66 Responses

1. August 24, 2006

   TimF

   In

2. August 24, 2006

   Susan

   First?

3. August 24, 2006

   TimF

   Very somber episode. I’m sorry for your loss, Gary.

4. August 24, 2006

   Bill Nelson

   Gary,

   I am sorry for your loss; we can never have enough friends. I’m sure that Mr. Verlin appreciates your hoisting a few in his memory.

5. August 24, 2006

   Rick E

   Gary –

   Thanks for pushing through an episode when your thoughts were obviously elsewhere. It not only demonstrates the respect you have for your viewers and your show, but in this particular case, the respect you have for Steve.

   It sounds like he would have appreciated the salute.

   Keep up the great work…

6. August 24, 2006

   Bill T.

   I’m sure that was a tough episode for you to do. I’m very sorry for your loss.

7. August 24, 2006

   Big Billy from Big D

   A tip of the glass to Mr. Verlin and to you for remembering him.

8. August 24, 2006

   Susan

   Gary-
   So sorry about your buddy Steve Verlin.
   I am sorry I didn’t get a chance to meet him.
   I am glad you decided to do the episode despite your loss.
   I give you a 90 on this episode.
   You FINALLY liked some bordeaux’s! Simply Shocking!
   Keep up the good work!

9. August 24, 2006

   Tommy T.

   Gary,

   Nice tribute about Steve.

   Sorry to hear of your loss….

10. August 24, 2006

    Matty Van

    props on the episode obvously not one of your easier ones to get though.

    I am yet to be a bordeaux fan, I have tried a few none over $30 that may be my problem, am just not a fan of the bordeaux flavor profile yet. Maybe in time.

    I rate the EP a 91 full bodied, dry, complex.

11. August 24, 2006

    GOL

    Gary – This is my first post, and I will simply say that I love WLTV and I will raise a glass to Steve the next time I open a Bordeaux.

12. August 24, 2006

    zerokreap (kw)

    fast people

13. August 24, 2006

    Bill Ipp

    Sorry Gary! Thanks for doing the episode.

14. August 24, 2006

    Jaye

    Gary – very touching, heart-felt and appropriate eulogy. You made Mr. Verlin come alive to people who did not know him; simply through your obvious deep respect and regard. Thank you for sharing that with us.

15. August 24, 2006

    K Spengler

    So very sorry for your loss, a lovely tribute.

16. August 24, 2006

    stewart l.

    I enjoyed your episode, very nice tribute to a well respected man. I will toast him at home tonight as well.

17. August 24, 2006

    zerokreap (kw)

    94 pts. good episode. touching…great story.
    i love bordeaux…thanks gary
    and i love the grateful dead…and wine…steve must have been a cool guy.
    sorry for your loss

18. August 24, 2006

    Rick McQ

    Gary:

    Nice tribute to your friend Steve!!

19. August 24, 2006

    Steve

    Nice tribute Gary, sorry for the loss of your friend.
    Gary, I was very surprised with the thumbs down rating of the 2003 Chateau Haut Beyzac in this episode. You had tasted that same wine back in episode #23 with descriptors such as “huge classic nose” and “extreme elegance”. In this episode you said it had almost no nose. Are we talking the same wine here. How could there be such a drastic difference in 2 different episodes? Maybe a bad bottle?

20. August 24, 2006

    Brandon M

    My condolences….but remeber..it’s the memories that count!!!!

    Great episode. 93 points. Good inexpensive Bordeaux is always a great treat!

    Tony…don’t be so hard on people. Some people (me included) love what technology has done and commetning first from all the way across the country is rather exciting!

21. August 24, 2006

    Peter

    Great story about your meeting Steve and his contribution to the world. I love it when you bring the wider world of wine, personalities, restaurants and business into the show.

22. August 24, 2006

    Tony S.

    Gary,

    That’s a 100 point episode. Way to push one through during a rough day for you. He was a great client of ours here in Chicago and will be surely missed.

    Take care man, see you tomorrow.
    T

23. August 24, 2006

    Tony

    Gary, I’m very sorry to hear about the loss of your friend.

    Thanks for the tribute; I’m sure he would have appreciated it.

    I’m with Steve on the Haut Beyzac. I bought several bottles on your recommendation in episode #23. What happened to “Chocolate, cocoa puffs and licorice”, “extreme elegance”, and “extremely silky”?

    Are we talking bottle variation here? Taster variation? Heat damage? (Notice how I got that subtle hint about the heat episode in there? Pretty sneaky, huh?)

24. August 24, 2006

    Matthew

    Gary, my condolences on the passing of what was clearly a good friend. Very classy to tip your glass.

25. August 24, 2006

    PeteB

    100 pts. on this one – enough said. Nice tribute!

26. August 24, 2006

    Susan

    ALL WLTV Fans:
    ok- remember when Gary said ‘Go to the store and buy black currant and cassis’? I just found a great dark chocolate bar that has both black currant and cassis! Triple Yum!
    It is from New Tree – the specific type of choco bar is Renew.
    Made in Belgium. It is just THE BEST EVER! For all of you out there wanting to try out these flavors. Serious flavinoids!

