Episode #9 - Cali Cabs under $20

March 7, 2006

episode9

2003 Stephan Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon

2003 Twenty Rows Cabernet Sauvignon

2003 Trentadue Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

2000 Douglass Hill Cabernet Sauvignon

2003 Simi Cabernet Sauvignon

2003 Hess Select Cab Sauv

Gary explores the wonderful world of california cabs, focusing in on under $20

31 Responses

Pages: [2] 1 » Show All

  1. about a month ago

    kjdion

    cabs have got to be by far my favorite wines.

  2. about a month ago

    Dan Leavy

    gary is much more comfortable now i see

    ninth word “Totally”

  3. about 3 months ago

    Wanginator

    I think it might a coincidence that the top three wines have the same olive-colored bottles than the other bottles, which are greener.

  4. about 4 months ago

    David Cole

    Again, this is one of those shows that you could pull and wine or two out and do a follow up on how they are now with some time. That is something I think we are missing in the USA on wine. WE (not me) want to drink it now and have it be great, but history (or France) has shown that making wine that last is fun and great for collecting!

    I’d like to Stephan Ridge or now as it’s called L’Aventure taste now. I’m sure Stephane still has some, so get a vertical from like 2002, 2003 and 2004. If it goes well, sell the hell out if as a package! No charge for that idea either, just send me one of the verticals and we’ll call it good!:)

  5. about 6 months ago

    lawschooldrunk

    Woohoo, switching up the background to baseball. How ’bout them Yanks?

    Sorry, Gary, I have no idea who/what Simi is. Maybe it’s because I’m only familiar with the Kosher wines (although simi is a jewish nickname).

    Febreeze, cinnamon toast crunch, skittles and college girls make their appearance!

    Seems like gary is trying to rush through the tastings for some reason.

    Just curious- what happens to all the open bottles after the episode, Gary?

    LOL! stealing the orange marmalade strawberry shortcake character! I remember those dolls…

    Ummm, eating construction paper? I believe I’m having that tonight right before the chicken.

    I believe this is the first episode using the slightly worms-eye-view camera angle. I like this the best. sorry, Gary, for being almost two years late with these comments.

    I’m feeling it! Get fa’shnikin.

  6. about 6 months ago

    The Fanjestic

    1st Skittles reference?

  7. about 8 months ago

    Mr.Ambassador

    Found a sale bottle of the 2000 Trentadue Sonoma Cab and thought I’d look into some classic WLTV episodes to see if the Trentadue had been reviewed. Now I’m feelin’ pretty confident as the Trentadue managed to capture the first Strawberry Shortcake and Tropical Skittles reference!

    What a blast checking-in on these classic episodes now that GV has rubbed elbows with Conan and Ellen…

    Time to watch some old-school WLTV

  8. about 9 months ago

    Dale Cruse

    Gary is getting more and more relaxed in front of the camera. And the weird references are starting to appear!

  9. about 11 months ago

    GrapeStuff

    You should do a comprehensive cab episode, especially in light of the Vayniac cab!

  10. about 12 months ago

    WA Ambassador

    I love your descriptions of these wines. Keep them coming. This is just what I’ve been wanting to hear when somebody reviews wine is a colorful description of what they taste like.

  11. about 14 months ago

    vibemore

    This is a classic episode. Very nice. I wish I would have seen this closer to the taping, i.e. when the wine was still available at WL. Oh well, that’s what I get for being late to the show. Still, it is great to know this vino is out there somewhere.

  12. about 15 months ago

    Alos Diallo

    It seems like it took me a while to get to this episode. Great advice on those, I am always looking for a knockout that I can search on a regular basis for not a lot of mula.

  13. about 15 months ago

    Ross

    “Everyone needs one for around the house.” Very nice.

    $.18

  14. about 16 months ago

    sfgiants55

    This is the first classic GV episode. References to Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Strawberry Shortcake doll (orange marmalade style) and the first ever introduction of skittles! The character of the show is finally starting to come out.

