Pinot Noir Face Off – Episode #186

February 20, 2007

Wines tasted in this episode:

2005 Almarosa Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills
2005 Breggo Pinot Noir Anderson Valley
2005 Ap Vin Keefer Ranch Pinot Noir
2003 Arcadian Pinot Noir Rio Vista Santa Rita Hills

Links mentioned in todays episode.

The Introduce Yourself Forum (Remember you have to register before you can post)

After a certain Hollywood movie Pinot Noir’s became hot. Today Gary tastes four super hot Pinot Noir’s. Sit back and enjoy!

111 Responses

February 20, 2007

CW
woohoo pinot noir
February 20, 2007

thorazine
Oooooh, I love it Number 2?
February 20, 2007

Tim
wow Top 10 and YES Pinot!
February 20, 2007

Nathan Day
Great episode. #2, #3?
February 20, 2007

Hinrgman
Pinot Noir

Great episode Gary

Hope you are having a prosperous trip
February 20, 2007

Corrado
I’ve got PINOT ENVY!
February 20, 2007

KAHUNA
Cork’d wines % are down because USA is now the so close to the top in wine drinking and we drink our wines so young that many dont have a chance to get corkd-
February 20, 2007

jon777
Top 10! But, not #1, so no $8.3M for me… Darn! That would have bought a lot of Pinot!
February 20, 2007

michael
Gary you got me hooked I only wish you had a good back stock of your better wines.
tnx Michael
February 20, 2007

Deano
Top 10
February 20, 2007

KAHUNA
Flavor Ice – Red is the best flavor-
February 20, 2007

waibeans
top ten babeeeeeeee
February 20, 2007

bugbirdfishboy
11?
February 20, 2007

Nathan Day
OTTER POPS! from Costco! Weird Kid! I love it!
February 20, 2007

thorazine
I always just called them freezies…freezie pops.

I love those things…but they were always too wide for my mouth so when you cut the tops with scissors the sides would get sharp and cut the outside of your mouth if you weren’t careful!

So good
February 20, 2007

Susan
Gary-
Love Pinot Noir!
February 20, 2007

SS Chris
PUSH-UP POPS!!!

thorazine, my Mom used to cut those sharp little flange edges on a 45 degree angle…problem solved!!!
February 20, 2007

Leatherpalate
stellar episode GV- I love the smell of charred pig snouts in the morning…
February 20, 2007

waibeans
holeeee cow dude.. LOVE the energy towards the end GV. You sure you didn’t snort that blender concoction there? I mean all over the place!!

Keep it up tho, wouldn’t want it any other way!
February 20, 2007

Lynne
Daggone it! I just ordered a case today, then the freewine sounded too good, so I ordered some of that. Now you have me intrigued with a couple of these pinots. I have to stop watching WLTV in order to curb my spending.
February 20, 2007

Lynne
Correction..not free wine, but the free shipping wine. I don’t want to get anything stirred up here.
February 20, 2007

Wil Neverspit
Ah yes, the thin skinned dark purple berry from heaven!
February 20, 2007

Justin
GV, Boonville is a weird town and the people are odd. Seems like a bit of an inbred town. They also have their own language there. Its called Boontling. I never had any wines while driving through Boonville, but I did stop in at a brewery and drank a bunch of beer. Good beer. Brewery name was Anderson Valley Brewing Co…They have a book in there that teaches you to speak boontling…

Now, don’t think I actually made a trip just to go try this beer. Boonville was on the way to Mendocino. I don’t just visit inbred redneck towns for fun!
February 20, 2007

Coupe 60
Wasn’t almarosa the lady that caused all that trouble on the apprentice a couple of season’s back???
February 20, 2007

TommyBoBo of WI
At least it was WISCONSIN cheddar and not that fake California crap,,, they can keep their happy cows,, think of it,, stressed vines make great wine, stressed cows make great cheese. Hmmmm? wonder if the Cheese Board has thought of that. Got to run,,,, need to call my patent attorney!
February 20, 2007

CW
Your video game reference sounded like Mario inching his way up the vines on Donkey Kong Junior.
February 20, 2007

waibeans
CW.. i had the same thought! sounded like mario climbing the ladders from the original Donkey Kong (prob sounded the same in DKjr)
February 20, 2007

David Canada
Nice…..how is Berry Brothers these days?
February 20, 2007

BV
I was going to make up something goofy about a fictional CA town.

