94 Point Parker Australian Challenge

94 Point Parker Australian Challenge – Episode #157

January 2, 2007

Wines tasted in this episode:

2004 D’arenberg Ironstone Pressings
2005 Marquis Philips S2 Cabernet Sauvignon
2004 Rusden Ripper Creek Cabernet/ Shiraz
2003 Jasper Hill Georgia’s Paddock

Cheese tasted in the episode

Sharp Picante Provolone a $8.99LB

The 94 Point scored Australian challenge is a fun way to start 2007 for Gary as was the huge win on Sunday and the huge game this weekend against the hated New England Patriots. Sit back and chime in with your thoughts on New Years, wine and football.

124 Responses

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January 3, 2007

James G
The worst bottle of wine I had this weekend was Veramonte Primus, tasted like a tar smoke bomb.
January 3, 2007

waibeans
Hello GV from Curacao and Happy New Year everyone!

Found an internet cafe and on the island and am using up all of their bandwidth to dl ep 157 as I type.

I can’t wait to see more JETS hijinks.. congrats on the win. Go into Boston and kick some A$S next week.

CHEERS!
January 3, 2007

Toby Ho
worst wine over the new years – Copper Moon from BC Canada. Too fruit-juicy on the palate, and a bit too strong alcohol on the finish. This is a cheap wine we had for free at the hotel.
January 3, 2007

Pats All The Way
Good episode. Aussie wines are our favorite and we have not tried three of these four so it was fun to learn about them. A good WL buy right now is the presale on The Laughing Magpie, which is just one point under these (93 RP) and $20/bottle. We drank a 2001 bottle of this the other night and were blown away by it. It has a bit of Viognier in it (5%) to complement the shiraz and works well.

Worst bottle over the holidays? A 2001 CDP by Guigal. Strictly mediocre and definitely disappointing for the price/vintage.

I’m a Pats fan so I will be rooting for the home team Sunday. But your Jets are tough and if they can beat the Pats again on Sunday–and I do not think they will–I will pull for them the rest of the way. Frankly, I think this is San Diego’s year, they look awesome. Cheers!
January 3, 2007

Henrik Brandt
Alaska1: Go to the WLTV search bar a type VERITE – that will direct you to the first episode
January 3, 2007

Matthew L
Another fine show Gary. As I mentioned while in the store, I’m a HUGE fan of Australian reds. I think that I’m going to have to expand my price ceiling from time-to-time to enjoy some of these big boys. As you told me on Friday…I need to treat myself.

I didn’t really have any bad wine. The worse, if I had to call one out, was a glass of Cab I had with some friends at I Trulli on 27th. It was really musty. The other red there were great, so I’m glad we were sharing.

As others has mentioned, thanks for the comment about screw caps. I got a back-handed diss and funny look about the Vavasour Sauvignon Blanc at the New Year’s Eve party by some jackass “wine lover.” I cannot stand the pretentious sort who would have wine be something only enjoyed when wearing a shirt and tie.
January 3, 2007

JavaMonkey
Hey, look, it’s Gary the wine gangsta! Nice hat and scruff.

QOTD: I saw that Wine Advocate rated 2004 Di Majo Norante Sangiovese 90 points, so I picked up the 2005 at my local liquor store. The worst wine I’ve had in a while, let alone in the past week.
January 3, 2007

Paul
Nothing bad this holiday. Worst lately was the Jardin Cab from WOTM #1 on the first night after an hour decant. Needed more like five, but gradually eased off to being enjoyable, but not better than what I can make.
Comment 62: By johnm

johnm, if you can make wine as good as the Jardin I would love to try some. Feel free to share.

QOD Cline 2004 Syrah MILDEW MILDEW MILDEW. Sure it was only 10 bucks, but what the hell?
Comment 78: By Chop

FWIW, it’s probably corked. Never had a mildew taste unless it came from the cork. Now you know why Gary pushes screw caps. I’ve got the Cline 2004 Syrah in my cellar and haven’t had (yet) a bad bottle.

GO SCREW CAPS!!!!
January 3, 2007

Mike Goldberg
QOTD: Does Boone’s Farm count? No? Well, then I would have to go with the complimentary Champagne served at Midnight anywhere. Although at the time it tasted like water.

