Tasting the wines you asked me to.

Tasting the wines you asked me to. – Episode #83

August 31, 2006

Wines tasted in this episode:

Today is Customer Appreciation Day 2! Gary Vaynerchuk tastes and reviews four wines that viewers requested. Watch to see how Gary review these four wines. More viewer questions answered and a new QOD.

103 Responses

August 31, 2006

Jaye
First time I have heard of any of these wines . . . looking forward to the episode!
August 31, 2006

Rich S
Good job as always Gary.
August 31, 2006

Peter Schelde
Hi Gary

Denmark came in second!

Its 10 in the evening
August 31, 2006

Steve B
Top 5 – love to see the Etude in the tasting……
August 31, 2006

Bill Nelson
Gary, maybe the Little Penguin spoiled you for other wines. The best bottle of wine I ever gave to someone was a Rosenblum Carla’s Vinyard Zinfandel. She enjoyed the wine along with the fact that it included her name (Carla). The best bottle I have received was a 1998 Port from Stuart Winery in Temecula, CA that my son bought for me.
August 31, 2006

Darrell T.
Great episode, I guess this proves your statement that how a wine tates is dependent on a number of factors. I have given as a gift a bottle of MUMM champange, however the gifts that I usually receive are either Scotch or Burbon.
Waiting for you to taste either a Kistler or Kongsgaard Chard.
taste some wines from deep in the Lanugedoc region.
August 31, 2006

Jaye
I feel bad that none of the wines tickled your fancy today. Don’t know what to make of the draft thing in the end (sorry, not a Football fan — don’t hate me!). I wanted to know who’s hand stealthily brough in the water while you were tasting Lateral, and why? There didn’t seem to be any reason for it.

Anyway, best wine I ever gave as a gift was probably ‘02 LaValentina Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. Not an expensive wine (most expensive wine I ever gave away was ‘01 Opus One — but I wouldn’t call that the best wine). Usually when I want to give a special wine, I invite people over and give them a great meal to go with it. That way I get to enjoy the special wine too, and I know they are getting the wine at its best (properly decanted or allowed to breathe for a bit).

Best wine I ever received as a gift was 1997 Riesling, don’t remember which one it was, but it was dynamite.
August 31, 2006

TimF
You had me in _tears_ with that last montage. That was unreal!

I agree with your assessment of the Etude ‘04. The ‘03 was great, velvety and complex. The ‘04 didn’t measure up. Maybe it was the weather…
August 31, 2006

bob pederson
best bottle ever given – 1963 vintage Dow Port /1970 Vintage Dow Port (a two bottle gift to a huge port lover)

best bottle received – champagne – Krug dont remember the year, but it was DELICIOUS as I am in the veynercamp re champagne – it’s a spectacular and under appreciated wine ( I still think most people have just consumed too much crap -)
August 31, 2006

Tony
Top 10
August 31, 2006

Rich S
I forgot to answer the QOD. Best wine I ever received as a gift is the 1998 Dom P I mentioned in the champagne blog. At least, I hope it will be the best because I haven’t opened it yet………

The best bottle that I ever gave as a gift is probably a bottle of 2003 Bordeaux that I gave to my boss with instructions to put it away for many years. I had bought a case of Chateau Cap de Faugeres futures from WL and then gave a bottle as a gift. I personally have not even tried any of it yet but from everything I have read, it should be a pretty special wine.
August 31, 2006

Ed R
Gary,
Not to rub it in, but you left first round selection out of Iowa Offensive Tackle Mike Haight. He was awesome I think he played as much as Tony Manderich did for the Packers. My Giants have had some real winners too; George Adams, Derek Brown, some wide receiver Thomas from Indiana who was so bad I can’t remember his first name, and most recently Ron Dayne aka “Thunder”.
ED
August 31, 2006

Chris Stan
Gary, thanks for mentioning me relative to Mike and the Mad Dog. HYSTERICAL Jets montage…nice work.

Where do you come in on baseball…I’m assuming Yankees based on pictures behind. That’s dissappointing — I would have taken you for a Met fan (which I am). Could be another Subway Series.

SUGGESTION — I (and I think many) would LOVE to hear YOUR answers to the QOD….on the next episode of course. For example, what is your favorite winery? What do think of the format tweak?
August 31, 2006

kidseyemd
Hey Gary,

That Jets’ clip was a blast….who needed Marino or Sapp anyway?…..
You were definitely “off” today…. on the Kathryn Kennedy, you mentioned “good complexity”, then 30 seconds later called it “one-dimensional”…HUH????

Best wine I gave as a gift- Lynch Bages 95 and 96 (together)….best received Opus One 1996- from a patient of mine.

Can I suggest you taste the 2003 Clio? (even off camera)- the 2002 is great, but definitely new-world-and LOADED; I am very curious about the 2003 given the RP review.

Hugh
August 31, 2006

Steve
Gary, man I love WLTV but that was one blaugh show today. I guess you can’t win them all. I know you will make up for it tomorrow by closing out the 06 summer with a hell of a show;)
BTW….you didn’t even make mention that I was the only poster yesterday with a gravatar image.
August 31, 2006

Steve
ooopppssss…..forgot to mention. What was with the blurry close-up of every bottle??? you could not make out anything of the label.
August 31, 2006

Rick E
Gary, can you get the hamster that powers your server to run a little faster. I’m getting noble rot sitting here waiting for your video to upload…
August 31, 2006

joe
Gary – next time choose the wine I wanted you to drink (2000 Chateau Pavie – 100 points and a Frankenstein monster of a wine). If you went with me – it would have been a different episode.

The best bottle of wine I ever got for a present is either the 2000 Mouton Rothschild or the 1996 Petrus – you tell me which is better (I am cellaring both and won’t open for a while).