But when I read about the real place, truth was stranger than fiction.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boonville,_California

Boonvillites (Boonvillains?) strike me as the kind of folks who would really enjoy a Coke-Quik-Polish Strawberry-Wisconsin Cheddar blend!

Bill V.
February 20, 2007

Dom
Did you say Thundercats!!! By far my favourite cartoon as a kid….yes!!!!
February 20, 2007

Grackle
Gary,

You need a haircut bro. You’ve got little wings sprouting out upon your lid.

Grackle.
February 20, 2007

RyanWV
nice gary……IM from WV…..we have a Boone County here……talk about an inbred mess! I hope the people of booneville are civilized enough not to do any thumping with their siblings and stick with the vino production.
February 20, 2007

Steve R
Boonville…. not sure what it’s like, but I just came back from a week in Sonoma and Mendocino Counties and it is the COUNTRY. I know that the wine industry makes wine look oh-so-cosmopolitan, but it was refreshing to see how down to earth, normal, and, yes, small-town the folks are up there. I am a real fan of eccentric towns (and their residents), so I had a field day in that part of California. If Boonville’s even half as odd as the towns in West Sonoma County, then it should be a treat!
February 20, 2007

Susan
Boonville, CA…
hope it is not too much like
Boonville, NC!
Boonville, NC is
seriously red neck.
I hope
Boonville, CA is pretty
and
quiet.
February 20, 2007

Susan
Gary-
I couldn’t stop laughing
when I heard the
blender story!
TOO
Funny!
February 20, 2007

mikeyrad
BV, I agree with you that truth is indeed stranger than fiction. I mean, after reading that Wikipedia entry, how do you top that?
February 20, 2007

TagWorld Brian
Nice screw-cap toss. You always hit the lens. You’re so athletic!

Kasha on the nose? My mother in law always makes kasha varnishkes with the little bow ties, and I think it tastes kinda metallic…

You had blender dementia as a kid? For me, it was microwave dementia. When we first got one in the ’70s, I used to nuke everything just see what would happen. (But no animals or metal objects.) Try microwaving a cup of marshmallows for about 45 seconds. Hilarious. Good luck cleaning the cup though.

Pinot vs. merlot. I still think back to that earlier episode when you pointed out that Miles’ favorite wine in the movie was Chat. Cheval Blanc, which I didn’t realize was a merlot! (Actually 66% cab. franc, 33% merlot, 1% malbec.) Cracked me up that most of the public (including me) didn’t know this. Over the weekend, the wife and I opened a merlot. A 2002 Murphy-Goode Alexander Valley Merlot. Nice mix of cigar box, dark chocolate cherry… A good $18 experience.

Also, we opened a bottle of the 2005 Von Hovel Oberemmeler Hutte Kabinett Riesling. Wow! Thanks for that recommendation (Episode 169).

Finally, have fun in London.
February 20, 2007

mark
Gary, your flavor profile metaphors kill me every time

“Think about going to Cuba, smoking some great cigars and watching people shoot pigs, as they run around”
February 20, 2007

Dan
I think that the video ganme you are thinking of was Dig Dug where you go mining for something or other.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dig_Dug
http://www.tripletsandus.com/80s/80s_games/DigDug.htm

Dan (in Houston. I am a mining engineer)
February 20, 2007

Rob M.
I agree with previous posts- sounds like Donkey Kong to me (you even have the arm motion down!)
February 20, 2007

Susan
BV,
Thanks for the link on the real Boonville, CA.
It sounds just like Booneville, NC.
Scary, huh?
February 20, 2007

