California Chardonnay’s

California Chardonnay’s – Episode #112

October 20, 2006

Wines tasted in this episode:

Today Gary tackles oaky, over the top Chardonnay’s. Watch today and see how Gary reviews these three Chards. Gary then answers more viewer questions and has a new QOD. Have a good weekend and we’ll see you next week.

283 Responses

October 20, 2006

cgf
1
October 20, 2006

Brandon M
The Rocky Creek Zin I ordered on the 13th is still sitting in Keasbey NJ…Stupid Fedex
I’m bummed it’s not gonna be here for the weekend.
Guess I’m gonna have to grab a Pinot from the cabinet.

Has anyone tried the Rocky Creek Zin yet?
How about the Pieve Del Vescovo Piovano?

Would love to know everone’s thoughts.

Also..Gary…I know you answer mine and others emails pretty well, but what happened to you commenting on the blog? Haven’t seen you in here in a while.
You must be VERY busy cutting HUGE checks to unbelievable wineries so we can get more of the good stuff!

B
October 20, 2006

Tony
Bada bing
October 20, 2006

Dan G.
20-17 is pretty conservative. Im thinking blowout for the biplanes.
October 20, 2006

KAHUNA
Hi Brandon,
I got mine but I generally do not drink my wine when it gets shipped to me for a few weeks so I am not tryng them yet. I even do this when we get back from Sonoma/Napa every year- it is tough but I believe in Bottle shock

I love Plumpjack Chardonay reserve- Light oak 2004 was stellar- I think but I am not a big Chard drinker
October 20, 2006

Christopher
Loved the glass episode.
October 20, 2006

Brandon M
QOTD
California Chardonnay beleive it or not now is the Sebastiani Unoaked…brand new this year, and it is so damn good. All Dutton Ranch grapes with no malo…awesome!

Lot goin on in your life? Cmon Gary…give us the scoop!

B
October 20, 2006

KAHUNA
Brandon M -Thanks for that tip I will be getting some fast I LOVE UNOAKED chard- Screw the flavor profile thing – not that I drink it that often

Gary,
Sorry to say it but you can store that can of emotion on its side at aprox 58degrees for 20 years because it is going to have a longer shelf life that the 2003 Vintage ports! My unborn son has a stronger arm than Hangin Chad Pennington. Sorry no free ship code no root for Jets. Roy Williams is everyones fantasy pick this week!

Besides Chad lookes like Herbie the Christmas Elf- “I DON’T WANT TO BE AN ELF I WANT TO BE A DENTIST”
October 20, 2006

joe
Gary:

Kesner, Hudson vineyard, is my favorite California Chard. It is life changing.

Question: What is the best order to drink Pinot and Cab. In Epiosde 111, You drank the pinot first. Often, I find that drinking the relatively sweeter/smoother pinot before a more dry and tannic red, like Cabernet, makes the Cab seem excessively bitter by comparison. I wonder if the prefered order should be cab before pinot?

On Thursday night, in LA, we drank a 2004 Sea Smoke Ten Pinot before a 2002 Hourglass Cabernet. The Hourglass seemed bitter by comparison and I am sure did not show as well if the order was reversed. We almost got into a fight over the order to drink the wines. Can you provide guidance?
Joe in LA
October 20, 2006

Lev M
Gary, how do you feel about champagne out of saucers? I think it tastes better.
October 20, 2006

Brandon M
Hey Joe…are you from LA?
October 20, 2006

KAHUNA
Lev M
I have had champagne out of cleavage at SCORES- does that count?
October 20, 2006

Albert and Remy
According to our taste, it is hard to find a good Chardonnay, but we think that Sanford Winery (Santa Barbara County) Chardonnay can beat any expensive bottle of Chardonnay. And Brandon, by the way, we haven’t received our order either. We were looking forward to taste the Pieve Del Vescovo Piovano this weekend. Why hold it!!!
October 20, 2006

joe
Brandon:

I am not FROM LA, but I live here now. Originally Jersey-born, and shopped Wine Library when it was a relatively unknown small store and Gary worked the floor almost every Saturday.
Joe
October 20, 2006

Brandon M
What part of LA?
October 20, 2006

garyv
JOE ALMOST EVERY!…I broke Ripkens record!!!!
October 20, 2006

joe
Agoura Hills, it neighbors Malibu and Calabasas
October 20, 2006

Brandon M
There’s Gary…where you been man?
October 20, 2006

KAHUNA
Gary, is it true like Ripken that they had to keep switching your position due to declining skills?
October 20, 2006

Jason R.
Brandon – Dont get all upset. My wine just left WL today. They had to get a couple more bottles of the 2003 Ch. Marquis for me to complete out. No worries that it took a couple extra days… All the wine is going to sit for at least 3 years anyways. (Unless – That damn D’Arche Sauterne – I have promissed myself that I would pop a Sauterne and drink one young sometime in my life!!! – I have several and actually I have never actually popped one – god thats sick – I keep drinking my fathers stash with him and we are still enjoying his late 80’s stash. Only bad part is that my dad did not purchase any 2005 Bordeaux Futures as he said that he would never be around to enjoy them.

Which leads me to a question – Did anyone get the Wine Spectator in the mail today? There is a suppliment 2006 IWA Holiday with all sorts of toys that make all of us wine A-Holes go weak in the knees. Anywauys on page 5 they have a Gizmo for “maturing” wine in 1 second=1Year for the mere price of $100 bones. NO WAY IN HELL AM I BUYING THIS!!!! I would like to know if it works though. I think that I could make my own if it does for about a Buck 95.

So much to say – so little time…. Poker tonight – No wine – just Beefeater & Diet 7 – wedge of lime – tall glass… Standard issue for me – other than Bordeaux
October 20, 2006

Jason R.
Kahuna – I have had a similar experience at Scores in Chicago on a work outing…. I dont remember the name of the Champagne, but I do remember it being quite tasty!!
October 20, 2006

garyv
HUNA who’s been talking here at WL?
October 20, 2006

KAHUNA
Jason, I hear you – maybe it was her name that was Champagne.
October 20, 2006

Miguelo DiMarco
–Not a whole lot of experience with Chardonnay since I’m not a girl, but the one I recall from a work function that was quaffable is the –La Crema– that WL sells for $15 ($20 MSRP).

After yesterday, maybe we should all buy some stock in Reidel, but one thing that wasn’t addressed: —>> Is there an effect in drinking from a plain glass and one with a noticeable percent of Lead Crystal?? —>> And why do they have the health warnings posted where the Crystal is sold (in California)?? Is that in case you want to eat the glassware?
October 20, 2006

Jason R.
Chardonnay can beat any expensive bottle of Chardonnay. Albert and Remy is this DeJaVu??? WHAT THE HELL IS THIS???

B- Sorry – not going to make it to N. Cal this trip in 2 weeks. Just doing LA & then up to Seatle & Vancouver. Will let you know when I plan on being up there. I will also see what kind of hook ups I might be able to do.

Gary – You ever tase the PGA Tour Wines??? http://www.pgatourwines.com

I bought the Commisioners Private Reserve Cab, but have not drank it?? Anyone – any comments on any of there wines???
October 20, 2006

Tony
Gary, Ive said it before, but I’ll say it again: We all sincerely appreciate the time you take out of your life to do WLTV. And I personally would rather see you take a few days off when you really need it rather than burn out from trying to do too much.

In fact, why don’t you take Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday off next week? I’ll be at a conference in freezing cold, rainy Rochester until Thursday, so that’d work out great for me. I haven’t missed a single episode for months, and I know I’m going to feel terrible when I get back and see everything I missed.

Taking the red eye out tonight. I can’t believe that snow is actually a possibility in the forecast. It’s 85 degrees out here in NorCal right now and not a cloud in the sky. Man, that’s going to be a shock to the system!

Hopefully, we’ll get a chance to hit the Finger Lakes. Looking forward to that.

Don’t have too much fun without me!
October 20, 2006

Ed R
Gary a “lot going on” does is that code for a “little gary” is on the way?
Ed
October 20, 2006

PattyO
Pete B (#96 yesterday) – I have the same thoughts about washing wine glasses. I suggest everyone take their glasses off the shelf and check out the “nose” of the empty glass. It’s likely not scent-less. Especially if you use a dish soap with “sheeting action” – to reduce spotting – it purposefully leaves chemical residue. Then, add wet, alcoholic beverage to that chemical residue and you get add-ons to your wine aroma. Other than shape of the glass, I think washing probably makes way more difference than the glass or crystal itself. And, by and large, restaurants wash their wine glasses in a dishwasher so you’ve got the soap issue there all the time.

Tim F (#120 yesterday) – I have the Jonesy Port but haven’t opened it yet. A trusted wine store sommilier suggested it because he knows I like well-aged, high-alcohol Barossa Shiraz and he said this is right along that same profile – for under $10.

Buying glasses – I make a regular pass through the “houseware” section of the Goodwill stores in the old parts of our town (folks die, their whole kitchen contents to to the Goodwill). I have found FABULOUS vintage wine glasses, French crystal, and amazing vintage wine decanters (usually stuck in with the glass vases) for $1 – $3. They’re just stuck in with all the cheap glassware and it’s always priced the same as the junk. The treasure hunt is a blast!

QOD – Watts Casa Azul Reserve Chardonnay – 2003 – Lodi. Butterscotch, round, butter. $13.99 (have never had a $40 Chardonnay).
October 20, 2006

Brandon M
Ed R…I was thinking the same thing, but didn’t want to jump everyone into a frenzy….
Liz? Gary? AJ? Papa Vaynerchuk? Who will tell us?

Jason R…no worries…but if ANYONE is ever making a trip to Nor Cal from out of state…let me know and we can make it wine stop on your way throguh!

B
October 20, 2006

Miguelo DiMarco
I agree Patty. I’ve been down to the local Goodwills and there have been some GREAT GLASSESS, though not always even a set of 4 (a few probably break in the transfer), but up until now, I thought I only needed 2. –That’s two ‘total’ of the same size/shape, but I will return to look for more now.

You could probably dig up an interesting set of different brands of the same type if you don’t have to have that consistency at the table – would contribute to an interesting dinner party: a different story behind each glass used!
October 20, 2006

Miguelo DiMarco
Hey, Brandon, I’m already here!
October 20, 2006

Tony
QOD – I’ve never been a big white wine drinker. Did like a Leveroni Chard that I tasted a few weeks back at a tasting, but overall, I haven’t really explored chards.

Hey, I’m just now getting into Italian reds – I can’t drink everything at once! But I’ll take your advice and try something good in the $20 range.

Suggestions anyone??
October 20, 2006

Brandon M
Miguelo…living or visiting?
October 20, 2006

Tony
Brandon,

You’re only about an hour and a half from where I live. I’m still waiting for your Bentley to show up at my front door.

We should definitely try to hook up some time. Let’s talk when I get back from NY. Maybe we can do a Fair Play/Amador trip together.
October 20, 2006

Miguelo DiMarco
I live in Sunnyvale, which could produce some great agriculture if all these houses weren’t built upon this world-class soil, but I grow some killer veggies/fruit in my yard.
October 20, 2006

stewart l
favorite chardonay has to be Mer Soleil
October 20, 2006

Justin
Gary,
My favorite california chardonnay would be the 2002 Talbot CuvÃ©e Audrey. I also like Talbot’s Diamond T Chardonnay. The CuvÃ©e Audrey is the unfined and unfiltered version of the Diamond T. Have you had either of these? If so, what do you think of them. Its very burgundian in style, or atleast that is how I feel.