The best bottle I have gifted is either a 1995 Ornellaia or 1997 Pride Merlot (you choose which was better)

Joe
August 31, 2006

stewart l.
Best bottle of wine I received was an Opus One 1996 from one of my patients. Best bottle of wine I have given was an E.guigal Chateneaue de Pape 1999[?] which was the number one bottle of wine in the spectator of the top 100.
August 31, 2006

Jason R.
Best bottle given – Back in 1985 – My brother and I (I was 11 and he was 16) scraped up money from mowing lawns that summer and bought a bottle of 1982 Chateau Mouton Rothschild for our father for X-Mas (Of Course had to have Mom buy – Was $49.99 – WHAT WAS I THINKING? $50 BUCKS THAT WAS A TON OF MONEY BACK THEN- OH YEAH – I JUST LOOKED THE CHEAPEST I FIND IT FOR NOW IS $725+) WE ARE “SCHEDULED” TO DRINK AS A FAMILIY ON X-MAS 2007 WHEN IT IS 25 YEARS OLD. I CAN’T WAIT!!!

Best Bottle Received – I WOULD SAY A 1974 CHRISTIAN BROTHERS CABERNET SAUV. FOR MY WEDDING – Not that the red colored “CAT PISS” inside is probably any good any longer – I doubt if I will even ever open it. It will just grace my cellar as a momento..

GO CHIEFS!!!
August 31, 2006

joe
Jason R:

Who’s your Daddy? Way to pay homage man. You and your Bro are the greatest!
August 31, 2006

damon
LIZARD…love it.

Poor Jets, but the Bengals here in Cincinnati have had a ton of early round picks (and some 1st picks) go bad. We like the Bengals this year though. Hail Marvin.

I’ve had sevral bottles of Cava lately. All have been fairly solid and super cheap. Do you have any favorites in that category?
August 31, 2006

Jason R.
Forgot to mention – I agree with Joe #18 – I think that if you would have popped the 2003 Ch. D’alesme Becker….. hum, hum, hum – not that this would have hung with the 2000 Pavie??

Maybe taste the 03 Becker against a 2002 Justin – Battle across the Pond # I
August 31, 2006

damon
I forgot the QTD.

given: 1999 Masi Amarone
recieved: 1998 Tommasi Amarone
August 31, 2006

Brandon M
That episode was definitly not one of my favorites.
Do you watch what you eat before you taste? or…What do you do to clear your palette before tasting. I’m just wondering if some strong curry or garlic is lingering around. Or maybe it’s the expectations of Sean Ryan that has you down. Hey, at least Jolley is gone!

Best wine ever been given: 1975 Chateau Latour (From Uncle for Graduating College)
Best wine ever given as a gift: 2002 Caymus Special Selection (To my Dad for Christmas)

B
August 31, 2006

Brandon M
QUESTION FOR THE BLOG:

I have a gravatar, but I thought it was supposed to be recognized off of my email address. Is there anything special that anyone is doing to show their gravatar (Embedding a picture)?

Just curious….B
August 31, 2006

Chad O
Sadly my best bottle has only been an ‘02 Bordeaux but I’m working on my collection.

Gary, does your dentist ever scold you about wine staining your teeth? I noticed you really swoosh it around in there. Mine asked me last week how much coffee I drink and when I told him I’m a big red wine fan there was a big ah-ha from him on why my teeth were stained.

Keep up the great shows!!

Chad
August 31, 2006

Jaye
Ditto Brandon’s question
August 31, 2006

Grant Gallagher
Well I have a gravitar, too. I wonder if it appears….
August 31, 2006

Grant Gallagher
er.. no
August 31, 2006

garyv
The gravatars take a while to get “rated” on gravatar.com, they should be approved soon (I hope!)
August 31, 2006

Tony
Gary,
Never seen you go “blah” for 4 before. It isn’t very often that you feel blah about any wine.

I think your palette was definitely having an off day. Maybe you should get your nose insured, like Robert Parker, so you’ll always have an income for your family.

I wish I had a great answer for the QOD but to be honest, I’ve never given away any stellar wines. I usually give away the stuff I decide I don’t like. I know that’s bad, but most of the people I know can’t tell the difference.

Best wine I’ve been given was a 2000 Marcelina Carneros Pinot Noir. Actually, not too many people give me wine either. I don’t have a lot of wine drinking friends. Really, I should say wine LOVING friends. I have friends who will drink wine, they just can’t appreciate the difference between Gallo and Guigal.
August 31, 2006

Tony
Oh, PS, my gravatar isn’t showing up. I signed up and got my gravator approved. What else do I need to do? Isn’t it supposed to automatically appear?
August 31, 2006

Chris
Best bottle given: 4 pack of small production Oregon PN to my brother for a house warming gift (I know its 4 bottles not one but it was one gift)

Best Bottle recieved: 1996 Lafite – I’m looking forward to drinking that guy in another decade or so.

Can’t wait for the grower champagne WLTV. Keep up the good work.
August 31, 2006

johnb
gary, i read that your appreciation for wine started at the age of 17 but isnt the legal drinking 21? did you partake in under age drinking?
August 31, 2006

Paul
The best bottle given: LeRoy 1937 Richebourg, to my parents for their 37th wedding anniversary (it was a while ago – they’ve been married for 58 years now.)
The best received – for my wedding last summer – a bottle of 1990 Veuve Clicquot Grande Dame.

