Wine Ratings. Wine Enthusiast and Wine Spectator Don’t Agree. – Episode #149

December 18, 2006

Twitter This Share on Facebook Email This

Wines tasted in this episode:

Wine Ratings mean so much or do they? Today Gary Vaynerchuk tries to settle the score on 4 wines from California that Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast couldn’t agree on. Scores range from 67 to 95 on this episode so sit back and grab a nice Cabernet where we land on these.

103 Responses

  1. December 18, 2006

    Lb in KS

    you survived!

  2. December 18, 2006

    Suzanne

    OK. Top ten. I can’t resist. I know, I know, grow up.

  3. December 18, 2006

    jon777

    #3 – why I care, I have no idea..

  4. December 18, 2006

    BobW

    Geting Closer!!!

  5. December 18, 2006

    Portland Guy

    Enjoyed the opening — but what’s wrong with sweaty socks?

  6. December 18, 2006

    hinrgman

    Great episode

    I love reds

  7. December 18, 2006

    ihatesteve

    Top ten… I rule!

  8. December 18, 2006

    hinrgman

    Great intro

  9. December 18, 2006

    AJ Vaynerchuk

    Top 10 :)

  10. December 18, 2006

    grape_ape

    top 10?

  11. December 18, 2006

    QueSeraSyrah

    QOD- When I get a hold of a digital camcorder and come up with an idea. =)

    Great episode as always!

  12. December 18, 2006

    Lb in KS

    I’m not sure what the significance August 19th is? Ideas? anybody?

  13. December 18, 2006

    Paul

    Thanks for the feedback regarding how much dirt to eat and where. Glad to see you survived the last ep!

  14. December 18, 2006

    Susan

    Lb in KS,
    I believe that Erik, Gary’s Camera Man is having his first child soon. If memory serves,that should be about when Erik’s wife is due to have the baby. I am sure Gary will correct me if this is wrong.
    :)

  15. December 18, 2006

    jon777

    Gary — I have to say, this is probably the best episode you’ve done to date. You always preach, “trust your palate, not the ratings”, and this episode exemplifies that. Amazing to see how two different respected publications could have completely different opinions on the same wine. And your palate agreed with with WE on some and WS on others. A great example of why there is no right or wrong with wine (except for White Zinfindel, which is just plain wrong!) — it’s completely objective, not subjective.

    Keep it coming!

    QOD: Someday, if I every get a video camera, or borrow a friends. Don’t hold your breath!

  16. December 18, 2006

    grape_ape

    Susan,
    That sounds plausible, but I don’t think Gary ever said (quite deliberately) what the answer was on the countdown. Although maybe he did and I missed it.

  17. December 18, 2006

    Smith MBA

    Interesting episode

    Ratings are a starting point otherwise how do you know anything going in other than the grape, region and price.

    Does the “oak monster” drop “fruit bombs?”

    Finals end tommorrow. What is a good wine for the end of the semester?

    The Giants are going to drive me to beer and wine with a little bit of scotch to all sctoch all the time.

    Peace.

  18. December 18, 2006

    Italian Stallion

    Its not working for me

  19. December 18, 2006

    ecola

    Very interesting how everybody can be wrong sometimes. Something to ponder?

  20. December 18, 2006

    waibeans

    Cool BEANS! was that a shout out Gary? ;)

    Very interesting episode, loved the fact that you compared the two tasting notes to highlight the differences. Also the Oak Monster contest is a great idea, but next time give us workin folks a weekend to come up with something. I feel like its a college assignment or something..

    Can’t wait to see the creations tho!

  21. December 18, 2006

    garyv

    NOT WRONG…RIGHT! Everyone’s got a different Palate.

    OAK MOSTER CONTEST…PLEASE SEND US THE PICTURES!!!!!

  22. December 18, 2006

    Mets fan 13

    I love the Robert Young Scion Red too and was baffled when I read WS’s score as well. Thanks for doing this type of episode – very valuable to see how the “experts” can disagree so widely.