I am glad this long week is over. Somebody pour me some wine!
October 20, 2006

Justin
oh yeah…also these are probably the most expensive chardonnays I have ever had either… The Audrey is $75 and the Diamond T is $55..
October 20, 2006

Ed R
Brandon, I’ll have to check out the Sebastiani sounds like it’s my speed. I tried the Chateau St. Jean Chard and remember liking it. Not a big white wine guy.
October 20, 2006

Brandon M
Tony….absolutely in for a Amador trip…you can show me some of your hidden treasure wineries.

Miguelo…I have been to MANY MANY concerts in your area.

The 2007 Amador Wine Tasting Tour…let’s start the planning!
October 20, 2006

KAHUNA
Back to the Glass issue – I drink my Boonesfarm right from the bottle – no glass required
October 20, 2006

Brandon M
2005 Sebastiani Casa De Sonoma Russian River Valley Winery Notes:

Aromas of pink grapefruit, lemon rind and yellow apple fill the nose, while intense fruit flavors of Meyer lemon, Golden Delicious apple and yellow peach fill your mouth.

The apple is so up front in it! I loved it cold, and at room temp. The kicker is it’s only $17.99 a bottle and with my club discount it’s only $14.40

If your into the Bordeaux / MEritage everyone NEEDS to try the Secolo, it’s so silky…awesome! It isn’t released for another month but the ‘02 and ‘03 was amazing!
October 20, 2006

Brandon M
sorry…the Casa De sonoma above IS the unoaked!
October 20, 2006

KAHUNA
Brandon, Tony, Miguelo,

I am jeaolus(however you spell it) My wife and I were supposed to do a few days of Amador with our annual Sonoma/Napa trip but she is 7 mos Pregnant(when I catch the guy I am gonna kick his butt-Just kidding she will kill me for writing that). Anyway keep us posted on the plans that will be awesome- Now If I can just think of some reason I need to be out there for business? HHMMM
October 20, 2006

Godfather
I laid off California Chards for almost two years and now I’m having another go at the beast. Overall, I’m most fond of Chardonnay’s from the Sanguacimo vinyard. I’ve tasted several efforts: one made by Carmenet and, most recently, Barnett. California chards can be fun wines but sometimes I find them obnoxious!
October 20, 2006

Justin
Brandon,
You ever make it down to Monterey/Carmel area to taste wine?
October 20, 2006

Brandon M
Justin…
Not in a couple of years, but wouldn’t mind taking a long weekend and going down there. Mybe I can kill two birds with one stone and come down for Concours next year!

Kahuna…Your un-born son will control your habits for a while (Or at least your sleep patterns), but we’ll try to plan something far enough out so anybody who wants to join can go along.

B
October 20, 2006

Karen Lorentz
QOD – Kistler…on an expense account. Like butter.
October 20, 2006

Justin
Brandon,
In a few weeks Monterey County Vinters and Growers association is putting on the Annual Great Wine Escape Weekend. I have to work Saturday, but I am hoping to hit a few of the winery open houses on Sunday. Sometimes it is a pain working at a winery. You can never have days off when fun things are happening.
October 20, 2006

Rick
Gary

Inside NFL Picks
Detroit at NY Jets NY Jets NY Jets NY Jets NY Jets
October 20, 2006

TimF
QOD: This probably wasn’t the best chard from California I’ve had, but it left the most lasting impression. It may have been “the wine” that got me going on this wine whole thing. I tasted this in my Wine Appreciation class in college and loved it. It was the 1993 Chateau Potelle College Cuvee. If somebody has a bottle of that hanging around I’ll make you an offer (my professor said it would likely age well). Then again, it might spoil my memory…

Outside of this, I really, really, really like Kalin Cellars Chardonnay.
October 20, 2006

TimF
Kahuna – That’s interesting. When I drink Boone’s Farms I use a funnel!
October 20, 2006

TimF
I’ve got to echo Tony’s sentiments above: Thanks for doing this show, Gary. It sounds like you’re really busy and we appreciate you taking the time to do the show. It’s turned into must-see-TV for me…
October 20, 2006

KAHUNA
I posted this on Episode #112 at the very end- but here is repost I know the VAYNIACS are foodies- a

That being said here is a tip for any seafood lover- order from http://www.great-alaska-seafood.com/
they have REAL wild Salmon several variaties and the best KING CRAB-real stuff you will not find in most high end restaurants- They run spelials all the time that is the way to go- Get on their mailing list.

Last night I had their King Crab I took out of the shell with their scallops and shrimp in a butter (Cabot Brand), Tuscan olive oil, garlic sauce tossed with fettucine and cilantro and parsley topped with Ricotta Salata(dry salted ricotta, this is not the soft cheese)- A great meal – We had a Finger Lakes region wine – Dr. Konstantin Frank Dry Reisling -My first Finger Lakes Reisling
October 20, 2006

Matty Van, Rochester,NY
Brandon M – I have some of the Rocky Creek Zin that just arrived at my door today, when i try a bottle I will post what I think, probally within the next 2 weeks.

I really like Robert Mondavi Private Select Zinfandel..i get an explosion of strawberry, lots of red licorice and a lil black pepper on the finish

QOD – none that I remember…I drink 90% red, when I do drink white its usually Sauvignon Blanc
October 20, 2006

TampaSteve
HHHheeeeehhheeee…..I just have to laugh…we saw the NEW YORK come out of Gary today. I am a born and raised New Yorker out of Brooklyn, so I can say this. Tony, the burn out is not WLTV . You know what comes to mind….a saying from THE GHOST BUSTERS first movie….”Being miserable and treating other people like dirt is every New Yorker’s God-given right”.
October 20, 2006

Matty Van, Rochester,NY
KAHUNA – Dr. Konstantin Frank Dry Reisling is my fav. NY resling

I also recomend …

http://www.foxrunvineyards.com/
October 20, 2006

Brandon M
TampaSteve…didn’t Guliani pretty much wipe that out and turn yous guys into a bunch of sissies?

Tony…had to sell the Bentley…will a kia sephia do?

B
October 20, 2006

TampaSteve
Brandon….ROTFLMAO>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
October 20, 2006

TimF
Kahuna – Those crab legs are RIDICULOUS. I’m gonna need to take out a home equity loan to buy 10 pounds though!
October 20, 2006

KAHUNA
Get on the email list they have have specials all the time- my last batch was 10lbs for $149. shipped overnight fedex
October 20, 2006

KAHUNA
Matty Van,
thanks for the reccom. on the wine- I will give it a try
October 20, 2006

Tony
Matty Van, – Dr. Frank and Fox Run are both on my hit list this weekend while I’m freezing my wimpy California *ss off in your wretched excuse for a state.

Brandon – no Bentley? I’m not sure I want you as a friend. I’ll be in touch when I get back re: the Amador trip. Also, Jhan and I are thinking of splitting 10 days at Christmas between SF and Healdsburg. Maybe we could hook up for a bit then too.

This brings up a whole thing: WLTV wine country trips. It’d be fun (or maybe not, given some of the wierdos [the guy with the viking horns comes to mind] ) to organize WLTV wine tasting trips. A chance to meet, taste wines, and find out that we really don’t like each other afterall – particularly after 7 wineries in one day.
October 20, 2006

KAHUNA
I almost bought a house in Healdsburg 4 years ago- boy I am a dope for not doing it- Now I am lucky I can afford a hotel room there- It is my favorite place to stay(outside of Italy that is)- we used to stay at Hotel Healdsburg when they first opened. Now we stay at the Healdsburg Inn
October 20, 2006

Brandon M
Speaking of Viking Horns…where in the Hell..er I mean Heck…are the Gravatars? Those were a ton of fun AND lent to everyone’s perosnalities…what Gives? (This is the third inquiry by the way!)

B
October 20, 2006

Jim Kay
QOD: Chalone.
Haven’t tried any made under the new owners
October 20, 2006

Jaye
This episode started out backwards for me — having to drink California Chardonnay would put me in a bad mood, not get me out of it. I’ve tried many over the years because 1) I’m female, 2) All my female friends drink it 3) In the 90’s it was the thing to do. And I have to say the only ones I ever liked to drink were the ones that were “un-oaked”. They were also consistently the ones that won our blind tastings when we used to have wine tasting parties.

So, I was pleased to see Gary do a short, under 10-minute episode. And by the way, Gary, this is your show. You cannot expect to do episodes like 110 and 111 every episode and stay sane. Don’t feel you have to be perfect all the time. Maybe if you just do one “super” episode a week that is plenty. Frankly, finding the time to watch your “super episodes” uninterrupted is difficult for many people too. Having short, under 10-minute episodes as the norm might also be better for lots of viewers. It would almost certainly help your fatigue and keep you from burning out. Last thing any of us want is for this to become a chore for you. Just my $.02.
October 20, 2006

Tony
Yeah, I miss the Gravatars too! Gary, what’s up with that? Is a Gravatar problem or a WLTV problem?
October 20, 2006

Jaye
RE: Gravatars . . . here is what I found out:

http://www.gravatar.com/maintenance.php
October 20, 2006

Jaye
Here too: http://www.gravatar.com/blog/
October 20, 2006

Tony
Time to go catch a plane.

Now you can talk about me behind my back all you want.

I’ll miss you guys – and what’s his name – the guy that tastes the wines.
October 20, 2006

Matty Van, Rochester,NY
have to love NY…its was sunny and a few days ago and now rain and 45

Tony – I belive your tripped will be perfectly timed the fall folage should be hitting its peak. Deending on where abouts your going to be you may want to check out the NY wine and culinary center in Canandaigua,ny http://www.nywcc.com/

there is also an ice wine I like….

Casa Larga – Fiori Delle Stelle VIDAL ICE WINE-2004, Winner of the 2005 Govener’s Cup Award”The best wine in New York State” its $75 a bottle though…I thought it was worth it.

$27 per pound with free shipping is not a bad price at all for legs that big, those have to be pushing a pound a leg, almost twice the size of the normal king crab leg.

I submitted my gravatar many times and it never showed up
October 20, 2006

Darlene O.
Hey, Gary…great as always. Believe it or not, I like the Calera Chard. Got to ask you…IF the JETS win a Super Bowl, will you lose interest? Will you still want to buy them in the future?
October 20, 2006

Chuck W
HUNA, Awesome Pennington-ELF comparison!

Gary, you better check, I think someone’s stealing your car.

QOD – Cuvaison Chard. (a big wine – 14.5%, extremely oaky)

MY QUESTION – Can you through me a frickin bone here and taste a Cuvaison? Somehow you have destroyed my confidence in WS and elevated by my opinion of RP and GV ratings. How about this. Browns – Jets game. Browns win you taste a Cuvaison Pinot. Jets win I only buy from WL. Deal or no Deal?
October 20, 2006

E
Piovano and friends arrived yesterday morning, but I ain’t touching it just yet either.