Mitch
Gary; don’t know “manikasha” per se and don’t know your ethnic background, but my orthodox Jewish grandma made kasha all the time and perhaps the “kasha” is the same-buckwheat groats. Very distinctive smell. You either love it or hate it. Nutty-woody-earthy smell but even then, you just have to smell it. The stuff is very high in iron and good for you-pick up any vegetarian cookbook of note, and there will be buckwheat groat recipes. You can buy the stuff in the grocery stores in the ethnic food isles. The Jewish way-simmer onion in oil til translucent. Reserve the onions and then coat a cup of the grains with beaten egg, then toast the kernels (or groats, whatever you want to call ‘em) in the pan til separated. Pour in two cups of hot chicken stock and then the sauteed onion. Kashavarnishes-same thing but add parboiled bowtie pasta with the stock and onions. Probl’y more than you need to know about Kasha.
February 20, 2007

ML
I think your video game noise was Space Invaders…have a listen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqyKpJwk29o
February 20, 2007

Wil Neverspit
“Lost our nards” ???
“Give me the snout!” ???
“Punch the other moms” ???

AWESOME episode!

I think they were called Otter Pops.
Each flavor had a character…
Louie Bloo Raspberry, Alexander the Grape… you remember!
February 20, 2007

Wil Neverspit
the video game you were thinking of…

DIG-DUG!

right?
February 20, 2007

thorazine
SS Chris: Now THAT is a nice mom!

My problem was I was always sneaking them out of the freezer behind her back Hahahahaha…but this was a great episode.

The punching the other moms comment…instant classic.
February 20, 2007

Dom
Can’t go wrong with Pinot though unfortunately the good ones seem to be a tad pricey. I know, I know, a finicky grape that needs to be nurtured in almost pristine conditions but still, let’s try to keep it under $40 which most winers find it hard to do.

QOTD: Boonville? Maybe this is where Boones Farm is located? My QOTD: Is Boones Farm really “wine?”

Last but not least, great show.

Have fun in merry olde England.

Cheers
February 20, 2007

brooklyni
I think the game is called ice climbers
February 20, 2007

JavaMonkey
OK, you lost me half way through the frozen-unfrozen thing.
February 20, 2007

John Blue Label
Gary,
Fun episode. I think you had some espresso before taping.
It’s Boone, NC, not booneville. Home of Appalachian State, the Division 1-AA football champs for the last 2 years running.
JW
February 20, 2007

Portland Guy
Hearing your tasting notes blind (w/o knowing it is you), I would never think about buying what sounds like kiddie juice. My grandkids think your notes sound wonderful – want to know where we can get that kind of juice. Sorry, but I think you denigrate what might be eloquent Burgundian-styled PNs with those descriptions. Or perhaps they simply are not, but are the fruit bombs you so cherish and as such, deserve your comments.
February 20, 2007

Dionysus
For me, Pinot Noir is like Beaujolais. I want to like it. I’ve tried to like it, but every time I buy a bottle of Pinot Noir, I end up regretting it. I know it is a very temperamental grape, but for now I think I’ll stop looking for that magic bottle. Maybe one day I’ll splurge and buy a very highly rated Pinot, but for now I think I’ll stick to other grapes.
February 20, 2007

Celia
they shoot pigs, don’t they?
February 20, 2007

M
Gary, manaya kasha is cooked Cream of Wheat. When raw, it’s manaya krupa (I know I’m butchering the Russian spelling but I want to convey the English phonetics).
February 20, 2007

garyv
We are having camera issues here in London, it is 1 am and we might be in trouble for our special episode tomorrow, Man 1st LIVE and now 1 yr anniversary :(:(:(:(
February 20, 2007

K Spengler
You never cease to amaze us with your detailed descriptions of smell and taste, you are incredibly descriptive. I find that so helpful, almost as good as tasting it myself! Can’t wait until a future Vaynerchuk Jr. asks “daddy, tell me a story”..you’ll have a vivid imagination and many memories to pull from. When in doubt, just check out your old episodes of WLTV as a reminder.
February 20, 2007

joe
Dionysus (post 52): Pinot is the best there is – but you have to pay for it. There is no good Pinot under $30. Try Sinsky (around$38) or go for a guarenteed life-changing experience and find Sea Smoke from Santa Rita Hills for about $75 (probably source from web). You will love Pinot,
Joe
February 20, 2007

TheDumbPhase
Hope you get the cameras fixed for the 1 year ep.

