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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.

1988 Dalla Valle Maya

Lightly depressed cork

RP  93   

1988 Dalla Valle Maya

Lightly depressed cork; light label condition issue

RP  93   

1991 Dalla Valle Cabernet Sauvignon

Base neck fill; light label condition issue

RP  94   
WS  92   

1991 Dalla Valle Cabernet Sauvignon

Base neck fill

RP  94   
WS  92   

1992 Grace Family Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

1-bottle Lot, Wood Case, 1.5ltr

Capsule condition issue; signs of past seepage; etched bottle

1993 Grace Family Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

1-bottle Lot, Wood Case, 1.5ltr

Light capsule condition issue; signs of past seepage; etched bottle

RP  91   

1995 Grace Family Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

1-bottle Lot, Wood Case, 1.5ltr

Signed by the Winemaker; Etched bottle

RP  94   

1996 Harlan Estate

RP  98   
WS  97   
ST  95   
4 available
Bid *

1996 Harlan Estate

RP  98   
WS  97   
ST  95   
2 available
Bid *

1996 Marcassin Vineyard Pinot Noir

RP  97   
WS  96   
ST  94+    

1996 Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

WS  100   
RP  99   
ST  96+    

1997 Harlan Estate

RP  100   
WS  97   
ST  97   
3 available
Bid *

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   

1997 Marcassin Blue Slide Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir

Light capsule condition issue; light label condition issue

RP  96   
ST  93   

1997 Marcassin Vineyard Chardonnay

Lightly depressed cork; signs of past seepage; label condition issue

RP  96   
WS  94   
ST  93+    

1997 Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Lightly elevated cork

RP  100   
ST  96   
WS  94   

1997 Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Signs of past seepage

RP  100   
ST  96   
WS  94   

1997 Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

RP  100   
ST  96   
WS  94   

1997 Dalla Valle Pietre Rosse Sangiovese

WE  93   
ST  91   

1998 Sine Qua Non Backward and Forwards White Blend

ST  93   
RP  88-92   

1998 Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

RP  93   
ST  91   

1998 Dalla Valle Maya

Light capsule condition issue

RP  95   
WS  93   
ST  93