  23. December 18, 2006

    Lb in KS

    Susan,
    So the countdown is to the due date of Erik’s baby? in-sur-sting

  24. December 18, 2006

    Herm

    Thanks for this episode….I can relate to the vast differences of opinion….I even disagree with Gary on some wines that have been featured on the show….anyway, a very good show….Still pondering the Qotd……

  25. December 18, 2006

    TimF

    At this point I believe that August 19th is the day that Gary and the contest winner will head to California to begin their grape tour…

  26. December 18, 2006

    steve

    and the “black raspberry” makes its first appearance…well done…
    QOD….don’t have a camera

  27. December 18, 2006

    TimF

    For those of you who don’t have a camera, here’s a suggestion:

    1. Go to Menards. They have digital cameras on sale for less than $11 this week.
    2. Install the camera as a webcam.
    3. Go to youtube.com and use their quick capture feature. It will record on their site whatever shows up on your webcam.

    It probably won’t be a thing of beauty, but it will work!

  28. December 18, 2006

    Susan

    Gary-
    You are good at dodging a question?!?
    (comment #14)
    You are also getting much better with the humor!
    I really can see now that since the first episode, your humor is
    MUCH
    better!
    I
    LOVE
    the whole white pepper in the eye thing you did today.
    LOVE the episode – I always love reds.
    Thanks for the education!!!
    :) :):):):):)
    I realized after Fridays episode that part of the reason I love reds is the flavor profile. The flavor profile of white just are not my favorites. However, I do love really expensive champagne. And occasionally, some very dry whites. I do not like fruit bombs either. My flavor palate is old world. I am not sure how, since I have never even been to that part of the world. But, that is what I like. As you know, I would love it if you did 80% reds only. Alas, most of the rest of the vayniacs probably would not like that.
    SUPER
    episode!
    :)

  29. December 18, 2006

    labmat

    Gary,

    If you keep this up I might actually buy a bottle of wine and I’m afraid that’ll probably open a door I won’t be able to close. Is it possible to be a “Vayniac” without actually having drank any wine?

    I think Tangaroa and I will have to serriously think about sending you an intro.

    -Matt L

  30. December 18, 2006

    Jack:)

    In one of the early episodes gary challenge viewers to be the first or top ten to post. I would like it modified since a comment on the episode would really require someone to have watched the episode. So how about the first to post after watching the whole episode?

    QOTD: Sometime between now and when the Lions win a Superbowl.

    August 19th is the date of the Seneca Lake Wine Trail Event in NY.

  31. December 18, 2006

    J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS

    eat a dolphins poster on Fri. may that will give you some luck 4 the game.

  32. December 18, 2006

    joe

    Gary, awesome episode – one of the best! I love this format of tasting a wine where two critics had such a wide swing of rating. How about the next one throwing in the ‘01 or ‘02 Montelena where WS (Laube) scored it under 80 each time and Parker rated it 95?
    Joe

  33. December 18, 2006

    BlairBrooklyn

    Hey. This is my first comment. I just wanted to tell you Gary how much I love Wine Library TV. I’m 32 and most of my friends know nothing about wine, so I’m spreading the word and the gospel of WLTV. I haven’t disagreed yet with a wine that you loved and that I ordered. Cheers. Keep it up.

  34. December 18, 2006

    PJ

    Can’t trust the ratings?!?!? Now what am I supposed to do? There are 10,000 wines out there. If I try everyone I am sure that most of the time I am going to be disappointed – along with being very drunk. While the latter isn’t too bad, I have learned that bad wine down and out stinks. Yes we all have different palate but I don’t many people will take MD 20/20 over a Kendal-Jackson.

    Now I’m all worked up. What I need is a good cab. Oh wait, how can I tell? I can’t trust the ratings. ARGGH!! LOL :)

    As bad as the fins were this past week they should rebound against the Jets. They can only rebound. They stunk as bad as the dirty sock I chewed on last night. :)

  35. December 18, 2006

    Eric S.

    I’ll admit, I do look at a lot of ratings but only as a gauge of what to add to my “wish list” or “research more” or “taste if I get the chance”. I’ll now add the Robert Young and Ehlers Estate to those lists (if I can find them around here for a decent price…ahem! – MI/IN).

    I’ll send you a intro movie when….I have some time! :)

  36. December 18, 2006

    DrEdwardo

    Loved the line “Honey, tastes like red wine to me” LOL. Keep up the good work Gary. Too bad it is next to impossible (i.e. without paying twice face value in duty and taxes) to import wine into British Columbia (Canada, for you “Honey, tastes like red wine to me” people) as a consumer.