The greatest thing about Boonville? The farms. You know what they grow?
http://bumwine.com/

and you thought it would be Boons Farm!
February 20, 2007

Hooler
Gary, funny episode. I immediately also thought Dig Dug! But then you said 10 yard fight and I had to laugh. I had forgotten about that one until you brought it up. The most fun was shaken off the tacklers. During those days I remember games like Rampage, Paper Boy and the boxing game with Glass Joe and Piston Hurricane. It took a while to master that one. Lots of energy tonight you must be revved up for London.
February 20, 2007

Brookhouser
watch out for the rubber glove taste!
February 20, 2007

eatapc
Dionysus sums up my thoughts perfectly: “Pinot Noir is like Beaujolais. I want to like it. Iâ€™ve tried to like it, but every time I buy a bottle of Pinot Noir, I end up regretting it. I know it is a very temperamental grape, but for now I think Iâ€™ll stop looking for that magic bottle.” Well put.

I’ve tried reasonably priced but well-reviewed Pinots. Not worth it. Life’s too short. There are too many other wines I like too much. Too many outstanding reds under $30. And if you bump the price point up to $40, $50 or even $75, I can still do much, much better with other grapes. PN is off my list. — Mark B
February 20, 2007

Dionysus
joe: The price range is the issue with me. I like to look for wines in the under $20 CND range. Occasionally I might go up to a $25 Bordeaux for a Christmas dinner with the family.

The most I’ve ever spent was like $31-$33 for a Barolo and a ChÃ¢teauneuf-du-Pape, but those were exceptions. One wine I’ve been eager to try is a Brunello di Montalcino of which there are only 2 different types at the MLCC (Manitoba Liquor Control Commission) : bloody government monopolies! One for $37 the other for $55, so I’m hesitant to take the plunge. Fortunately, I plan on attending the Winnipeg Wine Festival in May and should be able to finally try it then.

Getting back to Pinots though, if I could find a high rated one in the $15 range I might give it a go. Maybe one from Australian Winery Of The Year: Deen De Bortoli, as I’ve been very impressed with some of there $15 and under, wines. To be honest though, I really have been put off the grape, I’ve bought about 10 bottles in my lifetime and did not like any of them.
February 20, 2007

Harley Stan
Gary,
Another great episode. Still trying to visualize the the BBQ pig snout, I guess it is better than a jock salad.
February 20, 2007

PJ
I am not a huge Pinot fan whether it is sideways or frontways. It’s good and all but I’ll take a cab or Shiraz over Pinot just about any day. Guess that makes me a heretic. Down with screw caps!! Long live the cork!! I was throwing things at my monitor Gary just so you know. Boo the screw cap. It’s like a western without John Wayne.
February 20, 2007

NickG
Boonville is about as different from Napa Valley as you can get. It looks like a typical small farming town in the middle of nowhere, except the population seems to lean heavily to aging 60s dropouts. And you need to drive for an hour or two on some of the twistiest, narrow mountain roads you’ll find anywhere to get there. Guaranteed to make the kids in the back seat throw up.
February 20, 2007

JonE
Pinot is so hot, but you have to admit a great one is like nothing else. You should do a vertical of Kosta Browne to make us all jealous. Big ups G-Man. BTW if I ever smell Wisconsin cheddar in a Pinot I will email ASAP.

QOTD: I don’t know about Bonneville Cali, but Bonneville NY is a perdy little three stoplight mountain town in the Adirondacks, with a nice little public pond, and a killer little superette that made the best milk shakes, and peanut butter chocolate ice cream. Although if they made wine it’d probably taste like woodchucks and river water.
February 20, 2007

SoCal
G,
Hope you are enjoying London.
QTOD: Boonville? Is that close to Lodi or Bako?
I am not sure what it looks like but, I am sure it sucks.
February 20, 2007

Rick "The Model" M
Foo foo, that’s new to your vocab.
February 20, 2007

Eugene
Gary, thanks for another great episode.
Pinot is hot as ever and so overpriced itâ€™s not even funny!
I recently attended Pinot tasting. All wines were in the 40 to 50 range. Good wines but it got me thinking-is that all you get for 50 bones these days? Anyway.

Looks like you feel home sick in London.

