54 Responses

1. September 13, 2006

   RCP

   #1?

2. September 13, 2006

   Rich S

   #2 for me?

3. September 13, 2006

   Pinot Noir Guy

   This is my first post….ever

4. September 13, 2006

   PGH Pete

   WOW!

5. September 13, 2006

   Brandon M

   #4 – Dang
   But yes…IT IS MILLER TIME

6. September 13, 2006

   David K

   Fifth. Oh, Baby! Go Ravens!!!

7. September 13, 2006

   PGH Pete

   BTW – Thank you for rooting for the Jets so I really don’t have to.

   Go Stillers!

8. September 13, 2006

   Italian Stallion

   Great show Gary!!!! Keep up all the great work you do. It may not be said enough, but we ALL appreciate everything you do. Thank you for giving us something to look foward to during our work day…lol

9. September 13, 2006

   Chris Stanisci

   Gary, Do you have a rating for this Merlot? (for the spreadsheet) thanks, Chris

10. September 13, 2006

    GOL

    Echoing the Italian Stallion’s comment… a little fix is better than none, thanks for the effort Gary!

    Question: You said you tasted over 100 wines today. Do you cleanse your palette or just “taste and spit” straight through? If you cleanse when tasting a bunch of wines, what do you cleanse with, and how often? On WLTV you are usually tasting 3 or 4 wines, that seems very managable. I’d like to hear your technique for tasting so many in one day.

11. September 13, 2006

    Dan G.

    Short but but to the point, besides you deserve a break now and then, especially for a Yankees game. GO BOMBERS!!!.

    DG

12. September 13, 2006

    gabe

    go yanks. no rain.

13. September 13, 2006

    Tony

    Gary, I was hugely let down that you lied – LIED – to me about “revealing your plan” for the heat episode today. But that’s OK. I know you want to do this one right and get it spot on, so I totally understand. The heat episode is going to be the best episode you’ve ever done, and you need to take all the time you need on it.

    Go! whoever is playing the Yankees tonight!

14. September 13, 2006

    Dan G.

    BTW you should of seen if you could of scored tickets for this weekend against the Red Sux. How about some playoff tix?

15. September 13, 2006

    kjb

    Gary,
    Where on earth do you store all the random Jets paraphernalia that makes it into each episode?? Is there a special Jets memorabilia storage room at the wine library?? Too funny..

16. September 13, 2006

    GregS

    Tony,
    I feel your pain, you got dissed bigtime!

17. September 13, 2006

    joe

    Gary, thanks for your effort today – and an strong value recommendation! Go Yanks…may Jeter’s streak continue!

18. September 13, 2006

    PeteB

    Nice for giving Merlot some love. You better make sure that the wait on pulling the trigger on a buy is worth it! lol.

19. September 13, 2006

    Dan G.

    Magic number now 7. Boo-hoo Red Sux.

20. September 13, 2006

    Capt M

    Way to go, Gary. Thanks for not leaving us without an episode to watch today. And thanks for answering my questions yesterday. My birthday is in November, and I’m tempted to treat myself with a bottle of Opus One. About yesterday QOD, hmm.. maybe Boston’s North End (Italian Town) either Lucia’s (which made the cover and was featured in Bon Appetit Magazine in 2002) or Al Dente. Do publish your itinerary of the year, and my girlfriend and I will try to catch up with you somewhere. Thanks again, nicely done.

21. September 13, 2006

    RCP

    Gary,

    Thanks for taking time to give us the 411 on the Merlot.

    Ryan

22. September 14, 2006

    Al Diaz

    will WL email us when this merlot comes in? thanks,

23. September 14, 2006

    Matthew L

    Gary,

    Thanks for fitting a show in today, and everyday, in the midst of actually running a business and having a life. It’s appreciated. I’ve told many people about your store and the show. They all say “I love this guy!” My wife and I just had friends in this weekend from NJ, and they said that they had seen your store but never been in. After a brunch, our friends said they will make a point to stop in the store. How’s that for word-of-mouth marketing huh?