QOD: ‘02 Rombauer Carneros–I wandered into one of the local groceries on my lunch hour last year and they had six bottles of it on clearance at $5 a pop. Normally not my thing, but at that price … absolute no-brainer. Harmless, buttery fun, and good for holiday turkey dinners when you know they’re going to dry out the white meat.
October 20, 2006

Dominus
I, too, like you, appreciate the California chards now and then. As for my fav I have a few: ‘94 Girard was my first “exciting” Chard from CA, followed by Kistler Dutton Ranch and also Sonoma-Cutrer.

As an FYI, I’m off Sunday for California where I plan to hit the nearest sports bar to watch the Colts spank the Redskins (though I live in DC) and then mid-week do my own “Sideways” tour through the wineries of Santa Barbara. Should be fun.

Cheers!
Dom
October 20, 2006

Dominus
Oh, oh, almost forgot. I’m having the Rocky Creek Zin tonight on your suggestion and let me say, it’s better than any Rosenblum I’ve ever tasted. Very, very nice.

Sipping some Rocky Creek watching Ghost Whisperer on a Friday night. Doesn’t get much better than this.

Dom
October 20, 2006

Russ J
Easy, Gary, easy. Next time, swallow the Chardonnay.

QOTD: I read an article in Automobile Magazine years ago about Gil Nickel, who owned Far Niente. He was a big car AND wine guy. Based on that article, I picked up a bottle of his Chardonnay, early to mid Nineties vintage for probably $40. At the time , it was the most expensive wine I had ever purchased retail. I was quite skeptical that it would be worth it, but it definitely was. I don’t drink a lot of Cali Chards these days but if I do, Talbott and Cuvaison are two solid choices.

Drinking an ‘03 Bogle Old Vine zin right now. Good quaffer. Maybe something fancy tomorrow. I wonder if my wife will go for the cleavage Champagne thing. If not, I’m goin’ to Scores!
October 20, 2006

KAHUNA
Russ J, see you there! I happen to be a big fan of the 01 Bogle Petite Syrah or was it 00 I have to check but I have a case stashed away it was that good- I must have drunk about 15 bottles of it- for the price it was the best thing around- I love Petite’s- I also like their old vine Zin.
October 20, 2006

kidseyemd
I have adored Peter Michael’s Chards but they are expensive and i’ve only had them a handful of times
October 20, 2006

Panman
Gary-

Can you run through the filter/non-filter/fining/unfined etc. explanations?
October 20, 2006

Arnold
Got my order open the Vitae Chianti Colli Senesi today, $7, it was fantastic! Thanks Gary.
The Angeline Russian River Chardonnay 2002 was very nice and I think it was $12. I’ve never had a $40 chardonnay either.
October 20, 2006

PattyO
We drank this tonight:
2004 Can Blau Montsant
We didn’t know it at the time – but it’s the single wine featured (6-pack episodes) on episode #26 – there are only 7 comments so maybe you (as I hadn’t) haven’t seen it yet.
It’s a 90 pt. Parker, $12.99 – my husband and I LOVE it (had it recently in a wine bar and realized we also have 2 bottles at home). Gary likes it – and it’s available at WL. I recommend it – we dacanted for about 8+ hours and that really softened the tannins – had creamy parm. polenta and grilled steak with it and that was really great.
October 20, 2006

MBG
Any Chardonnay by Lewis Cellars is fantastic, especially their Barcaglia Lane.
October 20, 2006

Susan
Joe-
I find out you are the one who is originally from Jersey.
And now you live in
Agoura Hills?
I used to live in LA.
Life can be sooooooooooooo ironic!
Did anyone see Numbers?
I lived in LA when the freeway shootings were happening.
Never a dull moment!
October 20, 2006

Susan
Gary -
You are doing a super job being Dir of Op and Dir of Podcasts but….
You seem like a guy who needs to take a vacation.
We don’t want a burned out guy doing the podcasts.
Fly to a fun, warm place and forget about it!!!!!!
The wine will still be there – really!
October 21, 2006

Julius
Sounds like LizV and GaryV might be on their way to becoming MomV and PopV.

Anyway, to answer the QOTD, some years ago I was offered a chance to buy some Kistler chardonnay from a collection, which I did. Three different vineyards: Dutton, Kistler and McCrea. They were exceptional and showed me that California Chardonnay can be more than butter and oak (but at a price).

BTW, Gary, I would be interested in knowing, for any California Chardonnay that you taste, whether they have undergone either partial or full malolactic fermentation.
October 21, 2006

Julius
PattyO – Montsant is a great value region, sometimes referred to as the poor man’s Priorat. The Can Blau is a great wine, especially for the price. You may also want to try the 2004 Mas Donis (available at the WL for $9.99). Tanzer scored it an 88, and Parker scored the 2003 a 92 (he hasn’e reviewed the 2004 yet).
October 21, 2006

MarcT
Gary…I hope that everything going on in your life is positive! Keep your head up and know that everyone sees and appreciates your efforts! WLTV is better than ever and is continuing to grow. I know that WL as a whole must be doing the same.
Thanks for taking the time to keep us all in the know and share your knowledge with us.

QOTD: I had the Newton a while back and thought that it was very nice. I would buy it again and seeing your price it will be from WL.

Question…There have been a few comments about bottle shock. I feel it comes in to play sometimes. What are your thoughts? How long should one wait after receiving their shipment from WL? What about vibration and long term storage?
October 21, 2006

Julius
Gary – When you get back to doing a viewers request tasting, I would like you to taste the 2005 Bruno Giacoso Roero Arneis. You have it in stock and it’s not too expensive.
October 21, 2006

MarcT
Ok so tonight at Woodfire Grill in ATL…
1st We split the cider braised Metzger farm Berkshire pork belly, braised red cabbage, roasted Fuji apple, saba
2nd I had braised Berkshire pork shank, carnaroli risotto, aromatics, orange gremolata, pork jus
And she had wood grilled Metzger farm Berkshire pork chop, Anson grits, steel pan greens, Fuji apple sauce
3rd we had a mixed artisanal cheese selection
We drank 2001 Sawyer Cellars Bradford Meritage…nice wine with a medium body followed by a long smooth finish. Dark fruits and spice on the nose and palate plus a hint of cocoa and oak. 89+ points. The 2002 is better.
October 21, 2006

MarcT
Kahuna…I look forward to trying some of Great Alaska Seafood’s products. I am a member of Slow Food and recommend everyone check it out http://www.slowfoodusa.org/
I believe in sustainable produce and support it when ever I can. Thanks for the tip! My clients will love you for it.
October 21, 2006

DJAAA
Gary,

2 Questions:

1) Are these chards you tasted chilled at all???

2) I’ve noticed that as it’s gotten a bit cooler, you’ve enjoyed more of the ‘dry-er’ reds. Whereas, over the summer you seemed to like the bolder, fruitier reds. Is this a seasonal thing, maybe? Have you noticed this sort of pattern over the years, or is this a weird fluke.

QOD:

When I buy Cali Hart Chard in the city, it’s over $20, so I will say that it’s my favorite cali chard!!!

Great show! Thanks for the energy!!!

DJAAA
October 21, 2006

MarcT
I also recommend
http://heritagefoodsusa.com/
http://viaelisa.com/
The best foods REAL foods on the internet!!!
October 21, 2006

IB
We tried the 2003 Piovano from Pieve del Vescovo last night. I had high expectations but was a little dissapointed. First impression on the taste was a surprising but pleasant thickness. It has a big-wine-high-viscosity that you won’t find in ordinary Chiantis. The wine has some firm tannins and natural acidity from the sangiovese grapes which makes the overall impression rather rough and dry. Fruit- and flavourwise I found it one-dimensional. Too few things going on flavourwise – not a charming wine. It has the body and structure of a great wine – but for my pizzas I will go for a smaller wine with more charm. Agree?
October 21, 2006

Brandon M
WOW…I opened a 2004 Merry Edwards Coopersmith Pinot Noir tonight.
HUGE BLACK CHERRY FRUIT BOMB.
the nose… flat Coke, seriously flat Coke, Root Beer, and Grape Soda hints of Rasberry, and it makes you want to taste right away. Remeber bottle caps when you were a kid? It’s a lot like that on the nose. EXTREMELY BALANCED.with black cherry all over the place. The finish is so great it lasts just long enough for you to want another sip. To me, this is better than the 2004 Klopp Ranch and really makes me miss the MacPhail I was so in love with last year.

I have a great story about this wine, but don’t feel like writing a huge post right now…maybe over the weekend.

BTW…Tony is terrible, why is he even a Vayniac?

B
October 21, 2006

Tony manning
Not a big chard fan, but did have one aged in steel (unoaked) that was great. It was from a local winery called
Three Sisters Vineyard. Bought a few bottles for my wife who swears by it.
http://www.thewineglass.net
October 21, 2006

Matty Van, Rochester NY
“Oh, oh, almost forgot. Iâ€™m having the Rocky Creek Zin tonight on your suggestion and let me say, itâ€™s better than any Rosenblum Iâ€™ve ever tasted. Very, very nice.”
Comment 77: By Dominus

that comment alone is all the movivation I need to cook up some pork ribs tommorow night instead of going out to eat as planned, I really like the rosenblub zin. the reserve or what ever the better one is.

Anytime any of us open a bottle it would be interesting if we all posted what we thought of it and how it paired with what we were eating.

while out last night I had a glass of blackstone merlot…it was average stock merlot, not crap but nothing interesting..82 points
October 21, 2006

Chris
QOD: My favorite cali chard is the Frank Family. The 2002 has been my favorite of recent vintages.
October 21, 2006

G
Nice timing on this episode. I bought a six-pack of Cali. Chards and will be cracking a Newton and a Hess Collection with a small group. I’m thinking of pairing it with my “rustic” chicken soup (made with sauv. blanc.). I also have a Melville in the cellar- has anybody tried one of their chards?
My favorite Cali. chard. up to now has been the regular Au Bon Climat but that might very well change after tomorrow.
October 21, 2006

KAHUNA
Marc T ,
Thanks for the links will be checking them out for sure!
October 21, 2006

Susan
MarcT, Jaye, MattyVan, Kahuna and Tonymannning,
All of you-
THANKS
for the great links.
All of the food and education is great!
THANKS AGAIN!
October 21, 2006

TimF
I went to the butcher yesterday and picked up a pound of filet. I paired that with the Corte Riva — great match. My wife gave me her tasting notes: “the tire section at Sam’s Club and plums”. Sounds like something Gary would say…
October 21, 2006

GeneV
My favorite butterball Cali chardonnay from the last five years has been the Sea Smoke Gratis–and the price is right. However new world chard comprises about 0.5% of my collection. I’ve gotten more into cooking and wine pairing, and these are difficult food wines. About the only pairing with buttery, oaky chards which still has a place in my heart is with a simply prepared Thanksgiving turkey.
October 21, 2006

mikep
Favorite Ca. Chard is Sanford we were at the vineyard tasting room in Ca sitting on their porch on an abosolutely gorgeous day so it might be that whole italy thing Gary V mentioned how when people get back from italy they drank the best wine of their life and it was 2.00 a barrel full. Still enjoyed the wine though.
October 21, 2006

MarcT
TimF…If you are willing to pay for a pound of quality Filet, are you willing to pay for 1/2 a pound of Dry Aged Kobe Ribeye? If you can find it, get it! It will cost you around $36+ a pound but the flavor is out of this world with the most ultimate fat marbling. How do you cook it?
Get your grill nice and hot.
Make sure your meat (2 8 oz steaks 1″ thick) is at room temp.
Rub meat with good extra virgin olive oil.
In a Mortal crush fresh black pepper, kosher salt, and rosemary to tiny bits.
Rub the tiny bits on the meat (not too much tiny bits though).
In you grill arrange the scorching coals to one side and set rack on top.
After tem minutes, put some Extra V. Olive Oil on a paper towel and rub your grill rack all over.
Place the meat over the scorching coals and DO NOT TOUCH THE MEAT.
After about 3 minutes flip the meat keeping it over the coals and DO NOT TOUCH THE MEAT.
After 3 minutes move the meat to the other side of the grill and put on the cover.
At this point your meat is slightly chard on both sides and cooked rare.
If you like your normal steak rare like me you have to resist temptation here (so hard, so hard).
Let the meat cook for another 3 to 8 minutes in the covered grill. You want to remove the meat when it is ready…on your left hand, touch the tip of your thumb to your middle finger. Press the meaty part of your left hand with the index finger of your right hand. Now go and press the meat. Does it have the same feeling? You want it to be the same…not softer or harder…the same.
Remove the meat to a platter and set on the counter. Put a large piece of aluminum foil over the platter LOOSLEY. Let the meat rest for about 5 minutes while you set the table and plate your sides (asparagus, roasted fingerling potatoes, arugula tossed with extra v olive oil, sautÃ©ed porcini mushrooms).
Put each steak on each plate and enjoy.

