106 Responses

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1. July 25, 2006

   Desmond Ebanks

   Two outstanding Pinots I can recall right now are:
   (1) 2001 Adrian Fog that I bought from your store based on your email recommendation. This I had for my wife’s birthday and we both loved it., then
   (2) 2002 Marinelli Blue Slide Ridge. Unbelievable. Had it with several friends, one of which “did not like Pinot Noir” until he tasted this bottle.

2. July 25, 2006

   Jen&Kerry

   Kerry and I are not wine people by nature. We are Irish BEER people. We have gotten in to wines recently and are still infantile about it. But we try. We liked Brancott 2002. This was one of our first Pinots where we saved the label in a book. Well, we liked it. As time goes on and our palate grows we shall let you know.

3. July 25, 2006

   joe

   Gary, You’re goig to kill me for this based on today’s show – but my best bottle of Pinot ever, one that transformed me into a Pinot fan, was a 1993 Michael Lafarge Volnay, consumed as our 2000 Christmas wine with turkey. A retailer was selling these off at deep discounts because of wine-seepage through the corks. I took a chance on 3 bottles and hosted that Christmas dinner for my large extended family. Whatever harsh conditions those bottles experienced drove those bottles into perfectly maturation. It was world-alterating for me. The mryadid of tastes and complexity of that wine still is memorable – every taste different as it evolved over the evening – like 20 different wines.

4. July 25, 2006

   Grant R.

   Gary,

   Thanks for your continued honesty and passion. I agree, web video blogs are the present and future. By the way, guests are great as long as you believe in them and their wine—a great way to hear stories and learn more about terrior, wine making and history.

   For more than a decade of wine drinking I suffered one thin and bitter pinot noir after another. Flat out terrible. Not Burgundy, California, no where. Then finally a desperate trip to the Russian River to do barrel and new release tastings and there it was…a 1995 Rochioli tasted at the vineyard. Exceptional, and I finally got it.

   But hands down, the winner for me was dinner at Rubicon in SF several years ago. In appreciation of a favor, a great friend allowed me any bottle on the menu. With modest restraint I chose a 1974 Hanzell Pinot. Unbelieveable, but this then 25 year old beauty was silky cherry carmel. I still have the dead soldier.

   And wouldn’t you know, they had a vertical, a 1975 and 1976. I went back the very next night and completed the vertical!

5. July 25, 2006

   Buddy

   Best Pinot Noir winery Schug Winery, Single best Pinot Noir bottle maybe Jadot 02 Nuits St. George or Argyle Nuthouse 99(this brand is ruined now.) Best NZ Pinot Noir is Quartz Reef(Central Otago, I’ve been told this is the coldest wine growing region in the world.)

6. July 25, 2006

   garyv

   Gene besides the hype bashing ( which at times i MAY deserve ) I adore your comments and thank you for your business!

7. July 25, 2006

   GeneV

   Best Pinot Noir — 2003 W.H. Smith Maritime Vineyard Sonoma Coast, at my house hosting a tasting last March served with tapas of sliced, grilled Magret.

   Before that, it would have been one of several red Burgs tasted with some fantastic meals while staying in Burgundy in 1985.

   By my quick count, I believe I have bought more wine from you this year than from any other single store (and you are not conveniently located), so despite my hype bashing, I obviously think you’re doing a lot right.

8. July 25, 2006

   Karen H

   sorry, a really quick add: apparently this is another issue i don’t get yet…why there is such a discrepancy between what’s available here in canada and there in the u.s. i watched the episode, loved it, and kept “three thieves” in my head not “three miners” which is, of course, what you reviewed. i just double checked and we have no three miners at all…sigh…maybe i’ll try three thieves (an american product) instead.

9. July 25, 2006

   Karen H

   i’m afraid i don’t have a pinot story at the ready. but a wine i opened up tonight gave me reason to add a follow-up here to my comment last time.

   but first, #1 reason i stay tuned: the metaphors that make it real (and give me courage buying wines, and entertain me). i mean, wine as potpourri in the bathroom? wine that tastes like if you imagined bacon around a hotdog? where else will you get that on that kind of clever but apt on the spot synopsis that communicates exactly what is being felt and experienced?

   back to the wine: tonight we opened up a bottle of chilean wine we have had before. not a pinot but a merlot (concha y toro casillero del diablo). i have “read” about wines smelling like chocolate and thought it rubbish and an impossibility. but as i’ve watched you smell, and taste in the vlogs i’ve attempted to mimic and have tried to become more discerning myself. and this merlot is bang(!) the first time i have smelled chocolate in a wine. that and it’s huge taste is the reason i go back for more.

   i have just checked into our liquor control board of ontario (you can’t have a good name like the “wine library” when the owner is the government) because i was sure i’d seen the name three thieves there before. sure enough, but no pinot noir, only grigio, merlot and cab. which brings me to my request for information from a future vlogs:
   three thieves is one of a growing number of wines appearing in tetra packs at my local lcbo’s. have you any opinions/advice to offer on the packaging (and therefore quality) of different wines (which also now includes screw off versus cork)?

10. July 25, 2006

    Markyb

    Gary,

    I love the v-blog, and I’m glad to hear you’re sticking with it.