  37. December 18, 2006

    E-Rock

    Nice show. Definitly tackled an interesting subject kind of like how Jason Taylor is gonna tackle your whole team on x-mas night!!

    QOD = Soon

  38. December 18, 2006

    ChadB

    Gary … Interesting episode. Wine ratings are like movie reviews, find a reviewer that you agree with more than not and seek out the wines (or movies) that they enjoy the most. Simple enough.

    Also, episode #145 promised a free “Vayniac” t-shirt to a lurker … was wondering if anyone qualified (hint – me me me). If not, I’ll have to buy a couple.

  39. December 18, 2006

    Jaye

    Funny that this episode really mirrored a hot discussion going on in the forums today. Way to keep your finger on the pulse of the wine community! As to the QOD – The spirit is willing . . .

  40. December 18, 2006

    Brad

    Spectator and Enthusiast don’t agree?! Hah…Vaynerchuck and myself don’t agree either, who said subjectivity wasn’t improtant?!
    We both live in New York, we both love wine, one of us loves a team w/ asparagus colored uniforms…hmmmm, watch out- those stinky fish are going to penetrate your palate harder than you think! The Giants will be the only under 500 team to win the super bowl baby! Bring it on Pennington, don’t let that paper arm fall off!

  41. December 18, 2006

    Bruce S

    Wine Enthusiast rates wine? Who knew? ;-)

    Don’t get too excited about Christmas night. The Dolphins O sucks this year (as it does most years), but I need the free shipping, so I’m confident they’ll come through for me. You have Hannukah to keep you happy anyway.

  42. December 18, 2006

    KAHUNA

    GV and all, Ehlers donates all their profit for cardiac research- I write about their winery in the forum- Hence the heart in the E on logo- You can feel good about buying this wine

  43. December 18, 2006

    KAHUNA

    Video is coming as soon as I figure out my new Hi Def Video camcorder

  44. December 18, 2006

    Nathan Day

    GV, I’m a Vayniac now not a lurker. I’ll send in a video soon. I love wine again! I’ll even try some white wine! what the heck!

  45. December 18, 2006

    E-Rock

    Damn and I bought a couple bottles of the 2002 Mt. Eden based on the Wine Enthusiast write up… Hope my palate matches up with theirs

  46. December 18, 2006

    IanF

    Awesome episode! Go Eagles!

  47. December 18, 2006

    BigAl

    Awesome episode. You’ve made me thirsty!

  48. December 18, 2006

    David Canada

    Gary, this episode gets my hyped! I love it…..you are the man! it gets me thinking and that is the best part of your show!
    I will get my son’s toy dolphin ans start pricking it like a vodoo doll for the Jets next game.

  49. December 18, 2006

    Rob M

    Another great episode, nice topic “ripped from the headlines” (the WLTV forum, sorry, I watch a little too much Law and Order). QOTD- when I get my new video recorder (soon).

  50. December 18, 2006

    Italian Stallion

    Another great episode Gary….I for one feel that the Wine Spectator is way off on its ratings lately….as far as James Laube’s ratings. I think he has gone mad and just doesn’t care anymore. Still, I buy wines based on my palate.

    Thanks buuuuuudy

  51. December 18, 2006

    Paul M

    Gary – I know you like and are comfortable rating young wines but at $50 a bottle I do not want to open one of the 2 Scions that I have to find that it really needs more age … can you tell me how it is drinking now and if it is likely to improve much with age and if so your ballpark guess for when it will peak?

  52. December 18, 2006

    Dave-from-Katonah

    Gary – I figured it out. The countdown to August 19th – it’s my birthday and probably yours too!
    QOTD – Video intro? Moi? Hey – we’re all not unemployed actors, ya know? (Lars…)
    Great episode! Glad to see you survived Friday’s clove and white pepper poisoning.

  53. December 18, 2006

    Darlene O.

    Hey, Gary, another great episode! And a shout out to Dave C. for the intro. Awesome! QOD – When I get the tekky thing down on how to operate one of those thingys. Hey, Gary, one day closer to buying the Jets! :}

  54. December 18, 2006

    Nathan Lambright

    I just discovered your blog today and wasted 4 hours watching video. I’ve always wished I could get a daily lesson so thank you. This episode in particular was great. I’ve always been curious when I see obscene differences in ratings. You’ve gained a new vayniac and customer (I live in New Brunswick).

