Aabalat Fine and Rare Wines

Ordered through their site and every aspect of the transaction was excellent.

These guys are a joke. I purchased 4 nice bottles of Araujo from them for just under $ 1,300 of wine and paid another $ 70+ in UPS Overnight shipping and insurance. Made the purchase on March 28, 2015. When it had not shipped, 5 days later on April 2 I asked «When is this order shipping?» — by email. Received an emailed response back, that day, reading: «The system shows its at the warehouse to be packed and shipped, when they ship you would received a final invoice with tracking information.» Which may be the most annoying response of all time because it didn’t even remotely answer my question nor did it commit to anything. Another 5 days later, on April 7, I emailed them informing them to cancel the order that I did not want it any longer. This is now 10 days after I placed the order. The next morning, on April 8 I get a phone call from someone (I think named «Peter»???) claiming he had already spoke to me on the phone regarding this. «No, you didn’t. Just emailed me.» What does it matter? He alleges, three times throughout the conversation that he already spoke to me on the phone. I keep saying no. Finally I demand a refund and to cancel the order. He goes off about how I should have put special notes in the order and they didn’t know that I wanted it shipped, immediately, and that they have been overwhelmed shipping held wine to people on the East Coast because of all the freezing temperatures … blah, blah, blah. How is this my problem? I have no idea. All I know is that I paid a lot of money for 4 bottles of wine that their website said was «in stock» and then paid for overnight shipping. I’m not sure why I was accosted over the phone, by this guy. I would say I was an incredibly patient customer — waiting ten days before cancelling my order. Anyway, he finally informs me that the order is shipping today … what a coincidence. I agree to accept the order, but I shouldn’t have. I question what I’m actually receiving, now. Totally irritated. Avoid these guys. One of the worst buying experiences, of all time. Horrible. Terrible. I really don’t believe they carry what they have for sale on their website, in stock. In my opinion, they take orders for everything under the sun and figure out how to fulfill the order later. Not cool. Not honest. And, they’re not nice on any level. AVOID!

Had to get a retirement party gift and I don’t know much about wine. The owner, Bob, was very helpful and knowledgable in different types of wine and had very good recommendations. Very good customer service!