good NYC stores

any recommendations for awesome NYC wine shops that would have stuff I can't get in KY? Allocated etc....

thnx!

Of course, a lot depends on what you like/want. My list of best stores might not be the same as someone who treasures California cult cabs. But this would be my list:

Chambers Street Wine- probably best Loire & Beaujolais lineup in US. Top German, Austrian, Burgundy selections, good in Rhone, Piedmont,etc Something interesting in almost every category. Condition of older bottles usually very good. Only store where I might just buy something because they have it. Good prices with mixed case discount.

Astor Wine- particularly strong in Italy. Wine selection, very good prices.

PJ Wine - located in upper Manhattan, but near subway. Probably best prices overall in NYC. Especially strong in Spain, whether you want high-scoring fruit bombs or mature traditional Rioja.

Sherry-Lehmann - strong in Bordeaux and Cal Cab. Rep for high prices, but not always true. Strong record for condition. Biggest minus for walk-ins was much wasn't on premises, but they just moved, so maybe now more at store.

Garnet- challenges PJ for price, but I feel older bottles can be iffy. Don't expect service. But often some good deals.

I've also bought from Acker Merrill, Morrells, Columbus Circle, 67, etc but none would rank among my absolute faves.

Lots of strong stores in suburbs, too: Zachys, Grapes in Rye, Wine Library, Garys, etc

I should also mention Crush. Prices tend towards high, but maybe the place if you are looking for allocated CA stuff.

[Robin Garr]

any recommendations for awesome NYC wine shops that would have stuff I can't get in KY? Allocated etc....

Boiling down what Dale said, don't miss Chambers Street! You won't be sorry.

Just as Dale posted above.

Also echo Chambers Street as a the first and formost. There are also specialty shops for New York Wine, Italian Wine, etc. We can come with names for these if you are interested.

I'm only here for a day so I'm gonna stick with Crush and Chambers Street for this trip....thanks!

Like many others I recommend Chambers Street for eclectic choices with strength in the Loire and Dressner imports. Don't miss their Beaujolais. PJ has a good selection and somewhat better prices. The problem with these two stores is they are quite a long way apart, one in lower manhattan and one in the upper side. I have been to Crush several times. It was great when it first opened and the prices were good. The prices jumped significantly last year and I would not waste my time, pretty place but too high.
Walt

I was just in NYC for a conference and stayed a few blocks from Crush. Coming from PA (where alcohol is taxed beyond belief), I found the prices to be quite fair. Now I know! Anyways, the staff is very helpful at Crush and I love their personal tasting notes they have by most of the bottles. I'm hoping that I will have more time the next time I'm in NYC so I can check out Chambers St!

I was just in NYC for a conference and stayed a few blocks from Crush. Coming from PA (where alcohol is taxed beyond belief), I found the prices to be quite fair. Now I know! Anyways, the staff is very helpful at Crush and I love their personal tasting notes they have by most of the bottles. I'm hoping that I will have more time the next time I'm in NYC so I can check out Chambers St!

Lizbeth,
Crush's store is quite nice and the service and selection is good. They probably charge more because of their location. The advantage to NYC is a fantastic selection and Crush is just too high. You can take an express subway south to Chambers Street and an express north to PJ, both fun for a true wine geek.
Walt

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First off, I wouldn't make any "major" purchase of wine without first getting a subscription to Wine-Searcher Pro:

http://www.wine-searcher.com/prof/index.lml

It will save you a ton of money, and let you sleep at night knowing that you weren't ripped off when you purchased something.

Now Chambers Street has got a bunch of older Piemontese wines, from the 1940's, 1950's, 1960's, and 1970's:

Wines from Italy Piedmont

I don't recognize most of the names, and I imagine that many of those firms no longer exist, but some of those bottles look very interesting.

For instance, they've got a 1978 Vallana Spanna, for $89.99 [only listing in the world on Wine-Searcher Pro], which might be vinegar, but might also be something very interesting.

And the write-up on that 1958 Franco Fiorina sure sounds enticing.

Chambers Street also has a rather broad selection of Austrian wines, although the prices tend to be a lot higher than what we're accustomed to seeing down here on the gray market:

Wines from Austria

The 2001 Hirtzberger Singerriedel Riesling, or the 2005 Knoll Vinothekfullung Grüner Veltliner, are probably going to be very interesting.

Or the 1982 FX Pichler, or the 1994 Prager, or the 2001 magnum of Knoll Grüner, or any of the 2002 FX Pichlers...