Cameron Hughes wine for RadCru.

Cameron Hughes wine for RadCru. – Episode #176

February 5, 2007

Links mentioned in todays episode.

Today Gary tastes a wine for radcru.com, yeah thats right, Gary reviews a wine from a competitor. Sit back and enjoy this review(I hope he pans it ) of a Stellenbosch Merlot.

97 Responses

February 5, 2007

Italian Stallion
first
February 5, 2007

Italian Stallion
Holy SHYTE I am #1
February 5, 2007

flavasauce
wow early!
February 5, 2007

SteveB
very early
February 5, 2007

yoshi
top 5! early
February 5, 2007

flavasauce
is that Musak in the backround????
February 5, 2007

mczinger
I know I’m a n00b, but what do those cryptic numbers on the board mean? I have not yet figured it out (other than the days when they’re Jets scores).
February 5, 2007

FTBoomer
Hope you enjoyed the game and stayed at least a little dry, I did try to warn ya.
February 5, 2007

waibeans
TT!
February 5, 2007

Italian Stallion
QOD: OBVIOUSLY ROCKY IV
February 5, 2007

Susan
Gary-
Hope you have dried off from that
WET
RAINY
game yesterday!
February 5, 2007

metsfan
TT – Every time someone refers to the Yankees as the “Evil Empire”
February 5, 2007

Hinrgman
top 15
February 5, 2007

Coupe 60
QOD: to Quote Al Michaels ” Do you believe in Miracles !!! Yes !!!!”
February 5, 2007

waibeans
hahaha.. Stallion, somehow I KNEW you would say that.

QOD.. first thing that comes to mind is the film Red Dawn, but now that i’ve had a second, even better was Spies Like Us. Road to Duchambay anyone?

Doctor? Doctor.
February 5, 2007

KAHUNA
Qotd: Pinko Commie bastard
February 5, 2007

AndyC
Nice review and intriguing wine. I’ve had a number of the CH wines and never been disappointed. As for the favorite Soviet reference, I like “trust but verify” which is kind of like my philosophy of wine reviews…
February 5, 2007

BruceP
I’ll throw in a Soviet Union-Canada reference. Paul Henderson scoring on Vladislav Tretiak with 34 seconds left in the game to win the Canda-USSR Summit Hockey Series in 1972. I was in the 4th grade. They cancelled classes in my school in Manitoba and we all gathered around TV sets in the gymnasium to watch the game being broadcast back from Moscow. Huge defining moment in Canadian history.
February 5, 2007

gogoz
hey!
have you heard this music: Guns’n Roses!
So my question of the day to Gary: Do you like to listen so special music when you open
a special bottle of wine?
Tell me…..!
February 5, 2007

VinoVixen
top 20!
February 5, 2007

10SGuy
1972 OLYMPIC BASKETBALL FINAL
With a 50-49 lead against the Soviets, and three seconds to go there were a missed time-out call, an incorrect clock set, and plenty of Cold War animosity. The Soviets scored, the Americans boycotted the medal ceremony, and a review panel ruled the whole thing was fair, of course.
February 5, 2007

Lynne
Can’t get the wine shipped to Ohio. I’ll have to wait until WL carries it.

QOD: The 1980 Olympic hockey game when the US beat the USSR. An event I’ll never forget.
February 5, 2007

ChadD
First, November Rain blasting in the background and then those damn birds. I listen with head phones because I’m supposed to be “working” so it all came through loud and clear. Don’t worry gary I still listen to GNR every now and then, mostly Mr. Brownstone.
February 5, 2007

Susan
Gary-
What song were you listening to when you taped this ep?
February 5, 2007

Brandon M
November Rain – GNR
February 5, 2007

JavaMonkey
Was there music playing in the background, or am I just hearing things in my head? Really?

