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Cult California

It is nearly impossible to know who coined the term “Cult Wine” nor when it was coined. The precise definition of the term has been debated for years. That debate seems to be an established pastime among wine writers, in wine publications, on blogs, at online wine forums, and among enthusiasts. What can be said with assurance is that “Cult Wines” exist, they are among us and they are coveted. We decided it was time to create our own WineBid Cult California category, and we found that Cult Wines all seem to have the following qualitites.

1. Current and past vintages all sell for prices higher than the winery release price
2. They are wines that have regularly received very high ratings and glowing reviews from wine critics
3. The wines are sold almost exclusively from the wineries directly to consumers.
4. There is almost always a waiting list to be able to obtain an allocation of the wine.

Enjoy the following Cult Wines available in this week's auction below.

1999 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon

RP  97   
WS  97   
ST  93   
JR  17   

2003 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon

Base neck fill; light label condition issue

RP  98   
WE  96   
ST  92   

2015 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon

WA  100   
JS  100   
VN  98   
WS  93   

2018 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon

WA  100   
VN  98+    
JD  97   

2022 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon

VN  95   
JD  95-97   

2004 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon

3-bottle Lot, Wood Case

RP  97   
WS  94   
ST  94   

2017 Screaming Eagle Sauvignon Blanc

WA  98   
JD  91   

2017 Screaming Eagle The Flight

JS  99   
VN  94+    
JD  94   

1997 Harlan Estate

Lightly elevated cork; signs of past seepage

RP  100   
WS  97   
ST  97   

1997 Harlan Estate

Label condition issue

RP  100   
WS  97   
ST  97   

1997 Harlan Estate

Base neck fill; light label condition issue

RP  100   
WS  97   
ST  97   

1997 Harlan Estate

Light label condition issue

RP  100   
WS  97   
ST  97   

1999 Harlan Estate

Light label condition issue

WS  95   
ST  95+    
RP  92   
JR  18   

2004 Harlan Estate

Light label condition issue

RP  98   
WE  98   
WS  97   
ST  95+    

2004 Harlan Estate

Light label condition issue

RP  98   
WE  98   
WS  97   
ST  95+    

2004 Harlan Estate

RP  98   
WE  98   
WS  97   
ST  95+    

2004 Harlan Estate

RP  98   
WE  98   
WS  97   
ST  95+    

2012 Harlan Estate

RP  99+    
JS  98   
VN  97   
WS  93   

2017 Harlan Estate

Lightly elevated cork

WA  97+    
JS  97   
JD  97   
VN  96+    

2017 Harlan Estate

WA  97+    
JS  97   
JD  97   
VN  96+    

2018 Harlan Estate

JS  100   
WS  99   
VN  98+    
WA  97-100   
JD  97-99   
JR  18   

1999 Harlan Estate

1-bottle Lot, Wood Case, 1.5ltr

WS  95   
ST  95+    
RP  92   
JR  18   

1999 Harlan Estate

2-bottle Lot, Wood Case, 1.5ltr

WS  95   
ST  95+    
RP  92   
JR  18   

2000 Harlan Estate

2-bottle Lot, Wood Case, 1.5ltr

WE  98   
WS  94   
ST  93-96   
RP  91   

2001 Harlan Estate

2-bottle Lot, Wood Case, 1.5ltr

RP  100   
WS  96   
ST  96