Liked the ‘lizard’ reference. Stream of consciousness thing, right?
August 31, 2006

TimF
QOD: A co-worker gave me a bottle of Grand Dame Veuve Cliqout 1993 a couple of years ago (I still haven’t had a chance to open it). I haven’t given many good bottles out. I just don’t have very many “wine friends” so I don’t give out nice bottles. Sometimes I’ll add a bottle of Moet White Star to a wedding gift just for fun — something I know almost everyone would enjoy…
August 31, 2006

Susan
Gary-
Great episode! I will give this one at 95.
THANKS for trying the Mas De Daumas Gassac Red 2003!!!!!:):):):)
You have saved me alot of $ already!!
That is more money I can spend on GREAT wines not just any old wine.
The best wine I have given is a :
Biltmore Estate Reserve Reisling.
The best wine I have ever received is;
Bilmore Estate Chateau Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2002.
This might shock you but the BE Chateau Cab has NOT been opened.
I think waiting a few years is a good idea.
August 31, 2006

Dan
I enjoy the episodes when you don’t like the wine. It keeps it honest.

I do have a question for you about one of your comments:

What is a “Bad” wine color?

Pinots are generally lighter in color than Cabs or Syrah/Shiraz. Does that make it a “worse” color?

Thanks,

Dan (In Houston)

ps: I have a gravatar, too. Don’t know what to do to make it work)
August 31, 2006

Julius
When a close friend of mine was in better financial straits (before the bubble burst), I used to get a assortment of wines from him each Christmas. They included 1970 Vega Sicilia Unico, 1997 Fisher Lamb Vineyard Cabernet, 1996 Mondavi Reserve Cabernet, 1997 Pine Ridge Andrus Reserve among many others. Talk about jump starting a wine cellar.
As a wedding gift, I gave the daughter and son-in-law of one of my friends two bottles of wine – a 1999 Fisher “Wedding” Vineyard Cabernet and a 2000 Fisher “Unity” Chardonnay. I guess I’m just a sentimental old fool.
August 31, 2006

Tony G.
Gary,

Thanks for getting the wines back on the video page. Hey what was us with the glass of water that seemed to magically appear in the corner of the video?
August 31, 2006

Tony G.
Gary,

Thanks for getting the wines back on the video page. Hey what was up with the glass of water that seemed to magically appear in the corner of the video?
August 31, 2006

Tony S.
First off…I didn’t get to watch yesterday’s episode until right before this one. So, with that in mind, Gary, Gary, Gary…I don’t want to trash talk, but even without a very good 1st string offense, the Bears are gonna clobber the Jets. And for ALL YOU NEW YORKERS OUT THERE THAT LIKE THE GIANTS AS WELL: The Bears are gonna cloober the Jets one week AFTER taking care of the Giants, and both of those games are in your home town. That’s right, for 2 weeks straight the Bears are gonna call the Meadowlands home. So, YOU ARE WELCOME NY/NJ.

OK, onto today’s episode. The best wine I ever gave as a gift was a 2001 Mouton, but I had my sister-in-law going in with me with that, so it’s not like I went all out. And the best wine I ever recieved was a bottle of 1996 Sassicaia from a client. Had that with some steak…man. Fortunately being in the wine industry, I get a few hand outs from clients, which are always appreciated.

Either way, your episode rocked today, I like the tasting of suggestions (what? Were you scared to re-tasted the white zin?!?!?!?). Either way, as always, good job and the Bears are the SuperBowl champs this year. And NEVER FORGET 85….by the way, when was the last time the Jets won it all?

Go Bears!
T
August 31, 2006

Tony S.
That’s right, I said “Cloober”.
August 31, 2006

miriam
Hi Gary,

This is an interesting article from yesterday:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/30/dining/30evan.html

Thanks – for your nose.
August 31, 2006

Cesar
Nice format change, but I do miss the search feature in the left hand column.

The best bottle I gave as a gift was a 1990 Spatlese Nackenhein Riesling
The best I received was a 1983 Real Velha vintage port. Thanks sis.

Great show thanks, I always learn something new.
August 31, 2006

ChrisR
Gary,

Blah reviews are a good ep in my opinion since most of these wines are question marks in my book, which is why I think we all wanted them reviewed. Thanks for tasting the Lateral! The reviews I’ve read were iffy so I was hesitant to buy. You saved me some $$ to spend on different wines. I’m just about to order a mixed case from you so I’ll definitely leave that one out.

Agree with you on the Etude. I love its acidity and concentration in good years but the vintages have shown great variance.
August 31, 2006

GOL
Tony S – The word you are looking for is “Clobber”… and it is a great word to describe the mid-November beat-up DA BEARS are gonna administer in NJ (where the two NY teams play)

QOD – Best wine received: 1994 Mouton Rothschild (still aging so I hope it’s great!)
Best Given… 2004 Pax Castelli Knight Syrah (like Bill Nelson’s comment #5, was appropriately given to a like-named recipient)

Gary – I will echo Dan’s comment #39 and say I love when you keep it real and turn em all down (as you mostly did with the Sauv Blanc episode)… makes your recommendations much more genuine
August 31, 2006

DaBear
Gary,

Johnny Laim Jones???

O’Brian over Marino???????????

At draft day, do you hid wine flasks in your coat to help you deal with the bad picks the Jets always seem to make?

Anyway, cannot pick the best bottle I received or gave, will think about that over a bottle of amarone.
August 31, 2006

Tony
I gotta echo johnb’s question. It says Gary’s “passion for wine started at a young age, a mere 17.” Were your parents contributing to the delinquency of a minor by feeding you wine?

I mean, look at you. Not only are you drinking in public, you’re doing it on the Internet where the whole world can see you. Oy! I’m glad I’m not your poor mother, she must be so ashamed, seeing you every day like this – in front of a camera even – where the whole world can watch you disgrace yourself like some common shikker who doesn’t have even pride enough to shame himself and his poor family in private. That you could do such a thing to your poor mother is a shandeh.

