I see that those of us that subscribe to winespectator.com will get a two day "sneak preview" of this years Top 100 on 11/16. My guess is that won't be in ranking order (which would be wonderful if it was), but in alphabetical order. However, if they're only going to show us the Top 100 in alphabetical order two days early, what I'd rather see would be the Top 10 in alphabetical order, as a benefit of being a paid online subscriber.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Winesteven,

Once again, who cares? Same response every year.

Any wines that I would want from the list I'll have already purchased or will purchase when they're available from the monopoly up here.

quote:

Originally posted by futronic:
Once again, who cares? Same response every year.

Any wines that I would want from the list I'll have already purchased or will purchase when they're available from the monopoly up here.

Yep, annual event, and posted for the benefit of the retailers only. Thus they can get set to order,and raise their prices dependent upon potential demand.

Positively not in the consumers favor.

PS: Annual occurance, but this year WS is making it easier make the prices move.

At least I Know what to try to buy before the sharp price increase

Ed Bowers,

I'm not sure I follow your reasoning. The Top 100 will be available to every member of WineSpectator.com at the same time on Nov. 16th. How does that "benefit retailers only"?

Remember, these wines have all been reviewed already, and those reviews were published all through the year. Wine Spectator is not trying to "make the prices move." We are trying to stir up conversation about the world of wine in 2009.

We hope you enjoy the list, and look forward to your responses.

quote:

Originally posted by Thomas Matthews:
Ed Bowers,

I'm not sure I follow your reasoning. The Top 100 will be available to every member of WineSpectator.com at the same time on Nov. 16th. How does that "benefit retailers only"?

Remember, these wines have all been reviewed already, and those reviews were published all through the year. Wine Spectator is not trying to "make the prices move." We are trying to stir up conversation about the world of wine in 2009.

We hope you enjoy the list, and look forward to your responses.

So you are confirming that no retailers have access to the list before it is released to the general membership, and if there were any increase in price of the top few wines that seemed to happen before publication of the list, it would simply be because of good guessing on the part of the retailer...assuming that Ed was suggesting that this is not the case...cant tell because his post was edited, maybe you got the 'benefit retailers' part from flws' post (I guess there are also situations in which the top few choices might be relatively obvious, and raising prices on those might not be so much of a good guess).

quote:

Originally posted by futronic:
Once again, who cares? Same response every year.

Any wines that I would want from the list I'll have already purchased or will purchase when they're available from the monopoly up here.

Yeah, we are usually just seeing the prior vintage of the wines on the list...oh well maybe that gives people time to forget about them by the time they hit the shelves 9 months later

quote:

Originally posted by futronic:
Once again, who cares? Same response every year.
...

Once again, if (some) people don't care then why bother opening the thread and wasting yours and everyone's time telling us you don't care? Same question every year.

People sure do get bent out of shape regarding wine review lists while frquenting this wine review site...

Is this the first Top 100 thread for this year? If yes, I'm shocked. It's way later than normal.

It's the first one that I recall wiml. I was wondering when someone would start it.

I dont get that much into it each year. I do browse through it one time to see if any of the top 100 I had purchased just for fun.

Yawn. Same posts. Different year.

What is this Top 100 you speak of?

Yeah, tell me the Top 10 early so I can buy cases of each one to make some money

What's the big problem with the Top 100?
So much negetivity.....Is it the fact that WS
editors get to choose the placements of so many wines? Or is it because the general public becomes slightly more aware of wine choices.
I think everyone benefits. The retailer obviously
surges but the consumer becomes more educated.
I actually enjoy the list,but this does not
mean that I'm jumpin off the cliff. I just like to see if the editors choices are similar to my own.

YIKES! Is it that time of year again already?

quote:

Originally posted by Winesteven:
I see that those of us that subscribe to winespectator.com will get a two day "sneak preview" of this years Top 100 on 11/16. My guess is that won't be in ranking order (which would be wonderful if it was), but in alphabetical order. However, if they're only going to show us the Top 100 in alphabetical order two days early, what I'd rather see would be the Top 10 in alphabetical order, as a benefit of being a paid online subscriber.

Winesteven,

Can you point us to the place / link where you read that?

I have purchased all the wine for the year. To me is more like a game to see how many I can identify in the correct places.

If you go to the WS Online Homepage, in the upper right hand corner is the "countdown" clock. Left click on that, and you'll then see that subscribers will get a "sneak preview" on 11/16, presumably at 11 am. However, they do not define what information will be provided (Top 100 listing in ranking order, or in alphabetical order, or some other listing order).

Thomas (Matthews),

What is the answer to "Machine"s question above? Do retailers have access to the top 100 list before we do?

Derek

quote:

Originally posted by acaronianasa:
Thomas (Matthews),

What is the answer to "Machine"s question above? Do retailers have access to the top 100 list before we do?

Derek

Every year the same question gets asked and rumours swirl. Every year the answer is the same "no".

Who cares? If they charge too much don't buy it!

I am sure the Columbia Crest Reserve Cab 2005 will be listed...with a price of 30 bucks and 95 points It will rank high.

I enjoy the list. It gives me a chance to review the list for good QPRs wines of interest, that might be available retail, and to put them on the list to check out. Some times with their normal varietal listings my eyes start to blur over. A lot of wines listed, many with ridiculous prices or no distribution. Here, an abbreviated list easier to blow through and review.

quote:

Originally posted by Sandy Fitzgerald:
I enjoy the list. It gives me a chance to review the list for good QPRs wines of interest, that might be available retail, and to put them on the list to check out. Some times with their normal varietal listings my eyes start to blur over. A lot of wines listed, many with ridiculous prices or no distribution. Here, an abbreviated list easier to blow through and review.

Well said. I definitely look forward to reading the issue.

quote:

Originally posted by TERPS:
I am sure the Columbia Crest Reserve Cab 2005 will be listed...with a price of 30 bucks and 95 points It will rank high.

Too bad it doesn't drink that high.
I'd pick at least a dozen WA Cabs and blends before the CCR, and I just ordered a couple at $20 on closeout (no rating from WS).

Before anyone asks, yes, I have had the 2005 reserve in a setting that gave enough time and attention to make a sound assessment.

The top 100 is my least favorite issue each year next to the value issue for the same reason Fut says above. It just doesn’t do anything for me.

With that said, the first wine the popped into my mind when I saw the thread title was the 06 Flaccianello. Reasonable price point, good production size and 99 pts. If you want this wine, you best get on it now before the vultures come….