Real nice show today. Loved the pace.
Loved the expression when you hit the Silver Oak wall.
I used to drink the Frallian Central(Calif) Coast Chard., until
(what I am told), they went out of business in mid 2009.
Loved the Oak/Butter taste, and it was a pleasure to drink.
Have not found a replacement to date, but even in view of your Kendall Jackson pan, I gotta give it a try this weekend.

Wonderful episode Gary ty, would love if one day one of your episodes is on vin jaunes, or a tasting of different charbono's

Just like to mentioned that I've just completed the first 100 episodes of WLTV and and it is awesome. Found the site about a week ago and I'm going through the episodes systematically so hopefully I will manage to catch up with the current episodes. Really great show, I'm pretty much a wine dummy and I've learned so much the pass week. Can't wait to view the rest.....

Just a question, on this episode #99 the last wine tasted Silver Oak is not listed on the spreadsheet. Just curious is the ratings only for wines available is WL as the Silver Oak was listed as SOLD OUT.

The build up must have killed people. Of course we had to wait till Monday for episode 400.

YES, in total agreement, the Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay is so over-oaked, felt like I was chewing on a 2x4, ptooey, wish I had seen this show first!

This is episode 6 in a row I think and my wife is looking at my like I am crazy....
Love the Smokey garbage reference, a definite seller!

Dave

Sorry to hear people are giving you a hard time for providing a free service to everyone. I've actually tried several of the sub-$10 wines you've been recommending and frankly they are surprisingly good. I doubt you're make a fortune off recommending those wines... gotta love the cynics though... they keep us all honest.

listen... any mass produced wine is GARBAGE!

come on.. if i want sulfides i'll just just sit in a mercury bath.

i'm amazed he also didn't bring up beringer! YAFF!

Gary

Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay VR '05 (750 ML)
SILVER MEDAL, 2006 CALIFORNIA STATE FAIR WINE COMP. A picture-perfect effort, the sophisticated and smooth '05 Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay basks in the glory that everyone enjoys it.

Gary-
ok-I give...................
PLEASE!
explain the smokey garbage comment.
Thanks!

Gary - Great episode as usual.

Just one thought - as the site grows more people will post and problems will likely come up. Egos with comments etc.. I've seen it on other boards where people attack people for just saying their simple viewpoint. Its good to address once, but please stay above the fray with the TV portion down the line.

Its funny how everyone sees things differently. The main reason I love WLT is because you call it like you see it. Your facial expressions on some of the bad wines cracks me up.

Has anyone had this 2004 Schild Shiraz?

Oh and I forgot. Like everyone has their own taste(buds)in wines, I have to disagree with you on the Luna label. I prefer this one better!

Hey Gar, good ep again. It's only natural you are going to get your critics as well as your fans. I'm sure it's not easy putting yourself out there; especially, with a realistic possibility you can piss off(like you said) some of your past or present bussiness suppliers. Once again, I commend you for your integrity and taking the time from your probably "insane" busy schedule to do this.
Corvo, wow, I forgot about them. Back in the day we use to drink that along with our Reunite(do they still make that?)and Gallo. Peace, Ron

Gary:

I have to admit, I questioned your credability early on. However, Let me say having been a regular viewer for almost a year. I've seen you blast both popular and unpopular wines some high priced some low. You have always been your own man and have earned my trust and respect about wine judgement.

Hi Gary -

Great episode -- interesting to see your take on such widely available (and consumed) wines. Disspointed to hear that the Silver Oak was not to your liking -- although I've generally found the Napa far superior to the Sonoma in the vintages I've tried (not as many as I'd like, unfortunately). It's good to have an objective, impartial recommendation on those level bottles, as for many of us, plunking down $50 or more for a bottle in a store is not an everyday purchase. It really underscores the difference in vintages and varieties (e.g. Napa v. Alexander), as many people might see a $50 bottle of Silver Oak as a bargain; however, if it's not up to the best Silver Oak offers, it may be a big waste of money.

A suggestion as you get to ep 100 -- How about a "Best of WLTV" case (or 1/2 case), featuring some of your favorites from the first 100 episodes. Would be fun to get some of the favorites from the various episode and price points. Of course, we could do this ourselves using the infamous spreadsheet, but might be a nice way to celebrate 100... Just a thought...

Pre - Congrats on getting to 100!

TimF - Actually I was thinking "served" as in military service, reiterating your thoughts, but the terminology works in both cases and your example is another good one. The whole "drinking inside is legal but outside isn't" is also absurd, another example of how our "holier than thou" are inferior to Europe's (and just think, we're about to legalize torture today)

GOL - Yeah I forgot about the serve but can't be served deal. When I was 18 I was a room service waiter in a hotel on Marco Island, FL (yeah I've got some stories) for the summer. I served alcohol every day. I didn't quite understand how it was legal for me to hold a bottle inside the hotel, but outside I was breaking the law...

