This came in this morning.

Has anyone detected budget tax increases on regular wines yet ?
I'd say that retailers are selling pre-budget stock bought before the extra duty was shoved on top + the dreaded VAT on top of that.

http://ebm.email.laithwaites.co.uk/c/ta ... $/doc.html

Managed to edit my name out of that link without damaging the URL - cool.

I'm getting a bit better at this editing lark.

Mc Pherson shiraz was good on the '06, I can endorse that.

The Homestead sparkling looks interesting - I notice you can buy one bottle - so that is better than being stuck with 6, if you find it not to your taste

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Duncan

Yes, I've noticed most retailers have increased prices. They seemed to avoid it with the previous duty rise and the VAT rise, but I guess the latest was a bridge too far.

Despicable. (On the part of the government, not the retailers)

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tribs

Indeed, I remarked on the steady price rise for the average bottle back in Jan, here.

Its just the beginning.

If one were paranoid, one could say we are facing 5+ years of hyper inflation. This is how the US & UK plan to deal with the debt, simply inflate it away.

The Chinese know this, thats why they are currently buying up and stockpiling the worlds resouces.

Well, Laithwaites have got form....

Last week got email about 20% off entire range, offer ending 13:00 Saturday.

I ordered a case of Ch Batailley, got a confirmed order email, delivery in 3 days.

Tuesday had phone call, "sorry, we are over-subscribed, can't meet your order..."

"What about confirmation?"

shrugs shoulder "can offer alternatives or refund your money"

"Refund please"

Thursday (today, 2 days after requesting refund) I get an email " we can either offer an alternative wine for you. Perhaps The Chateau Marbuzet which is a fantastic St Estephe, if you wish to discuss further alternatives please feel free to call the wine advisers.

Otherwise we can arrange a full refund for you"

So they are still holding onto my money in the hope I'll buy something else...

And their online ordering system isn't real time: they can take money for wines they don't have....

Not good enough.

Im not comfortable with ordering from Laithwaites, havent dealt with them for nearly two years.

I find their marketing desperate.

I agree over their marketing and dislike their policy of selling own labels which are over hyped and which you can't compare with other outlets prices.

However, you can compare Ch Batailley and the wine on offer was £7 a bottle cheaper than what I paid a few weeks ago at the Wine Society ...

(difference is when I paid the Wine Soc I got the wines

Ch Batailley and the wine on offer was £7 a bottle cheaper than what I paid a few weeks ago Exactly - play the king's porn gambit now ** and take a castle for a knight.

Yep, it just isn't up to scratch. Someone at Laithy's is getting to the stock another way - Illustrious Restaurants ? Corporate big boys. They are picking off without updating the real time stock locations. I've been there as well on the phone. There is a two tier sys going on, I'm certain of that

I really like Batailley - great choice Pontac, a man of taste - which vintage and how much ?. I also got the offer, but you had to spend £200 in one hit, and client business is all over the place, now that the fat from better years is drying out like mad - GK is spot on with this, and it is happening in the small world home market as well.

I was offered the '05 Chateau Marbuzet on a ring around 3 weeks ago. A great wine on the '05 for sure, but not the immediate prestige of Batailley.

Please say more.

BTW, you can wind-up a notch or two, ** your compensation offer for disappointing you - go for it, you may be delighted with your negotiation. I have upgraded successfully for no extra, and was very pleased.

Just nod and wink here if your neg skills are on form. Just mention the wine, and we shall know

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Duncan

I concur as well. As with Virgin, they are not in my "favourites" list.

Hi Duncan

Batailley has been my favourite chateau since I first got interested in wine and went on a wine tour of Bx visiting several small and several prestigious chateaux (incl Palmer and Vieux Ch Certan). I knew virtually nothing about wine and neither did any of the others on the tour but we were treated with very great courtesy at Batailley and for many years afterwards I would buy a case en premieur from Averys.

Then came a combination of kids , the septics pushing up prices and not enough spare cash but I still buy Batailley and try always to have some in the cellar.

The 20% offer was indeed when spending over £200 which a case of Batailley is, but also 5% for £100 and 15% for £150

Interesting your theory of a two tier system...

I see that there are a lot of disappointed punters over at the wine-pages forum

I was going to get Batailley 2006 but the site showed that as being sold out so I went for the 05 which was a couple of pound more expensive.

As for negotiation -- I wanted the Batailley and if they don'y have it (or prefer to sell it elsewhere) then I don't want anything else. Have too much wine as it is...

Yeah, '05 Batailley, great wine, a most elegant gold & iconic label. recognised throughout the world. '05 oh yes, this is predicted to be best since '90 and '89 & '82.

Pontac - your reasoning is totally understood. Yep, I'd wager that the '05 was pulled by bigger buyers on the phone, at that price.

I bought a 12 x case of '88 from Oddbins in 91/92 for about £165 - 170, and sold 4 to a great friend...... the box is still in use

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Duncan

Interesting that Avery's (which is owned by Direct Wines who owns ST Wine Club and Laithwaites) are still listing Batailley 2006 -- tho' at £30 a bottle