Reviving the summer buying freeze

[DavidG]

I’ve been able to do two year-long buying freezes in the past, but have fallen off the wagon and haven’t been able to climb back on for over a year now.

A few of us tried a summer-long buying freeze years ago, and I’m ready to give it another shot. No purchases until Labor Day! Who’s with me?

[JimHow]

Ha ha unfortunately summer is buying season in NH.
I’ll be buying exactly 200 bottles this summer, averaging $50 per bottle.

[DavidG]

Is summer the sale season for the NH state stores?
Loading up on 2016 Bordeaux, yeah it’s a good thing those deals won’t be convenient for me.

[JimHow]

Yes, they usually have great deals by summer's end, both 15% off and $25 gift card deals.
Although the '16s seem slow in arriving this year.
Are any in stock yet Gerry M?

[Winona Chief]

Not me, David, always need more Champagne.

Chris Bublitz

[stefan]

Sure, I'll join you David, as long as the usual* exceptions apply.


*Deals too good to pass up.
*Wines for locations where you have an insufficient supply.
*Bordeaux
*Burgundy
*Champagne

[DavidG]

LOL, I see I'm generating a lot of enthusiasm here!

[marcs]

Hey, I'm with you Dave! I'm already on record as aiming for a permanent buying cessation (freeze implies it is temporary). But the first step is not buying this summer. Summer is a great time for a buying freeze in DC because you can't ship anything anyway.

If my consumption is faster than expected over the next couple of years I might consider reloading someday but as of now I'm done...

[marcs]

I'll tell you one thing though, not buying and hanging out on wine forums is the ultimate challenge -- like trying to do AA while working as a bartender

[Comte Flaneur]

I am with you in spirit David but the flesh is weak.

I managed to stumble on a bottle of 1970 Ch. Sociando Mallet, with a 1978 Magdelaine coming as part of the mix, so can we start say on June 10th?

Or from tomorrow?

[Blanquito]

I’m in David! My real challenge is I have a sizable credit at K&L which makes picking up more wine so easy (eg it doesn’t seem like real money, I save the 15% commission using it as store credit rather than requesting a check, they have deals often, etc). But I need this freeze.

If you’re tempted to buy (more) young Bordeaux, I have a powerful antidote: open a bottle of 1995 claret (now nearly 25 years old!) and get a sobering reminder how long these wines take to come around. I just had a 95 l’Evangile that was tough as nails on day 1.

[DavidG]

OK, now we’re talking. A journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step.

Patrick, I had a 1995 Clinet about 2 weeks ago. Very closed at first, but after 2 hours it was beautiful. I’m not tempted by young Bordeaux anyway. It’s the older stuff like Ian just bought and other goodies like that Zachy’s Memorial Day Produttori deal that are my siren song.

And Ian, starting tomorrow is just fine.

[Nicklasss]

What a depressive post.

Wait a minute, it is DavidG who started that thread? Guess I will consider not going to DC in less than 2 weeks...

Nic

[Winona Chief]

I think I’m with Stefan on this one. I like white Burgundy but don’t age it more than a few years so I have to buy some on a regular basis. Always need Champagne. There is plenty of moderately priced red Burgundy that doesn’t need the to be aged for decades (many 2009s and 2012s are drinking well right now). Not really buying much red Bordeaux for long term aging but I might buy one that’s mature or almost mature if I find it appealing and not too expensive.

Chris Bublitz

[DavidG]

What a depressive post.

Wait a minute, it is DavidG who started that thread? Guess I will consider not going to DC in less than 2 weeks...

Nic

Nic, I didn’t say I’d stop drinking, just buying.
You’re too young to stop buying anyway.

Stefan and Chris, you’re my inspiration when I need to rationalize more purchases. But for the next 3 months, you are temptations that must be resisted like the Wine Borg.

[Claret]

I loaded up earlier this year on cases of dry whites, a few rose and a case of very tasty CA Sangiovese. My supplement of everdyay drinkers along with my cellar are plenty to hold me until Walter Scott release's in the fall.

Cellar deminishment is the name of the game. It finally feels like summer in Reno after a cold and yes wet last 2 weeks. Grilling season is fired up and corks are flying in advance of tomorrow's birthday with mid 80's temps.

[Blanquito]

I will buy no (more) wine before its time (Labor Day).

[OrlandoRobert]

Yea I’ve been pretty bad, but cant join you. Sorry. It’s contrary to our DNA.

[Blanquito]

OK, now we’re talking. A journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step.

Patrick, I had a 1995 Clinet about 2 weeks ago. Very closed at first, but after 2 hours it was beautiful. I’m not tempted by young Bordeaux anyway. It’s the older stuff like Ian just bought and other goodies like that Zachy’s Memorial Day Produttori deal that are my siren song.

To be fair, the 1995 l’Evangile came on very strong on day 2, showing much more fruit and integration — and reaching something like 93-pts territory — but even then the profile was close to primary still.

[Blanquito]

Point of Order: Does low bidding on auction wines you know you have zero chance of winning count as a freeze violation? You know, just for the thrill of the hunt?

Point of Order #2: if I sell wine via auction, am I allowed to replace those one-for-one without a code violation?

[Racer Chris]

This summer I won't buy any wine that needs to be shipped for me to receive it.

[Jay Winton]

Red wine buying freeze in full effect and it may last quite a while according to mrs vino.

[Chateau Vin]

There is an old eastern saying that goes something like this.... "When Yogis rub one another with their shoulders, only thing that happens is ash falls off...."

We will see if anything comes out of this pact....

[Nicklasss]

Point of Order: Does low bidding on auction wines you know you have zero chance of winning count as a freeze violation? You know, just for the thrill of the hunt?

Point of Order #2: if I sell wine via auction, am I allowed to replace those one-for-one without a code violation?

Weak, very weak Blanquito. Seems like New Year resolution.

Nic

[DavidG]

The BD is in charge of dispensations, but my take is anything that helps is fair game.

Patrick:
Auction bidding is only a fail if you win.
One for one replacements or spending less than you make on a sale are OK.

Chris:
If you bought it this summer but it doesn’t ship until fall, I’d adopt a don’t ask, don’t tell policy.

CV:
If some of my ass falls off as part of this deal, so much the better.

This is already paying dividends. I was tempted by some 2015 Corton Charlie today, and was able to resist only because of the shame I’d face if I caved this soon. I got on the elliptical for 45 minutes to distract myself, so some progress was made on the ass falling off as well.