  55. December 18, 2006

    nikonjedi

    A PATS FAN FOR THE WEEK!!!? welcome to the winning side gary! now if i could just get you to give up the Jets for good and stay a Pats fan.;)
    another great episode. you have moose and rattlesnakes down in jersey? big shout out to dave for the intro, great job.

  56. December 19, 2006

    ChrisR

    Great ep and nice intro!

    I’m working on my intro and I hope to have it done around the time you do your heat episode. :)

  57. December 19, 2006

    Joel Bombardier

    Gary,

    I have thought of a really great intro video for you, I am not going to tell you the theme/plot but I KNOW that you will really be enjoying it. Additionally, you have a great video today, I very much enjoy it, especially as a more new-world drinker that is expanding into more old world directions. I will be looking for the Robert Young Scion Red, I am really excited about it. Again, I have some great ideas that will be coming your way as soon as I can get things together over here in Seattle!

    Best wishes,
    Joel

  58. December 19, 2006

    Brandon M

    One can always tell when AJ is on Winter Break!

  59. December 19, 2006

    ML

    One of your best episodes yet Gary!

    Also, nice job featuring Ehlers Estate…I believe the only non-profit winery in California (or maybe even the US). They are a great organization! If I remember correctly, they have a sensory section in their tasting room where they provide various foods, spices, etc so you can experience their smells and aromas while tasting their wines.

    Finally…how about swallowing a live goldfish on Friday’s show to symbolize the Jets swallowing of the Dolphins this coming weekend? Please pair this with an appropriate wine.

  60. December 19, 2006

    DomTheSomm

    Gary, interesting Cab line-up, and it was fun to see the variences with ratings. I preach this in our TR and I especially debate this point with the “posh”. It just goes to show that everybody’s pallet is unique and different, and to say I think this wine is 95 pts is based on my trained pallet and not your trained pallet which is completely different. Let’s not forget this folks….wine is a alcoholic-beverage made from freshly gathered grapes. Keep It Simple!! Long Live Free-Thinkers!!

    QOD- Almost finished. Doing some editing on my mac, should turn out well!! Hope to see open one of your shows!!!

    DomTheSomm

  61. December 19, 2006

    David

    How about a show featuring Heidi Barrett wines. Help me/us shed some light on what the all the hype is about. Keep up the good work Gary!!!!!!!!

  62. December 19, 2006

    Ryan M.

    Nice episode Gary. On a different topic, can anyone here actually taste the difference between American and French oak? If so, which style of oak do you prefer? I know that American oak tends to get a bar rap for being too harsh. But lately I think American oak has been getting more subtle like their French counterparts. Anyone agree?

  63. December 19, 2006

    km

    you are drinking out of burgundy glass (tulip)
    any reason?

  64. December 19, 2006

    km

    by the way I love the Ehlers wine as well :)

  65. December 19, 2006

    AJ Vaynerchuk

    “One can always tell when AJ is on Winter Break!”

    Brandon M-

    I Wish! Actually Winter Break Starts for me in 4 hours. Then I will be done with my last final exam!!!

  66. December 19, 2006

    wey

    I will send you an intro in 2007… but first I have to work on my pronunciation :)

  67. December 19, 2006

    SS Chris

    Gary, What’s a “black” raspberry?

    QOTD: come on man….you already have me working!

    :-D :-D :-D :-D

  68. December 19, 2006

    SeanM

    I think I already sent you a video, from my international travels even. ;-)

    Pats fan? You? HAH!

    Now if I can just get the T-shirt ordered life will be good.

  69. December 19, 2006

    Deano

    Nice show today Gary. I need to get workin on my OAK monster haha. Also as soon as i get back home from the holidays i will get my intro tape going for ya. Then it will be you with a liiiiiiitle bit of me we are changing the wine world muahaha :)

  70. December 19, 2006

    JimVarney01

    Great show, I loved the part where he said there were hints of white pepper, then he rubbed his eye. If it was intentional, a subtle throwback to the pallete training ep, nice delivery. If it wasn’t intentional, the unconscious mind is a powerful thing :) . QOTD! Gotta stop working 2 jobs just to fund my wine cellar, then I might have time to sit down and record something. YOU’RE KILLIN ME GARY!!