Mannaya kasha, Russian kielbasa â€“ those are very nostalgic words.

My memory brings me back to kindergarten time. Oh how we hated this kasha, which was mandatory for breakfast!
I heard two names for it here-cream farina or semolina pudding.
I liked it though at home with a dollop of cherry preserves on top â€“thatâ€™s probably what you smelling in this pinot.

QOTD:

Boonville â€“ I imagine it as a cartoon city, like in â€œWho framed Roger Rabbitâ€
February 20, 2007

OttawaB
Dionysus: a couple of Pinots you may want to look at (I know we have them at the LCBO Vintages here in Ontario) are the Byron Pinot 2004 (91 rating) at $29, also Bouchard Pere et Fils Cote de Beaune Village 2004 or 2005 (for around $25). Look for names in Burgundy from areas like Moray St. Denis, Fixin, Cote de Beaune Village or Santenay. Not the best known areas but easier on the pocket book and their quality is getting better. Look for producers like Patrice Rion, Bouchard Pere et Fils, Droughin.
My preference lies in pinots from Gevry-Chambertin, Nuits St. George, Vougeot, Vosnee Romanee, and Meursault. However, these are way pricier, so it is a splurge a few times a year only (I buy a couple 2-4 bottles of these per year to lay down, and drink some of my older ones).
February 21, 2007

Brian
Too bad you can’t ship to MA
February 21, 2007

Snarf
I wanna try the A. P. Vin ……
February 21, 2007

E-Rock
In Boonville I picture guys with long beards and flannel shirts drinking lots of Hop Ottin IPA from Anderson Valley Brewing. It’s good beer. I also picture Moose and Bears.

If Pinot’s so popular why didn’t we break 100 comments yet??
February 21, 2007

Adam
Gary..

10 Yard Fight… that was the MOST annoying thing about a video game. You could go make a sandwich by the time he was done running across field. Aaarrggh! I hated that!!!
February 21, 2007

ken
Here you go:

http://pix.epodunk.com/locatorMaps/ca/CA_9895.gif
February 21, 2007

AlisonD
Gary, sounds like you had quite an interesting childhood!
February 21, 2007

ThomasS
Ok, Boonville, here we go: a little town of for about 17 houses, a common stable for the cattle, mainly sheep, friendly, if a bit old-fashioned folks that sit in their front porch watching the nearby forest border as if they could happily sit there all day. The town’s elders are the doctor(in black with silver rimmed round spectacles), the headmaster (grey beard and in waistcoat), the herbs woman (always in purple skirt, lovely round face, hair in a chignon), the pub owner (bit of blush on the face, always laughing) and the local arm of the law (in boots and heavy belt, with hat). Their’s onlt one road, a narrow asphalted one, the rest is all lawn, no seperate gardens. Their is a village loon, friendly guy, but always has to be watched, often accompannied by his red haired, lovely sister who is actually blind. Then, there is also a silent, brooding, young guy with a harelip who is actually pretty smart, but to shy to really show himself. Around the village are vineyards and old wooden watch towers close to the woods …
That being said … the Bourgeuil is still awful !
C ya.
February 21, 2007

Dr. Dan
I understand that in 2004 Alma Rosa became certified as organic, so 2005 is their first organic vintage. They feel strongly that is the way things should be anyway, so they don’t advertise it on their label. It’s good to see good quality organics appearing.

I hate Hollywood for Sideways and what they did to P.N. prices. All of us long time P.N. fans got shafted by that movie. Maybe WLTV (with its enormous, and growing, cache) could start trashing P.N. so that the prices would drop back to reasonable levels??
February 21, 2007

Lawrence Leichtman
What I remember about kasha is kasha varnishkes. That is what I think you are describing. That sound you made was common to Space Invaders and Dig Dug.
February 21, 2007

wine dog
I love Pinot with food. But because of price, buying anything good needs to be done on futures and that is always a risk. The past few years I’ve bought most of my Pinot at a Santa Barbara Barrel Tasting. I try everything but end up buying my favorites like Au Bon Climat, Foxen, Lafond and Drew which tend to be more old world than the Sea Smoke and Loring Pinots which are sometimes too extracted for food.
Then I spend all the rest of my money buying Rhone blends. I’m just glad that Miles didn’t drink Granache or that would be out of my price range too!
February 21, 2007

ATLien
Gary-
Great show! Your tasting notes were money as always! I love the arcadian wine.

