Premier Cru is now an "internet-only" store

[Blanquito]

PC is transitioning to a online store only. A new message has been recorded on their voicemail, "We are currently transitioning to online sales only. Pickups are by appointment only". Call and listen to the new message at 510-644-9463, if curious.

PC might some how limp along...

[JimHow]

This is starting to remind me of the Monty Python "it's just a flesh wound" scene.

[DavidG]

I can offer you a shrubbery at a heavily discounted price... pre-arrival.

[Roel]

Did all receive the 2005's by now?

[DavidG]

My last outstanding 2005, L'Eglise Clinet, arrived in November 2014. It was a looong wait but it finally showed up.

[Blanquito]

I got all of my 05s a while ago (with a few swaps)... and all my 2010s. I consider myself fortunate. I also cashed out my remaining prearrivals for in stock stuff in Sept of this year.

[stefan]

Were you happy with what you got, Patrick? I had trouble finding any in store wines that I wanted. A bottle here, a couple of bottles there of wine I would drink, but nothing that I would go out and buy.

After putting away 18 cases yesterday I am almost glad that I don't have to worry about getting a shipment from PC.

I did not get my 4 bottles of 2005 Lynch-Bages from PC. All other '05s from them were delivered.

[Blanquito]

Overall I was happy with my in-stock replacements. The prices weren't as good as the best on wine-searcher, but I swapped a bunch of Chablis and various Pol Roger for other vintage and NV champagnes, white Bordeaux and Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, and various and sundry reds like Ridge Geyserville, LdH Tondonia Reserva, and high-end Barolo. Because I was trying to use up the credit and the picking were underwhelming at first blush, I went for stuff more expensive than I usually target, which was kind of fun and liberating (giving me a sense on accomplishment spending the money rather than buyers remorse!).

Incidentally, a court recently issued a 'default judgement' against PC for a plaintiff with $1 million plus in claims. Lawyer types on Berserkers opine that bankruptcy is now inevitable and forthcoming.

[JimHow]

...any word on when the indictment is coming?

[DavidG]

Wow Stefan, 18 cases! Between the antioxidants in the wine and the physical effort in managing all those cases, you should be aging backwards.

I suppose it is still possible that PC has paid-for wine on the way to satisfy some of their obligations, but it seems awfully unlikely.

Jim, you called fraud on this outfit long before I saw it that way. I wonder if Federal prosecutors will find it worth their while to bring charges. The dollar amounts sure seem high enough.

[JimHow]

Just took a peek at that wine Berzerkers thread.

Saw Jeff still defending PC to the bitter end -- "people are gonna lose their jobs", etc.

Can only shake my head.

God bless you, Jeff Leve.

Then I read this NYT article about fraudulent real estate deals in L.A.:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/15/us/sh ... v=top-news

Sigh.
I really am just a country lawyer from Maine.
I can't believe what these crooks get away with out there in "the real world."

How have Fox and Ortega not been arrested months/years ago?

I see people arrested every day for writing bad checks in excess of $500.

Crazy.

I haven't ordered from PC in about ten years. I think the last time I purchased from these crooks was when I bought that 1955 Gruaud Larose that I brought to the Stuart dinner in Sonoma 2006.

How can they possibly be getting away with this epic fraud?
I mean, this is a MUCH bigger fraud than Rare, LLC, right?

WHERE is law enforcement??? How are these dudes not in prison?

[JimHow]

That picture of John Fox's mansion that Arv posted on the other site.
I mean, how much of the stolen millions in "pre-arrival" money has gone into that house?
How much of Stefan's $20,000 went into paying for Fox's kitchen countertops?
Beyond outrageous.

[stefan]

It is "only" $17K, Jim. Half a case of Petrus from a good vintage. A bottle of Romanee Conti from one of the best vintages. A mixed case of first growths from 1982. A week in Hawaii with our kids and grandkids (not counting transportation).

OTOH, the loss is small compared to what happened to my retirement portfolio at the end of last week.