    Why can’t I ship a tshirt to Michigan? I’ll have to call in sometime soon, is there a phone number for orders?

  71. December 19, 2006

    Rick E

    I posted this very topic on the WLTV forum when I saw the ‘03 Simi Landslide rated a 90 by WE and 70 by WS. Julius found the widest range, however, (echoed by Joe above) with the ‘01 Chateau Montelena which Parker has at 95 and WS rated 69.

    Maybe Laube should stop chewing tobacco during his tastings.

  72. December 19, 2006

    cgf

    Gary,
    Great concept for a show. This really hammers home the point that you have to trust your own taste.

    QOD: soon.

  73. December 19, 2006

    KAHUNA

    Ryan M,
    Being a hame winemake with both American and French Oak Barrells I find the French Oak to be much more Subtle and more on the Vanilla side than the the American Oak- With American Oak Grain size plays a much bigger role

    I prefere the American Oak overall only because I only want my wine to sit in Barrell for 10-12 months and it gives it a little more oomf out of the gate- i use small french oak for samm batches like 12 gallon size and the French Oak comes out quicker-

    Can I tell the difference- sometimes yes but not always- As toasting of the barrels can often lead to taste differential- If you have a wine aged 18mos in New American Oak it would be tought to drink-

  74. December 19, 2006

    Shotgun

    Good fun and good intro. Gary how about doing a couple of vertical tastings, say 5-6 each of a California cab and a chardonnay? I’d like to see you taste Caymus Cabernet Napa Valley (not the Special Selection) and Grgich Hills chardonnay. Those are two really really really consistent producers, so the tastings might be instructive about vintage differences and bottle age differences. If you don’t do this, I will. In fact if you do, I still will…

  75. December 19, 2006

    KenP

    Ryan M, Kahuna,
    Oregon barrels (we use a very small number of them where I work) impart interesting cedar notes, but you have to really pay attention. A little goes a long way.

  76. December 19, 2006

    Rebecca

    Great episode about the differences in the ratings. In the restaurant industry we experience the same concept of discrepencies in ratings. Each publication/reviewer can have broad differences in their review of the same restaurant. At the end of the day, once again, everyone has a different palate and we have to trust our own palates. All I can say is Thank God were are not all alike!!!

    QOD: Like others, need a video camara to tape it…let’s see what Santa brings me. I’d like the camara so that I can send in an intro BUT I’d like a JETS win against the Dirty Fish even more! I’ve always been a GIANTS fan. With their horrible performances and “A Little Bit of You” I’m converting, I think. Don’t tell anyone.

    My question to you: What wine stands out to you immediately as tasting like “Dirty, Dirty Fish”?

  77. December 19, 2006

    ChadD

    Hey Gary,
    Another cool episode. It doesn’t surprise me that WS and WE rate the same wines very differently-just compare their top 100 each year. I do find that I often agree with WE as you did (except for one) today. It seems like the person you disagree with the most is Robert Parker-at least in the 20 or so episodes that I have watched.
    QOTD-still waiting for that video camera (maybe this christmas ?)

  78. December 19, 2006

    Tish

    Gary, loved the WE vs. WS mano a mano comparison. As you know, I am a “recovering wine critic” (having edited WE 1988-98, before they went in-house with ratings. My issue today is this: considering that there are almost always going to be discrepancies in scores, when are you going to stop using only the “best” numbers and instead just present them all. I will always consider ratings suspect, but if you choose which numbers to show, you are essentially making your own agenda even more suspect. Someday we will evolve to the point where peple accept that ratings are nothing more than PREFERENCE (as opposed to an objective measure of quality). Until then, and as long as retailers like you stress 90+, we are encouraging pure laziness on the part of critics. If they are truly so good, their prose should stand alone, without numbers. Ironically, your verbal prose is better than whoever the mags put out there anyway. But you undercut your own authority by relying on their hopeless ratings systems.

  79. December 19, 2006

    mike volker

    Somebody I know actually rated JL at 67 recently.

  80. December 19, 2006

    MichaelP

    gotdamn the Ehlers is sold out! getting anymore?

  81. December 19, 2006

    Eric

    QOD: No moula for a camera… spent it all on wine….. sorry!