QOTD: “In Soviet Russia, television watches you!”
February 5, 2007

Justin
Interesting episode. I was just looking at this wine over on radcru. I have had other cameron hughes wines before. Being here on the left coast, I have never seen any of their wines at costco. I guess i will have to check again while i am picking up some other goodies there.
February 5, 2007

Salvatore
S~~t I’m retired and a can’t beat you working people here. Do you have an alarm that sounds when Gary’s on? Liked the wrestling match the best!
February 5, 2007

Susan
Salvatore-
Why yes, I do have a large alarm clock on my wall that rings when Gary releases an episode!
Ha!Ha!
Seriously, I have not yet gone to work today. I work in retail and I work crazy hours!
February 5, 2007

TagWorld Brian
Yeah, Gary – what do those numbers on the board mean? I still haven’t figured it out. I know you’re Russian, but I’m surprised you root for the Soviet. I was more of a fan of Roddy Piper, Ricky Steamboat, Jesse Ventura, even the J.Y.D.

Best Soviet-US reference? I think JavaMonkey beat me to the “enter” key. But for me, it’s definitely Yakov Smirnoff. In Soviet Russia, the wine drinks you! http://www.tagworld.com/brian1970/PostDetail.aspx?id=30d14830-2a5e-4980-9b41-d9fe18246f0d
February 5, 2007

Susan
QOD:
“Hunt for Red October”
I own this video tape and
I have seen it many times.
Enough, that I can quote lines from almost any part of
the movie!!!!
February 5, 2007

LPapi
QOD: “Zangief” (Soviet Union) VS. “Ken” (USA) In a little game I used to love to play as a kid, teenager: Street Fighter from Nintendo
February 5, 2007

ATLien
Guns and Roses!!!! November Rain!

I wouldn’t expect anything less from the dirty Jers!
February 5, 2007

SS Chris
QOD:

In Germany, President Reagan demanded that Breshnev, “TEAR DOWN THIS WALL!!”

In early 2007, the VayNIACS decree to Gary, “TEAR DOWN THIS STICKY!!”
February 5, 2007

SS Chris
Saaweeet!! Made it!!! TOP 35!!!
February 5, 2007

Dan R.
QOD:

Moscow on the Hudson! I know this movie is out dated now but when it came out it gave a different perspective to the Russian and American way of life.

Dan in Kansas
February 5, 2007

Dave-from-Katonah
Is that the same shirt as Friday? Did you tape this earlier, knowing full well that Peyton and Tony Dungy’s Colts would be victorious??
February 5, 2007

jon777
QOTD: Waibeans — Nice job! Spies Like Us is one of the most underrated movies of all times — I will refer to you as “Doctor” from now on! And on a seperate but related note, how Dan Aakroyd landed Donna Dixon is still one of the great mysteries of the universe.

Dan R; however, stole my original answer, which was Moscow on the Hudson, the first thing that popped into my mind. However, after purusing the thread the CORRECT answer (IMHO) is the Miracle at Lake Placid in 1980. I’m ashamed of not coming up with that on my own. Sheesh!
February 5, 2007

R/Eason
Gary,

To make the predictions you ought to dress up like the genie in “I Dream of Jeanie.”

That would be cool.

R/Eason
February 5, 2007

gnarlyoak
I’m happy to be making my first post–I have been a “lurker” for the past few weeks since I first discovered Gary. Great show man! I am a relatively experienced wine drinker and have already learned tons watching your stuff! Iowa loves you!

QOTD: “Red Dawn”– That movie scared the crap out of me when I was a kid. I truly thought the soviets were going to invade us anyday. Also, got to love the star cast: Patrick Swayze, Charlie Sheen, amongst others. Cheers!
February 5, 2007

Orion Slayer
QOTD: “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” Ronnie knew how to smack talk.
February 5, 2007

Corrado
Thanks for tasting the RadCru offering. I was hemming and hawing about that all morning!

QOD: Yakov Smirnoff. One of his bits was where he talked about when he first came to the United States from Russia he was not prepared for the incredible variety of instant products available in American grocery stores.

He says, “On my first shopping trip, I saw powdered milk — you just add water, and you get milk. Then I saw powdered orange juice — you just add water, and you get orange juice. And then I saw baby powder, and I thought to my self, “What a country!”