It will be a wonderful experience!!!
October 21, 2006

TampaSteve
Or Tim, you can just go to Burns Steakhouse here in Tampa and have their “Special Chateaubriand”. It is the best steak I have ever tasted anywhere. Oh, and they only have 500,000 bottles of wine on hand to pair with it.
October 21, 2006

TampaSteve
Sorry, Burns=Berns….we need a damn edit or spell ck on this board Gary
October 21, 2006

Grasshopper
Sensei,

Sorry you were having an off day and life was getting the best of you. Happens to all of us and I have to say that WLTV (and a great bottle of wine at the end of the day) are always a bright spot no matter what is going on. I agree with Tony, take some time off and do not burn out on the WLTV. What in the hell would we all do without you!!?

Hope your Jets win and you come back Monday fired up!!

Grasshopper
October 21, 2006

mikep
Did anyone else see that the Palms Casino in LV and the Carls Jr. Hambuger Chain have teamed up and the Casino is offering a $6,000 dollar burger meal it is a Carls junior buger ,fries and $5,995 bottle of vintage wine. They say they will definetly have orders for the combo. I wonder if you can super size it?
October 21, 2006

mikep
Have to love the free shipping and speed of the Wine Library submitted order 10/17 online and was drinking some of it the evening of 10/20. Exceptional service!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 21, 2006

Chuck W
GV – have you consider a satellite location in say Morristown.
October 21, 2006

Chuck W
I had the ‘03 Clos Pegase Cab last night. I was fortunate to have toured this winery when I was in Napa. My wife and I were lucky enough to have a wonderful meal back in their cave. The layout and art work are amazing in this winery and I have to say it’s a must see. Because of these reasons I want to like the wine but last night the wine was bitter. The nose was like rubbing alcohol. An overall bad experience – great memories, bad sip after bad sip. My budget does allow me to taste and Pazz. I have to endure the experience until the bottle is over.

MY QUESTION to the board – What do you do after you have decanted, waited, prepared your meal and then the wine you’ve been waiting for taste like crap?
October 21, 2006

MarcT
Chuck…I open a beer!
October 21, 2006

Susan
Tim F-
Regarding:
â€œthe tire section at Samâ€™s Club and plumsâ€. Sounds like something Gary would sayâ€¦
When I read this-
I couldn’t stop laughing! I can almost taste the tire section.
Very good!
October 21, 2006

Julius
MarcT – Are you sure you’re not really Steven Raichlen?
October 21, 2006

Brandon M
MikeP…that commercial is causing a HUUUUGE uproar in Sacramento. The Maloofs are trying to get a new complex for the Sacramento Kings, and the deal is asking for tax payer money…meanwhile, they have net worth 1 billion flashing in the commercial. So everyone here is thinking…then pay for the damn complex rich boys! I could care either way, but it makes for good conversation!

B
October 21, 2006

Julius
Here’s an example why my wife and I prefer to eat at home rather than go to a restaurant. Dinner last night: beef short ribs braised in Amarone and home-made veal stock, mashed yukon gold potatoes and steamed fresh green peas. (The ribs were prepared in advance, chilled, fat skimmed and then reheated – to die for!). For the wine, 1997 Pio Cesare Barolo Ornato.
October 21, 2006

Jhan Mason
Brandon, I saw that!

Turns out my wife brought her laptop and we have free wireless in the hotel. Ahhhhh…nothing better than the sweet feeling of pure heroin coursing through your veins. I can get my fix of WLTV every day.

Someone asked me to always post my new wine blog entries here. Here’s the latest, one that I’ve wanted to do from the beginning:

http://wine-thoughts.blogspot.com/2006/10/how-to-taste-wine-and-live-to-tell.html

I always appreciate comments and criticism, so please let me know what you think. Yeah, and if you didn’t notice, I’[m actually trying to be humorous. Wine can get too serious. In fact, many of you were starting to scare the crap out of me with all that wine glass talk. I figure if a styrofoam cup is good enough to use to drink a 1961 Cheval Blanc, then that’s good enough for me.
October 21, 2006

TP
No question, Rombauer Chardonnay is the best!
October 21, 2006

PeteB
QOD: my has been a tie btw. Cakebread & Plumpjack.

Patty O – thanks! I’m glad to know that we weren’t off our rocker!
Dominus – Ghost Whisperer – great show!

For all waiting for the Piovano – GV is dead on about this wine (look over the tasting notes on Chris’ sheet), if you like a classic Italian wine – this one will fit the bill. If you prefer a wine with a softer/lighter acidic profile and smoother on the palate – then this may not be your wine. It is funny because my wife & I had been using this as one of our pizza night wines for the last few months and it fits the bill perfectly.

Gary – you can say hell, its your show! And as for the sign-off yesterday – don’t rethink the sarcasm/humor interjected into the show, some of us appreciate and enjoy it. But I meant to bust on you yesterday about dropping your teams once they win and become champions. I don’t know my man – if the Jets win are going to dump them like you did the Yanks and the Rangers???? What sport will take their place – Cricket?????????? Anyway – even though I am a Giant fan – I’m kind of routing for the Jets – because maybe then you guys can get your own stadium (one with your team’s actual name on it!)…..
October 21, 2006

GregS
QOTD: I really enjoyed the 2004 Abandon Chardonay. Low oak, nice and clean.
October 21, 2006

Big Billy from Big D
Trevor Jones Old Tawny Port â€œJonesyâ€

Preface:
I am not by any stretch an expert on Australian â€˜stickiesâ€™ or Port. But in the spirit of vayniacal verisimilitude, armed with a only with a wine glass, six inch dial calipers, a digital infrared thermometer, a thermocouple digital thermometer, and a PC, I will sally forth with some tasting notes on the â€œJonesyâ€ port to contribute, however slightly, to the archives of the Bacchus Initiative at Wine Library.

The Notes:
The first thing you notice when you pour Jonesy into your glass* is the color, it looks like Kahlua or dark roast coffee. It is REALLY brown, without being cloudy.

The nose is clean and gentle, and clearly about raisins. Like a raisin pie with a little teeny weensy amount of orange zest in it. Also detectable are vanilla, tar, and molasses notes. A pleasant olfactory experience, despite its lackluster muscularity.

The taste front end is raisins with a little molasses and tar. As you head into the mid stretch the flavor opens to reveal a little toasty vanilla, zesty nuts. The taste stretches out nicely and finishes cleanly despite the initial syrupy start.

Cutting to the chase:
Q: Is it the best Australian port you ever lapped a lip over?
Answer: No, but it is good, and it is interesting. I will drink it, and enjoy it. I think the Hardyâ€™s Whiskers Blake is tastier and more complex on a little lighter frame, for just a few bucks more.

Q: Is it a good buy?
Answer: Yes. At under $10 itâ€™s great.

Bacchus Initiative Notes:
Temperature of wine on arrival 108 hours after departure from Springfield, New Jersey – 72 degrees F

Temperature of wine at consumption 23.25 hours after arrival from transit – 75 degrees F

* Wine Glass specifications:
Overall height: 5.695 in. (144.65mm)
Bowl height: 3.635 in. (92.33mm) outside, 3.500 in. (88.90mm) inside
O.D. at ogee: 2.418 in (61.42mm)
Height to ogee: 3.193 in.(81.10mm)
Opening Diameter: 1.870 in. (47.50mm) inside, 2.050 in. outside
Manufacturer: undocumented, but most likely Libby.

The preceding notes are offered to the Bacchus Initiative novitiates in order that they may make adjustments of the tasting notes in regard to the glass employed in the tasting. It must also be noted that the flame polishing roll at the opening of the bowl could noe measured with the equipment available without using destructive methods. The note maker wishing feeling compelled to avoid an unpleasant â€œincidentâ€ did not destroy the glass to make the measurement of the rim anomalies. I hope the acolytes at BI will be able to compensate with a range of palate attack angles caused by the inferior lip on the glass in question to Reidel Sommelier series standard .

The researcher would also be interested to know if there is any difference in the tasting notes if the measurements are metric?

In the spirit of Bacchus it is offered.
October 21, 2006

KAHUNA
Hey Gary,
What the heck is this board talking about- take time off and relax, ease up- I say horsecrap to that- I am stuck in front of my computer all day and night working and hitting the refresh button waiting for WLTV to load up a new episode. Then i get an email about a special, click it and it is sold out-

Good lord man you sip a little wine, swish a little , spit with your head in a bucket. “You know the world needs ditch diggers too Danny”

I say buck up cowboy! and skip a garage sale this week. I know foil cutters can really wipe a guy out.
Anyway I have to get back to my couch- the game is back on- You get back to work!

Keep
October 21, 2006

eugene
QOTD:

The best California overoaked chardonnay I ever had was mad in Australia, I believe.

Jokes aside, I enjoyed Gloria Ferrer and Concannon in the past.
October 21, 2006

TommyG
Chalk Hill Chardonnay
October 21, 2006

eugene
It’s “made” (above)
October 21, 2006

TampaSteve
I met Trevor Jones at a tasting last weekend. My wife had him sign a bottle for her.
October 21, 2006

Brandon M
KAHUNA…great call on the Caddie Shack! Top 5 all time.
“You don’t have to go to College Danny, this isn’t Russia! Is this Russia? This isn’t Russia!

B
October 21, 2006

Paul
QOTD – Morgan Double L Ranch Hat Trick.

Kahuna, not only do you like Rafanelli but to find someone who still likes Petite Sirah is fantastic. One of my favorites, but ther’s not much left in the cellar. Not many being bottled any more. Do you have any recommendations for those currently on the market that you like?