  82. December 19, 2006

    Genghis

    Oh man. My favorite part is the nose that was like a forest with…you know…”rattlesnakes and bears.”

    I guess Gary has something new to try next time he does a palate episode.

  83. December 19, 2006

    Genghis

    Oh, and QOTD:
    I get my camera over winter break, you’ll have Winelibrary TV: College coming your in mid-to-late January.

  84. December 19, 2006

    Jonathan

    Dugg brought me here, but you made me stay. :) Great site. I’m officially hooked.

  85. December 19, 2006

    good old ludwig van

    Loyal viewers will enjoy a little inside joke in this episode. On Friday’s show, when Gary tastes white pepper, he accidentally gets some in his eye. Today, when tasting the first wine, as soon as he says it has a white pepper note, he reflexively rubs his eye. I laughed–maybe he’s created a Pavlovian response in himself with bad memories of pepper!

  86. December 19, 2006

    Ralfi Nadal

    This episode is one of my favorite. Lots of cabernet s., one of my favorite.. good choice of wine

  87. December 19, 2006

    Karl B.

    Hi Gary,

    these ratings were from Jim Laube of Spectator since they were all California. Outside of Shafer, who he has canonized, he has been killing California product especially the 2003s. My point is that this performance is not Spectator reflective, but recent Laube work.

    We are both rooting for the Patriots this weekend, Go Pats!

    This was a great show! Keep it up.

    Karl B.

  88. December 19, 2006

    Adrian

    Dude you have the best job on Earth…I bet you love trying all thoose great wines…I loved this episode due to the fact that Robert Young is a personal friend of mine. I thought you were right on the money with your review… Robert and a crew of about 10 of us get togther once a month or so and do a wine tasting bible study…I know it sounds funny, but it more like a reason to kick the girls out of the house and have a guys night…We eat amazing food, discuss wine and puff on cigars…It is great…If your ever in Northern Cali…ie Santa Rosa look me up…We would love to have you come by and give us your thoughts…Later Van-ner

  89. December 19, 2006

    Mark S.

    Gary,
    One of the years best episodes…. I don’t know who Joe Mars is but you shoud send him a ccouple bottles of wine for all the incremental business he helped you generate. The comparisons idea is great. Next time, reverse and TRY to fine WS above WE.
    Thanks for all the great shows.

    Mark S.

  90. December 19, 2006

    Doug T

    Gary,

    Nice episode again …. OK, it rocks !! I’ve been a ratings hound for a long time because I don’t have a great job like yours. I can’t try even a small percentage of all the latest wines. I won’t give up the ratings but it’ll sure make me think twice. I was very disappointed with the Mt. Eden, it’s been a fav of mine since the 1993. Hope they turn it around.

  91. December 20, 2006

    AndyCAK

    Gary,

    I have been a lurker since episode #5, so I’m finally getting in on this episode. Let me make a couple of my own observations. I really give the Wine Enthusiast very little credit for their scores. They don’t have a track record of consistency in their scores. Also, and please don’t take offense, I generally do not give critics who also retail wine that much weight (though you are gaining ground my friend) as there is a serious conflict of interest. I feel, and this episode confirmed it, that the Wine Enthusiast has a greatly inflated scoring system compared to either the Advocate or the Spectator. Thanks for the vCast and congrats on being named the Time Magazine “Person of the Year”!!!

    Andy Compton
    Anchorage, Alaska

  92. December 20, 2006

    Rich T.

    I need the equiptment, would love to be in a intro, but still using 8MM vide recorder

  93. December 20, 2006

    Rich S

    Gary,

    Ehlers Estate totally rocks. Their 2002 Estate Merlot is probably the best merlot I have ever had in my life. I think it was in the WS Top 50 last year. On top of that, it was totally reasonable (around $30 a bottle). If anyone out there can find it, seek it out!!!!

  94. December 20, 2006

    Cliff A

    Wine Ratings. Wine Enthusiast and Wine Spectator Don’t Agree. – Episode #149: Great episode. Here is another instance of a wide range in ratings. Havens Bourriquot Napa Valley 2001: Spectator (Laube) 67, Wine Advocate (Parker) 90, IWC (Tanzer) 91-94. I got a bottle of this from a monthly wine club I was in. Had to taste it! Result – I ordered another 6 bottles. My tastes were with Parker and Tanzer. I don’t know where the Spectator is at times anymore. This is not the first time I’ve experience this kind of range in ratings. One doesn’t live and die by the ratings, but they are an indicator. I tend to go more with who distributor is , the vintage and the winery. Then comes the ratings from the pros. Although I do aligne with Parker and will buy solely on his rating for a wine that I am other wise unfamiliar with. Keep up the good work – Gary.