(ref: http://www.virtualchristiancenter.com/humor/babypowder.htm … they were the first google link that had the transcript)
February 5, 2007

TagWorld Brian
It wasn’t Brezhnev or Gorbachev. It was Jack Tripper, and he actually said, “Mr. Furley, tear down this wall!”
February 5, 2007

Ken B.
QOTD Russian Proverb “There is no shame in not knowing; the shame lies in not finding out.” I will take this to heart as it applies to today’s episode and seek out Cameron Hughes so that I can find out.

GO COLTS!

Ken B.
February 5, 2007

Justmarsh
QOD: Rocky IV when Stallone ends the Cold War with a boxing match. hahahaha!
February 5, 2007

Michael P
QOD: “I will live in Montana. And I will marry a round American woman & raise rabbits, and she will cook them for me. And I will have a pickup truck….maybe even a “recreational vehicle”. And drive from state to state. Do they let you do that?”
February 5, 2007

Tangaroa
QOTD: Dr. Strangelove

Hands down. Best all time American/Soviet confrontation. And, best all-time movie in Tang’s opinion.

“GENTLEMEN! YOU CAN FIGHT IN HERE!”
“THIS IS THE WAR ROOM!”
February 5, 2007

JimB
Paul McCartney live in Red Square. Great music plus history.
February 5, 2007

John Blue Label
Still not a Merlot fan, so I won’t seek that one out.
QOTD: So many good references above: Pres. Reagan to Gorbachev #1. Al Michaels “Miracles” #2. the other ones listed above are good, but pale in comparison.
February 5, 2007

waibeans
Tangaroa..

YES!!!!! good call, considering all of us here are very interested in “preserving our fluids”
February 5, 2007

Rich S
I am actually on the RadCru mailing list but I have yet to order anything from them. I also have actually had a wine from Stellenbosch but it was a merlot/cab blend. I thought it was pretty good for the money.

I Fight for ME, FOR ME!!!!!!! – Ivan Drago
February 5, 2007

PattyO
The Cameron Hughes story is very intriguing – and unique. So far, his wines are only offered by the Costco stores on west coast and just recently in Chicago. There’s a FANTASTIC interview with Cameron, podcast, from late last summer by Hungry Magazine (out of Chicago). http://www.hungrymag.com/2006/08/18/cheap-wine-oh-so-fine/
Here’s a little bit from the interviewer:
“This week I sit down with Cameron Hughes, the man some folks are dubbing the robin hood of wine. Hughes owns no vineyards, makes no wine, but he has an inside connection to some of the best wineries that do. The way the model works is many top wineries produce wine that either doesnâ€™t fit in to their profile or they make too much of a wine. Thatâ€™s where Hughes steps in. He buys up the excess lots and then markets them under his own label and sells them direct on his website or through Costco. Because Hughes bypasses traditional middle men and marketing fees, heâ€™s able to offer incredible wines for about $10 bucks.
February 5, 2007

PattyO
Gary-the deal with you dad’s cell phone was BEYOND bizarre?! Of all the things that could have bumped into your leg in the ocean…
(your dad must have a cell-phone-angel)
February 5, 2007

PattyO
The Cameron Hughes folks didn’t waste any time tagging onto the GV “thumbs-up” (from the CH web site)
Latest CHWine News
02.07 Gary Vaynerchuk of Wine Library TV gives big thumbs up to Lot 19! Click to watch
February 5, 2007

Dmjperc
QOTD:

The Space Race!!! Movie–”The Right Stuff”
February 5, 2007

R/Eason
I dream of Jeannie… just promise that you’ll think about it!
R/Eason
February 5, 2007

E
Things you learn on the road:

1) I’ve run across Cameron Hughes in Texas as well … thought he was just working with California grapes though, didn’t know he was worldwide.

2) Yakov Smirnoff has a place in Branson. In fact, I think he lives there.