BrandonM – JUST popped a bottle of the Rocky Creek Zin. Blackberries and brambles on the nose, a bit of leather. On the palate, those flavors came through as well as a bit of pipe tobacco (I recall the smell of my grandfather’s pipe). Medium body, decent finish. Nothing overpowering but FAR more interesting than the standard Rosenblum. I’m looking forward to a few hours from now as it airs a bit.
October 21, 2006

TimF
Big Billy from Big D: The Bacchus Initiative appreciates the data. However, I tasted this wine today and was less than impressed. The color was ridiculous. I’ve never seen a brown wine like this before (not the reason I didn’t like it). I don’t understand how RP scored this one a 93.
October 21, 2006

Susan
ok- it’s my turn to rave about football.
Please tell me someone else saw the Irish pull it OUT of the fire in the last few seconds!!!
I screamed and cried!!!!!
And then I cheered.
It is a good day to be Irish!!!!
God was really with them today!
I am VERY GLAD I AM IRISH!!!!
They beat the Bruins in the last few seconds with a super touchdown.
Wow, I haven’t seen football like that since Nixon was president!
Wow!
20 to 17.
Go Fighting Irish!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)
October 21, 2006

Mike F.
My favorite butterball oak bomb Cali Chardonnay is the Paul Hobbs Russian River Valley 2002. Tasting notes include Mrs. butterworths, triple cream, marshmallow fluff, jelly belly popcorn jellybeans, caramelized Pear FlambÃ©, and a healthy dose of California Black Oak recovered from a Yosemite forest fire. Yum!
October 21, 2006

Big Billy from Big D
Tim F
Perhaps, it was the glass

Chin chin
October 21, 2006

sheila
Rombauer Chardonnay (great value for the dollar)…however, did really like the Pine Ridge Chard at the tasting…
October 21, 2006

TimF
Night putting. Just putting at night with the Dean’s 15 year old daughter.
October 21, 2006

Rick
Gary

October is White Zinfandel Month for Breast Cancer Awareness
http://sutterhomeforhope.com/home.html
http://winelibrary.com/reviewwine.asp?item=22850
October 22, 2006

Brandon M
And do you know who that man was Danny?
October 22, 2006

Brandon M
What a friggen wine night…WHEW it was a marathon!
Went to the out-laws for a Greek style chicken on the BBQ..classic…
Started with 2002 Sterling Reserve
Moved next to 1999 Sterling Cab Diamond Mountain Ranch
Then…with dinner,Sterling (Don’t know the vintage) Sauvignon Blanc
Then Del Dotto 2004 Cabernet Somethin Somethin…by then who the hell knows.
And then to top it off..Sterling Pinot.

We were with family and having a time…so here’s what I remember from the wine…

‘02 Sterling Reserve, very nice, ready to drink compared to the next wine…
‘99 Sterling Diamond Mountain Ranch…good, but VERY tannic, could feel it in the top of my mouth…
Sauvignon Blanc…HUGE peach wine, like drinking pure peach nectar..relatively pleasant…
Del Dotto…can’t remember a lot about the wine as we were deep in great conversation at that point, but I can say this…Del Dotto is expensive, so why were we drinking a 2004?
And then the Sterling Pinot…PAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSS…barely choked it down.

And on to other business..I don’t care if your a Detroit fan or a St. Louis fan, baseball fan or football fan, sports fan or a quilting fan…you better look up and realize that Albert Pujols is something special…something that comes around, maybe, every two decades. Pujols is someone who can perform in the regular seaon, post season, and World Series season. Albert is a man among children, a god among mortals, and he deserves his credit. As everyone knows I am a Dodger fan but Albert Pujols makes baseball fun to watch, and for that, I wil watch EVERY game in the World Series!

Now to finish my Merry Edwards Coopersmith!!!!

B
October 22, 2006

PattyO
No WL delivery by Friday night so we thought we were out of luck for the weekend (didn’t figure Fed X does Saturday) only to find out that – while we were out at a concert tonight (Saturday), Fed. X delivered the 2 cases to our FOURTEEN year old daughter, who signed for it (!), and the FE guy said, “I won’t tell anyone if you don’t – and don’t get drunk tonight!” I’m glad he wanted to get that wine off his truck!!

Chuck W – been there — it’s dinner-time and the anticipated, day-long-decanted bottle is awful. What we do now is, we keep some reliable wines, that we’ve liked straight from the bottle, on hand. If the decanted wine is a big downer, we cork it for future cooking and pull out an “old reliable”. We also taste it right after it’s decanted in case it’s clearly bad (the other night we decanted a Chianti that was damaged – cooked or something) and we knew it right after decanting and tasting – so we moved on to decant something else.
October 22, 2006

TimF
Bobe Hope?
October 22, 2006

MarcT
PattyO…I wouldn’t advertise that…it is the main reason that many states do not allow cross boarder shipping.

BrandonM…so what did you eat with your wines? Where did you eat? How would you rate the place?

Chin Chin…nice job with the micrometer!
October 22, 2006

PattyO
MarcT – good point. But honestly, while I’m really glad I got my delivery and it didn’t sit on a hot truck through the weekend, I am very surprised with the delivery. When I received wine via UPS I get an automated phone call the day prior to delivery, giving me the delivery window of time and reminding me I’ll need someone over 21 to sign and ID will be required. The boxes delivered yesterday had the required labels – stating that over 21 ID and sig. are required but there was no phone call and the driver apparently didn’t want to haul the boxes back onto his truck to come back Monday. For that matter – I would think he could have just asked if an adult neighbor could sign. Seems like a driver issue and I’d imagine he’d be RIGHT out of a job if his employers knew.
October 22, 2006

TimF
Gary — Back when I was a consultant I worked for a liquor distributor in the state of Illinois (they control over 1/3 of all liquor sales in Illinois and got a law passed in 1999 by the Illinois general assembly to protect his near-monopoly. If I’m at the WLTV party next year, someone remind me to tell you about this place). I generally think they are useless and only add to the prices of the wine/beer/liquor we buy. I was wondering if New Jersey required liqour distributors or not. I think that would explain how just about every single wine I buy from you is at least a dollar or two cheaper than the exact same bottles I buy at even the largest retailer with the best prices out here in Illinois.
October 22, 2006

TimF
PattyO — I had the exact opposite experience. FedEx makes me go and pick it up (and even show ID) but UPS just leaves the package on my front doorstep.
October 22, 2006

KAHUNA
Paul,
Petite Fans Unite! I have been going through my old stock of Conconnon and Bogle 2000- I still have a bunch of those socked away for a while-

I have not had the latest vintages but was enjoying the Foppiano and Parducci(especially the signature with tan label and their blend called Coro)

I just bought a few bottles of the Girard and will sample that soon. David Bruce and Trentadue are always good. Generally speaking always try the Bogle as it is always good and always reviewed well- every few years they will produce one that is an absolute case or two buy and at $8 a bottle.

If you can find a 2001 Stagls Leap Winery Napa Petite grab it it was worth the money- and the 2002 Parducci-

Let me know what you come across I think I will pick up 5 or 6 Petites from the current releases and see if there are any winners.

“How do you measure yourself against other golfers” – “By Height”
October 22, 2006

KAHUNA
Paul- sorry made a mistake in my last post- Just checked my notes- should have done that first-
It was the Quixote Petite Syrah Napa Valley Stags Leap Ranch not the Stags Leap Winery that I loved it was amazing- I think it was around $50. My local wine shop guy special oredered it for me- I could not afford more at the time so it was 1 and done.
October 22, 2006

MarcT
Check me if I’m wrong, but if I kill all the golfers…they’ll lock me up and throw away the key.
October 22, 2006

TimF
Cannonball!!!
October 22, 2006

Brandon M
This steak still has marks from where the jockey was hitting it.
October 22, 2006

Brandon M
Big Billy…

Went over their house. My Father-in-Law did a greek style rotisserie chicken, scallop potatos, french bread. Very simple…very tasty. Paired the Sauvignon Blanc with the meal.

B
October 22, 2006

KAHUNA
Now I know why Lions eat their young
October 22, 2006

TimF
You must have been something before electricity!
October 22, 2006

Brandon M
A flute without holes, is not a flute. A donut without a hole, is a Danish.
October 22, 2006

Joe P. (portovino)
Gary,
What percentage of reds vs whites do you drink? Although whites are very enjoyable, I have noted that people who become more serious wine drinkers more often opt for a red. joe
October 22, 2006

eugene
KAHUNA,

ever tried Marietta’s petite sirah?

I like their wines.
October 22, 2006

RCP
Gary-

I appreciate your generous score estimate for the Lion’s game. Looks like we got our asses handed to us once again.

Hope the win puts you in a better mood and whatever it is that has you down has been amicably resolved.

Ryan P.
October 22, 2006

SS Chris
Gary,

Leon Washington just scored his 2nd TD. That’s the clincher putting the Jets up 31-17 w/ 4:51 remaining.

BUT, I really like this rookie Washington. Lightning quick and runs HARD.
October 22, 2006

Joe F
“A lot going on in my life.” ??? Not a good closing.
October 22, 2006

Matthew L
OK Gary…Props to you and your Jets on the 31-24 win ! My Lions made a valint comeback, but just came up short (as usual ) Who the hell is Leon Washington?

Keep an eye out for something in the way of a pay up for all my woofing.

I’m not a sore loser. Hey, you can’t be when you’re a Lions fan. Congrats.
October 22, 2006

SS Chris
Gary, Do NOT apologize if VaynIACS miss a subtlety of your sense of humor (i.e. your ending statement in Thursdays “glass” episode). I was one of the idiots who didn’t get it at first…that’s my fault…at least my problem. KEEP being YOU!!!! This is critically important to the future of WLTV.

Secondly, you mentioned the rating of Caymus on the GLASS episode (which you had rated from 91 to 95). I was recording the highest rating of 95. Based on today’s comment, I will downgrade tha rating to a 93. AGREED??

Finally and MOST IMPORTANTLY, I know other’s have mentioned this…if WLTV is getting to be too much, please cut back. There is no bigger VaynIAC in VaynerNATION than I…but…I would prefer to have 3 or 4 episodes per week rather than you getting burned out. If you continue @ 5 per week and then get burned out and WLTV goes away, I will be PISSED. And you know I’m in the store all the time and I know where your office is. LOL. Anyway, I think you know what I’m saying.
October 22, 2006

Matthew L
Chris…your last paragraph was EXCELLENTLY phrased!
October 22, 2006

TimF
The other thing to keep in mind is that you could always have guest hosts for WLTV. I’m sure you’ve got a bunch of guys at the store who’d be dying to do an episode or two.
October 22, 2006

Rich S
Favorite Cali chardonnay was a 1999 Beringer Reserve from Napa. Would love to have some more of that juice…………
October 22, 2006

E
Peterson in Sonoma make a nice petite sirah …
October 22, 2006

SS Chris
ALL VAYNIACS!! IMPORTANT ALERT!!!

Please read my comment #160 (3rd parapgraph).

If you agree, please post a comment supporting Gary.

And I mean everyone, from Brandon M to the most lurk-ee or lurkers.

