A little late to the party, but I love these old episodes.

Best pinot: 2006 Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand. Tried it when I was studying abroad in NZ. Went on a bicycle wine tour, and Cloudy Bay was our last stop. Very corporate-looking winery, but damn, this pinot blew me away. Tried it again this fall when I finally found it in the states, and it was just as good.

it's just awesome watching the development of WLTV.

QOTD has begun!!!!!!

QOTD: Paringa Extate Reserve 2006 (Mornington Penninsula)

Cheers
Andrew

Had some good pinot's from Van Duzer , and Wild Hog as well, like others have commented.

Wow Gary, not counting the episodes that have come after this, this is definitely your best episode up to that point. And the 1st QOTD! Your approach has certainly changed a bit since then, not for the worse or anything, but I hope you don't ever forget what you said in this episode.
Love that you're trying NOT to follow the trends, and instead doing your own thing. Definitely what keeps me watching more episodes.
Not sure I can answer that 1st qotd yet. I don't buy alot of pinot noir, but I'll be looking for the Three Miners now. Seems pretty hard to find a good one [especially in Burgundy, where it is so hit or miss.]so I haven't bought many. With that being said, and with me agreeing Burgundy is a bit overrated with what's available now, the best I can remember would be a Burgundy. It would be a Clos Vougeot, 2000, from Louis Jadot. I'm sure you know as well as I, there are very many pinot's out there of a better quality.
But glad to hear you say once again you want comments, and you don't wanna follow trends. Because I'm itching to see you do a charbono tasting episode and a vin jaune tasting episode.

You are right Gary Burgundy Pinot can be very over priced. But it's good! And yes, my favourite pinot (so far) is a Burgundy wine; 2005 Cote De Beaune-Villages for 11 bones in English money so what's that - 22 dollars? Lots of gamey aromas with hints of oak and vanilla. Dark berry fruits and spices on the palate..terroir all over the place. I also agree that Chilean pinot can be very good value - it's cheap in England, some are £6 a bottle - you can't complain with that! Unfortunately I have so far been disappointed with the New Zealand Pinots I have tried - finding them too sweet and fruit driven and lacking complexity. Looks like I have been picking up the wrong bottles! Any help on that aprreciated! Tom Bexton, UK.

good stuff! "taste the wine and stop being sheep"
qotd: best pinot? i cant remember! sorry... i have a terrible memory...

word 58 "way"

I'll be honest, I'm just leaving a comment so I can say I answered the very first QOTD! I stumbled upon this episode and found myself really admiring the transformation you took as the show has progressed.
You rock dude.
QOTD: 2003 Domain Serene Evenstead Reserve, Oregon.

I had been waiting for the first ever QOTD...

QOTD: I really liked the 2006 Rex Hill, as well as the 2006 Wild Hog Saralee's Vineyard, and the 2006 Siduri. Although these are all New World, I do like old world Burgandies as well.

I'm so glad you didn't give in to corporate bull!

Gary, great job man! Just found your site, and am going back through all of the reviews. I have to give you a ton of credit for keeping it real, and not selling out to the corporate masses!

Best Pinot Ever?

2005 Van Duzer Westside Blocks, from Dallas, Oregon. My good friend was lucky enough to marry a girl from Dallas, and we were able to hit up a ton of great vineyards, for my first "wine tasting road trip". I truly enjoyed Witness Tree, Cristom (2005 Jessie is great), Bethel Heights, Erath, and a few more. Willamette Valley, one of the best places in these United States!

QoTd: Brewer Clifton 2005 Ashley's Vineyard. I was on my 1 and only wine trip to Santa Barbara - with my Dad and we went to this restaurant called Bouchon - which was amazing. We told our waiter Nuri that we were on a Father Son wine trip and that I was expecting my first child in July (This was in the first week of March 07) and he started bringing out the left overs of different wines (it was the end of the night and we were 2 of the last 4 patrons) they had openned during the evening to let us try. We each had about 4 1/2 glasses of amazing wine and we only had to pay for 1. The meal was incredible and we got to taste 7 to 10 different wines. The Brewer Clifton stood out as the best in my mind and I wrote it down on Bouchon business card since I was pretty cooked at that point.