    I’m glad you made mention of the “Sideways” Merlot issue. I’ve always been a big fan of Pinot Noir, but not at the expense of Merlot. For me, it was just a matter of not really tasting and/or buying a lot of Merlot. So, I appreciate the review of the Charles Creek. I will sit tight for a bit until you make the big buy.

    You mentioned Merlot’s hit because of Sideways, and we know you hate White Zinfandel (so do I). Here’s a question, what do you think is the most underappreciated, or even dissed, varietal?

24. September 14, 2006

    Jonathan B

    Gary, I do not understand what you mean by being subtle. You did such a great job at it that your reference went right over my head. First a master of wines and now a master of subtlety

    Great job…Go Pats

25. September 14, 2006

    Jonathan B

    Gary, how about doing a show on “steals”, wines that are REALLY undervalued/priced? Thanks!

26. September 14, 2006

    Doug

    Hey Gary,

    Glad you took the time for the episode … I thought I’d do the same this morning and take the time to leave a note … it’s been a few months, been busy and everything but I think I’ve now seen all the back episodes and have ‘caught up’!

    Keep doing the excellent work, and don’t let your suppliers kill you over the bad reviews.

    Cheers,

27. September 14, 2006

    kidseyemd

    What a tough life you lead…..100+ wines to taste….yankee game….i pity you.
    Gary, I’d like to know how many of the wines you tasted yesterday were corked….since the “experts” say around 5% are affected.

    Thanks

    Hugh

28. September 14, 2006

    Vinacull

    Gary,
    BIG thanks for pulling together a quick show today. Much appreciated and certainly better than nada. Have to admit we drink merlot less often – not due to Sideways but because in the years prior to that merlot was more fashionable and seemed to be relatively more expensive than other things. This was a good reminder there are still great tastes/values to be had. Hope you enjoy(ed) the game. Looking forward to the next full-fledged fun-filled episode.

29. September 14, 2006

    Jaye

    Thanks for the “quickie”, Gary.

30. September 14, 2006

    Sam Zen

    G- Thaks for sticking up for Merlot… a great varietal. I’m shocked at how strong an impact Sideways had on this grape… a shame, if you ask me. But, if you pay close attention to the the movie, the last wine had is a merlot! The irony of it all. BYW- have you seen Mundo Vino? Now that’s great watching. Look forward to trying this wine at the right price.

31. September 14, 2006

    Lawrence Leichtman

    In case anybody forgot at the end of Sideways Miles drinks his Cheval Blanc in the burger joint and Cheval Blanc iis what …..Merlot. Mass producers in CA ruined Merlot’s rep not a movie. The movie just reflected what already had been happening with Cal/Merlots. Big empty wines.

32. September 14, 2006

    Big Billy from Big D

    GV, I salute you tasting between 100 and 200 wines and still going to a Yankee game.
    Shades of Robert Parker, olfactory marathon man and oenological superman.
    Parker wrote in a June 2002 article in the NYTimes:
    “I taste 120 wines a week, except when I’m on a tasting trip. Then I taste that much in a day.” Like you did yesterday, GV.
    In the same article Mr. Parker continues:
    “When I taste quantities of high-acid wines, I can feel as if the roots of my teeth are rotting. Other hazards include black teeth stained from rich red wines. I joke that I can tell the quality of a great, concentrated ripe vintage by how stained my hands are. Sometimes even scrubbing won’t clean them.
    I don’t get palate fatigue, which I attribute to drinking up to five liters of water a day. However, when I’m tasting wines high in alcohol and tannin, I can feel as if I’ve taken head shots from professional boxers.”

    GV, I don’t envy you a bit. Hell! I get palate fatigue from a 6 wine tasting flight. That level of dedication on your part gives real meaning to your slogan of “tasting wine so you don’t have to”.

