Hi Gary,
Just getting back into WLTV; I had “sobered up” after the Mondavi episode, but couldn’t resist the newer ones. Sorry to say, but it pleases me when BV gets a bad review. A few weeks back, on my way to class @ NYU, I stopped in at Astor wines where they were holding a tasting of 4 BV wines with the winemaker present. He completely ignored my standing before him for 5 minutes, serving others around me who had arrived later. He then proceeded to take a jab at my youth, laughing with two other tasters whom he had previously known. Eventually one of the store employees served me after the winemaker checked my i.d., returned it, and continued his conversation with complete disregard for my presence, wine snobbery at its worst. Thus, I shall never purchase a bottle of BV wine, rejoicing at the sight of bad reviews. BTW the chardonnay was one of the wines offered that day; I am glad to know that my perception of the wines uneventful and slightly medicinal nuances was correct. Oh yeah, I’m 22 and after reading “Wine for Dummies Cover to Cover” I’ve had the bug for a year or so now. It’s very disheartening to have such experiences; luckily they’ve never occurred in your establishment.

I recently tried Excelcior Cab Sauv 2004, South Africa. It got a 90 from Parker but I felt like I was drinking a bottle of chocolate. It was much better after airing out overnight. The chocolate stayed, but other flavors appeared.

Gary,

Enjoying your videos – trying to make some time and go back and watch some older ones. Haven’t decided on worst or best 90+, but the Panarroz definitely was no where near a 90 – ok, drinkable, maybe, but a pass even at $6.49. J

ust tried the Rosenblum Petite Sirah I picked up a few weeks ago. Very good – will cellar the remaining – maybe even pick up a few more. Keep up the good comedy.

PS. I haven’t recommended you to 150, but more than I can count on one hand – I’m all for free wine deals!!

Too many good 90+ point wines tasted to list but bad ones stick. The Pannaroz makes my list of bad ones. I tasted the Catena at the Sante Fe Wine and Chle Fiest and couldn’t believe it had gotten a 90 from anyone. It was one of the hotter Chardonnays I have tasted.

Thanks Gary. Very helpful when I watch your tastings. I like that I can quickly tell if you like the wine by how your head moves while you’re diving in to the bucket! Side to side or up and down…before you even say a word!

Worst: 1990 Pio Cesare Ornato Barolo.( a 95 Parker score).I have had other vintages and love this wine but not this vintage or not this bottle.
I expected big things when I came across this bottle. Opened it for a friend’s birthday… waited & tasted, waited and tasted…3 hours and 2 different bottles later, it never did open up to anything..Disapointment.
Best: Many many great bottles over the years…but the surprise for me was a 1997 Grgich Yountville Cab.Kept opening,expanding.Gorgeous…

It is nice to see how you evolve after #59, the naughty Gary is taking over. Kudos, kinda like that!

QOTD: worst? Difficult choice, I had a WS 96 Chiara Boschis Barolo Cannubi in october. Was very excited about it, and man, what a bottle of junk was this. You know the supermarket style Barolos? Even they were better (nothing wrong with sup-market wines though): unbalanced, searin sour tannins, fruit completely dried out, no focus or poise, and virtually no nose … yuk! Gave the sink a good time. Second worst on the list: RP 94 Chante Cigale CdP Red 2003. Same story: did not open up, even after 2 hours in decanter, a huge oak monster, oak tea in fact, unpleasantly bitter mid palate (somewhat like stewed coffee), very faint fruit (a bit plastic, undefinable mix between Grenache and Syrah). Third worst: Leffe 9°, the new Leffe beer, got 92 from some Belgian beer critic. No means, this is suppossed to be a food beer, ‘to be combined with fine food’, … what? This tastes so ARTIFICIAL: applejuice, sour butter and in the end a very unpleasant tinge of junk mustard. Smells like garbage and rotting onions (you know – no probab. you don’t 😛 – beer can be stinky, but in a good way, think of an old Gueuze). Gave it a try three times and was never able to finish a glass. Appalling! Anyway, InBev makes money, no beer.
Okay, wen’t of my head there. Best experience 90+: Morris Farms Avvoltore Rosso Maremma IGT 2004, just the best Merlot I have ever had. Not a cheap one, OK, but not really expensive either. Very profound and brooding, but with so mmuch joy around the corner. Unforgetable. Or, Poliziano Vino Nobile di M. 2003, Veronelli 90, very animal and terroir driven, dark fruit, smoky, brushwood and all that jazz, … bit of a metaphysical wine.

Gary
You said you notice additions to old blogs so I thought I would give a comment.

I have been working my way through all your blogs starting at episode #1. I understand your show much better now after watching how the show has developed. I like the crazy you much better.

KEEPING IT REAL

QOTD – Best 90 point wine is 1970 Domaine de Chevalier. Worst is 2003 Hecula

The best wine that I had that *should* have been a 90+ wine was a Heartland 2002 cab/sauv. I don’t know if it was ever rated, but if it had been, I’m sure it would have made the list.

Best that I didn’t want to like: Baron Rothschild Almaviva 2001
Worst that I WANTED to like: Maurice Ecard Savigny-les-Beaune Les Jarrons 2000

QOTD – Worst – Kendall Jackson 1997 Stature Cab. Nothing but tannin, way too dry without much fruit.

Best – 2001 Joseph Phelps Insignia. Most incredible thing I have ever tasted.

Qotd – I don’t think I’ve had any terrible 90+ wines but I’ve had a lot that were way overrated – Columbia Crest 2 Vines Shiraz comes to mind. Best wine over 90 – too many to decide. Good episode.

QOTD: I don’t even know GV. I’ve truly taken the Vayniac doctrine and I don’t look for scores. I just drink some wine and see if I like it or not.

trying to fuel your engine!

word 60 “think”

Gary, continue to be who you are. Keep keeping it real.

With this one you’re requesting comments and interaction, so here goes. How about a charbono or vin jaune episode/tasting?
qotd: best-Chateau Petrus {almost a no-brainer right?}, worst-actually not sure, dont pay as much attention to points as I should perhaps. In fact, I’m just assuming that ’96 Petrus got more than 90 points.
And WOW, your 3rd BV wine on here already if memory serves! I really hope by the time I catch up that you haven’t gone through their whole porfolio. I’m surprised they even warranted 1 appearance. Just seems like there’s better options out there for the price then stuff like that or Rosemount and that ilk.

And please don’t apologize BV has a history, but they’ve hopped on the mass market bandwagon. Great wines for some people, my mom loves the stuff. Not trying to be stuck up either, I’m drinking an $8 Cab right now.
Also, really seems like you’re in the back of a pet store in this episode, with all the bird chirping sounds lol.
Great episode, you’ve definitely ,ade the transition, Imentioned in the episode before, but I love the confidence you’re exuding now

p.s. not so sure I’m gonna start folding any oragami stars.

Still a fan of Fontanafredda’s Barolo La Rosa. Loved the ’96, ’98 & 2000. Have never tried the Lazzarito.

Good show. Catena has gotten better over the years i think. I’m more a fan of their reds.

😛

I cant say, I dont look at scores.But i recently had a 2006 Jordan, why do people like this wine????