2004 Rusden Ripper Creek Cab/Shiraz, a wine for the Ball Park? A steal at $36 considering a beer is going to be $10 anyway. Now all I need to do is sneak it and a glass or two through Yankee Stadium Security. ***33 days until Pitcher & Catchers report. Let the count down begin!***

“Remember the Hot Dog may be $9.50 but the sour kraut and relish are free.” – The Man Show

As long as we are reviewing Aussie wines, why not give Passion Pop (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passion_Pop) a try? Well, maybe you can save that for your next birthday Episode.
January 3, 2007

alco holland
This is the best episode you’ve done all year!!! QOTD Talbott Sleepy Hollow chard while I’m not a fan of the malo-cali style of Chard my mom is and I had to make sure the wine wasn’t corked before serving. It wasn’t as bad as I thought but I’d rather have a Burg any day.
January 3, 2007

Nathan N
Good show. The S2 struck out again it looks like they are batting 0 on WLTV.

QOTD: Didn’t have a bad wine we enjoyed 04 2 UP Shiraz, 00 Ciaci Brunello, and Sam Adams
January 3, 2007

Tony
Happy New Year to all! Gary keep up the good work.
I have to agree with the post above, the Hess chard just didn’t cut it.
http://www.lovelifetruth.com
January 3, 2007

William N
Happy New Year, first timer for me….. hehehe
worst wine is actually is not worst but biggest disappointment is the 2001 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cab Sav. 91pts…. ordinary nose, mid pallete ordinary as well and the finish is the most disapppointing…. no way for a $45 bottle and the 98 i had few years back kicked butt.
so Gary when can you do a compo on Penfolds 707 v Henschke Cyril v Moss Wood?
January 3, 2007

Darlene O.
Ahhhh….love it, love it, love it!!!! Great hat, great game (I actually watched the JETS win!), great episode!!!! QOD: OK…had WONDERFUL wines this New Year’s weekend, however, probably the least compelling of all the wines was a simple little Blackstone Merlot. I have to say, it wasnt’ horrible, it just wasn’t up to par to the other wines sampled. HAPPY NEW YEAR, GARY!!!!!
January 2, 2007

Nico
hey Gary, happy new year!!!

I enjoyed the episode and really enjoy the themes you often do (like Australian RP 94s). Thanks again, AWESOME vblog!

QOTD: it was a funny moment as my wine interest is spreading to my fiancee and we had couple of bottles – one a yellow tail, one a chianti – where she questioned her mother (my future mom-in-law) on the quality/value of the purchases… it was funny and I was laughing inside.

-Nico

p.s Gary, did you get my email with my New Year’s video I sent you via email minutes into the new year???
January 2, 2007

HomerJ
Watching WLTV with Marquis Philips Holly’s Blend, French Brie, and Asian pear. Doesn’t get any better.
January 2, 2007

James H
“Gato Negro”. I *did* puke. Oh god did I puke =(
January 2, 2007

Suzanne
Happy New Year

QOTD: Hess Select Chardonnay. No more for me, thanks.
January 2, 2007

Eric O
Happy New Year everyone! Worst wine I had over the weekend was at a friends house. He had a bottle of Rosenblum Zinfandel Vintners Cuvee. I totally agreed with Gary’s comments about the wine and hope I never have to drink it again.
January 2, 2007

ML
Damn…I couldn’t even make the top 75.
I suck.
January 2, 2007

ML
Top 75???

Worst wine of the weekend…2000 Rabbit Ridge Barbera Grand Reserve. It wasn’t corked, but was incredibly sour…it did not taste like that when I bought it a few years ago in Sonoma…what could have happened to it??? Awful.
January 2, 2007

Chop
QOD Cline 2004 Syrah MILDEW MILDEW MILDEW. Sure it was only 10 bucks, but what the hell?
January 2, 2007

E
Alaska – use the links along the left side of the Spreadsheet.
January 2, 2007

Bopete
I don’t know about the worst wine, but the best was Honig Vineyards Cabernet ‘04. Very nice nose of cassis and dark berries. Good QPR of upper 20’s.

P.S. no longer a lurker

P.P.S. Go Jets!
January 2, 2007

Steve R
Finally — someone else who doesn’t “get” the Marquis-Phillips hype. I just can’t get into their wines — but then again, I like Freixenet as a cheap sparkler, so what do I know?

QOTD: No real duds on NYE, but last year I was given a four year old cheap sauvignon blanc as a host’s gift. Note to friends — I love any and all wine gifts, but if you are regifting wine, please give one that is not years past its prime! You are SO busted!