    Thanks Gary, because of you I can concentrate on just contemplatively enjoying wine a bottle (or two) at a time.
    Chin chin

33. September 14, 2006

    Paul

    Thanks for the comments regarding Merlot, Gary. I recently had a Rafanelli Merlot, which was absolutely massive – dark cherry fruit, a bit of earth and chocolate. The color was deep, inky. It really pointed out that Cali Merlot doesn’t have to be simple, light and jammy.

34. September 14, 2006

    Rachel

    Try Carhartt Merlot, Santa Ynez, if you get the chance. Brooke and Mark Cahartt are cattle ranchers making wine on the side…under 300 case production. Tasty juice.

35. September 14, 2006

    Michael W

    Merlot Rocks!! The previous comments stole my thunder. The French know how awesome Merlot is…in fact one of the most expensive wines that comes from a region that is known for blending [the most famous in the world] is 100% Merlot. [Petrus/Bordeaux]. Now for my fellow Merlot lovers…I will share what the best Merlot made in this country is; Mr. Parker agrees with me as do 98% of the people who have been lucky enough to try this wine. Unfortunately Gary will never carry this wine. You must be on the winery list and Evan after that you are only allocated a whopping two bottles a year. [note: Parker has given this 100% Merlot a 96-99 rating just about every year [when tasted] PRIDE…not the regular 93 rated one but their Vintner Select Cuvee. It’s also pricy…$80 a bottle. Bob Foley uses only a couple of rows of vines at the very sumit of Spring Mountain.

    Gary, have you ever had this wine? I would be happy to share a couple of bottles before a Jets/Bucs game in 07′…..I’ll Evan bring the tickets…what am I saying, I spend enough money in your store for you to buy…just joking

    Thanks for kicking my Devil Rays butts…..It’s hard to find the joy with that team. You had to be impress with Carl Crawford….he would be a superstar if he play for the Yankees….in fact one person talked about for MVP this year has very similar numbers.

    Big sport fan and Wine lover…what’s not to like about you Gary? If you tell me your a big family type guy as well then you hit a home run in my book!! Take care.

36. September 14, 2006

    Brandon M

    Big Billy From Big D
    Great post!

    B

37. September 14, 2006

    Grant Gallagher

    I am also glad to hear the merlot episode and I wonder just how much the addition of some cab does for the wine. Somehow it seems obvious that 100%-ers may not always be the best way to go. It’s not as if these ‘classic’ blends from France (Bordeau, burgundy, st emillion etc etc arrived out of NOWHERE………). I love some of the chliean merlots and I think the best Californian one I wver had was a Firestone. Hope your team won (not the least interested in the game tho…… give me RUGBY any day!)

38. September 14, 2006

    David K

    Gary -

    I was wondeirng why you rarely taste the wines on WLTV that are featured each day in Wine Library’s emails. Its not because the wines featured in Wine Library’s emails are usually highly rated and you fear that you will think they taste like crap and have to pan them, is it?

39. September 14, 2006

    Rebecca

    Gary,

    Great episode and thanks for putting one out there today. I can appreciate working all day and then running to sit in tons of traffic to get to the Stadium – the Yanks usually make it worth our while though. For those of you not from this area, trust me, it’s pretty cool that Gary took a few minutes to post an episode. Let’s face it with traffic, every 5 min. you are late in leaving equates to an extra half-hour or more getting through the city to Grand Central or up to the GW and over to the Bronx.
    My QODs to you:
    1. did you make it to Yankee Staduim on time?
    2. Yes Gary (Comment #15 – kjb), where do you get all of the cool Jets “stuff”? I think the lunchbox is still one of my favorites.
    3. What are your thoughts on global warming specifically with the impact that it could have on the wine industry as portrayed in Sept. issue of Wine Enthusiast? I, like you and others that comment, drink old and new world wine for the fun of learning and enjoying and trying a new bottle every day. But, at the same time should I/we be developing a collection, (sort of like a fall out shelter) for years to come so that when countries are experiencing drought conditions and having difficulties with production, we still can enjoy some of our favorite juice?
    Look forward to enjoying the Charles Creek Merlot….thanks again.
    Rebecca

    My other QOD:

40. September 14, 2006

    Matty Van

    GV thanks for giving us that quickie, really helps the work day go buy knowing I have WLTV to look forward to. If anyone comes across my fav. wine buy some..is 2002 Spellbound Petite Sarah, I have not been able to find it local anymore. and there web site that was previously out of stock on this wine is no longer up

41. September 14, 2006

    Lev M.

    i think the links to the wines should open in their own window, that way, you can keep watching the episode while checking out the wine.