Dinner with my Dad in wine country with perfect weather in Santa Barbara - it was as perfect as it could get. When I get old I will regret not taking more chances and trips like that one.

Gary I know you rip on Sideways and I get that, but I disagree. That movie openned my eyes to wine travel, new wineries, a new wine region, and how much I was missing from the whole wine experience. I love that book and movie for the same reason I love your show - it inspires more people to look into wine, and experience something they might not have without. Sure it dissed Merlot and sure it increased the price and sales of pinot, but it got people interested in wine and eventually those people will search out new regions and new varietals or if they were just there for the Sideways trend - who cares, every industry has those people.

Look - when it comes to this stuff, you're smarter than me, you have more experience than me and you even have a bigger passion than I do - but on this one thing, it's time to make your peace with the Sideways phenom, and recognize it for what it really was - a positive thing for wine and the wine community!

Hey - if nothing else, it Changed the Wine World whether you like it or not.

PS- You rock!

Classic. Is this the first question of the day?

for pinot noir, 2004 sea smoke botella and southing...those are the only ones that really sticks out in my mind. though i've had some other good ones like dierberg and foxen. but it doesn't compare to the first time i tasted sea smoke. it was like love at first site.

Best Pinot Noir I've had: 2004 Domaine Pavelot Savigny-les-Beaune, Aux Guettes. Ashes, mold, cheese shop, toast and perfume on the nose, and toasty campfire and a gush of fruit [strawberry] on the palate.

I love Burgundy, but it pisses me off. I've spent a lot on bottles of top tier stuff that has little to nothing redeeming in it, despite my best research. I WILL try some NZ Pinot soon.

You guys are brilliant. This is exactly what this community needs. Open communication. Now all you need is a wiki for us to access.

There's things in life you can control, and then there's everything else. Keep your show part of the former. Mad respect.

Had to go back for the classic

The virgin QOTD!!!! I knew I would get there if I watched all of the back episodes!!!
QOTD - Mosswood Pinot Noir from Western Australia 2002. This was all strawberry dipped in black pepper. I had it at my 30th b-day and was up there with 2001 Dominus, 1977 Warre, 1998 Clarendon Hills Astralis. It was $50 and held up to the others no problem!

Gary, Try Leyda Lot 21 Pinot Noir From San Antonio-Leyda Valley. Kick ass juice!
Not exactly cheap either.

And here I see is the birthing of the "question of the day".

My answer will turn into a "lesson of the day" because the best bottle of Pinot Noir I have ever tasted was given to me by one of my patient's children. It was a 2002 Rochioli Pinor Noir. I am a Geriatrician who takes care of nursing home patients and this particular patient and family was labled as "difficult" to deal with by many (including myself). After one of my visits I called the son to update him on his mom's condition and he just so happened to be wine tasting in the Russian River Valley and probably 2 sheets to the wind. He asked me what kind of wine did I like and I responded with "um, pinot noir?" A couple of weeks later he shows up at the nursing home with 2 of these amazing bottles for me. After that day they became a lot less "difficult".
Lession of the day: be nice to your grandma's doctor!!

Whoa. This might be my new favorite episode. This should definitely be with your list of favorites/featured episode. It's kind of a turning point for the show. You were kinda reserved in some episodes before this, but it's like you just morphed into the HULK, permanently, during this episode. Very cool. It also shows why the show is popular - honesty, passion, integrity. If you were just using this to sell, it never would have exploded like it has. Congrats. This episode really put some perspective on your motives and vision. Awesome. Just awesome.

Sorry that last comment was supposed to go on the next episode.

QOTD if we're going by best 90 point value. I just had the Monte Antico toscana which got a 91 by enthusiast I beleive. It had stunning jammy fruit and was incredibly polished for it's price range. Worst was probably the '03 tignanello, it tasted like a crappy california cab.

QOTD- I'm sorry I didn't get the vintage. I was at my local beer only bar and talking to the owner when we somehow stumbled upon the subject of wine. Turns out he's a big wine lover and finds out I am so He actually goes home and grabs a bottle from his cellar for us to drink. It was an arcus estate archery summit pinot noir from oregon and wow! It was pure elegance. Extremely lush plummy fruit and smooth as silk. He opened it and immediately poured it. I couldn't imagine how good it would have been with some decanting.