I dunno, is Vaynerchuk goy or Jewish? Gary looks like he could be a nice Jewish boy…except for the drinking, that is. Ah! It’s a shame. His whole life he has in front of him, and this is what he does with it.
August 31, 2006

Justin
Gary, I was glad to see that today the load time for the video was a lot better.
QoD:
Best Bottles I have ever given would be either a 1979 Durney Vineyards Cab. or a 3L 1995 Heller Estate Cabernet. The ‘79 was an anniversary gift to my parents this year for their 27th anniversary. The 3L was a gift to my older brother and his wife for their anniversary/house warming gift.

As for what was the best I was ever given. Hmm. I got a bottle of ‘82 Karly Zin for my 24th b-day. The wine inside wasnt any good but the fact that I got a bottle from the year I was born as a gift was pretty nice. The other nice bottle given to my girlfriend and I as a gift was a 1.5L from Robert Mondavi’s 90th Birthday. It has a picture of Mondavi wearing a suit of corks on the bottle.
August 31, 2006

Susan
Gary-
I LOVE the new format on the WLTV Web page.
Please give my congratulations to any and all who had a hand in making that wonderful change!
Thanks:)
August 31, 2006

Rob M
Nice to see the gravitars are now up. Still waiting for the latest epidose to load.
August 31, 2006

TimF
GOL: What do you think of Pax wines? I tried a bottle of 2004 Cuvee Christine a few months ago. The guy I bought it from urged me to decant it for a long time. So I opened it about 5 hours before dinner. I tasted it several times during the day and it just kept getting better and better. By the end of dinner, it was hands down the best syrah I’ve ever tasted (maybe the best wine I’ve ever tasted in my life). It had an incredible creaminess unlike I’ve ever experienced. I’d be interested in hearing if others other have tried any Pax. They make a lot of different wines so I’d like to know which ones to pick up…
August 31, 2006

Russ J
Hey, I loved this episode. It would have been even better if GV had tried my “old” Italians. Maybe next time! And absolutely no need for an apology. I(almost) felt guilty.

QOTD: Maybe the best bottle I have received will be the 2001 Feudi Di San Gregorio Serpico. It is certainly rated highly enough, 95-WS, 97-RP, I think. It will be a few more years before I crack that one. Best gift bottle I have opened was an ‘02 Martinelli G&L Zin. Killer and way better than the ‘00 which we had the same night. As far as giving, I admit that I am with Tony in comment 32. I have given some expensive bottles as gifts, big time show-off Bordeaux, Napa Cabs etc., but I find it very hard to part with stuff I know is good. So I SUCK as far as the giving goes, but I am a VERY good sharer!

And the Jets draft montage was obviously hilarious, especially the Mel Kiper, Jr. clip! He gets so pissed when teams make wacky selections! But the Freeman McNeil pick should not have been in there. Sure he was fragile, but his game was legit.
August 31, 2006

NickP
Gary,
Interesting episode tonight.
Visited WL for the first time today – we met at the register – nice to meet you. Went home with three mixed cases of wine, many based on WLTV episodes, but at least half picked with the help of your excellent staff and my ‘trolling’. I truly recommend anyone who can get there taking the time to visit the shop. I will be trying the Godello this weekend.
QOD: Best wines received: 1966 Vallana(Montalbano)Spanna – drunk when it was 20 years old – excellent; 1978 E. Grasso, Barolo Riserva Speciale; 1978 Heitz, Bella Oaks Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.
Best wine given: Taylor vintage Port (can’t recall the vintage though) and a Pol Roger vintage Champagne along with two Baccarat crystal flutes when my sister got married.
August 31, 2006

Lynne
Gary, Thanks for this episode. I love the fact that its not always all about the money when it comes to good wine.
For our family Labor Day Weekend: I bought about 2 cases of mixed up wines, all reviewed by Gary V, the “wine guru”. (Yes, I purchased them from WL) My family will be coming in & we’ll watch the segments, taste as Gary reviews, and see if we can figure out what the heck is so appealing about “cat piss”! Thanks, GV, for making wine drinking even more fun.

“Buying your wine… so you don’t have to”…Lynne
August 31, 2006

MikeMe
Gary, I would like you to answer the QOD once in awhile. I do not think I am alone in wondering how you would answer. Finish show with your QOD, start next show with your answer…just throwing it out there.

QOD Gave: 2001 Caymus Cab Recieved: Penfolds 98 Grange

Have a great long weekend and enjoy your party!
August 31, 2006

GOL
TimF – I am relatively new to Pax. A friend who lives in CA talked them up and helped me obtain 3 bottles of the Castelli Knight ‘04, one of which I gave as a gift per previous post. My wife and I had the other bottle a couple months ago, and it blew us away. My wife thought it was the best Syrah she’d ever had. Your description of “creamy” rings true for us as well. It was certainly “new world”, if RP reviewed it he would have said it had “gobs of fruit.” If GaryV reviewed he would’ve told the “old world” guys to turn away from the screen. I have read that the Griffin’s Lair (which is the next price point up from the Castelli) is/was recently considered their best Syrah, but as you mentioned Pax makes 5 or 6 different small lot Syrah’s from different vineyards, I’m sure there is much variety year-to-year. I saw their Cuvee Moriah at Sam’s recently (sorry to plug a national competitor Gary, just trying to help out my fellow Chi blogger), but I didn’t step up because it’s a GSM and for same price as many superb Chateauneufs I was skeptical. Anyway, I’m excited to try some more, but short of ordering direct it seems pretty tough to find Pax in stores. GaryV, maybe WL should try to order some!
September 1, 2006

john maki
Best wine gift given – Aro 2001 Rioja from Muga to my friend who guided us thru northern Spanish wine country. recieved – probably the 1995 Torre Muga from the same friend who has visited there before and had the baby lamb dinner prepared in that area. john
September 1, 2006

PeteB
GV – nice clips at the end of this one – I’ll give you 95pts for the creativity. Still not biting on my wager from yesterday I see though!!!