SS Chris - I nominate the "vayner-double" as another choice. I think I have noticed that when GV really doesn't like something he often spits twice. I'm gonna do some back checking on this one. Otherwise, I vote for the VaynerShake, because it's a great tip-off that you're about to listen to a beatdown

Jaye,
I do not know where you live, but The Lock Up in Livingston, NJ offers wine storage. It is temperature and humidity controlled. The website is http://www.lockupwinestorage.com/. I have not used them myself. Hope this helps.

Mark Z.

---Have you ever tasted Beaux Freres? Does Parker ever taste and rate his own stuff?---

Brandon,
I'm not Gary - I know, the resemblance is scary - and I've never tried Beaux Freres ( I should sometime, they're just down the road a piece), but I do know that the Wine Advocate doesn't review the Beaux Freres or Belles Soeurs.
I vote for a DRC tasting too, either La Tache or Romanee-Conti - I'm easy.

Gary, great show - can't wait for 100. Hell, 200.

-tim

SS Chris - I hear your concern on the nickname, but it's a lot easier for all of us to spell than "Stanisci" :-). So I like your solution of putting the last name in parens.

TimF, PattyO - I don't have kids, but I lived in France in college but when I was under 21 and my personal experience backs up your comments. In my town in France (in the Loire), it wasn't cool for HS and college kids to get drunk, which was very different than my experience in the US. I refuse to get political in this blog (this blog is too much fun), but among other things the US is backwards on these days is certainly the Serve but Can't be Served idiocy.

phig...you have never liked Silver Oak, but you want a Screaming Eagle taste?
I don't think your assesment of Silver Oak is all that fair. How many vintages have you tried? Napa / Alexander / Bonnys? I think in the early nineties Silver Oak had some wonderful cab, and definitly with some ageability to them. Maybe I'll bring a 94 to the party if you go, and see what you think. I am not a fan of Silver Oak anymore, so don't get me wrong, but I've certainly had some great ones in the past. I believe I have had more disappointing Opus bottles than Silver Oak. I've never tasted Screaming Eagle, but in my opinion, anything that costs $1,000 a bottle is bound to have some dissapointment to it. Howabout Rubicon? Any thoughts? I just picked up two bottles of '03 at the estate...tasted great at the winery, but that has fooled me before, plus, they said hold onto it four 15+ years, so it's gonna taste different when I drink it anyway.

Others cabs I would love to hear comments / experiences about:

Insignia
Heitz Martha's Vineyard
Mondavi Reserve
Bryant Napa Valley
Davis Arthur Elevation 1147
Caymus Special Selection
Harlan
Sloan
Beringer Private Reserve
Dalle Valle
Diamond Creek
Flora Springs Trilogy
Groth Reserve
Lokoya
Stag's Leap CASK 23
Araujo

And so on and so on....What is everyone's experiences with these highly rated Ca Cabs?
It seems to me that a lot of people bash Ca Cabs only because they are just that, Ca Cabs.
I've had good, and bad....so...just wondering.

Gary...it would be awesome to see you taste a DRC...Never have had any, but I think that's the one Old World wine I would flip for.
Have you ever tasted Beaux Freres? Does Parker ever taste and rate his own stuff?

Last nights bottle...I know I said I'd been popping a lot of bottles and was taking the night off, but I opened a Sebastiani 2003 Sonoma Valley....CORKED! So yes I opened but didn't get to drink any.
Now I have to open a bottle tonight, just to make up for last night.

B

SS Chris,

Vayner-CLANK is far and away my favorite Vaynerism.

A decent Vayner-Clank on ep #63 on the Seghesio (last wine). Not the biggest clank, but a good one.

Oh, forgot to mention...the BobbleHead Dwignt was a gift from me!

Regarding Favorite Episodes, I agree w/many that have been mentioned. Having the SS makes this easy to peruse. Here's my list:

#4 TOUR OF THE WINE ROOM

#18 WHAT DOES DECANTING DO?

#42 HOW TO TASTE WINE?

#50 SPANISH WINES & TRIP TO SPAIN - I don't think anyone mentioned this one-it's great showing both video footage and a great still picture montage of the trip. Gary, brought 12 people on this trip & went to dinner at the #1 rated restaurant in the world. MUST WATCH!

#57 WE'RE BACK & #58 I'M NOT PISSED - this is a combo that is especially relevant based on Gary's opening today (this is Gary's return after a long layoff where he explains the true philosopy of the WLTV moving forward) MUST WATCH!!

