Here in NC I agree on the attempt at Bait and Switch...

However they have some P. Javilliar Meurseult from 2005 and it is a House
Direct for them. Meaning buy direct and use local dist for drayage
only.(costco method)

My Total Wine has a pretty good selection at OK pricing...not really cheaper
than anyone else as the marketplace caused the non effiecient model to
change the method of gouging.

Glad to have them...wish they were new again here when you could get GREAT
wines as specials.



"gerald" > wrote in message
...
>I live in DC area, which is the birthplace of Total Beverage(herbie
> hanf and dart drug).
>
> any store that big has a few mistakes. very few now a days.
>
> most name brand wines(high end burgandy or boredeau) are the crummy
> vintage.
>
> most staff is new and does not know a lot about wine.
>
> prices are pure cost + 50%(std markup).
>
> almost all sales are on mystery wines.
>
> On Sat, 26 Jan 2008 16:49:34 -0800, AxisOfBeagles >
> wrote:
>
>>
>>Went down to the grand opening of Total Wine, the big east coast wine
>>merchant that has now opened their first California store in Roseville
>>(right near the BevMo, actually).
>>
>>First impression on walking in is - big, big inventory, and well
>>merchandised. After a few minutes of walking around, had to go back and
>>get a cart, because the next impression was - "there are some deals
>>here".
>>
>>While many of the aisles are the same-old, same-old, some is definitely
>>harder to find, or at least harder to find at those prices.
>>
>>We picked up a few things, here are some highlights ...
>>
>>* 2005 Bordeaux - the store has more in stock than anyone outside of
>>K&L, that I know of.
>>
>>* 2004 Calon-Segur for $29.99. R u kidding?! Can't find this for much
>>less than $40 anywhere else. Picked up 3 more to add to the inventory I
>>already have - which I got pre-arrival for about $37. Sheesh.
>>
>>* 2004 Montebuena Rioja for only $8.99. This has been a well known
>>Spanish QPR for a while - but usually at $10 or $11.
>>
>>* Torbreck Juveniles for $17.42
>>
>>* A Monbazillac (375 ml) for only $7.99.
>>
>>Lots of others.
>>
>>
>>Not as impressed with their large but unimpressive California
>>selections, although there are deals there too. But if you're in NOr
>>Cal and bargain hunting for some Euro wines, this place is a must see.