I have been a huge Lewelling fan for years. AWESOME, AWESOME value. I drink plenty of $75 to $200 bottles of Napa Cab, but Lewelling at $32 is up there. I had the 2002 just last night and ordered two more cases from you today because it was GREAT!!! I now have more than 12 cases of the stuff.

I would love for you to try it and let me know what you think (whether it is on WLTV or not).

Gary,

What is you opinion on the ageability of wines in different formats? I noticed the last wine was in a 375? I have always felt 375’s never age well. I think that hurt it.

1.5’s are the best? What is you take?

Amazing … I tasted a Vieux Telgraphe last year at the Boston Wine Expo.. and was sorely disappointed as well. I hope this isn’t a trend … I have been enjoying CNP for over 30 years and am a big fan of the Southern Rhone wines in general. I would encourage anyone visiting France to take the trip .. stay in or around Avignon .. and visit this area… great wine and great people!

Gary,

Please try one of your old trusty’s the famous 2003 Bob Egelhoff Cabernet Sauvignon. I always like to see you try wines you love!!! Take care…..

Gary,

I would you to taste a 2003 port. Croft maybe? I have read that the 2003 vintage is supposed to be the best since the 1940’s. Check one out for us!!!!

Great episode, Gary.

What is your opinion on ageability of current Rhones? Has wine-making style changed, regardless of the reason, which has had an effect on keeping good Rhones?

One thing about being old is that, if you buy more than you drink, you sometimes get to taste well-aged (occasionally over-aged) wines. I still have three bottles of the 1986 CdP Clos du Mont Olivet, which RP rated 95 back in 1988. Had one a few months ago and it was spectacular, but at it’s peak, so I’ll have to drink them up soon.

Ray – congrats!

TimF – Brandon M’s suggestion is an excellent one. Make sure to get off the beaten trail in Sonoma. Be sure to stop at Harvest Moon and say hello to Randy.

I am liking the port recommendations today in the comment gallery – how about a port episode?

Anyway – how about trying one of these wines:
2002 Cain Concept
2003 Grahams Port
2000 Peter Michael Belle Cote Chardonnay
2004 Chateau Ste Michelle Ethos Chardonnay

Thanks.

Ray – congrats!

Gary,

Great question – How the hell are you going to pick something to taste out of the 80+ comments? I hope somebody is going to feel like a rock-star today if your new episode is their recommendation.

What is your take on organic & sulfite free?

Hey Gary,

Just got back into the states after spending a little over a week drinking tequila and wine and smoking Cuban Montecristos in Belize, Costa Maya, and the Cayman Islands. Customs was HELL on the way back in, and I almost made the terrible mistake of packing a few fine Priorats and Riojas ( not to mention Tequila ) that I had brought with me in my carry on bags. They would have had to hold me down to confiscate those babies. Sadly, one of my bottles of Clos Mogador and a gorgeous bottle of 1921 Tequila Reposado Riserva were broken in transit, but, thankfully, I may be able to get them replaced at no charge. Anyhow, it was nice to come back to some great episodes. Keep it up.

As far as which bottle I would like for you to taste. I REALLY want you to try the 2002 Match Butterdragon Hill Cabernet. You told me several times that you would taste it on an episode, but haven’t done so yet.

Also, it would be nice to see you try some nice champagnes, as well.

Oh, and even though the little joke episode #69 didn’t bother me, it did spark up an idea. It really would be great if once a week or so, you did a longer episode, maybe 15-20 minutes and a few more wines, maybe even tasting only wines suggested by the viewers throughout the week. I think most of your viewers would love that. Hope you and the WL family are well. Best wishes.

JH

Gary:

Try the Kathryn Kennedy Latteral 2003. I usually really like this wine. Someone made a comment that this year was not that great. Can you confirm!

Wine to taste: Torbreck Descendent Shiraz 2001

I would also add my vote for a Port episode.

Hey I asked Gary about a Port wine episode a few days ago. No response yet, but maybe he’s working on it. Glad I’m not alone in my request.

Tom

Would love for you to try the Kathryn Kennedy Lateral 2003 as well. Great suggestion. I have been debating on purchasing based on questionable feedback.

Gary:

I just placed my order for the 2004 Vielle Julienne Chat. Du Pape. I’ll email you in 10 years when I break it open.

Great show! I love the Hulkster figurine, brother!

Good Luck, Ray N!

1993 Roagna Barolo or the 1995 Felsina Chianti. Revisit the good old 20th century.

THANKS! I’ve been waiting for you to say “sucked” again! It’s been too many episodes . . .

Day late and a few dollars short for the V. Julienne, but I’m hooked on WLTV and I love Chat N Du Pape. Great wine, great countryside … fun place to visit (along with the rest of Rhone RV).

On the french tip, I would love to see you taste the Clicquot Rose champagne – old favorite. Ever been in les caves?

Gary – In reference to your view on the future of screwcaps (vs. corks) I thought you would appreciate the following by a noted food and wine personality.

“…Screwtops do a great job if you’re drinking the wine when it’s young. No question about that.

But what about a wine with a few years in a bottle? I recently tried a 1999 PlumpJack Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon with a screwcapâ??I consider seven years to be medium aging for a California Cabernet. I wondered what the effects would be.

The wine was brick-red rather than vivid purple, a sign that the aging process was nicely underway. I detected two of the classic signs of a nicely developing Cabernet, spice and black currants, scents I’m reasonably certain wouldn’t have been there at the time of bottling. Another plus: It was a lovely drink.

PlumpJack has been bottling its Reserve Cabernet with both corks and with screwcaps since 1997, as a test of divergence, and the winery claims that no noticeable differences have been detected. (The 2003 reserve is about to be released, if you want to conduct your own experiment.) It’s too soon to tell for sure, but if screwtops continue to be successful, corks are doomed. And a lot of trees are saved.”

I would like to see an episode on wines from Paso Robles or Edna Valley.

Seems to me you prefer the ’04 vintage to the ’03 with this tasting. ’04 was more classic, more traditional for CDP. Almost not fair to taste wines from two distinctly different vintages.

Gary,
Not just because you like to see it, but because it shows my love supreme for CDPs: GREAT EPISODE!! You were clearly into it this tasting, and telling it like it is, which was much appreciated. To answer the QOD, I have to list two wines: The ’04 Torbreck Run Rig versus Descendent. I know you are a big fan of both, but my question goes to whether you think it is truly worth it (in this case) to step up another $80-90 to snag the Run Rig. And here is another question for you. I know some episodes ago you justified laying the water carafe to rest for glass rinsing between wines, but how is it you are able to go from tasting one big, rich wine to the next and comment on their characteristics with nothing in between to clear your palate? Also as a suggestion for future Rhone-related tastings, I’d love to see you do a WLTV episode on Hermitage Goliaths (e.g., Chave, Chapoutier, Guigal, Jaboulet). Thanks, CK

I am viewing this episode a bit late as we were on vacation last week. That said I would like to see a tasting of a Pax single vinyard syrah and or a Biale Zin. (Black Chicken)or other.

Question:
When ordering wine from the Wine Library does the wine need to rest before trying a bottle or can you pretty safely pop one open that night? We just got our Castello Della Paneretta Chianti Classico Riserva and we are anxious to sample it.

your best episode to date. Excellent critical comments. I couldn’t agree with you more on these Chtnfdpps

Gary, I responded to this so there would be 100 responses…..I luv each and every episode. Any thoughts about the Spreadsheet I sent that highlights your top picks from each episode??