I want to see 500 comments on this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
October 22, 2006

Susan
Gary-
Just want to make sure you get the hint.
Take a vacation dude!
Do less!
I hope you can at least get some veg time in soon!
October 22, 2006

Brandon M
Agreed!…Seriously..I would love 5, 6, 7 epsiodes a week, but that would spoil me. When you took time off between 99 and 100 I found my self SOOOO pumped for #100 (Absence makes the Vaniac obsessive).

Gary…I would feel no love lost if you cut back, and support SS Chris’s comments.

I have a funny feeling (just a hunch) that WLTV is not the cause of your stress, but whatever it is, you gotta do for you. After all, I have enjoyed 112 epsiodes and countless hours of entertainment…FOR FREE…so thanks, and take care of yourself and your family!

B
October 22, 2006

SS Chris
Brandon,

I think you are correct that WLTV is not the cause of the stress. But I think GV feels a responsibility to post 5 Eps per week which is ADDING to the stress.

He needs to be able to NOT do an episode when he is swamped by other things.
October 22, 2006

Brandon M
Absolutely
October 22, 2006

Brandon M
I have an idea…only do 5 epsiodes a week when the Jets win, that way you’ll NEVER have to do a full week more than 8 times a year!

B
October 22, 2006

SeanM
Hey Gary,

What’s up dude? Are there a bunch of malcontent wholesalers out there complaining again? Don’t let them get to you man. The truth is the truth.

About the show schedule, drop it down to 3 a week if you are gonna work yourself to death doing 5. Heck take next week off while I’m in Europe and can’t check in to see what’s up back here.
October 22, 2006

Denyce M
Hey Gary,

Just had a chance to watch the latest episode and just a quick comment about your last comment….

a lot going on in you life….hummm my baby radar is going off…..

Liz V,
humm gary has a lot going on in his life huh??? any comments???
October 22, 2006

PattyO
Agree – plus, with 3 – 4 new episodes a week, we’d all be forced to watch or re-watch the earlier episodes. There’s a LOT to learn and/or re-learn in the Vayner-archives!

I opened 2 Cotes du Rhones tonight that GV did on the Cotes du Rhone episode. (I needed 2 cups for a French stew…)
2004 Perrin Reserv – $9 – 2004 Domaine Grand Veneur – $14
Had my husband do a blind taste (30 minutes decanted).
His perceptions went right along the lines of what Gary said about these two. Fun!
Bottom line – the Perrin was certainly not junk, it is drinkable but light/thin (taste, not visually), way less fruit/spice dimension, almost no mid-palate or finish. It went in the stew.
Veneur – complexity and depth we personally haven’t experienced before in a Cotes du Rhone. Both of them have what you’d recognize as classic nose for that style but the Veneur was like the “all grown up” version. Way more going on in the palate, cinnamon and warm woods. ALSO, 14.5% alcohol (high for the style?) vs. 13% for Perrin. You don’t really feel or taste it, but you sense it in terms of “body” in the mouth – if you get what I’m saying.
October 22, 2006

Big Billy from Big D
Let Us Let Garyâ€™s Private Life Be Private
Just an opinion, not a scold.
The white board in Ep. 111 said, â€œForget Me. What Do U Like?â€ what we may be witnessing is the downside of having a personality centered community. Listen to Ep. 112 with his answer to CShell on why he looked like Riddler. I think he gets tired of all the devotion, negative as well as positive. Plus, donâ€™t forget, that last week was a work week from Hell.

Think of what work was like at WL last week with a 700 order jolt with free shipping. I guarantee that it was busier than a herd of tomcats in a rocking chair factory. Iâ€™ll bet all hands turned to getting that extra business out in a timely and orderly manner.

I placed my order on Monday and had it in hand on Friday, it left WL Tuesday. My order was 13 different items in an 18 bottle order. I would guess that most of the orders were picked orders like mine, meaning one of this and two of that. Imagine 700 orders like that. Thatâ€™s hard work!, and Iâ€™ll bet GV was in there pitching with the troops to get the stuff shipped. In addition He was also producing a WLTV episode out everyday, including one where he tasted 15 wines!

Stay of good cheer.
October 22, 2006

Brandon M
Big Billy…I think a lot of us put a ton of private and personal thoughts into this community, and us being curious about babies and the like is just our hapiness for Gary, and the joy that something like that would bring to his life.

Personally, at least on the blog, I don’t feel Gary gets a lot of personal (private) opinions and comments. I also think that everyone here is pretty much in support of what he needs to do for himself. Not that I don’t think his private life should be private, but I don’t see where anyone is really be all that intrusive. Anyone elses thoughts?

Then again, the fact that we are discussing it, could be intrusive enough.

B
October 22, 2006

SS Chris
PATTY O,

Rather than Vayner-Archives, how about Vaynarchives.

I appear to have a slight talent for improving Vaynerisms (a highly lucraative an marketable talent I might add).

I’m not sure if you remember, but TONY nominated VaynerMANIACSinitially, which I later morphed intto VaynIACS. Aside from the Wine Librarian blip, the rest is history!! LOL
October 22, 2006

TimF
When you buy a hat like this I bet you get a free bowl of soup, huh?
October 22, 2006

EJ
Gary,

…. alot going on….

if it’s work stress, i would have to agree with SS Chris. cut back on the episodes to prevent burning out. We Vayniacs live for your episodes but if we have to cut back to keep the episodes strong, we support that.

all other stress, we hope you get the support you need.

hope you were able to set everything aside to watch your Jets get a win!
October 22, 2006

Paul
Thanks a lot, Kahuna. Will let you know what I find. And I appreciate your comment about the $50 PS – one and out.
October 22, 2006

Brandon M
oh…looks good on you though
October 22, 2006

TimF
Gary — You need to taste Groundskeeper Carl’s wine.
October 22, 2006

TimF
Dr. Beeper: I thought you’d be the man to beat this year.
Ty: I guess you’ll just have to keep beating yourself.
October 22, 2006

Chuck W
Patty O comment #140 – Thanks for the suggestion. I hate turning table wine into cooking wine but that would be less painful than my experience Friday. Thanks

About VaynerBurnOut. I have been impressed with your ability to crank these things out. I know you like to keep the show fresh with current events but have you though about pushing out a few vanilla episodes to give yourself a break now and then. I think it would be helpful to give birth to a few “filler” episodes on a slow day so you can go home at a descent hour and spend time with your lady.

All I think of went I see an 8pm episode is boy it must be 9 o’clock before GV gets home tonight.
October 22, 2006

Susan
Brandon,
I agree with you. We are just looking out for Gary’s best interest.
We all have to have vacation time and sleep.
Believe me- this IS the voice of experience.
I have tried pushing myself.
At one point, I was in college taking 13 hours worth
AND working four part time jobs.
No stretching here – just the facts!
I finally decided that sleep and food are not just nice they are necessary!
October 22, 2006

SS Chris
ALL VAYNIACS *** IMPORTANT ALERT *** ALL VAYNIACS

(Slight correction to my comment #166 which referred to the wrong comment)

Please read my comment #161 (3rd parapgraph).
If you agree, please post a comment in support of Gary.
And I mean everyone, from Brandon M. to the most lurkiest of VaynerLURKERS.
I want to see 500 comments on this!! or at least reaching 300 for the first time!!
October 22, 2006

Susan
SS Chris,
Is lurkiest a word?
Remind me not to play scrable with you!
October 22, 2006

KAHUNA
Eugene,
I have not had Marreitas Petite which is odd as I have had most of their others- I was boycotting them for a while because the do not allow visitors at the winery. I will pick it up this week.

E,
I have not seen Peterson in the stores or when I have been to Sonoma- I will give a search for it

Brandon M,
comment 171 was great!

“Your Uncle Molests Collies”
October 22, 2006

SS Chris
Susan, It’s right next to “STRATEGERY” and “TRUTHINESS” in the dictionary.
October 22, 2006

KAHUNA
Just ate at Bamontes in Williamsburg, Brooklyn for dinner-We brought my father for his 77th birthday back to his old neighborhood. Bamontes is a family owned restaurant for 106 years. Excellent Italian-American cuisine. We were a party of 14 so we ordered the Louis Martini Napa Cab- it was the best value on the menu. It opened up very nicely and workd great with the food- it was 32 beans.

We went to the house he grew up in which also was on top of a funeral home the his had family owned. He is the youngest of 8 kids and the last one still standing so it was a great trip – I hadn’t been there for 15 years.

“Fresca Danny”
October 22, 2006

SS Chris
KAHUNA, Help me out w/ the “Collies” quote.
What is that?
from a movie?
which movie?
what context?
October 22, 2006

KAHUNA
SS Chris
Caddyshack when Ty(Chevy Chase) is talking to Lacy- she says her Uncle thinks Ty has a screw loose and he says “Your Uncle molests collies”
October 22, 2006

KAHUNA
R-U-T-G-E-R-S
October 22, 2006

SS Chris
KAHUNA, Yes..yes…I remember now…thanks!!

I need to watch that again!
October 22, 2006

SS Chris
Brandon M.,

I agree COMPLETELY with your comment #171
October 22, 2006

Julius
Patty O (#140) and Chuck W (#184) – Couldn’t disagree more. I have always been a believer in the adage that says if the wine is not good enough to drink it’s not good enough to cook with. Not that you have to splurge, but as I have seen from many comments from many episodes, there are plenty of good “cheap” wines out there.
October 23, 2006

PattyO
Julius -
The great thing about opinions is they’re just like belly buttons! We each have one -

Gallons and gallons down the cooking road, I’ve noticed the following. I have cooked with “box” wine that’s been in use for 3 months, great wine I’d LOVE to drink, straight from a freshly uncorked bottle, and the “house merigage” of 5 different bits of “leftovers” from a week’s worth (or more…) of bottles. Chicken, mushrooms, thyme, onions, bacon, stock…. for me – what the wine does is add body, depth, sugar, acid. The “drinking” elements are killed by the heat/or overshadowed by the other ingredients. In a blind tasting (so to speak) I couldn’t differentiate between a beef burgundy made with a $40 bottle and the same made with Gallo by the jug. Now – the BEEF cut makes a difference! So I say pay for what you can notice and be prudent about the rest. THink of a 7 day old French baguette – it’s not good enough to eat (as is), but it can become a heavenly bread pudding (I wouldn’t think of buying new bread just to make bread pudding)! I purchase wine to drink and so there’s always bummers or too-old-leftovers to cook with. And just in case I haven’t opened anything disappointing lately, I keep the “vacuum sealed” box of Chablis (!) in the pantry for backup!
Finally – for those who don’t believe in cooking with wine they wouldn’t drink – you’re great for commerce! Everybody plays their part -
October 23, 2006

PattyO
…that would be “meritage” – though I think “merigage” is a potentially good word too…
October 23, 2006

TampaSteve
I think you guys may be reading into this just a bit too much. Everyone has good days and bad. We all have our pressures, that’s just life. You talk about stress, first off we all have stress in our lives, some more than Gary, some less. Then how about the stress created from all the viewers that read into every one of Garys words and then sit and analyze them publicly. I mean just one slip of words and everyone’s in a frenzy. Gary is a big boy, he and his family have created quite a little empire for themselves. I think you should give him a lot more credit then just telling him to go on vacation. If that was his take, I don’t think he and his family would have what they have today….ie WINE LIBRARY. WLTV is a new creation and just like anything else it will have it’s hiccups along the way. I for one have NO doubt that Gary is a leader and will make the right choices. We as WLTV supports need to support those choices not criticize and analyze them. I know many of you shown concern and I am sure Gary appreciates it but give him a little breathing space….he may appreciate that even more.
October 23, 2006

TimF
We seem to have a lot of analysts on this blog. My guess is that WLTV is pretty good for business and Gary is a business man. He’ll figure out a way to git ‘ur done even if he’s very busy.