Anyway – favorite wine received is once again my Grahams Vintage 2000 Port from a good friend. Favorite wine given was during last years holidays where I handed out the Twenty Rows Cab & Grappler to my team at work – great wine – great value and all loved it!!! Thanks to wine library!!!

Anyway, I’ll still wait on that wager. Time to go and catch 2 hours of sleep before I head off to work (Don’t worry GV, you are not the only crazy one out there;)
September 1, 2006

TimF
GOL – Thanks for your thoughts on Pax. I assume you means Sams Wine and Spirits and not Sams Club (can’t imagine there’s enough volume of it for that). I saw some at Knightsbridge in Northbrook and their prices were nuts — probably twice what I paid directly from Pax. If you do order directly from Pax, you get a personal phone call from them and a personal letter welcoming you to the “family”. I thought that was interesting…
September 1, 2006

Chipster
Gary,
Loved the draft day highlights! Don’t worry, in some of those years, I was watching Dallas select Alonso Highsmith, Quincy Carter and the like.

My best bottle ever given away must be the 1999 Grace Family cabernet. I lost it in a bet in the Bahamas. The best bottle received was probably my first exposure to Helen Turley’s work (a 1997 Martinelli Charles Ranch chardonnay.)

Have a great day and keep up the great work!

Chip LaMarca (”The Commish” from Lighthouse Point, FL)
September 1, 2006

Gosling
Gary, great show as always. As for your Jets, just be glad you aren’t a Boston Bruins fan… i miss Joe Thornton. I’ll toast to him again tonight as I have many many times in the last year.

Cheers
September 1, 2006

Tony S.
There was some talk about Pax up there…has anyone tried their Rose (the one in the clear bottle that’s shaped like a bowling pin, sorta)? I had that this summer and thought it was damn tasty, and it’s really cheap. They have another Rose that is more expensive that didn’t quite do it for me though. Just wondering.

OK, go Bears! Cloober…what was I drinkin?
T
September 1, 2006

Jonathan B
Wow 0 for 4. That’s just like the Boston Red Sox. Better luck next time. That piece on the Jets was priceless. I was a devoted Jet fan through the 70’s (ooops old guy here) and I remember the hard times. Now I’m a Pats fan (living in RI).
September 1, 2006

eperrier
I bought a few bottles of Cain Concept a few weeks ago after trying a cain 5(which I really enjoyed). I was really disappointed with the “concept” as well.
The best bottle of wine I received as a gift was a 2001 opus1. I’ve heard people pan the Opus, but for me, it was the first time I understood the marriage of “nose” and “pallet”. Up until I tried the Opus1, other wines smelled like alcohol with some undertones of fruit. The Opus1 set me on a path to buying better wines.
September 1, 2006

Jaye
Hi eperrier, I personally don’t think people “pan” Opus 1 because it tastes bad, I think most people pan it because it is just way too overpriced for what you receive.
September 1, 2006

Lawrence Leichtman
Gary, some of the folks are being too harsh. I have tasted 3/4 wines you reviewed and agree with all but the Cain Lateral that I didn’t taste yet but based on your review will probably stick with the Cain 5 as well. Best wine I have been given, none, as most of the wines people bring are not as good as anything I already have though I’m always appreciative of the effort. The best I have given, 1997 Insignia to our best friend for their 25th anniversary. They drank in on their 30th and I think they killed a baby there.
September 1, 2006

Karen
love the new simpler cleaner format for wltv. catching up after missing vids this week. reading the comments though, as to gary’s drinking underage, and the fact that this is a family built business, and that the family immigrated at some point in the last generation, i wonder if gary maybe was brought up more in the european fashion, where youngsters are encouraged to drink wine as they join the adults in meals (as well as coffee, another supposed adult drug that shouldn’t be consumed too early). it’s a much better system than the 21 years in the states or our canadian 18 or 19 years (depending on where you are). we’d probably all have a better appreciation earlier in life!
QOD: canadian ice wine is a big gift giving wine here. not my thing but it’s better than le piat d’or (which i think is our equivalent of that rossi jug ‘o’ wine gary tried one vid as a gag).
September 1, 2006

Adam
Best Bottle received: DP 1998 for a graduation gift.

I usually don’t give wine as gifts because most people aren’t as happy about receiving a nice bottle of wine as I am. I rather spend the money on something they will appreciate.

My QOD: Gary, is your wife into wine as well? My wife could care less about wine and never drinks wine. She is very supportive of my hobby, but doesn’t join in. Does your wife share your passion for wine?

Adam
September 1, 2006

Jason R.
Tim F. – As I live about 2 hours west of Chicago – I am in the city about 2x month. I usually stop at Binny’s in Naperville and snag a couple bottles of something from their “sale” of the month that they publish. Usually nothing very good – But they did throw out the 2001 La Mission for $60 a few months back.

Anyways, I have to order most of my wine as there is not a legit store in my town of 500,000 – Where else in Chicago besides Binny’s & Sams is any good? I think both have decent selection, but I have found that I can order in from Wine Library, POPS, or Wine Exchange and pay freight and still beat most local retailers.

Sorry for throwing this out there Gary, But I think that this is actually a PLUG for you as I truly believe that the world is becoming a smaller place (ex. 2005 Bordeaux) and shipping things around versus paying gas to drive there may make the most sense???
September 1, 2006

garyv
GUYS BAD NEWS, I will not be making it to the OFFICE TODAY, so NO NEW WLTV until Tuesday. I wish EVERYONE a great Labor Day and enjoy all the great food and wine but especially YOUR FAMILY!!!!!!
September 1, 2006

GOL
Jason R – Here’s a link you should check out http://www.drvino.com/chicagowineshops.php

I particularly like Randolph Wine Cellars (in West Loop, attached to The Tasting Room, where many wines they retail are sold by the glass) and Fine Wine Brokers (in Lincoln Square, specializes in harder-to-find wines), although I certainly haven’t been to all of the stores on this map.

