American Airlines Flagship Cellars

Something special is no longer just in the air.  This week, American Airlines announced it has wine cases stacked sky high and they need to unload. 

Rather than handing bottles as parting gifts for flyers (wouldn’t that be nice!), they’ve decided to get into the Internet wine business.  Through a partnership with Vinesse wine, American Airlines will be offering hand-picked wines from its inflight Flagship wine collection.  The selection is chosen by their award-winning master sommelier, Bobby Stuckey.  Stuckey was formerly with The Little Nell in Aspen and the infamous French Laundry in Napa where we won the James Beard award for “Outstanding Wine Service.” He’s now the proprietor of Frasca Hospitality Group in Colorado, which includes Frasca Food and Wine, Tavernetta, Pizzeria Locale, and Sunday Vinyl.

American Airline’s “Flagship Cellars” will provide customers with flexibility in ordering.  Customers can select from curated collections, build their own case, or purchase a monthly wine subscription which includes three wines for $99.99 with free shipping. In addition, members of the American Airlines AAdvantage loyalty program can earn two miles per dollar spent on every order.

Since Wine Bounty is all about great deals on great wine, we had a look at their top-rated wines to see how pricing compared to other sites.  Unfortunately, by-the-bottle isn’t necessarily a bargain: 

• 2015 Domaine Drouhin Dundee Hills, Oregon Pinot Noir
  • JS 95, TP 95, WE 92, WS 91, RP 90
  • 4.2 Vivino Stars, 3.2k+ reviews
  • Flagship Cellar Price:  $38.99
  • The highly rated 2017 vintage (JS 94, RP 93) is available cheaper (see Liquor Outlet Wine Cellars for $33.99)

• 2015 Roserock Eola-Amity Hills ‘Drouhin’ Pinot Noir
  • JS 94, TP 93, RP 92, WS 90, WE 90
  • 4.1 Vivino Stars, 1.2k+ reviews
  • Flagship Cellar Price:  $27.99
  • Similar pricing is available on other sites (See K&L Wines for $27.95)

• 2015 HALL Wines Napa Valley, California Merlot
  • WE 93
  • 4.1 Vivino Stars, 125+ reviews
  • Flagship Cellar Price:  $39.99
  • Similar pricing is available on other sites (See Vivino for $39.99)

• NV Moutard Champagne, France ‘Grand Cuvee’ Brut
  • W&S 92, WS 91, RP 90
  • 3.9 Vivino Stars, 2.7k+ reviews
  • Flagship Cellar Price:  $27.99
  • Better pricing is available on other sites (See San Diego Wine & Beer Co. for $25.99)

• 2016 MacRostie Sonoma Coast, California Chardonnay
  • RP 92, WW 90, WE 90
  • 3.8 Vivino Stars, 250+ reviews
  • Flagship Cellar Price:  $18.95
  • Better pricing is available on other sites (See GetWineOnline for $16.80)

Fortunately, there is some good news.  While by-the-bottle pricing doesn’t excite us, there is (some!) value in (some!) of the curated sets.  For example, let’s take the “First Class Reds” set, which includes:

• 2015 HALL Wines Napa Valley, California Merlot
  • WE 93
  • 4.1 Vivino Stars, 125+ reviews

• 2014 Starmont Napa Valley, California Merlot
  • WE 90
  • 3.9 Vivino Stars, 545+ reviews

• 2015 Lavradores de Feitoria Douro, Portugal ‘Meruge’ Red Wine
  • 4.2 Vivino Stars, 250+ reviews

If you purchase the bottles separately, you’ll pay $87.97 (which is around the same price through other sites).  But, if you purchase the set it’ll run you $74.99, a discount of almost 15%.  Similarly, the “Winter Collection” provides a 17% discount off the per bottle price. 

Though make sure to do the math before purchasing; some sets are more expensive than by the bottle.  For example, the “Flagship Select Mixed” will run $48.97 by the bottle and $49.99 if you purchase the set!

Curious to see what First Class is drinking these days? Flagship Cellars can be found here.  Happy Hunting!