Sign In

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.

1995 Harlan Estate The Maiden

RP  90   
ST  90   

1996 Marcassin Lorenzo Vineyard Chardonnay

Light capsule condition issue; light label condition issue

RP  96   
WS  96   
ST  93+    

1996 Marcassin Vineyard Pinot Noir

Light capsule condition issue; signs of past seepage; light label condition issue

RP  97   
WS  96   
ST  94+    

1996 Marcassin Vineyard Pinot Noir

RP  97   
WS  96   
ST  94+    

1997 Marcassin Three Sisters Vineyard Sea Ridge Meadow Pinot Noir

Light capsule condition issue; light signs of past seepage; light label condition issue

1998 Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Light capsule condition issue; light label condition issue

RP  93   
ST  91   

1999 Bond Matriarch

WS  93   
RP  91   
3 available
Bid *

1999 Bond Matriarch

Light label condition issue

WS  93   
RP  91   

1999 Colgin Cariad

Base neck fill

RP  94   
ST  93   
WS  92   

1999 Colgin Herb Lamb Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

RP  95   
ST  93+    
WS  92   

1999 Marcassin Blue Slide Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir

RP  98   
WS  92   
ST  90   
2 available
Bid *

2000 Colgin Herb Lamb Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

WS  95   
RP  91   

2000 Colgin Tychson Hill Cabernet Sauvignon

WS  96   
ST  93   
RP  92   

2000 Dalla Valle Maya

WS  94   
ST  93   
RP  91   
2 available
Bid *

2001 Harlan Estate The Maiden

WE  98   
RP  93   
ST  91   
4 available
Bid *

2001 Harlan Estate The Maiden

WE  98   
RP  93   
ST  91   

2001 Harlan Estate The Maiden

Light label condition issue

WE  98   
RP  93   
ST  91   

2001 Sloan Proprietary Red

Light label condition issue

RP  99   
WS  96   
ST  92   
4 available
Bid *

2002 Colgin Herb Lamb Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

RP  94   
WS  94   
ST  94   

2003 Sine Qua Non Li'l E Grenache

Light label condition issue

RP  96   
ST  94   
2 available
Bid *

2003 Bond Vecina

RP  96+    
WE  96   
ST  93+    

2003 Colgin Herb Lamb Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

RP  93   
ST  91   

2003 Colgin IX Estate Proprietary Red

Label condition issue

WE  98   
RP  96+    
ST  93   
WS  90   
5 available
Bid *

2003 Colgin IX Estate Proprietary Red

Heavy label condition issue

WE  98   
RP  96+    
ST  93   
WS  90   

2003 Colgin IX Estate Proprietary Red

Lightly depressed cork

WE  98   
RP  96+    
ST  93   
WS  90