OK, enough Chicago store plugging. GaryV, I’m committing right now to AT LEAST one case from WL to be ordered on Nov 20 after much-mentioned and foregone conclusion Bears victory over Jets. I will BEAR-UP and say that my order is coming even if by some miracle the Jets win!
September 1, 2006

GOL
Gary – Enjoy the holiday!
September 1, 2006

Jaye
GV – Have a nice weekend! Thanks for all you do!
September 1, 2006

TimF
Jason R — There are a lot of places to buy wine in Chicago but you’re right, Wine Library prices beat most of the places around here even with the shipping charge. Some interesting stores in and around Chicago that I’ve visted:

Schaefers in Skokie – big selections, they hold a tasting/class once a month
Flickinger Wine – They have a web presence with many older bottles. I picked up a couple of bottles of Graham’s 1975 port from them. They don’t have a retail store, but you can order from them over the phone and pick the wine up from their south side warehouse.
Knightsbridge – Incredible selection of higher end wines in Northbrook.
Just Grapes – This place is downtown. Doesn’t have a large selection but they have a pay-per-taste tasting bar which is pretty cool.
Lush Wine & Spirits – Located near the UIC campus. They had at least one Pax in addition to the Pax rose.

If you want a treat, you can stop by one of the Glunz wineries (Chicago and Grayslake, IL). They source grapes from California and make the wines in IL. They make a pretty good port and the Zin they were selling this spring was an unbelievable bargain.

Another good experience is going to Lynfred Winery in Roselle, IL. They source grapes from all over the place and make many, many very good wines. I’m a wine club member so I usually go over there for a tasting and to pick up my bottle every month.
September 1, 2006

zerokreap (kw)
wow, i feel like such a slack…but alas it is fiscal year closeout time and i am busy as hell at work. i guess i will have to settle for 77 today. oh well. man, what a way to end WLTV…no wonder the jets suck. personally i am a college football man myself…gary, i am sure you have an appreciation for a “roll tide!”. yeah, i know you have to like ol’ swaggering joe. anyway…ummm…QOTD: i have never received any wine as a gift…no one that knows me understands anyhting about wine (and they do not want to)…therefore, they never attempt to pick a bottle. If i could receive a bottle as a present i would like a nice bordeaux that i could pick back for a while…i have always wanted a lafite or cheval blanc. a 1995 cain five would not be bad either…it was the best bottle i have ever drank…complex and silky smooth.
September 1, 2006

Dan G.
Gary,

When you taste wines and they dont cut it for you; do the sales hurt? I know you dont want to misinform your customers but isnt that kinda bad for sales? It seems like you would have that in stock forever; which in that case if it doesnt sell; take it out and use for target practice.

Dan
September 1, 2006

Judith
QOD: The nicest bottle I’ve ever given as a gift: a ‘96 Bollinger Vieilles Vignes Francaise to the two close friends of ours who drove from Chicago to Toronto to be the witnesses at our wedding, and who made the day even more incredibly special for us. They love champagne, as do we. They’ve since told me it was the best champagne they’ve ever had. (My only regret: not having bought one for ourselves!!!! Gary: get some in! LOL!)

The nicest bottle I’ve ever rec’d as a gift: from the same two friends, years ago, a bottle of ‘89 Veuve Clicquot Vintage Reserve that they’d had in their cellar. What made the gift special is that it was the “ah ha!” moment for me re champagne, that moment when you realize it’s not all Korbel. (So they’ve cost me a good bit of $$ since!!)
September 1, 2006

Jason R.
First – Have a great Party this weekend Gary – I am sure that I speak for all 5000+ of us – We expect a report on the wine early next week!!! LOL

Second – TimF & GOL – Thank you so much for the Chicago info – I will be in Chicago for 1.5 weeks this months, so I will have to check some things out and broaden my normal stops.

THIRD – COOLEST THING TODAY (Sorry – second coolest) First coolest was the 1998 Diamond Creek Gravely Meadow that I picked up at Brown Derby for $39.99 earlier this year – Mismarked. ANYWAYS – I WAS AT THE LOCAL GROCERY STORE TODAY AND THE GUY THAT RUNS THE ATTACHED LIQUOR & WINE SHOP THAT I KNOW FAIRLY WELL – APPROACHED ME AND SAID THAT THEY RECEIVED A COUPLE ERRANT BOTTLES OF HEITZ MARTHA’S IN MISTAKE FOR THE REGULAR & HE WOULD OFFER IT TO ME FOR SAME AS THE REGULAR NAPA STUFF – NEEDLESS TO SAY I BOUGHT ALL I COULD – 1 BOTTLE LEFT FOR $41.99. THESE ARE THE 2 SINGLE “BEST BUYS” THAT I HAVE MADE TO DATE.

