Costco's Screaming Deal: Bargains Meet Luxury As Screaming Eagle Wine Lands On Warehouse Shelves

Costco, the retail giant known for bulk buys and unbeatable bargains, is adding a touch of luxury to its aisles with the addition of the exclusive and coveted Screaming Eagle wine.

Not that $3,699 for a bottle of the Screaming Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is cheap — the average price of a 2018 bottle of the wine is $4,720, according to Wine Searcher.

Considered a rare find, Screaming Eagle wine ranks as America's second most expensive wine on Wine Searcher. Screaming Eagle has 57 acres of vineyards and an annual production of about 500 cases, according to VinePair. The waiting list for the wine is so long that the vineyard can't give a firm timeframe for delivery, according to the Screaming Eagle website.

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The wine is available in Costco warehouses in Newark, Redwood City, Foster City, Santa Clara, Danville, Novato and San Jose, California, but the clubs have a limited amount in stock.

First produced in the 1990s, Screaming Eagle is considered one of the world's most expensive wines. The 1992 Cabernet Sauvignon, released in 1995, is considered among the rarest and most valuable, with just 175 cases produced and bottles selling at auction for $200,000.

In 2006, Screaming Eagle Founder Jean Philips sold the brand to Charles Banks and Stan Kroenke, who installed new winemaking equipment and replanted the vineyard. Banks exited the partnership in 2009, leaving Kroenke as the sole owner.

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The surge in wine investments is driven by an increasing global demand for rare and collectible bottles. Wine connoisseurs and investors are drawn to prestigious vineyards, limited-edition releases and well-aged vintages.

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