Wine ratings? – Episode #178

February 7, 2007

Wines tasted in this episode:

Links mentioned in todays episode.

American Wine Blog Awards

Wine Ratings what do they mean and how does Gary stack his scores against these 90+ scored wines from the MAJOR press.

167 Responses

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February 7, 2007

Matt B DC
Interesting episode. It seemed to me like you were trying to be harder on those first two wines just because of the score factor. Then again, I think scores are total and complete nonsense. Dollar-to-fruit value considered, any wine can be a complete steal or a total rip-off. 2004 El Toqui Syrah was an absolutely incredible wine that I would’ve give a 98 to as I enjoyed it in a restaurant for $8 a glass. I’ve done some research since then and it turns out I can get the stuff for $8.99 a bottle. It’s a flat 100 after taking into account the quality:price ratio.

As for the QOTD, I’d rather have a basket anyday. Here in DC, the terroir is . . . well, let’s just say it isn’t savory.

Thanks for another great episode.
February 7, 2007

Karen Lorentz
Basket, please. That’s all I have time for. (Unless the basket is crap.)
February 7, 2007

Dominus
QOTD: Yes, wine kit, easy. I’ve had a million wine baskets, not one wine kit.

I’ll have to try The Hermit Crab this weekend.

Cheers!
February 7, 2007

E-Rock
I’ll take the kit
February 7, 2007

Grasshopper
Sensei,

Great episode and I agree and try to not pay as too much attention to ratings and focus on the tasting notes BUT, to spend my hard earned money on a wine that I have no idea if it MIGHT be good or not is hard. There are thousands and thousands of wines and there is a much better chance of me liking a wine if it received a good score by you, WS, RP, Kahuna, Brandon or anyone who might have liked it and gave it high marks….I am not saying I am a sheep, but I beleive it increases my odds with getting something of higher quality. We have all walked into a wine store or restaraunt and purchased a wine unseen or unrated and have been disappointed. And I am not saying I like every wine I try that has been rated with a high score or recomended by someone, but it does increase the odds of it being worth while.

QOD – Wine basket

Thanks,

Grasshopper
February 7, 2007

L.I. Frank
QOTD- basket over a winemaking kit any day.
You got my vote!
February 7, 2007

SpaceJay
QOTD – Basket…and throw in a good food pairing.
February 7, 2007

BruceP
QOTD – basket, unless you’re also providing access to some good grapes from the Sonoma Coast and someone who can turn them into decent wine.
February 7, 2007

JavaMonkey
Great show. I need to learn more about whites.

QOTD: definitely a wine basket. I have no desire to make wine (although I have made beer in the past), I just want to drink and enjoy.
February 7, 2007

Badger Ann
QOTD: Basket! Then I can enjoy it immediately with friends and family.

It was interesting to hear your review of the 2005 D’Arenberg The Hermit Crab. This weekend, I had opened a bottle of the 2004 Hermit Crab, and I didn’t find it to be nearly as complex as you had described for the following year’s effort. Why the difference – year, bottle, palate? I’ll go get the 2005 and find out for myself!
February 7, 2007

yoshi
QOTH – Definately a wine making kit.
I voted for you
February 7, 2007

SoCal
Gary,
Good rant!
I would agree that ratings are over blown.
I have often wondered if perhaps a little pay-o-la… errrrr… lobbying is involved.
Please more Spanish wines in the $12-25 price range worth trying!

QOTD: At first I would say wine basket , unless I got a Oooaky Beast!
February 7, 2007

canadian-kid
QOTD: Wine basket…filled with bordeauxs and burgundys
February 7, 2007

Portland Guy
Basket, very large Basket
February 7, 2007

cgf
Oh, and I could not agree with you more on the Provenance SB. I had it over Thanksgiving, and I did not find it as hot or off balance as you did, but just really bland. It did not bring much to the table. I guess I am too used to the really aromatic and snappy New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs. when i looked up that wine’s score in the WS online, i thought it was a joke or a misprint.
February 7, 2007

cgf
Gary,
Good soapbox today. It is good to bring home that point every now and then, in case we forget.

QOTD: No doubt the basket.
February 7, 2007

Victoria
QOTD: Definitely a wine basket!
February 7, 2007

KAHUNA
Sheesh I purchase a woman get crabs now purchasing a wine I get crabs too cant win!
February 7, 2007

waibeans
QOD// Winemaking kit all the way baby. Great show again today, the tasting notes are getting very detailed. Keep it up dude, and GL with the contest.
February 7, 2007

Kent I
Come on, Brandon, it’s not often I get to be in the top 10! Let me enjoy the moment

QOD: Gotta go with the wine basket. I don’t think I have it in me to make a great wine in my garage. Unless, of course, it’s a basket filled with home-made wine….Hmm I have a conundrum…

Anyways, another great episode, as always!
February 7, 2007

K Spengler
If they are anything like your basket at Christmas, Basket all the way. I prefer to leave the winemaking to the pros.
Great show once again, GV…
February 7, 2007

KAHUNA
QOTD- Wine Kit- Make them already why not another-
February 7, 2007

Orion Slayer
90+ wines vs. personal taste:
For a wine newby it helps to have a score to know what “should” be a good wine. I like your comment about knowing the preferences of the person scoring to judge if you will like the wine. It’s similar to how I decide to go to a movie based on a local newspaper movie critic: I see the ones he hates and avoid any movie he likes.

QOTD: Give me a basket. I want to drink good wine, not try to make my own. Even a “bad” wine would be better than anything I would make!
February 7, 2007

Tony S
Great show on wine scoring – something I’ve always tried to tell my friends and family about (Go with your tastes, not someone elses).

Wine basket without a doubt!

Btw, looks like WL has some network difficulty today – could not access “Free Wine”.
February 7, 2007

wine - o
basket!