27. August 24, 2006

    Jim J.

    Gary –

    There is no better way to commemorate the passing of a wine lover than by raising a glass. Go home and open something good.

    Condolences.

28. August 24, 2006

    GeneV

    It is sad to hear of the passing of a wine legend. Where else could one find a collector who would share his 66,000 bottles with the world?

    By the way, you are right on with the Lynch Moussas. This is a sleeper which will is just starting to be discovered. I stocked upon on the 2000, and haven’t regretted it.

    Gary, don’t you think a lot of the the 2003 Bordeaux is asleep right now? Three years after the vintage is usually about time they close down.

29. August 24, 2006

    Little Lou

    Watcha gonna do when little Lou runs wild on you!!!!!!!!!!!! see ya later GV

30. August 24, 2006

    damon

    Thanks for sharing the personality of your friend. The best way to honor someone after they’re gone is to remember them, and laugh some along the way. Sounds like a hell of a guy. sorry Gary, hang in there.
    damon

31. August 24, 2006

    JohnM

    Gary-
    A fine tribute to a friend as well as your commitment to WLTV to do this episode with such an obviously heavy heart. He sounds like he was a great guy, perhaps similar to Tony Coturri with a fortune and a love of collecting? I’ll toast Steve when I next open a Bordeaux. Thanks

32. August 24, 2006

    SeanM

    Gary,

    My deepest condolences. Take the day off tomorrow, we’ll see you Monday.

33. August 24, 2006

    Ed R

    My condolences,way to tough it out, I’ll give you 99 pts. I’d give you a 100 pts. , but I figured I would pile on and give you some crap about conflicting reviews. Nice timing ladies,
    next time maybe wait a day. Gary, I’ll give a 100 pt rating if you call those guys out by name next episode and flip then the bird.
    When your down, just remember Bedell SUCKS !!
    ED

34. August 24, 2006

    Russ J

    Nice job, man.

35. August 24, 2006

    Darlene O.

    Gary,
    Wonderful tribute to your friend. You’ve done him proud. I raise a glass as well…

36. August 24, 2006

    MarcT

    Great episode…15 points (95).
    I was surprised on your tasting of the 2003 Chateau Haut Beyzac. I found it to be a pretty good wine on par with the scores it received. Maybe that just goes to show us how every bottle can and often will be different.
    So when does the next picture go up?
    Deepest sympathies.

37. August 25, 2006

    Don from Seattle

    This was a good episode. The wine reviews were more focused and less chatty than usual, perhaps influenced by the memorial that was delivered. Anyway, I enjoyed the seriousness of this episode.

    ALSO, see Gary Vaynerchuk’s mug on Page 1 of the August 25th Wall Street Journal! (”Wine Sales Thrive As Old Barriers Start to Crumble” by Vanessa O’Connell.) In this article about regulations that impact the wine industry, Gary is mentioned in the first AND last three paragraphs on the long article, and is characterized as an innovator in retail wine sales. But we already knew that. Alas, no plug for Wine Library TV.

    Links to article (requires subscription) http://online.wsj.com/article/SB115646213960145012.html or free full text may be available today via RSS at http://online.wsj.com/xml/rss/3_7083.xml

38. August 25, 2006

    Rick McQ

    Gary:

    I just received my order for the Twenty Rows Cab 04′ you recommended a couple days ago. I thought it was fantastic. I just ordered another case.

39. August 25, 2006

    Rick McQ

    Gary: It’s sold out!! DOOHHHH!

40. August 25, 2006

    Colin D. Devroe

    RIP Mr. Verlin

    EP rating 93

41. August 25, 2006

    Michael P

    Gary I know you did this episode with a heavy heart & I appreciate that. I think we all do. We need more people like you & Steve who share a passion for wine & obviously enjoy life.
    Salut to Steve! I hope your enjoying your finest bottle…RIP

    I’m disappointed in the Haut Beyzac. I bought 2 bottles from WL about 6 months ago. I have yet to try them but I’ll let you know what I think.

42. August 25, 2006

    Dan

    SO I open my Wall Street Journal this morning, and who is staring back at me from Page One???

    Gary Vaynerchuk! A 30 year old immigrant from Belarus.

    Good work Gary!

    Dan (In Houston)

43. August 25, 2006

    Dan

    Hey Gary,

    Just watched your WSJ interview. Nice job!

    Dan (In Houston)

44. August 25, 2006

    LMA

    gary… well done! making the front page of the journal… even a stipple portrait! congrats! who ever knew an immigrant from belarus could dream the dream and capture the hearts (and livers) of the american public one video blog at a time. congrats again!

45. August 25, 2006

    Roger

    Gary,

    Great episode! I just returned from Bordeaux where we tasted Lynch Bages and ate at the Winery. Great stuff.

    You may have done this already, but would you consider giving viewers a “heads up” on some future episodes so we can order some of the wines you are tasting and taste along with you? I am interested to learn more clearly how our tastes compare. You would need to give us a couple of weeks to receive the wine. Also, I would only want to purchase wines you recommend as opposed to the wines you pass on.