Wow! Am I late on this one or what? Like everybody else I've had tons and tons of Pinot Noir...I seriously doubt that I've had more than any wine manager, rep., sommolier, or wine aficianado, but tasting at least 10 new pinots per week for 6 months is a lot....but I have to say that my favorite Pinot Noir experience was the night we did our Bottega del Vino tasting event. (By the way, noticed the Bottega del Vino 'Americano" decanter....nice) Part of the event was drinking 3 Pinot Noirs (1. 2003 Ovene Winery 'Puzzle' from San Luis Obispo, 2. 2003 Cristom 'Sommers Reserve' Willamette Valley, OR, 3. 2001 Mueller Emily's Cuvee, Russian River) from the BV7, which really illuminated the wine. Really, after a night of experiencing such great wine, who couldn't look back and smile? Personally, the highlight of the whole event was the Mueller.....if you haven't tried it before....I HIGHLY recommend it.

I'm glad SS Chris mentioned episodes 57 & 58 in the forums. Thanks for stickin' with the vblog. Tough decision. Love the candor.

Lars

I don't drink a lot of Pinot Noir, but I'd have to say it was a Truchard and I think it was vintage 2001. Tasted it and bought it at my local store and had it with my family last Thanksgiving.

2002 Domaine Tollot Beaut- Clos du roi. Elegant velvety texture! Long smooth finish. Soft tannins. Red fruit, chocolate, mocha, tobacco.
Beautiful bottle of wine!

Finally had a Central Otago Pinot Noir. The Three Miners 2004 you tasted in this episode was it. I really enjoyed the wine, but thought you overrated it at 93/94 points. I really liked this wine, but right Oregon is still my favorite New World site for Pinot. Here are my notes:

91 pts. My first Central Otago NZ Pinot Noir. I've had Marlborough Pinots before and this has a similar flavor profile, but even racier, more focused, and more elegant. Tasting this blind, I would have most certainly thought Burgundy. Fragrant nose is a mix of earth, fruit and wood. Bright, pure cherry fruit on a steely frame. Would be incredibly versatile with food. Just what you'd expect out of a decent Burgundy, but at fraction of the cost. Missing a little bit on the finish though.

Hi Gary,

Just watching back issues now and, yes, I am going to comment, maybe not on every issue, but anyway on that huge 'lot'. And now I think it just time to tell you why, ... nah, that would make this a very long comment. Now what I'll mail you.
First QOTD: best bottle I ever had was a Montevertine Riserva 2002. That year was a very dark year for Montevertine: crop was so bad that neither the Le Pergole Torte, nor the Il Sodaccio was produced. The grapes were used for the Riserva, that is just the 'Rosso' (on the label). We had it in a Sangiovese tasting (you know, one of these 'fancy' MC's full of bigheads - yet, the acknowledged connoiseur who brought this wine was a very hearty agreable person), and it just outclassed everything. It was a 'catastrophy' wine, but nonetheless ... . Of course there were these guys that chose the flabby Banfi BdM instead, but you know, for me, this was the first wine that really moved me. I was shocked by the colour: brownish orange, unconcentrated, 'botte' ripened, and in concrete macerated Sangiovese - very traditional - that's why it's not allowed to call itself Chianti anymore, the reverse reaction of the IGT-revolution. The nose: undescribable, so focussed, huge and at the same time so elegant. The mouthfeel: kissing Keira Knightley (whatever that may feel like :-D). The palate: the most harmoniously complex and balanced I ever had ... . I know, eulogism ... . But then, I am sure I will never taste a bottle like that again in my whole life (and that's still a long time to go I hope). Just the idea that this was a 'catastrophy' wine, it's just baffling, just to know that they considered it minor to the other two. What the h*ck should Le Pergole Torte taste like then?
You know, I still go emo when I think about this wine ...