GARY V – IF YOU RECALL THE TONGUE LASHING I RECEIVED THE LAST TIME I ASKED A QUESTION WHEN YOU TOOK THE DAY OFF – WELL HERE IT IS – I WOULD LIKE YOU TO ASK “WHAT IS THE “BEST BUY” YOU HAVE MADE & THE STORY BEHIND IT – I think that it fits your style + I would like to hear the stories – I think that it pumps the wine up in your head and just makes it all that much better when you pop the cork that one special day – Hell it could be ordinary stuff and your mind and experience could make it into a legend!!!! Thanks
September 1, 2006

jared
as a fellow jets fan that made me sick! Kyle Brady! Jonny Mitchel! UGHHHHHHH Any way great recent episodes. Best wine i gave as a gift was a bottle of 1944 Masandra to my father for his 60th birthday 2 years ago. Best wine received as a gift was from my stepfather, a bottle of 1985 Heitz Martha’s Vineyard (i have not opened it yet….yikes)
September 1, 2006

Louisiana George
Gary:

Been a shopper with WL in the past, just started watching WLTV and love it – great info and nothing like hearing someone talk about wine in the middle of a long work day to get me looking forward to a nice red when I get home after work.

Question: I hear you often speak of how long you have allowed the bottles to breathe before your tastings. Are they breathing at room temperature or at storage temperatures? What temperature are you drinking your reds, when you do your tastings?

Thanks and keep up the great work.

Louisiana George
September 1, 2006

Bob
Best received – 1997 Poggio Antico Altereo……Still waiting to drink this one!!!

Best given – 2001 Damilano Barolo….Still have 4 more of these. Great Barolo for a reasonable price.
September 1, 2006

Tony S.
Hey Jason R: TimF mentioned some good places in Chicago. Also, if you’re out west of Chicago, in Palatine there’s a nice shop called “The Wine Cellar”, and up north in Grayslake there’s a new little shop called “Wine Nose”, and in the city there’s also “Hart Davis Hart”, not a walk in store, but you can order wine online or on the phone and pick it up any time you’re in town.

Go Bears.
T
September 1, 2006

garyv
“Gary,

When you taste wines and they dont cut it for you; do the sales hurt? I know you dont want to misinform your customers but isnt that kinda bad for sales? It seems like you would have that in stock forever; which in that case if it doesnt sell; take it out and use for target practice.

Dan ”

Dan this is a huge issue but LYING or MISLEADING on WLTV would hurt me more. I have to do what’s right for my business but wine will sell, plus some people may not agree with me which is great and what wine is all about!
September 1, 2006

StanVH
LIZARD!!!! Would that be baked? . . .broileld? . . . shushi? Wha’

What’s with the baloons?

Best I gave: to my wife — Opus One ‘82 (their first year)

Best I reveived: from my wife — Ch. Yquem (she has great taste)

Loved the montage. Have a great Labor Day weekend. It looks like we in the East will be sharing it with Ernesto.
September 2, 2006

Meg
Gary,

I’m a new fan and just caught up on the episodes! When you describe the Kathryn Kennedy Lateral, you describe it as both “complex” and “one-dimensional”. So, which is it? I was just a bit confused by that contradictory assessment.

On a side note, I’m not much of a football fan, so if you’re going to include sports commentary in these segments, could you throw in a little gymnastics?

Thanks!
Meg
September 3, 2006

Nick K.
Hi Gary,

I just found Wine Library TV and I am hooked! I just watched the past 18 episodes in rapid sucession, and i am having a hard time not placing an order for an obscene amount of wine that you found exciting on my credit card (i need to spend some time reducing my current inventory before i can by more). I have a few questions in mind but ill start with one. How about an episode on Madiera? I am a huge fan of the style and complexity that this wine can bring. I would love to see a comparison of the major producers blends 5, 10, and 15 year olds. And maybe a few Vinatage selections thrown in, i have always wondered wether or not they are worth the investment. I am little bit hesitant to pose this question because madiera is pretty much way under the radar and i dont want everyone to start buying up the vintage bottles that i have been saving up for. Keep up the great work on the shows. And Thanks

Nick K.
September 3, 2006

tony vincent
best bottle? actually purchased two (2) antinori brunellos ‘97.. brilliant.
best bottle, however?… a penfold’s grange, 1983 or a Chateau Mouton Rothschild 1983. (both were served at decanter magazine’s vintage dinner in ‘03
tv
http://www.tonyvincent.com
http://www.myspace.com/tonyvincent
September 3, 2006

Big Billy from Big D
Gary,
Hope you had a nice long weekend.
I hope you still have some Godello in stock so that I can order later this month when it’s cooler here in Big D.

A liitle scold on my part:
You should never have a corked wine on WLTV. Even if you wish to go into the episode fresh, one of your capable associates should taste everything (maybe without comment) so that corked wines can be caught.
I am sure that once you have a corked wine you begin testing the remaining inventory to see the extent of the problem. Is that correct?
September 4, 2006

Matthew
Hey Gary, Best wine I’ve ever given as a present was a 1994 Penfols St Henri Shiraz. To my sister for her 21st. She put it in our Dad’s cellar and well it was drunk accidentally by him thinking it was a Penfolds Rawsons Retreat. Not a happy family. This year I’m giving my dad a ticket to go with me to the Langmeil 10 year vertical tasting lunch (22 October)of their Freedom Shiraz so that will probably top the best wine gift in general.

Best bottle I’ve recieved? A good friend gave me a 1998 Rockford Basket Press Shiraz. Can’t remeber the story behind it but can’t wait to crack it in a few more years.
September 4, 2006

JayZee
Gary, what the heck?! Lizard? You’ve got to be kidding me!

Strange episode indeed. BTW, now that I’ve caught up on your episodes, I’m geeked up. So this is technically two posts in a row.

I just wanted to say that I’ve been a Wine Library customer for a couple of years now. I love your store (well, at least the website since I’m in Ohio). I used to see some of your e-mails that stated “94 points – GV” or “Our Director of Operations, Gary Vaynerchuk, raves about this wine” and I always said, “Who the heck is Gary Vaynerchuk and why should I care what he rates a wine?” But now, the last several months, I’ve really enjoyed watching you on WLTV and I trust your opinion – to a point. I don’t understand why so many viewers ask you to taste and rate a certain wine? Don’t they have their own opinion? Or are the just trying to scope out something they haven’t tried as yet? The latter I understand, but the former are…well, insecure or something.