46. August 25, 2006

    Jaye

    Great video interview on WSJ Online. A question just popped into my head — being that you deal in wine so much in your life; do you have your own personal wine collection? How large is it?

47. August 25, 2006

    Jim J.

    Gary — above the fold in the WSJ, and an online video? You rock!

48. August 25, 2006

    garyv

    I was told I said Pauillac was a right bank wine, I said “no way” well I did, obviously my head was somewhere else yesterday and I apologize for this HUGE mess up, clearly Pauillac is a left bank wine.

49. August 25, 2006

    Bob U

    Gary
    Are you ever going to do an episode on Barbaresco’s? It seems like this wine is not as well know or drank as much as the other Italian reds. I’ve had your Abrigo Barbaresco Vigna Montersino 2001 and the Marchesi Di Gresy Barbaresco Martinenga 2001. I thought both were very good but the Abrigo I thought was outstanding especially since they were priced the same. Look forward to your response.
    Thanks
    Bob

50. August 25, 2006

    Jason R.

    Tony,

    I would agree with GeneV that most Bordeaux’s go to sleep about 2-4 years after bottle – at least in an awkward stage – some re-emerge fairly quickly, and others it may take 7-10 to come around.

    One last thing – looking for some people’s thoughts on this one: When shipping wine in (UPS Grd), I always wait about a month before I drink anything. My personal thought is that it needs this time to “Settle Down” again or I may catch it in some other AWKWARD stage? Any comments?

51. August 25, 2006

    Craig

    Gary,
    No score to be given for this because it is in a class by itself. Sincere condolences for your loss of such a good friend, and hats off to you for a most fitting tribute. The next time I drink a Bordeaux I will think of this episode, and say a prayer for you both. Best, CK

52. August 25, 2006

    Adam

    Jason,
    I agree that the wine goes through “bottle shock” after shipping, where the wine might taste a little muted or not show well. Personally, I wait a few weeks if the wine was shipped to drink them. It can’t hurt.
    Adam

53. August 25, 2006

    Tommy T.

    Gary,

    Congrats on the WSJ video and article. You hard work is really paying off.

    Tom

54. August 25, 2006

    E

    Fun fact: those WSJ stippled portraits are called “hedcuts”.

55. August 25, 2006

    cgf

    Gary,
    Great video interview on wsj online. Also, i am digging Vanessa O’Connell. She seems very sexy.
    Keep hustling.

56. August 25, 2006

    Craig

    Gary,
    Jason R’s question (see comment 50) relates to one I asked a bunch of episodes ago. Do you believe in the phenomenon of “bottle shock” as a consequence of shipping/transport? If yes, then is there a rule of thumb as to how long to wait for recovery? Thanks, CK

57. August 25, 2006

    Tony G.

    Thanks Gary, sorry for yor loss. Sounds like he was a great guy! Real, with a good heart, not enough of them around. Love the combat boots story, guess you can’t judge a book by it’s cover.

58. August 27, 2006

    brian t

    Funny your e- mails pushed the Haut Beyzac yet you gave it a pass. That is one reason i stopped buying from you.

59. August 29, 2006

    Italian Stallion

    Gary, I am very sorry for your loss….My glass(es) of wine tonight will be dedicated to him….Great Show

    The Stallion

60. September 14, 2006

    Anonymous

    Hi Gary, thanks honoring Steven Verlin in this episode.
    His wife is a very dear friend of mine & I am sure when she is
    ready, I will show her this and she will appreciate it.

    She does know your site exists and she really likes it.
    We are all sadden & stunned by his loss.

    I am really baffled why the mentioning of his death hasn’t turned up in food & wine yet.

    He will be missed.

61. November 5, 2006

    Debbie

    What a wonderful man Steven was ! I send prayers to his entire family.
    Thanks for paying tribute to him
    Deb

62. July 16, 2007

    Dave Canada

    Great episode that makes all wine drinkers pause about why we love wine so much. Great story!

    Dave

63. September 6, 2007

    GrapeStuff

    I really need to start drinking more bordeaux wines. The problem is finding them under $30 readily at my LWS. Hopefully, I will be able to do more ordering from WL in the coming months as the weather cools down!

64. February 12, 2008

    thefanjestic

    That was really classy and awesome to watch. Good episode and very honest.

65. March 23, 2008

    John D.

    Gary –

    Just going through your archives. Touching episode and very classy. I’m fairly new to the wine world, but this has compelled me to read up on your friend. Thanks.

66. September 17, 2009

    John J.

    I’m sure Steve was used to those looks when he went into a wine store dressed that way. I get ones I’m sure are similar when they see me come in outside of my work clothes. Dressed in a t-shirt and sneakers, probably looking to them like I may not be old enough to be in there, and I start going into their special temp controlled wine area with all the nice wines. Probably looking to them like I might steal something lol. I love when they come up to me asking if they can help me, really just wondering why I’m there and we get to talking. I’m saying things or asking questions about wine in their store they can’t answer or respond to.[only if they are being jerks.] I’m sure Steve loved that assumed misconception people gave him as well, and obviously he knew way more than me. Sounds like he had a wine collection that I don’t even dare dream about too. Sounds like a great guy. r.i.p. Steve

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