Dear Gary: I agree with you on Burgundy wines being overrated. However I have some friends in México that are "CHEVALIERS DU TASTEVIN" and are asking me to look for " tastevinage wines" in the US. Can WINE LIBRARY get these wines or where should I look for them. I am a regular customer of WL, I would really appreciate your help.

Gary, I was out of touch for a week,...no access to my laptop... and just caught up on your latest episodes. The Pinot one was the best. I cannot agree more with everything you said. As I tell anyone who asks, you have more fun tasting a variety of wines to find what you like, than to have someone tell you what you SHOULD like. Keep up the KILLER advise.

best pinot (and best wine i have ever had) easily 1985 la tache

Best - who can talk from best. What Pinots are drinking great right now.

Merry Edwards - Klopp Ranch 2002
Windy Oaks 2003 Reserve
Williams Selyem - 2003 or 2 Westside Road

Had amazing Williams Selyems in the past. They probably hit the best mark with a few Pommards but I can't remember which.

Best wine ever. Heitz Martha's 1974 - got it as a wedding gift. Holy cow! Drank it with a bunch of friends before we knew what the hell we were doing when it came to wine. It's still all that memorable!

Not only the best Pinot Noir, but one of the best wines I've ever tasted was the 1999 Domaine Henri Gouges, Nuits St-Georges, "Les Pruliers." Complex in a way I had never before experienced. Liquefied silk dropped on the tongue and spread throughout the entire mouth. I credit this bottle with introducing me to truly great wine.

My favorite Pinot is from the Mornington Peninsula in Australia - Merricks Creek Close Planted 2004 (the 2003 rocked too). I had it with the winemaker while overlooking his vineyards...amazing wine and experience. Cool climate elegance combined with "true to Burgundy" winemaking. Like Central Otago (have been there too, beautiful spot and wines) Mornington Peninsula is a region to watch for great Pinot. From the US, Sineann Resonance VY 2004 - I'm a big fan of Peter Rosback.

Thanks for keeping it interesting Gary!

I recently was in NAPA and had two Robert Sinskey Pinot Noir's 2001 & 2004. I liked both for different reasons. The 2001 was softer and had more fruit. The 2004 had a lot of fruit too but was as drinkable. I think it's too young, but with potential to be better than the 2001. I don't know this to be true, but I feel that the grapes are from the same appelation. Maybe from different sections. Anyway, I would like your opinion versus the Three Miners. Thank you.
Also, I would like to see you test some wines you really don't like and say why! Although, sometimes your facial expressions contradict your words.

Gary,

The best Pinot I had was a 1993 Millot Echezeaux from Vosne-Romanee. I bought this one on a close out at $45 because the merchant hadn't tried it for a few years. It was stellar and I brought it to a Turkish restaurant that doesn't have a corkage fee. At a normal price of $100-130, this would still be a great wine, but not the value it was at $45. It had the lovely old pinot aromas of leather and game, with good acidity and some really nice secondary flavors on the palate. Storage wasn't ideal for the wine, so it probably accentuated the aging process a little. My girlfriend and I really loved this one...

Thanks for the blogging,

Peter

The best bottle I ever tasted was 2002 Beaux Freres Williamette Valley at last October's Wine Experience in NYC.

It was so soft and delicate it was like drinking liquid flowers.

http://winecentric.blogspot.com

1975 La Tache Bridges Restaurant in Danville, CA in 1996. Amazing wine but $300 for the bottle. Bridges has a great wine list and wonderful food. Even though this was expensive it was $200 more at the French Laundry. By the way, the 3 Miners is a great buy and the 2003 was good price point for such a good wine. Keep up the reviews. Just wish you guys carried a few more of the wines you review.

Hi Gary! My friend e-mailed me your site and I intend to e-mail it on!! Love the style enjoy listening to you and your thoughts on the "wine of the day". My favorite Pinot? 2003 Monteray Bay. My friend and I were making wine and had to toss a coin for this limited wine. WE WON! It has a rich earthly smooth easy finish. It is a great bottle...luckily we made 26 bottles!! I still have 2 bottles which I am saving for a very special person to share with. It is the kind of wine that makes you want to go ummmmmm. I am looking forward to the next visit from you. thanks :)