Price check: 2005 Caronne-Ste-Gemme Haut Medoc
2005 Caronne-Ste-Gemme, Bordeaux, Costco, Price Check, Whole Foods
Today, we find ourselves the victims of our own “price check” feature. We had to pick a few items up at Costco, and as is our habit, we also perused the wine aisles. Sadly, we found ourselves in the position of Whole Foods, seeing one item in common with Costco that we’re far from competitive on from a price perspective. In fact, Costco not offers a better price. They offer a much, much, much better price. Like, ridiculously good. What some wine stores might bill in email blasts as “an out-and-out steal” worthy of a “five case buy!”
So, while we’re going to suggest you buy the 2005 Caronne-Ste-Gemme, don’t buy it from us — at least not yet, anyhow. We’re currently charging $29.99 for it, our regular retail mark-up based on our wholesale cost. At Costco, the same bottle will run you a mere $13.99. Less than half our price. Holy crapola!
We’re thinking that maybe this pricing is a mistake, since the only store offering the CSG for in the teens is Zachy’s, and it’s listed there at $15.99, but for a 375ml bottle. The retailer closest to Costco’s price, in the LA area, is Wine Exchange in Orange, offering a 750ml bottle for $21.99. WineEx undoubtedly bought this on pre-arrival, or perhaps they import themselves. Not really sure about that.
Mistake or not, this is one you should take advantage of while it lasts. We picked up a bottle for ourselves (heck, it cost us less than from our distributor) and popped it open last night. We were amazed at the approachability and depth of the wine, and feel that at $29.99 it’s a good buy. At $13.99 it’s a ridonkulous steal, and you’re not going to find a California Cab at this level for anywhere near this price. Go buy yourself some of this wine at Costco…and don’t worry about us, since once their supply diminishes (or they correct their pricing error), we think demand on this Haut-Medoc will stay strong. It may take some time, but we shouldn’t have a problem placing our bottles — eventually.
FYI, we saw this at the Los Feliz location of Costco in Los Angeles, and just confirmed that it’s also available at the Culver City/Marina del Rey location for the same price (maybe it’s not a mistake after all). It is very likely available at other branches. Oddly, it was placed away from the higher end wines, and closer to the Kirkland brands, so you may have to peek around to find it. Don’t know what’s up with that.
NB, we do not mark up this wine any more than standard retail percentages, so our price is based solely on our cost. We’ll set ourselves aside from Whole Foods in this regard, since our major issue with WF comes when we’ve deduced that their mark up exceeds a percentage we consider fair.
18 Responses to “Price check: 2005 Caronne-Ste-Gemme Haut Medoc”
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April 23rd, 2008 at 10:11 am
This is such good service, so honest and open, and so wonderfully refreshing it almost makes me cry that I cannot buy wine from you as I’m based in the UK.
Keep this up and I might just have to jack in my other businesses and open up domaine457.co.uk as a disciple!
April 23rd, 2008 at 12:04 pm
I agree Robert, this is incredible. When I talk about honesty, whether it be in politics or business, this is exactly what I mean. Put your cards on the table, even if it makes your service come in second best. Why? Simply because you are an open deck, and an open deck equals trust. And if you, Jill, are trustworthy, you are invaluable to me as a supplier. I know you will always give me the best offer, even if that doesn’t mean it comes from you. Therefore, I will tell every single one of my friends, family and clients, “Hey, Jill at Domaine 547 is amazing, and this why…” In the end, the business will come back to you in spades. Thank you for creating such a fabulous example for us all to follow!
April 23rd, 2008 at 12:17 pm
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April 23rd, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Above and beyond in the honesty department. Sniff, it makes me sad that I can’t buy from you either since I live in a draconian no-ship state.
April 23rd, 2008 at 4:34 pm
HOLY CRAP!!!
I wish I could buy from you!
April 24th, 2008 at 12:45 am
Goodness me - what a remarkable post. It’s a pity I can’t buy from you too form here in the UK
April 24th, 2008 at 7:47 am
Thanks for the support guys — funny that it comes from people out of the country and from non-compliant States. Everybody in Cali is apparently running to Costco to pick up a case of the Caronne Ste. Gemme!
April 24th, 2008 at 9:17 am
Well, what a coincidence…I am heading to Costco today. What an unbelievable price. Thanks for the heads up.
April 25th, 2008 at 5:30 am
Very impressive! Good for you! This is something we all can learn from. Will you keep the wine on your site? The Americans…always ahead!
May 8th, 2008 at 3:26 am
This just goes to show, it is not ALWAYS about price. Though, I am extremely tempted to buy the wine at Costco, I always value service above price (when I can afford it…lol).
Keep doing what you are doing!
May 14th, 2008 at 1:15 am
As owners of chateau Caronne Ste Gemme we are dumbfounded by such a price that does not reflect what we try to put in the wine and does not leave a sensible margin to those who are in charge of making it known. Costco has bought the wine from a merchant in Bordeaux at the regular price and we just cannot understand how they can sell it at that price.
Bravo to “domaine547″ for their service and loyalty to customers.
F.Nony
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