  15. about 17 months ago

    Justin S

    2005 Hess Allomi that is..

  16. about 17 months ago

    Justin S

    Tasted the 2005 Hess Cab today, thought it was pretty decent.

  17. about 18 months ago

    cyrock1

    Just finished episodes 1-9. Love the way you are so approachable. Like Eric above I was stationed at DLI in Monterey but tragically did not know about wine at the time and can’t wait to go back and see (and taste) what I was missing. As far as putting the video out, can’t wait to tell my customers about it. Keep it up Gary!

  18. about 19 months ago

    Eric Opheim

    Just saw this episode after having watched maybe 50+ of your newer episodes. WOW! What a difference. I am so thankful for the more in depth tasting notes you give us now. That being said though, can’t you bring back rating the wines for each episode. I have seen you do it again on a few of the recent episodes, but it is helpful. I enjoyed the plug (if you can call it that) for Paso Robles. Paso, and Monterey, are where I first learned to appreciate wine, when I was stationed at the language institute in Monterey. Can’t wait to visit again. Keep up the great work!

  19. about 22 months ago

    the professor and....

    Oh how I wish you still had some of the Stephan Ridge left, that was a nice wine. Looking back, this was a loaded episode. Ridge, Twenty rows, Trentadue, Douglas hill, all nice, but the Ridge and Rows really stand out in my mind.

  20. about 22 months ago

    Mike F.

    Cinnamon toast crunch. Orange marmalade from you sister’s strawberry shortcake collection? New skittle flavor? Here is where Gary goes from interesting descriptor to legend among WLTV viewer ship. Mud, worms, and road tar…here we come. No more stock on the recommendations though. :-( You still have the Simi and the Hess select though :-p I have a friend that swears by Hess select and collection. Although I’ve tried some vintages that I thought were good, I can’t help think that a lot of it is overpriced. The same goes for Simi and especially there Chardonnay. OK, but not worth the inflated price.

  21. about 23 months ago

    Brandon M

    :-) Look how low the camera is here!
    This was a great episode, you should do this for every wine, once a year…Classic!

    B

  22. about 27 months ago

    Karen Lorentz

    The comparisons are really helpful. Great to see a retailer willing to rank the products it sells and to say some not so nice things about them. Your credibility is high because of it.

  23. about 29 months ago

    Geoff Grant

    Gary,

    Since you want feedback, here is my point of view. As a marketing executive and avid wine buyer, plus a fan of the Wine Library, these videos are not only a great idea, but an informative approach to both beginners and experienced wine enthusiasts. The Cab video was the first I viewed, but it showcases the simplicity of exploring wines and your commentary - as noted by others - is quite direct and communicated in everyday language as to not intimidate. I look forward to viewing other videos as well as utilizing your marketing strategy to try the Stephan Ridge, Twenty Rows, Trentadue and Douglas Hill.

  24. about 29 months ago

    David M

    Hey Gary!

    Enjoy the concept, I have have been buying from you for two years, enjoy working with Ian. I live about 2.5 hours south of Paso, it really is a Rhone location not Cabernet! Stephan had been a good friend for over five years and has even stayed over my house, glad to see he is getting the recgonition he deserves. It would be intersting to do a vertical tasting of his blends, that is the really good stuff! Cote du Cote, Estate Cuvee, and Optimus are great!

    How about tasting some exotic things like French Gigondas, Italian dessert wines and Barolos, Oregonian Cabernets and Zinfandels,Washington Syrahs.

    Thanks

  25. about 29 months ago

    Kirk

    Gary, I love your store and the cheese is a great idea. Your marketing is top notch as are most of your prices and I am there every week. BUT you really need to get a new reviewer for Cabs. As a voracious drinker and collector of Cabernet, my tastes completely agree with Parker and Wine Spectator. But I have never agreed with your ratings.. even these under 20 Cabs.. I would put in the exact opposite order. Which makes me wonder if it really is taste or profit margin thats being rated.
    Hope I didn’t offend because I love the place.

Pages: [2] 1 » Show All

Leave a Reply