QOD: since all of the good ones appear to be taken, give me either Fischer-Spassky (the first one, before Bobby went completely insane) or that Frankie Goes to Hollywood video with Reagan and Chernenko knocking each other around.
February 5, 2007

Dale Cruse
QOTD: “Do you believe in miracles?!” I’m going with “The Miracle on Ice.”
February 5, 2007

Darlene O.
Hey, Gary, nice episode!! QOD: ‘The Saint’, with Val Kilmer, some of it filmed in Russia. LOVE that movie…
February 5, 2007

leatherpalate
QOD= The movie “Reds” Great great flick.
February 5, 2007

ChuckW
Tom Cruise’s 1 finger salute to the Russians in TOP GUN. Upside down at Mach 1. Goodness, Gracious Great Balls of Fire!
February 5, 2007

ChrisR
That was a very odd episode. I got the feeling that you didn’t like this wine very much but politically felt conflicted about giving it 86 or 87 points. Lots of heat, bitter tannins, maybe it will get better by 2010? In a normal episode you would have given this a PAZZZZZ pass. You looked nervous and were scrambling for something nice to say about it. Hmmmmm.
February 5, 2007

Vinacull
Top 62! I’m never in this early. Interesting little episode Gary. Loved the 3-count on Hulk.
February 5, 2007

SteviefreakinD
The Macho Man Randy Savage rules!!!!!! OHHHHH Yeah!!!!!
February 5, 2007

Shotgun
This episode sucked. Either keep it up or give it up.
February 5, 2007

dealbhadair
QOTD: Got a couple of great 80’s music references… (1) Sting – Dream of the Blue Turtles – Russians, “I hope the Russians love their children, too.” (2) Genesis – Invisible Touch – Land of Confusion, “…make it a world worth living in.” (esp. the video).
February 5, 2007

dealbhadair
Well, that was worthwhile, Shotgun. Quite an intellect you have there.
February 5, 2007

dealbhadair
…correction on #66…(just listened to the song) “…place worth living in.”
February 6, 2007

tarheel17
Kudos to you, Gary, for tasting a ‘competitor’s’ wine.
Also, since I’m going to S Africa, I appreciate the advanced knowledge on what to expect when I get there. Thanks for doing my dirty work.
QOTD: the saying, ‘I have to pee like a Russian racehorse.” What the hell does that mean, anyway? Can you enlighten me? Do Russian racehorses drink more wine than American racehorses?
February 6, 2007

Trish da' Dish
Bond. James Bond. I love Ian Fleming’s novel, “From Russia, With Love.”

I also love the term, “glasnost.”

And who can forget Rachmaninoff’s beautiful and, apparently, maddening 2nd Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 18 (a.k.a Rock II) and Alexander Pushkin’s wonderful writing (and his scandalous love life)….and, in more recent history, Ms Hot Thang’ tennis star Maria Sharapova (just throwing a bone to all of you adoring guys on this forum). And the language is so beautiful to hear spoken, as well.

Russia does it with style–One day when I can afford it, I hope to finally visit the place that has produced so much wonderful literature and music and (most importantly passion!!!
February 6, 2007

Henry
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! WINE!!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! WINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! JUST GETS ME SO PUMPPPPPED!!!!!!! OOOOOOOHHHHHH YAHHHHHH!!!!!! I’VE BEEN LEARNING ABOUT WINE FOR 7 MONTHS AND IT MAKES ME SO EXCITED!!!! WOOOOO!!!!!!! WINE IS ART AND CULTURE AND LANGUAGE AND CHEMISTRY AND LOVE AND HORTICULTURE AND AMAZING MAZING MAZZZZING! WHO ELSE IS PUMMMMMPPED ABOUT SUCH A WONDERFUL CREATION OF HUMANKIND!!!! WOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! WINE! WINE! WINE ! WINE! W! I! N! E! I CAN FEEL MY NOSE AND PALATTE EVOLVING, BABY! ITS GAMETIME BABY! HELL YEAH! WOOOOOOOOOO!
February 6, 2007

LPapi
For gnarlyoak… Welcome Lurker No More! I’ve noticed that people don’t really welcome people when they said they have “lurked” for x amount of weeks. Well, I know how Gary (although not recently) usually cries out for Lurkers to come out and I encourage the same. The interaction on these posts make this whole experience that much more interesting and fun.
Question: Gary, is it true that for every hour you decant a wine, it equals the same number in years of aging… while it opens?
February 6, 2007