QOD: The best wine, IMHO, that I ever gave as a gift was a 1997 Ducru Beaucaillou that I gave to a good friend who was moving out of town (new job). That was four years ago and he told me he is still saving it for when I come and visit next year.

The best wine I’ve ever gotten as a gift? Based on your tasting the other day, it may the 2003 Almaviva that my wife got me for our anniversary this year. Haven’t tried it as yet, but it sounds yummy.

- JayZee
September 5, 2006

Bruce
Hi Gary,

We have heard you say many times that a wines taste is greatly inlfuenced by the occasion, location and our mind set at the time. Today you did not seem into it. Was something bothering you? Were you in a bad mood? Did you give the wines a fair shake?

Given – 2003 Caymus Select
Received – 2 bottles 2002 Joseph Phelps Insignia from my Wife for Christmas last year.
September 5, 2006

RCP
Gary-
Finally caught up with all the episodes (I don’t have cable). You’re doing a great job. Good information and you’re always keeping it upbeat and fun. The Carlo Rossi tasting was HILARIOUS. I don’t know why people would be upset about your 1 minute post when you had to head off to be in a wedding. It was nice of you to post any video that day.

Still waiting for you to do a blind tasting. When you do it, if you could make sure to go through your entire thought process on how you’re narrowing down which wine you think it is, that would be extrememly informative/educational.

Thank you for providing this great resource!
September 5, 2006

Vinacull
Gary,
This was a pretty good episode – not because the wines were either clear Vayner-CHUKS or floating somewhere in the nether region of blah, but because I didn’t find there to be enough detail in your descriptions to help me get into why the wine was monolithic or underachieving. In short, you seemed off balance. Thanks anyway for trying some of the wines that viewers requested, and as always your truth in reviewing is appreciated. It looks like Joe and I are going to continue to wish for the Chateau Pavie tasting, and maybe if we pair it with a magical expression like “Go Jets!” it will be realized one of these days. QOTD: Best bottle I ever gave to someone, in terms of being truly memorable and one of my all-time favorites, was a 1990 Guigal Hermitage, and the price at that time was an astounding $29. Best bottle we received was a 1990 Dom Perignon.
September 5, 2006

Matthew
Gary,

I really like the new layout. Very clean. Good episode. I think no one should ever apologize for being underwhelmed by a bottle of wine. It’s tough to poo-poo a wine when someone else has recommended it. I had several very terse responses for my stepfather who provided unsolicited and unflattering comments about a bottle of wine I purchased for us to enjoy with dinner.

The Jets clip was a riot. I feel your pain my friend. Need I say more than “I’m a Detroit Lions fan?” Three number one picks…three wide receivers. Forget that we don’t even have a decent quarterback to to get them the ball, an offensive line that can block long enough to get the pass off, or a defense that can actually return the ball to our offense with out 7 points being given in exchange!

Okay…here’s the question for you. The Jets play the Lions on October 22. Care to predict the score?
April 7, 2007

wtvLurker
gv,

happened upon wltv a week or so ago and went back to ep 0 to see em all (about half way done). you and wltv are awesome. best thing on the net, wine or not. what you’ve already done is huge. i’d say you have the vision thing.

looking forward to catching up to the present and future episodes.

best give: gave a bottle of m rothchild to a friend and a magnum of insignia to a client

funniest wine incident: gave the aforementioned insignia magnum to client at his xmas party. he unwittingly added the bottle to the bar thinking it was run of the mill vin rouge and the bartender promptly opened it and started serving it to everyone requesting red. when i saw the bartender with a black magnum i thought no way. horrorified upon closer inspection i of course raced over to get a glass just before it was all served up!

best get already drank: got a chat lafite for my 30th birthday – yum!

best red get still in bottle: one of my brothers gave me a bottle of 94 insignia,

best white get still in bottle: my honey just gave me a bottle of yquem.

hope i haven’t waited too long for the 94 insignia?
July 17, 2007

David Canada
Were you supposed to be in the those videos?
QOTD – Best bottle ever recieved – Got to be a 2000 Chateau Rayas. A friend of mine was going to live in the RHone for 3 months and I told him that he had to go to Rayas. He went, and as a thank you for stearing him there, he brought be back this bottle. Pretty cool!
Best bottle ever given – Got to be a 1978 Chateau Palmer that I gave to a buddy on his 28th b-day.

Dave
February 1, 2008

Chris
#100!!! Not as prestigious as #1, but cool in its own right.

QOTD:
Recieved 2003 Bacio Divino (my favorite wine) for my 35th b-day
Given: 2004 Opus One to the same friend for her retirement
February 12, 2008

thefanjestic
I have no idea who those people were but it was still awesome to watch the Jets fans reactions – priceless. Are the Jets the worst at Draft picking?

Qotd – Best Bottle was an Alban Reva Syrah I gave my Dad for Christmas – best bottle I got is a toss up between a bottle of Dom P. for my wedding and a bottle of 99 Cinc Cepages (#2 wine – 95 points Spectator) from my Dad. That was the first wine that made me truly appreciate wine.
March 23, 2008

Kristen
QOTD: I haven’t really given or received anything memorable seeing as I’m a part of the CKC. But, there are many more years to get nice bottles of wine!
September 18, 2009

John J.
Hey Gary, to prove I’m not lurking, how about a vin jaune episode, and how about a tasting on a bunch of different charbono’s?

Tasting the wines you asked me to. – Episode #83

Wines tasted in this episode:

103 Responses

Leave a Reply

Subscribe To WLTV

Crush It Book

Follow Me

What's Hot!

Things To Do

Favorite Episodes