On a related note: there are other wine fixes out there. If anyone out there hasn’t listened to the guys at Grape Radio, do yourself a favor and tune in. They won an award for best podcast (not just best “wine” podcast) last year. I never miss a week. Also, check out the Cellar Rat. It’s the true story of a guy who quit his day job last year to get into the wine industry. He’s currently working on a wine project where you can buy futures of what’s he’s making.
October 23, 2006

NickP
I would like to lend my support to Gary’s work ethic and SS Chris’s suggestion as well. Gary needs to run his business, first and foremost, or there won’t be a WLTV. I find it hard to keep up with all the episodes, read the comments and participate with my own work and life schedule, so I can understand if Gary is stressed.

So Gary, if you need to cut back a bit, go for it. The VAYNERNATION will be with you whether it’s 5x/week or 1x/week or even less.

Now that the Jets have gotten past Detroit – and as usual they made it close – you should be breathing a bit easier.

NickP
October 23, 2006

Susan
SS Chris,
You get an A for creative but an F for spelling.
Wow – ok, if you like to make up words then
you just need to explain what they mean.
You’re vocabulary is creative!?!?!?
October 23, 2006

TimF
Susan: Where you joking when you spelled Scrabble incorrectly?
October 23, 2006

Lynne
I echo the thoughts of TimF, SS Chris, NickP and TampaSteve. We all do what we gotta do to maintain a reasonably balanced life. Keeping priorities in the right order is essential. Gary’s no different than the rest of us; we all have a lot of irons in the fire (with the possible exception of Brandon M ) You do what it takes to “git r dun!”
So serious on a Monday morning…

Great weekend for the Buckeyes and Bengals!

BTW, thanks everyone for the input on the wine glasses. Can’t wait to try the Riedels.
October 23, 2006

Susan
TimF-
Now you are getting it!
These days no one knows how to spell!
I always laugh at bigger than life
advertisements that prove that very few can spell.
My favorite recent sign was one for
der carn for sale
(that’s deer corn or field corn for the rest of you).
Life can be interesting!
October 23, 2006

MarcT
Did anyone see my Falcons? HEHEHE

And good job Jets. They pulled through well.

Gary…as for all this ramble about your time and stress…Do what you have to do. It seems that some people might be blowing your comment about stress out of proportion to me because we all have rough and busy days (not that I am sown sizing how busy you are). Just keep pushing on. You have tons of support here but I’m sure more at home. Do what you’ve gotta do, buddy.
October 23, 2006

Tom T.
QOTD – Raymond Reserve Chardonnay. It packs a lot of flavor & structure for a $14 bottle.
October 23, 2006

mwf
When we visited the Napa Valley a couple years ago, we have two wonderful CA Chardonays. They were:

Frank Family Chardonay (Napa Valley)

Darioush Signature Chardonay (Napa Valley)

Nearly impossible to find on the east coast!
October 23, 2006

TimF
What did everyone drink this weekend? I had that Jonesy Port we discussed, a port from Pinzar (not nearly as good as it was in the tasting room — serious peppery, geranium taste), and the Corte Riva Merlot (great tip from Gary).
October 23, 2006

TimF
Not Pinzar — Pindar.
October 23, 2006

Bill Ross
I go along with Kahuna (see comment #5) and sit on my mail-order wine a few weeks. I don’t know if bottle-shock is truth or fiction, but don’t find it necessary to risk it. My Rocky Creek/Can Blau/Costeras/Juan Gil are resting nicely, arrived Saturday.
October 23, 2006

Sam Zen
G- I gotta give it to your Jets. They’re really putting together a nice season. Play off bound???? I’m psyched for you.
October 23, 2006

hinrgman
mwf

Try – http://www.winelegend.com/ for Frank Family

and
http://www.winechateau.com/ for the Daruiosh

Both east coast suppliers
October 23, 2006

Joe Po
Gary,

Monday to celebrate the Jets wins, Wednesday ’cause it is Hump Day, and Friday to predict the winning Jets’ score!! For the Vayniac’s sake Take Time OFF!!
October 23, 2006

SS Chris
VaynIACS,
My apologies to all of those who believe that I was blowing Gary’s stess out of proportion and somehow actually adding to it.

GARY,
If my “campaign” that started with #161 added to your stess, I certainly apologize…I hope you know that this would be the opposite of my my intention.
October 23, 2006

Rich Uft
QOTD – Best chard ever? 1992 Ferrari-Carano Alexander Valley – Very eclectic, loads of tropical fruit.
Best more recent? – 2003 Staglin Rutherford – Big, creamy, buttery
October 23, 2006

Lawrence Leichtman
Yahoo, never thought I would be the 215th post on this blog. Great work Gary.

Couple of things to Tony Chalone just got bought out the winemaker is the same guy as always and he says the European owners aren’t making him change anything.

To Paul Rafanelli makes a great Syrah still though like you I miss Petit Syrah.

My favorite Cal Chardonnay is Kalin from 1990 Livermore Valley, Ramey Hyde Park any vintage.

Gary don’t stress. Since I am posting on Monday I hope you are a betting man. I think you hit the score exactly.
October 23, 2006

MarcT
I say we all leave it alone for now and let Gary decide what he needs. If he needs us then by reading these comments he knows he has our support.
I still feel that he just had a rough day/week and it got to him. It happens to all of us. He’ll be in full force today after the Jets win no doubt.

Gary, I still want to know…Bottle shock. What is your opinion? And what about vibration? If you have a wine cooler that has vibrations when the compressor turns on/runs how much damage is being done to the wine really?
October 23, 2006

Rick W.
Rombauer & Cuvasion

Rick W.
October 23, 2006

Russ J
This weekend, 2001 Coturri Pinot Noir Lost Creek. Tony Coturri was a WLTV guest way back in Episode #35. This NOT your standard California Pinot. The winery notes the “Burgundian” nose of damp earth and mushrooms. That’s pretty close to what I got, but at 15% alchohol, I did not confuse it with Burgundy. There was fruit, but it was more sour than sweet. 89 points, absolutely needs food to go with it. last night, choked down my last bottle of ‘04 Falesco Vitiano. Seemed to taste worse after it was “Vayner-chucked”.
October 23, 2006

MarcT
Gary, what do you think about Cleveland on Sunday? Maybe a blow out. The Browns are playing like “brown” so I think your boys will be on top of things…
I predict 24-3.

Now give my Falcons some love for beating the Steelers (my second favorite team)!!!
October 23, 2006

KAHUNA
Bottle Shock-
I know it takes place after bottling-Being a home winemaker just last month we were bottling 15 gallons of wine- Naturally we were drinking it while bottling and it was amazing. After Bottling three days later I drank a bottle and was out of balance(for lack of a better term) the fruit had seemed to disappear. I opened another bottle just to check to see if it was a miscleaned bottle same thing-

I called my friend who I gave a case too for helping and he said to me that the wine tasted different of course he drank three bottles anyway- I told him not to touvh it for a few weeks to a month. He tried it again before me and said it was back to its pre-bottling self.

I will get wines from wineries that I am members of and if they bottled close to the ship date they will put stickers on the bottle to say let sit for a month due to bottle shock.

That being said I just translate it to shipping also and let them sit for a few weeks.
October 23, 2006

MarcT
This weekend…
2004 Luzon Jumilla Verde (organic from Spain)…not bad. Nice color, some decent fruit on the front. Not a lot of body and not a long finish.
2003 Tamarack Cellars Firehouse Red…Good color. Earthy, with dark fruits on the nose. Needed some air time to calm down the heat but after a while it really opened up. Nice dirt, berries, and leather on the palate. Smooth medium to long finish. Good price.
October 23, 2006

Matthew L
TimF…This weekend, I finished off a bottle of Rock Rabbit 2003 Syrah (87% Syrah, 12% Cab, and 1% Petite Syrah). It had nice nose and mouth feel, but I found it a bit hot on the finish initialy. It did settle after being open for a while. Yesterday I tried my hand at decanting (WLTV is influencing me as this is, honestly, my first time ever decanting wine) a Montpezat 2004 ‘Les Enclos’ 2004 (70% Merlot 30% Syrah). It had a very faint nose, but had a nice mouthful of berries. The tannins were a bit too strong for me, though.
October 23, 2006

MarcT
Thanks Kahuna
October 23, 2006

Brandon M
Well…I understand bottle shcok at bottling, and do believe in it, but bottle shock from shipping?
I’m just not to sure that a little bottle shake is gonna throw a wine out of balance.

B
October 23, 2006

phig
Sorry but the oaky Cali chards kind of make me retch, all the more so because they don’t have to make them that way. They just found a flavor profile people don’t have to think about. OAK=GOOD. BUTTER=GOOD. Of course, they also kind of screwed themselves up a bit in the process since the effect of butter and oak can be created artificially and for the untrained the difference between a $10 and a $50 bottle is not that clear.
They did not have to do this. Once again, I give you Kalin whose 1991 cuvee LD is excellent. It lacks a bit of personality when compared to a top notch burg because he (Terry Leighton) uses cultivated yeasts (of his own design)but the wines last for two decades (you can still find some floating around), it isn’t excessively priced, and you can actually eat with it. As for a white to drink without food, I’d rather have a German riesling or a vouvray.
October 23, 2006

Bill Ross
Free shipping for anyone posting 2017th comment on a thread?

Like the idea of posting on what we are drinking. Recently enjoyed a Talbott Vineyard ‘Logan’
‘04 PN. Great stuff at $17.xx (bought locally). WL carries their Chard (got several kudos on QOTD), hope they will stock some Talbott PN’s for us red necks.
October 23, 2006

jon777
J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets. Big fan of the Jets and the “overoaked”, big buttery Chardonnays.

QOD: Two favorites are Matanzas Creek Chardonnay (Sonoma) and Merryvale Starmont Chardonnay (Napa).

Gary: The “over-oaked” Chards you tasted were all in the 35+ price range — any recommendations on that style in the $15-$25 range? The two I like best are above…

Question #2: I was at Game #7 for the Mets and just recovering. What do you drink after one of those brutal losses? I can’t see enjoying a top notch wine after a painful loss… Personally, I move to the hard stuff — numbs the pain…
October 23, 2006

lizv
you guys are hysterical-no vaynerbabies just yet. not to worry though of course we’ll make the big announcement on WLTV!!!! lol -did our parents put you all up to this??!
October 23, 2006

Julius
With respect to bottle shock from shipping, Colgin puts a note in the case saying that if you insist on drinking the wine in its youth, wait at least 3-4 weeks after receipt before doing so (to allow the wine to settle back down).
October 23, 2006

Brandon M
It’s a NEW RECORD!!!!!
October 23, 2006

volcom
Brendon

Is that a record for total # of posts

or a record # of posts for Brandon M
October 23, 2006

Big Billy from Big D
Volcom, it’s a team statistic. Personal statistics are by their nature – personal.