    Glad to see that you are onto the New Zealand wines. Aside from being an absolutely beautiful country, I am a big fan of the vineyards … nice people with great Chards, Cabs, Merlots, meritages … not just a place for Pinot and Sauv Bl.

    On best Pinot, I’ll vote for the Eyrie … had it with a bag of cashews with my girlfriend (now wife ) before either of us knew how special a bottle of wine could be, so it must have been a 1995 vintage or so. Absolutely breathtaking.

    Definitely put me on the path to being a good customer of yours today!

11. July 25, 2006

    Jim Bryan

    I cannot judge Pinot but I like your blog. Publix Market in Longboat Key has two aisles of wine like the Rosemont Estates shiraz. Keep me away from them. I do remember a good Pinot at Carmody McKnight Estate Winery in West Paso Robles. Keep calling them as you see (taste)them. JB

12. July 25, 2006

    Mike S.

    Gary, good to see you back and fired up. I do think you’re off the mark when it comes to Burgundy, though. Which is fine – all the more for me!!

    Recently, one of my oldest friends was in town with his fiancee. We’re equally giddy about wine, so I took him to a great French restaurant in my neighborhood, the stipulation being we could only drink Burgundy (he didn’t know the region too well, so it was my way of an introduction). We ordered the 2002 Domaine Maillard Bourgogne Pinot Noir for the main course. A great value at under $30 on the restaurant’s wine list and so good we ordered another bottle. Later, while the three of us were reminiscing on my roof overlooking the city, I opened a 2002 Frederic Esmonin Gevrey-Chambertin “Petite Chapelle”. Wine Spectator gave the “Clos Prieur” a 91 and called it the best value of the vintage. For me, the Chapelle is just as good, if not better. To end the evening’s festivities, I broke out a 2003 Maison Latour Volnay en Chevret. Infanticide, I know, but my friend is now obsessed with Volnay so it was a small price to pay.

13. July 25, 2006

    Brandon M

    OK…so…
    I have had so many Pinots that I don’t know where to begin, but I am going to tell you a story that JUST happenned and is allready one of my favorite wine experiences. I drive my wife crazy with Pearl Jam. I’ve been a Pearl Jam fan since late in high school. I have always witnessed Eddie Vedder drinking wine on stage and always had a curiosity to what it was. I never had a way to figure it out until recently. The new Rolling Stone arrived with my favorite band on the cover. I open it up to see a full picture of the band and Eddie holding an unlabeled bottle that has a bit of writing on it. The writing says, “To Eddie with Aloha. 2004 Pinot Noir Van Der Kamp Vineyard.” I think to myself that there is no way to know which winery has bottled the vineyard, so I don’t think much of it. A week later I recieve my Siduri newsletter and read about their “Star Power” Van Der Kamp Vineyard featured with Eddie Vedder in Rolling Stone. I immediatly call Siduri and order a case. My two passions (Music and Wine) have come together like never before and I’m so excited I can’t wait!!! My favorite to drink on a semi weekly basis has to be 2003 Macphail Sangiacomo Vineyard or 2003 Toulouse Vineyard.

    Hope this isn’t too long…first time post…58th Episode glued too!!! Keep up the good work.

    B

14. July 25, 2006

    Bill

    Hey Gary – great job. Maybe there is hope for the wine world after all (ie not every wine in the whole world will be a Parkerised clone of itself).
    Getting down to the best PN I have ever had – easy. I have never had one, certainly not from Burgundy. The closest I ever came was a wine and food show in Australia 15 years ago where all the tastings were free except for these two super-hyped Burgundy labels. Retailed (in the early 90s) at around $200 a bottle. Both were exceptionally ordinary, maybe in the 86-87 range. A far better story was the bottle of 1980 or 81(or 82: can’t quite remember)Grange that I picked up in a Dunedin (NZ) bottle shop in 1989 for $NZ26 (about $US10 at the time). Had it with just some fresh NZ cheeses. It took a day and a half to drink (by myself) and I can still taste it getting on for 20 years later).
    So, all power to NZ Pinot. I would love to finally see what all the fuss is about with this grape.
    Next, let’s debunk the Bordeaux myth. In my experience if you take 3-4 points OFF the score these wines generally get you are about right. Thus a 90 point Bordeaux costing anything from $25 – $80 really should sit closer to 86 points; tasting pretty much near an entry level Spanish or Rhone blend. Enough said!

15. July 25, 2006

    Mike P

    I have watched every WL TV episode that caught my attention. Thats about 25 of your 58. I gotta say, I love your honesty and your style. We have never met, and the few times I have been in your store the items I wanted were out of stock, but I am not going to give up. That said I admire your balls. You put it all out there– not your balls, but your passion, and love for this little friggin’ grape like no one I have ever met. I have a tasting group called CLONYC (Cabernet Lovers of New York City) and it would be great to have you attend one of our get togethers. Great job. Keep it up.

