzner Cabernets (trust me - they're still drinking very well).

jcvalenti,welcome to the boards. I agree on your remarks regarding Wine Barrel, and indeed Costco is very tough to beat, depending what they happen to have in stock at the time. Good prices on Penfolds Grange, Treana White and Canundrum among others. However, I've yet to see many of the other items other forumites speak of in California, etc. It seems to vary a bit from state to state.

Wine Barrel does have a great cellar. Just difficult to see just what they have, the way they're stored. Not easy to 'browse' for something that strikes your interest. You're much better off scanning their extensive listing on line.

Curious: have you ever been over to Bello Vino, in Ann Arbor. I've come across them via Wine Searcher but yet to stop by. They seem to have quite a selection also, with SOME very fair pricing.

KSC02 - I've never been to Bella Vino before, but I spend a lot of time in and around Ann Arbor. I'll check them out.

As for Wine Barrel, I agree about the organization, but that's what makes it fun. As for the online listings, Mark (the owner) says they are woefully incomplete, and he's got about 30-40% more in his cellar that isn't online. Mark is a great guy, and the best way to explore his cellar is to get in there and have him give you a tour. He has yet to push a wine on me that I didn't fully enjoy ... plus there's some chance for some "negotiation" on the prices when he's around. If you enjoy wine and are in the area, stop by the store for sure (and don't let the outside fool you - it looks like your standard party store ... but the cellar is like walking into Mister Miyagi's backyard in Karate Kid)

Costco in Plano Texas has all five first growths, vintage 2004, for under $200 each, most at $150 or so. First time I have seen such a presence.

SACRAMENTO forumites? Anyone in NorCal found anything at our Costcos?

quote:

Originally posted by csquared78:
SACRAMENTO forumites? Anyone in NorCal found anything at our Costcos?

Nothing great (at the Cal Expo). They had a few 04 Cos and 04 Mouton. They do have the Cameron Hughes 31 Syrah - which is great by itself and amazing at $9.99. If you want Bordeaux, you have to go to the CostCo in Grass Valley or the best one I've ever seen was Reno of all places.

the costcos in the bay area generally have a considerable presence of bordeaux.

Livonia Costco on Haggarty has 2003 Clarendon Hills Clarendon Granache (175557) at $37.99. Also 2003 Clarendon Hills Liandra Syrah (148150) at $45.99

This might be a stupid question, but how do you know if your local Costco sells booze? If ours do here in Jersey, I'll go join in a hearbeat after seeing some of the deals people are posting!

Any help appreciated! Thanks!

-mJ

quote:

Originally posted by markjahnke:
This might be a stupid question, but how do you know if your local Costco sells booze? If ours do here in Jersey, I'll go join in a hearbeat after seeing some of the deals people are posting!

Any help appreciated! Thanks!

-mJ

Maybe I don't understand the question. Isn't it just a matter of going to your local Costco to see if they do sell wine and beer and liquor? If the state of NJ allows Costco to sell alcohol, I am pretty sure it'll be in every store. Selection for individual stores? That may be a different question depending on the demographics.

quote:

Originally posted by markjahnke:
This might be a stupid question, but how do you know if your local Costco sells booze? If ours do here in Jersey, I'll go join in a hearbeat after seeing some of the deals people are posting!

Any help appreciated! Thanks!

-mJ

You can get a guest membership for one visit.

quote:

Originally posted by Doublestop:


Maybe I don't understand the question. Isn't it just a matter of going to your local Costco to see if they do sell wine and beer and liquor? If the state of NJ allows Costco to sell alcohol, I am pretty sure it'll be in every store. Selection for individual stores? That may be a different question depending on the demographics.

Costco is a membership-only deal, so it is slightly more complicated than just going into one and checking it out. However, they don't want to discourage your joining, so they will give you a guest membership to check it out.

quote:

Originally posted by markjahnke:
This might be a stupid question, but how do you know if your local Costco sells booze? If ours do here in Jersey, I'll go join in a hearbeat after seeing some of the deals people are posting!

Any help appreciated! Thanks!

-mJ

Actually, the ABC laws here in NJ are very restricted (hence the reason we have so few liquor licenses and so many BYOs). Some Costcos do sell wine, some don't. You can call the one located near you and ask. I can tell you that the two that are closest to me DO NOT (East Hanover and Union) but the ones in Wayne and Clifton do.

Spenser:

Around here, the Costco stores have signs right by the front door telling people that they don't have to be a member to enter and buy alcohol. I guess it's just different for every state. When it comes to laws and regulations, it does not have to make any sense.

Anyway, I like Costco partly because it's like a treasure hunt. They don't carry everything all the time but, sometimes, you can get a really good deal. Like the Clarendon 2003 Grenache -- it's supposed to be a $70 wine that they are selling for $38.

quote:

Originally posted by dc13:

quote:

Originally posted by markjahnke:
This might be a stupid question, but how do you know if your local Costco sells booze? If ours do here in Jersey, I'll go join in a hearbeat after seeing some of the deals people are posting!

Any help appreciated! Thanks!

-mJ

Actually, the ABC laws here in NJ are very restricted (hence the reason we have so few liquor licenses and so many BYOs). Some Costcos do sell wine, some don't. You can call the one located near you and ask. I can tell you that the two that are closest to me DO NOT (East Hanover and Union) but the ones in Wayne and Clifton do.

Kansas laws are restrictive to the point that none of our Costcos can sell wine. I live in the Kansas City area, so can drive over to a Costco on the Missouri side, but it's a 30 minute drive, so that doesn't lend itself to checking very often to see what's there. I did go there last week, and picked up their last 04 Leoville-Barton for 45.99. Apparently they had several other Bordeaux recently, but sold out of them.

Maybe I don't understand the question. Isn't it just a matter of going to your local Costco to see if they do sell wine and beer and liquor? If the state of NJ allows Costco to sell alcohol, I am pretty sure it'll be in every store. Selection for individual stores? That may be a different question depending on the demographics.[/QUOTE]


Unfortunately for me, there really isn't a local store, and most are 45 minutes to an hour away. I guess the best thing to do will be to call ahead. Definitely want to know if they sell vino around here before I join though. Too bad Wayne and Clifton are so far from here(Princeton area). Gonna have to make some phone calls. -mJ

MJ I forget where you live, but the Edison Costco does carry wine, the Bridgewater Costco does not.

That's good to know. Edison is just a shot up Route 1. We're in the Princeton area.

Thanks for the info!

-mJ

costco.com has a list of all the stores including location and phone number. Calling them and asking might be more productive than posting here.

Might be, but if someone already knew, which someone did, it saved me some footwork. That's why I love forums like this....always someone with information I was looking for!

-mJ