Joe Davis , the winemaker at Arcadian, is making the most age worthy beautiful pinots, syrahs, and chardonnays in all of the Santa Maria Valley. We popped a 1999 Arcadian Gary’s Vineyard Pinot next to a 1999 Drouhin Chambolle-Musigny and I must say the Gary’s was drinking amazing while the Chambolle was really showing its age although still stunningly beautiful. His current release on the Gary’s in my state is the 2001. He’s a winemaker that understands that great wine takes time and he’s even willing to age it a few years for you. Arcadian has a bright bright future!

I think old and new word pinot lover should seek these wines out! They are really something special!

Cheers
February 21, 2007

Lev M.
Eugene, I remember the cream of wheat from my kindergarten as well. That smell combined with the early morning scent of old fish frying still makes me nauseous to think about it.
Does this mean that that youve gotta spend $40 to get a decent pinot noir?
February 21, 2007

BruceP
Ok east coast denizens. Boonville is a wonderful little place in the western end of Anderson Valley on Hwwy 128, on the way to Mendocino. It’s about 20-25 miles from the coast. Sparsely populated, mainly by long-term locals and recent fugees from the Bay Area/Napa. They do indeed speak their own language called Boont, or Boontling. A telephone is a “Bucky Walter”, snobby people are “highpockety”, people who live in San Francisco are “brightlighters”, your girlfriend is an “applehead” and her panties are “golden eagles”. Supposedly there’s still a couple of dozen people in the valley who are fluent. It’s a beautiful little valley. Apple orchards used to be the big crop, along with a certain other more dubious “cash crop” grown up in the hills around the valley. Now the home of quite a bit of nice Pinot Noir vineyards, but most of that has been planted in the last 10 years or so. Navarro, Goldeneye, Lazy Creek, and several others are all here (Lazy Creek is great stuff if you can get it). Oh, people from Navarro (just west of Boonville) are called “Deependers”. Robert Mailer Anderson wrote a funny novel about the whole place back a few years ago called “Boonville” About as far from Napa as you can get. If you’re visitng NorCal, I would highly recommend visiting. And stop off at the Anderson Valley Brewery. The beer is fantastic.
February 21, 2007

Matt B DC
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
and thanks!
February 21, 2007

Neil
Have to try the Alma Rosa. Other Pinot’s we enjoy: Littorai, Papapietro Perry, Du Nah, TR Elliott, Three Miners (Australia). I juuust watched Sideways and have determined that the Pinot reflects Mile’s fragile ego, whereas Merlot symbolized his failed marriage. It was only after he downed the Cheval Blanc (at the encouragement of Maya) that he could let go of the past. I don’t think that he hated Merlot at all. Although the prices for Pinot Noir have skyrocketed, Merlot is a bargain right now.

Booneville is a very laid back place on the way to Mendocino. Only locally owned shops – no Starbucks – and a fairground is all I can remember.
February 21, 2007

Lars
Chasing pigs in Cuba? Sounds fun. You can see pictures of this on Fidel’s department of tourism brochures. Too bad U.S. Citizens can’t go there to join in the fun. Put me down for a snout after he dies.

Hope yer having a jolly good time across the pond.
February 21, 2007

gogoz
Great Job with Pinot.
I am still tasting – layed back drinkin South Tirol (alto adige) Pinot Noir of Laimburg.
Greetings from austria (South east styria)
February 21, 2007

Paul in CT
Not a big fan of Pinots myself, but maybe I just haven’t had the right one yet. David Bruce makes a decent one, but still not my cup-o-tea…
February 21, 2007

flavasauce
Maybe it’s me but I the Almarosa just makes me think of that mean lady who was on that Donald Trump reality show and that’s just not someone I wanted to be reminded of when trying to enjoy a wine.
February 21, 2007

Mike S.
Interestingly, while Pinot Noir is undoubtedly hot right now, it’s still only the eighth most consumed varietal in the U.S., well behind Merlot.
February 21, 2007