    The best Pinot I have ever had was the 2003 Maison Frederic Magnien Gevrey Chambertin Les Seuvrees. An amazing multilayered expression of fruit, earth and the winemakers love for the Pinot grape. Ultra pure and memorable. The pinot I measure all pinots against. A great bargain too at $48 per bottle. This guy Frederic is so commited to getting the best fruit from his contracted growers, he sends his wife out on the crucial day of picking. She parks her van at the end of the rows being picked for her husband and opens a newspaper or magazine. Everyone knows who she is but, after all, she is just doing a little reading in the open air. Just to make sure the grower keeps his part of the deal. I like that type of commitment.

    Again, well done Gary. Don’t change a thing.

16. July 25, 2006

    karl satirev

    I love your enthusiasm. Don’t let a dirty mouth ruin it.

17. July 25, 2006

    Russ J

    Best Pinot? Probably a tie:
    1998 Domaine Drouhin Laurene at Oceana in NYC three years ago for my wife’s birthday and just recently a 2001 Muira Gary’s Vineyard Monterey (purchased at “Taste of Monterey” in Salinas, CA during a trip this spring) at Fascino in Montclair, NJ with friends who are big Zin people, and they loved it too. By the way, I have been to Voyagers in Orange Beach, AL, the place that Kevin mentioned. It is in the Perdido Beach Resort in LA (Lower Alabama) and is indeed a sweet spot.

    Great episode! How about a Giants/Jets Super Bowl in, say, 2009, when Clemens is up to speed?

18. July 25, 2006

    Michael Z

    Best pinot was a 1959 Francois Gaunoux Corton Les Renardes. Had it at the Ryland Inn. Still dark as pitch at nearly 50 years old. Incredibly gamey. I will never forget it.

19. July 25, 2006

    dan

    Gary: I like the fact that you are demystifying the tasting of wine. More importantly, that you will and are honest about the wines you taste. Not all wine is good, no matter the price. I’d like for you to come up with some wine library tv shows that coer the affordable great wines- less than $30 or $20 if you can find them. I’m a teacher so I don’t have a lot of money to spend on wine- I bought 3 cases from you since June and I’d have to say that all ofthe wines I bought on your recommendations were pretty good (except one- but i think that’s more a matter of my taste being different that yours). Keep it going in the right direction- we need more honesty and less hype. I look forward to seeing those great values by price or region in some upcoming epsidoes. As far as the pinot noir, I don’t drink it so I can’t say what the best one I ever had was. As far as the best wine, it would have to be a Penfolds Grange that my friend from Australia served me at his hous in Cahrlottesville back in 1992.

20. July 25, 2006

    Bruce

    Hi Gary,

    Welcome back!!!! The last two episodes have been great and thank you for staying true to yourself and the wines, good or bad! As you know, I have been big fan but not great customer yet of WL and we have discussed why. I think you have now pushed me over the edge and I will place my first order and will try the Three Miners Pinot….I really enjoy your honesty and like you, believe it is all about the taste of the wine, not trends or big business pushing us towards over priced wines. You asked us to respond with what we feel is the best Pinot we have had and I want to let eveyone know of another wine like Three Miners (in my opinion..:) That wine is from Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir from Oregon and is their 2004 Vintage Selection. Not the most expensive wine you can buy, but for around $28, it is a wonderful wine with beautiful balance and amazing fruit of strawberry and cherry and great mineral overtones. I would be very interested to see you do an episode that included this wine…Anyway, keep up the great work and enthusiasm, we all really appreciate it!!

21. July 25, 2006

    David K

    Short and sweet. Maybe not the best pinot I’ve ever had, but the best for the money. 2002 Argyle Nuthouse. I belive that WS even gave it a 93 and it certainly delivered… especially at $30 a bottle.

22. July 25, 2006

    Paul

    OK, best PN. Recently I was blown away by Littorai 2003 Husch Vineyard. Drank it at the Farmhouse in Forestville, CA, in February. Ordered a mixed case of Littorai 2004 Pinots – can’t wait till they arrive!! (Almost forgot the ‘49 Charmes-Chambertin with deer chops grilled at home – but that was 25 years ago).

    Keep up the great work!

23. July 25, 2006

    Joe

    Best bottle of Pinot I have had to date is by Ken Wright from Oregon – I had it on a business trip when I was in Atlanta in 1996 – do u guys carry it and what are your thoughts about it??

24. July 25, 2006

    Sam Zen

    YOU DA’MAN!!!! However, Jets…. over my Bears’ ass!

    Gary, this segmnent demonstrates that teh recent shake up has grounded you to where you should be. Blogging IS the future… and that future is here NOW. Just look at You Tube (as you briefly mentioned) which blows traditional television viewership out of the water. You are not making a mistake, I guarantee it! This is the future. And you are revolutionizing wine. I bet you that within 5 years you will be on the front page of one of the traditional magazines, much like Namath was on SI. But don’t get cocky. Ahhh, if you could see me I’m grinning form ear to ear) GOOD FOR YOU!

25. July 25, 2006

    MBG

    Gary,

    First time, long time. Best Pinot I had was in Feb of 2005 @ Brix restaurant in Yountville, a Miura Pisoni Santa Lucia Highlands. I believe the vintage was 2002. Miura makes some killer juice, I’m surprised I haven’t seen it in the shop.

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