#60 SPOOF on BRANDON'S WEDDING

#64 Benny Hill-like tour of Wine Library

#85 (1st mention of me and SS)

#95 WINES OF ALSACE (Gary mentions that he & I just met)

#96 MIXED BAG (Soprano's Opening & the Dwight from "The Office" bobblehead is on table)

#97 WHITE BURGANDY (official SS launch)

#99 BIG NAME WINES (love how GV set the record straight---stellar!!)

My apoligies in advance for the list being slightly ChrisStan-centric! LOL

Hey Julia-

I have not used any local places for storage.
I'm sure i have good advice-if u want to discuss further u can e-mail me:littleii@optonline.net

hugh

Hi Julia (comment 108), I store wine at NY Fine Wine Storage in White Plains. They are affiliated with Zachy's but I store wine there that I have purchased from all over the place. I am still hoping for a NJ facility eventually.

Hey Gary,
If you don't use new glasses or rinse the glasses out between wines aren't you affecting the taste?

How was it, share with the group when you get back

Question for NYC locals: does anyone use Vintage Wine Warehouse in Queens to store wine? Other recommendations for storage options (in a city where a 300sq ft space is a "cozy" apartment)?

Curious, was that pictures of you at the Shafer Dinner?

I was thinking about Gary's post way up at comment 28, if I were to do a show what would I have in my 'celler' to taste for the people. I realized I'd have to do a South American episode:

2005 Elsa Bianchi Malbec Elsa
2005 Altos Las Hormigas Malbec
2005 Altos Las Hormigas Bonarda Colonia las Liebres
2003 Bodegas Caro (Barons de Rothschild / Catena) Cabernet-Malbec Amancaya
2004 Concha y Toro Carmenère Casillero del Diablo
2004 Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Marqués de Casa Concha Puente Alto

So, drawing from what you have at home, what would your show be?

TimF - oops - sorry, it's www.emmolowines.com (I left out the s)

TimF - Emmolo 2005 Syrah Rose - ( though it's just BARELY the palest pink - fantastic color). Emmolo Family Vineyard - Napa. You can go to www.emmolowine.com and they have a list of their distributors for each state they're in. The day after I drank it in a wine bar, they were doing a tasting of the same wine in a local wine store, $18 I think. How I ended up drinking it was, I was going to share a ribeye with my family at the bar, and yet it's still 90 degrees outside where I live - so I wanted something cool to drink. I asked the wine-tender (who knows us pretty well) for a red that's mascarading as a white - he said the Emmolo was EXACTLY what I wanted - the depth, "weight" and complexity of something that could stand up under GOOD BEEF, but refreshing and cool. It was the perfect fit - the great peppercorn nose was like a well-selected accessory with a great outfit!

Vayner-Clank!!!

ChrisR, thanks for the vote. One question, have you ever seen a "full-blown" VaynerCLANK? The one on this episode was a mini-CLANK (I actually missed it in my initial viewing). If you haven't seen a full-blown VC, we'll have to try and locate one, so that you can be a more informed voter.

If anyone can help locate a full-blown CLANK, please let us know. I will look when I get a chance, but could use some help .

PattyO (& other WLTV Viewers),

I could be wrong, but I think that many of you missed the actually exchange that, in my humble opinion, prompted Gary's decision to address this issue on this Ep #99.

There were some mild references to this subject in comments sections of #97 and #98 and, I believe, this is what Patty O is referring to when she says, "I think there were only one or two comments that posed the ? about Gary’s motives with WLTV."

I suggest that you go back to Comment #127 on Episode #96 which is where, I believe, it all started. I defended Gary and WLTV, but it turned into a quite a debate. I'm not putting this out there to single anyone out, because I believe it has been resolved with that viewer. My intention is to shed light on the reason why Gary felt the need to respond. After reading that exchange (approx. 10-11 comments), I think you will all have a better understanding of why Gary felt the need to respond the way he did. I know that I, for one, understand completely.

Anyway, hope this helps.

I can tell already from the posts that it is going to be a long week without WLTV.

SS Chris - I'm a purist so I vote for the original Vayner-nod.

PattyO - What Syrah rose are you referring to?

Gary,

Anybody that accuses you of pushing wine you are just trying to sell for a big profit is stupid. A recent show where you really liked a Merlot (the Charles Creek?) but said to not buy at the current price because you were going to place a big order and get a better price was the biggest evidence of this. Between that and the bad reviews of some wines that you almost have to stock, you have proven yourself to be of the utmost integrity.

Unfortunately, most people do not have this level of integrity and so they look for the worst in those that do. Don't let it get to you. Keep up what you are doing and let the conspiracy theorists have their evil little suspicions.