  95. December 20, 2006

    Miguel Arias

    loved your videos, saw your ad in the LA TIMES

  96. December 21, 2006

    LXA_Harris

    I love how excited you got over the “black raspberry” reference on the Robert Young. I totally went and bought some red currant jelly and am tasting it every day since that episode. Maybe next week I’ll get black currant. Too bad that Ehlers is waaay out of my price range, I’m still waiting for the best wines under $8 episode. As for the QOTD, I think sometime over the summer me and the boys of lambda chi alpha will hook you up with a SWEET intro video.

  97. December 21, 2006

    Marty E

    Found you in the LA Times. You have an incredibly unique approach to getting regular people to trust their own palate in evaluating wines that work for them – sounds simple, but some people just need to be “nudged” in the right direction. How 2 respected publications can have such varying opinions makes you think there may be something else behind their ratings other than the actual taste of the wines themselves. Keep it up – I’ll be back for MORE!!

  98. December 21, 2006

    Schnazola

    So, a wine that tastes like rotten green peppers and has a finish that “tastes like crap” scores 82 points from GV. Curious. One wonders what a wine has to taste like to get a bad score.

    Seems like GV uses a 20-point scale, not a 100-point scale.

  99. January 20, 2007

    Goosecross Cellars Blog

    [...] And, of course there was Gary on Wine Library TV, tasting through and talking about the vast gulf separating the Wine Enthusiast and the Wine Spectator ratings of 4 different wines and offering his own opinion.  Who are we supposed to believe????   [...]

  100. February 13, 2008

    thefanjestic

    This is probably one of if not my favorite episode!

    Qotd: I sent in two seperate videos on 2 seperate occasions – 1 10 seconds long and the other was about 5 minutes long! So I delivered but did Gary play them – answer sports fans – NO! And my precious baby girl was extremely disappointed her “I brought the thunder in my pants” line didn’t make the show. Probably because of the Sideways book – oh well, I did what I could….no love from the GV, not even a keep trying?…..cold blooded GV! ;)

  101. February 25, 2008

    Mike Best

    The market lacks the transparency in wine ratings and wine pricing. Wine producers and wine merchants know a great deal about them. On the other hand, the public in general has no way of knowing or determining the ratings and pricing on the spot, while buying wine at the store or over the net.

    As a result, the wine merchant has an upper hand in these transactions and can induce the buyer into buying a low ranking wine or grossly overpriced wine. Often, we see wine bottles prominently for sale at a local store at say, $25 a bottle. A quick check shows that its ‘street price’ is only $8.

    If the wine industry was regulated same way as, say, debt or equity markets, you would see a lot of wine dealers and wine merchants behind bars.

    Well, the industry is not regulated and you and I are taken to the cleaners every day.
    This site is designed to level the playing field. Next time you buy a bottle of wine check WineRank.com on your cell or PDA for prices and wine ratings.

    The website uses a 100-Point Wine Rating Scale. Ratings, directly or indirectly, are based on chance and probability. There is a continuum of wines from exceptionally good to good, so-so, to just awful and vinegar. A scale that doesn’t incorporate these extremes simply doesn’t do justice to wine. As a matter of fact, even the best and the most expensive wines degrade with time and go to wine hell – the vinegars. Some wines take 100 years to get there, some are born that way.

    To ignore the universe of wine ratings and to focus only on the upper part of the rating scheme is just plain wrong.

    We’re attempting to right the wrong. We give you the real prices. And we give you a true 100-Point Wine Ratings Scale.

  102. April 6, 2008

    Grif

    Your tablecloth makes the Jets emblem on your spit bucket look a bit purple. This is reminiscent of the problem Lars was having. Love your show. I’m watching them in order and have a long way to go.

  103. October 6, 2009

    John J.

    Nice to see another opinion on those wines, especially since they scored so differently Gary.
    Would be really nice to see you do a vin jaune episode

Leave a Reply