Robin in Boise, Idaho
QOTD Before your time…the comedy movie “The Russians are Coming” – what with Sputnik [is that "Spit Nut" spelled inside out?] and Spassky and Andre Tchellichef, I was compelled to learn to speak Russian in an after school class – classmate Olga’s mother from Kiev taught us the Alphabet – which was really hard to learn the Cyrillic. She also made Piroshki and Pirog for us to taste.
From what I remember in [English phonetic] not proper Russian spelling [Do we even have keys to write in Russian on our computers?]:
Da, Ya Ponymaiatchoo Po-Russky. Nyet, Ya Netchigo Szhnaiyoo Po-Roosky. Dobvrey Dehn, Boomaga Pojahlooweesta, Dobvrey Veyecher, Strastwitcha, Dassveydanya.
And then I fell in LOVE with “Dr. Zhivago” – the book and the movie. Gulag – NO, Thank You.
S. Afrikans Merlot – Maybe? Thanks for opening our minds to exploring the world of wine.
February 6, 2007

Portland Guy
Trish – its Roc III that’s apparently maddening, according to ‘Shine’. And ‘Reds’ and ‘Zhivago’ are most memorable. Well, next to my Mom, who was born in Russia.
February 6, 2007

MetalDave
QOTD: The Russian in Rocky III
February 6, 2007

Tom L
Gary – Genie hat??? No way man. If you want to be a genie you need to shave your head and wear an earring!
February 6, 2007

SoCal
QOTD: War Games â€œPlay a Game, Dr. Falken?â€ (like that large punch card reading commodore 64 could launch warheads)
Ok â€¦..loosely a soviet reference.

Tarheel17â€¦just came back from a trip to Cape Town. Two suggestions: If you have a chance to visit Stellenbosch go to Rust en Vrede. If you are lucky enough to travel to Franschoek try eating at La Petite Ferme.
February 6, 2007

vermilionsteve
QOTD: Definitely “DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES? YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

By the way Gary, please refresh my memory. I don’t remember Nikolai Volkoff defeating the Hulkster in any big matches. I DO remember Hogan pinning Nikolai in East Rutherford, NJ in October of 1985 to retain his title. I guess either you were too young to remember that, or maybe it was blacked out in NJ?????

Just joking ya. Hope you stayed dry during the game.
February 6, 2007

Big Billy from Big D
QOTD – The Chad Mitchell Trio from 1959 “The John Birch Society”

“If your Mommy is a Commie, you gotta turn her in
To the John Birch Society, the John Birch Society”

The Cold War wasn’t glorious, and it was incredibly expensive, but diplomacy in the long run prevailed over the worst possible outcome (Nuclear Annihilation).
February 6, 2007

Italian Stallion
MetalDave…..its Rocky IV….and the Russian is Ivan Drago
February 6, 2007

eugene
Gary,
Damn competitors supplying dissent merlot at affordable prices! They have some chutzpah!

QOTD:

The best Soviet American reference is WLTV and WL-this is obvious.

Jokes aside one of the best movies with soviet/American reference is â€œWhite Nightsâ€ with Mikhail Baryshnikov, Gregory Hines, Isabella Rossellini and others.
February 6, 2007

Dominus
QOTD: Easily, I’ll have to go with Ronnie telling Gorbachev to tear down these walls though the Miracle on Ice is on the podium right along with that world changing event. A hockey game does not change the political and social landscape of an entire continent or world for that matter as did tearing down the Berlin Wall.

As for wines from SA, my experience has been enlightening and a crapshoot. Some are so-so, ok and very good. Hit or miss for me but well worth the effort.

Hallelujah to the Colts!

Dom

P.S. I would have given the MVP award to the O-Line. They kicked Bear butt.
February 6, 2007

boyd
I just heard a rumor that you no longer ship to GA. Please say it ain’t so!
February 6, 2007

Len C
So since you did this episode on Friday do we get to see the other one you taped too? The one where the bears won? I think it would be very funny!!!
February 6, 2007

Emery Gerencser
Qotd…quote by a soviet worker concerning the government “we pretend to work and they pretend to pay us”
February 6, 2007

Wil Neverspit
QOTD: Only one mention of “Hunt for Red October”? (Susan: comment 31)
Great movie!!!