42. September 14, 2006

    Brandon M

    Lev M….Just right click on the link instead of left click, and then select “Open in new window”

43. September 14, 2006

    Jaye

    Lev M. (comment 41) – yes, I agree. Until that happens automatically, just right click and choose “open in new window”.

    Rebecca (comment 39) – Re: your Question 3 – Gary is a man, not God, how could any person honestly answer that question? Back in the 1970’s everyone I knew talked about the hole in the ozone, heck, I didn’t even expect there to be a world in 2006!

    Anyway, no one knows what tomorrow may bring, we could have ever improving vintages — or things could go to hell in a handbasket, and then wine would be the least of our worries. If you like a wine, and think it will appreciate with time, and you can afford it, then get it and cellar it. If you don’t, then don’t. Enjoy life. Just my 2 cents.

44. September 14, 2006

    DougG

    Lawrence, Actually I believe the Cheval Blanc is a Cab Franc which he also bashed in the movie as well.

45. September 14, 2006

    TimF

    I’m pretty sure the Cheval Blanc is Cab Franc _and_ Merlot. The percentages change by year…

46. September 14, 2006

    Mike Stickel

    Ze (Frank), was that you?

    ;^)

47. September 14, 2006

    kidseyemd

    Cheval Blanc is Cab Franc/Merlot, as are most wines from St Emilion…sometimes with dollops of Cab Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Malbec….Petit Verdot is so often overlooked but it adds unbelievable floral aromatics even when present in small amounts

48. September 14, 2006

    the professor and....

    Decided to change my name, too many Tony’s. Please let us know when this wine comes in! This sounds like a homerun and I love the Merlot based Bordeaux’s, so email us or something.
    Oh, and thanks for squeezing one in.

49. September 15, 2006

    Jason R.

    Gary – Hope you had a good time at the game. I was out of town this week and just caught up on 3 episodes. Was in Chicago and picked up the CLIO for $34.00. Heavy glass bottle. I hope the wine is as good as the score of 96.. I will have to back track a couple of episodes to see if you mentioned roughly how long this one will keep.

    Did a big dinner @ Mortons in Chicago (Had the fillet – Awesome) Anyways we had 3 wines poured at the same time. We had the 2002 Cakebread Cab, 2003 BV Georges De Latour, & 1999 Ferrari Carano. Only the Ferrari was decanted since it came from a 3L bottle. As we had a 3 hour dinner I thought that each had some time to show even though young. Winner by leaps and bounds was the 2002 Cakebread. It showed very well all night!!!! Lovely. The BV GD Latour just didn’t deliver, and I didn’t expect much from the Ferrari as I have always that this was overpriced and as so – It was young, green, lacked fruit, etc. Overall a great experience and a great time!!!

50. October 25, 2006

    mr skin

    Deja Vu looks pretty interesting. Kilmer and Denzel are some of my favorite actors.

51. July 18, 2007

    David Canada

    Where do you actually hang that sign? Is it in the front of the store or does Lizy let you have that in your place?

52. February 13, 2008

    thefanjestic

    Quick question – Did the Yanks win?

    Wish I could try that wine.

53. April 26, 2008

    Kristen

    haha, yeah does Lizzie relegate all of your Jets paraphernalia to WL?

54. September 19, 2009

    John J.

    always appreciate when you give us a heads up on a real quality qine out there we should seek out Gary. I would also really appreciate if you did an episode on charbono or an episode on vin jaune’s.

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