A bottle of Scion is up at auction

[Eric Menchen]

http://www.zachys.com/auctions/Default. ... tionId=128

LOT 359
1 Taylor Fladgate SCION 750ml
ESTIMATE
$2,000 - $3,000

No, I won't be bidding on that one.

[Moses Botbol]

How much does Scion cost normally?

[Glenn E.]

As I recall it was £2000 on release, so this estimate is actually a little bit low.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[Carl D]

Brand new, still-in-the-original-packing bottles of Scion are regularly available on Wine-searcher for $2900 - $3900, including several right now, so I wouldn't expect this at auction to get much over $2900.

[Moses Botbol]

Brand new, still-in-the-original-packing bottles of Scion are regularly available on Wine-searcher for $2900 - $3900, including several right now, so I wouldn't expect this at auction to get much over $2900.

This bottle should not go over $2000 at auction to be worth it.

[Al B.]

Is this the first bottle of Scion to have come onto the auction market? As far as I know, all the bottles currently showing on Wine Searcher are from the original releases.

[Eric Menchen]

Brand new, still-in-the-original-packing bottles of Scion are regularly available on Wine-searcher for $2900 - $3900, including several right now, so I wouldn't expect this at auction to get much over $2900.

This bottle should not go over $2000 at auction to be worth it.

It is in the original box ("original wood case in gift box"), and we all know this is a pretty recent release, so it is not like poor storage is likely an issue. I would think this would go for close to retail. Of course the Zachy's range doesn't include the buyer's premium.

[Glenn E.]

Of course the Zachy's range doesn't include the buyer's premium.

Ah yes, I always forget that. In that case, I agree with Moses. That range is a little too high.

[Roy Hersh]

Not for trophy hunters or those with more cents than sense.

[Eric Ifune]

It also has Roy's note in the catalog. Looks like Zachys is really pushing it, there are two full page color photos of it in the catalog.

[Andy Velebil]

Any bids yet ?

[David Spriggs]

With Zachys it's not an Internet auction, so the bids are secret. I agree that the price is too high. It can be found in the UK for approx. $2250 - no buyer's premium or any of that stuff.

[Andy Velebil]

Ah ok thanks

[Roy Hersh]

DISCLAIMER: What follows is pure conjecture that I received in an email from a consumer I know who is a long time FTLOP lurker, and not from ITB:

"You must have considered that more likely than not, the bottle was put up at auction by the importer, right?"

My response,

Dear ----,

A skeptic is born every day, be careful, it is easy to trip over conspiracy theories.

Good luck in your bidding!

[Andy Velebil]

DISCLAIMER: What follows is pure conjecture that I received in an email from a consumer I know who is a long time FTLOP lurker, and not from ITB:

"You must have considered that more likely than not, the bottle was put up at auction by the importer, right?"

My response,

Dear ----,

A skeptic is born every day, be careful, it is easy to trip over conspiracy theories.

Good luck in your bidding!

May be pure conjecture, but this wouldn't be the first time I've heard of such practice from an importer (though the first time I've heard of it for a Port).

[Moses Botbol]

If this is from the importer, well done by them. They got a picture of their bottle in the catalog and hopefully a high hammer price to go along with it. To move this one step further, what are the chances the importer out bids everyone to set a high secondary market baseline of Scion pricing?

[Bradley Bogdan]

What would the chief concerns be if it was an importer? Is it just a shady move to move things outside of the 3 tier system here? Or is it just poor form as that's not really the route importers should be moving their wines/grabbing advertising/not being upfront?

[Moses Botbol]

What would the chief concerns be if it was an importer? Is it just a shady move to move things outside of the 3 tier system here? Or is it just poor form as that's not really the route importers should be moving their wines/grabbing advertising/not being upfront?

If it were true, I don't think it is any of the above, but rather easy promotion and base line price setting.

[Eric Ifune]

I believe it's illegal for a consignor to bid up his lots at auction in NY. Not that it doesn't happen, but I would think an importer would risk his license to do so. Maybe in some states it's not illegal
Also, according to the catalog, the consignor is a "Southern Gentleman." He has two large walk in temperature controlled cellars in his home. He is said also to collect automobiles, watches, and first edition books in addition to wine. He also consigned lots of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Italian, and Californian wines besides the Scion.

[Andy Velebil]

I believe it's illegal for a consignor to bid up his lots at auction in NY. Not that it doesn't happen, but I would think an importer would risk his license to do so. Maybe in some states it's not illegal
Also, according to the catalog, the consignor is a "Southern Gentleman." He has two large walk in temperature controlled cellars in his home. He is said also to collect automobiles, watches, and first edition books in addition to wine. He also consigned lots of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Italian, and Californian wines besides the Scion.

Is his name Rudy K. lol!!