Keep on smiling
October 23, 2006

Susan
Volcom,
I am pretty sure that Brandon M is talking about the
total # of posts for any given episode.

Brandon M,
Please correct me if that is wrong.
October 23, 2006

Brandon M
Total #…I wouldn’t know what my personal most is.
October 23, 2006

Susan
Any Vanyiac,
ok-if anyone of you is bored and needs a good job.
Please find out what Brandon M’s record # of posts per episode.
I personally am NOT bored!
October 23, 2006

Brandon M
Please don’t…I really don’t need to know.
But thanks for the thought Susan

B
October 23, 2006

Susan
LizV,
First, let me apologize for all of the nosey people.
I guess this is the price you pay for fame!
I think the whole baby thing was crossing the line.
Anyway, we are sooo sorry for being so nosey!
October 23, 2006

Brandon M
By the way every one?
Was that Crisco, Bardol, or Vagisil on Kenny’s palm last night?

B
October 23, 2006

Matthew L
Vagisil You’re crazy Brandon!

It did look a bit suspect, and I don’t want the Tigers to be questioned if they win it all. So, let’s just say it was a little VICTORY stain! Go TIGERS!!!
October 23, 2006

Natalie
in napa now, came up from LA for a big birthday party.
haven’t bought a $40 chard in years till yesterday,
but found a wonderful butterscotch/pear combo
at Bennett Lane Winery in Calistoga.
bought 2 in fact… saving 1 for turkey day!
October 23, 2006

Bill Z
QOTD: A 1994 Steele DuPratt Chard is still it, but it was more ‘elegant’ as opposed to “big” style.

For big and oaky, I had a 1996 Kistler Durell in 2003 and I can honestly say now that if more wineries did “Big and oaky” at this level of perfection, no one would complain. It was a work of art. Aging it seven years only made it better.

Since most wineries DON’T do big and oaky that well, my chard of choice is Morgan Metallico….
October 23, 2006

Julius
Brandon M’s record was previously posted. It’s 56 in the “Another Look Back” non-episode.
October 23, 2006

Susan
Brandon M,
56!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We need to get you another hobby.
Just kidding,
this is a hobby that is legal and
saves you money.
We don’t know what we would do with out you!
Let’s see if we can increase that #!
Wow!
October 23, 2006

Brandon M
Thanks Julius…weren’t you thew one that counted?

Blog…It’s only cheating if you get caught. When it comes to Baseball, it’s funny to say, but it’s those little edges that have been in the game forever, and I kinda like it for some reason. Since he didn’t get it checked, then it’s only a little bit of mound dirt. KR having a little something on the ‘ol palm is keeping the game pure! I think ol’ George Brett would agree!

B
October 23, 2006

Matthew L
I have no compelling interest in chiming in first, but I am curious how folks are able to get into the comments so quickly. I generally just go to WLTV when I get home from work and a new episode is waiting for me. I think that I came in #10 once because the show came out very late.

**shrug**
October 23, 2006

stewart l
gary,we all love WLTV, but to avoid burnout, cut back if you need to, we will all understand. Over the weelend a drank Hayman Hall pinot from San Lucia area-terrible. Also drank Folie a Deaux, Menage a trois 2004{blend of zin,cab, and merlot],it was very tasty and less than twenty bucks.
October 23, 2006

Susan
Matthew L,
I can’t speak for everyone.
I can just tell you how I am able to get comments added so quickly.
I work several part-time jobs so my hours are not regular business hours.
I sometimes have days off and work nights or the reverse.
October 23, 2006

Susan
Do I hear 250!
Wow- keep the comments coming!
Wow!
October 23, 2006

Brandon M
Matthew L…I could tell you, but then I would have to make you drink Beringer White Zin for the rest of your life!

B
October 23, 2006

Susan
Brandon M,
Good one!
Are you sure you don’t do stand up for a living?
You are FUNNY!
Laughter is good for the soul!!
October 23, 2006

SeanM
Brandon probably isn’t as funny when he is standing up.
October 23, 2006

Justin D
My pick has to be the Flowers Chard… This is hands down the best I have ever had…..

Keep up th egood work, Justin
October 23, 2006

Susan
SeanM,
Also very funny!
My question is how do you know Brandon M isn’t standing!
Can you also see thru walls!
October 23, 2006

Matthew L
White Zin :O…Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!
October 23, 2006

TimF
Gary — I’d love to see a tasting of some Michel Rolland influenced wines.
October 23, 2006

TimF
Gary — I can’t remember you ever doing a vertical tasting (maybe you did it over two years). It’d be very interesting to see the same wine over 3 or 4 years.
October 23, 2006

Jonathan G
Gary,

As per a couple of episodes ago, I think you are funny, but then again I’ve always been told I am the only one who laughs at my jokes.

How do you feel about the cap top bottles versus corked bottles? I know I have had my share of poorly corked bottles and I am interested to know if how a wine is stopped changes its quality?

Oh, and Gary, you taste great!

Jonathan G
October 23, 2006

SeanM
Susan,

I can’t see through walls but my wife thinks I can read minds.

As to your question: It’s just a guess based on how many people are usually standing up when they are on the computer. I know there are some people who are but I’m sure they are a minority.
October 23, 2006

Susan
SeanM,
If you can read minds, then none of us need to post right?
Just some humor and kidding
I am sure most people sit while on the computer but
you never really know about some people!
October 23, 2006

Matty Van, Rochester,NY
By the way every one?
Was that Crisco, Bardol, or Vagisil on Kennyâ€™s palm last night?”
Comment 240: By Brandon M

Looked like poop to me…..but as he did nto get caughted and no one checked while it was there he got away with it, was probally pine tar or something…cheating is part of baseball, unlike other sports, he got away with it so more power to him.

Gary’s child… a chip of the VAYNER-block,
October 23, 2006

Jason R.
2001 Arrowood Chard – Heaven & Im not a huge Chard fan

My order finally left on Friday (Waiting on a few items from Dist., and then went DHL? I have never had DHL to my door, so I will see how they perform. I am hoping for a Tuesday – Wed delivery?

Right in the ol’ lumberyard huh Danny?
October 23, 2006

Jason R.
Maybe Gary is Stressed out on how he is going to explain to his Father how he made so much money on the Free Shipping???
October 23, 2006

Matthew L
Matty Van (#269)…that’s exactly what I told a fellow Tiger fan today. That brown smudge looked like poop. Maybe he was making wine!
October 23, 2006

SS Chris
It looks like LizV will remain VaynerWIFE for a while before becoming VaynerMOM.

I don’t if anyone just saw Kenny Rogers’ Press Conference. He just announced that, before the game, he had a small glass of a really inky, viscuous Petite Sirah and that’s what the stain on his hand.

He likened the “stain” to “The Wine Room’s” imported floor at The Wine Library. He instructed reporters, who didn’t understand, to simply watch WLTV’s Episode #4 (he also recommended the Decanting episode).
October 23, 2006

Matthew L
@ Chris
October 23, 2006

Dave Loebell
To answer your question my favorite Chardonney is the William Hill Reserve 2001. Soft and buttery to the pallet. Great with seaford,chicken, or just by itself.
October 23, 2006

GOL
QOD – 2003 Paul Hobbs Richard Dinner Vineyard
October 23, 2006

Noah Rosenblum
Quote of the day:

“What contemptible scoundrel stole the cork from my lunch” W. C. Fields
October 23, 2006

SeanM
Susan,

I didn’t say I CAN read minds, I said my wife THINKS I can.
October 24, 2006

SS Chris
Matty Van (#262),

Let’s just call Gary’s son a VaynerCHIP.

If it’s a girl, it would be a LizzieCHIP.
October 24, 2006

SS Chris
Matthew L (#252)

Your comment (#256) reminds me of “Mister Bill” scetch on the Saturday Night Live. FUNNY!

Does the face, that you inserted in coment #267, mean that you’re laghing?
October 24, 2006

Brandon M
“I cook with wine; sometimes I even add it to the food.” — W. C. Fields.
October 24, 2006

SS Chris
B……Great quote!!
October 24, 2006

SeanM
Gotta love mutual admiration societies.
October 24, 2006

Louisiana George
1991 Byron Chardonnay, Santa Barbara – Probably still the most interesting wine I have every had, even though I prefer reds. Most complex tastes, starting with oak, pear mid, and finished with sweet apple flavors. Knocked my socks off.

Louisiana George
October 27, 2006

JayZee
QOD: The only California Chardonnay that I have had in recent years that I really liked was the Au Bon Climat (I can’t recall the vintage).

- JayZee
November 17, 2006

Laura
ZD Cellars in Napa Vally has some killer Chardonnays, and also a to die for Cab. I also recommend Argyle Nuthouse Chardonnay, an Oregon vineyard. Excellent. They have a terrific Pinot Noir, also.

While at a friend’s home in Cotati, CA we took a drive up the coastline, and visited ZD, which is where we first tasted their products. A hard-core red gal, Sylvia was so impressed with the Chard that she bought 3 bottles (this was, I believe, a 2000 Reserve) and we then drove to Bodega Bay and met the boat coming in to buy fresh scallops to go with the Chard. Spectacular.
January 22, 2007

thomas korent
1995 De Loach Russian River Valley “Our finest selection”. Lasted for 10 years – unfortunately, the case is empty now…
March 31, 2007

Fiorentina!
Hey Gary!
Ok…my fav. CA Chard…..Everyday Chard…Bennett Family, La Crema, Heitz, Charles Creek, Leal, Hess Su’Skol are good. Weekend Chard, Maximus White Blend (2 Chards)& Mi Sueno are good. I think Cakebread, Ferrari Carano Reserve, & Laird are overrated. My absolute FAv. Chard is the Wild Heart Chard. from Santa Barbara. They’re a new/small vineyard, so they’re not over priced and just give you that BAM! effect…you know…put a little shoulder in it effect… just big, smooth, and refreshing.
September 22, 2009

John J.
Qotd: hollywood & vine I guess. Don’t really dislike like those oaky chard’s but not something i’m going outta my way to buy. Rather get something like a gros manseng or some other eclectic thing, than go for one of those bandwagon wines.
Also makes me curious after seeing this episode, when your infamous ‘oak monster’ lament will 1st crop up. Something I’m usually weary of myself.
1 last thing Gary, assuming you are still looking at the comments like you did when you were taping these episodes, I would like to request that you tackle a vin jaune episode. One on tasting different charbono’s would be alot of fun too.
September 22, 2009

John J.
I agree with jayzee’s answer too. Au bon climat does some great chard’s. Was lucky enough to have lunch w Jim [the winemaker] about a month ago. Jim has a fantastic spread for lunch, with his whole staff. They just pass different bottles of their wine all down the tables they sit at the whole time. Taking tiny pours of a bunch of their different wines, from all different vintages. I remember they were passing a chard of theirs from 1990 that was still drinking great. Wonderful winery, and Jim treats his staff like family. Btw if you wanna try one of the most old world tasting wines growing in the new world, get a bottle of his mondeuse if you can find it.

California Chardonnay’s – Episode #112

Wines tasted in this episode:

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