“Russians don’t take a dump with out a plan.”

…Susan, do you have VHS or Beta-max???
I’m jealous.
“Be kind, rewind!”
February 6, 2007

parsimoniouspat
Thx for correcting me, Portland Guy. You are def’ right. How could I forget this? I will never, ever forget seeing Rach III played live here–and I had FREE seats 3 rows back, center left, prime view for watching the pianist. I’ve never seen the STL Symphony work so hard in my life! It was even an effort for every one of them to keep turning the pages to keep up with the music. Performance art at its greatest!
February 6, 2007

Karl B.
QOTD – Sputnick!!!!
February 6, 2007

Rob P
USSR – The Partys Over
February 6, 2007

Beth
Lurker here, first time commenter. Great episode. Haven’t seen this CH yet although I live in San Jose and they love CH at my Costco. First you buy a bottle, then you go back and get a case! #14 was awesome!
February 7, 2007

Mark
QOTD: Rocky IV – without a doubt!
February 8, 2007

Matt W
what’s up with the GnR in the background?!

November Rain?!@
February 8, 2007

Miguelo DiMarco
How about a Merlin hat?

A Dunce cap??

If somebody reviews Merlot, I’m leaving!

QOD: I’m not sure if this is technically an American reference, but it was a common term heard here.

___________G-L-A-S-N-O-S-T!____________

Mikhail Gorbachev – the best thing ever to happen to Russia.

Second choice – “Attitude Adjustment Hour” at the Russian Vodka Room in NYC served by authentic Russian waitresses – reooowww! (52nd – near 8th)
February 13, 2007

ThomasS
Yuw, so South African wines. Indeed, I think that South Africa will rule the wine scene within 15 years: so diverse terroir, interesting varietals, experiments, … . Great. Try the Independent Minds Merlot one time if you can have them. This wine is made by four major producers of SA who were in college together (I do not remember them all, but Jakob Cederberg was one of them). It’s tremenduos value for money, easily the level of a 2nd growth, but not even half the price. I have some bottles of 1998, and they are just opening up by now. The fruit is still very primary and fresh, I am excited to see what will happen within 4-5 years. So, the rumour that SA-wines do not cellar is just rubbish and peevish marketing jibber jabber.
I had a SA Deetlef’s Estate Pinotage 2004 yesterday and it was great in QPR. Only 8,99 EUR, a very lovely light violet colour, but very persistent and profound aroma’s, well structured and all. Great. It had the appeal of a Nuits-Saint-Georges in all it assets (only the tasting profile was different: banana pie, cranberries and strawberry liquor, charcoal smoke, cacao and in the end jalapeÃ±o peppers with some roasted garlic – especially that last one I never met in any wine). Nice. Overall nice. A very good food wine.
QOTD: I’ll just go for the Vodkatini’s, supposed to be invented in the US.
March 27, 2007

Jtk
Decent episode today Gary. QOTD: Don’t know for sure probably something from the movie RED HEAT. My personal favorite proverbs, All is not gold that glitters. Ð”Ñ€ÑƒÌÐ¶Ð±Ð° Ð´Ñ€ÑƒÌÐ¶Ð±Ð¾Ð¹, Ð° ÑÐ»ÑƒÌÐ¶Ð±Ð° ÑÐ»ÑƒÌÐ¶Ð±Ð¾Ð¹. “Friendship is friendship and service is service”.
March 2, 2008

Robert Howells
“I will break you.”-from Rocky IV
October 23, 2009

John J.
qotd horrible awful movie but Peter Stormare in armageddon was awesome. ‘i told you touch nothing, but you’re a bunch of cowboys.’

Gary when can we expect you’re 1st vin jaune episode?

Cameron Hughes wine for RadCru. – Episode #176

Links mentioned in todays episode.

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