Leigha33w
A GOOD Pinot is hard to find.
February 21, 2007

Kwan
Wow, Gary brought back Voltron. Incredible…

Awesome episode. Like someone else said, I need to stop watching WLTV. I’m running out of places to store all of this wine!
February 21, 2007

dabo
Flavor Ice! Boom goes the dynamite! Ha… right there myself watching two of my favorite cartoons ever… Voltron and Thundercats. Classics…
February 21, 2007

dealbhadair
Great episode, Gary! I’m all kinds of excited about venturing futher into the Pinot Noir world, now!!! I mean, a blender, Wisconsin Cheddar, and gorgeous blonde twins on the nose! (Sounds more like a Penthouse Forum letter, than a wine. LOL!) Now, if I could only afford it… Hell, what am I talking about, I’ll pay $60 for that!!!
February 21, 2007

dealbhadair
Dang… Where’s my gravatar??? I set it up two days ago!
February 21, 2007

David
QOTD: Boonville is a charming little town. The town center is really just a few buildings, most built in the 1960s. There are lots of pretty young girls in their late teens and early twenties who have no problem wearing very short skirts and tight tops. These girls are adventurous and always up for a good time especially when an out of towner has to stop because of car trouble and…oh, wait, I’m thinking of Poonville. Or maybe Poonvlile Pt. 2. Seriously though, where’s Willamette? Represent.
February 21, 2007

Dave-from-Katonah
Gary – great episode, gotta try the Almarosa. I’m still exploring the NZ pinots for now. Great QPR. Great energy! Di you have ten lattes before taping?? Kasha varnishkes, kielbosa…how about some nice potato kugel to with it all? Hope you’re having a jolly old trip and some bangers and mash….
February 21, 2007

Dave-from-Katonah
no avatar?
February 21, 2007

Eugene
“Lev wrote:
Does this mean that that youâ€™ve gotta spend $40 to get a decent pinot noir?”

Hell, no!

First of all there are plenty of other good wines,
Second you can still find good pinot if you have to for under 25.
I recently had 100% pinot from Loire that was very good. It cost 18 but was on sale for 12. It wasn’t marked as a pinot so nobody wanted it!

PS: My father tells me that I used to bring mannaya kasha home in my pockets from kindergarten.
February 21, 2007

oldnew world guy
gary…why not use the burgundy glass for tasting these wines? given that you experienced a pretty consistent discrepancy between the nose and the palate with these pinots, one can’t help but wonder if the burg glass couldn’t line those two up a little closer, while giving off more of these wines in general anyway?
February 21, 2007

SteviefreakinD
Gary, Konrad pinot noir from New Zealand. Great stuff, and inexpensive($18-$20). You’ve said it before, New Zealand is the way to go for pinot.
February 22, 2007

Corrado
Best Pinot I’ve had recently (below the price points of these) is the Morgan 12 Clones Pinot Noir. Paid $17 for it and would pay twice that if I could find it around here again.

I’m just excited that I have a new term to add to my purchasing vocabulary: “Mother-punching good wine.”
February 22, 2007

Brian
Yea, where is my gravatar, I demand instant gratification
February 22, 2007

Brian
one more try!
February 23, 2007

Glenn
Anderson Valley Pinot Festival is the weekend of May 18th and i will ride the Harley up there for the event!
February 24, 2007

Joe P.
106 ?
February 24, 2007

Neurodoc
92 on AP Vin, but 93+ on the Arcadian? an obviously fantastically better wine? What the? I like AP Vin as well, but a 90 – 91 at best. (Caveat: I haven’t had the APV 05 yet, but I guess I won’t anytime soon)
February 28, 2007

desmaic
nards? wow thats a crazy “Monster Squad” nostalgic blast to it.
January 4, 2008

Pats Fan
Hi Gary! I’m back. I wrote last year when the Pats played the Jets in the playoffs. Man they’re good again. I wrote about 2001 Italian BdM’s back then and now I’m onto Pinots

Regarding Pinots – I have to say there are many great pinots in the $20-$30 range – I’m enjoying a 2005 Byron Santa Maria Valley as we speak – lots of character.

I’m also a big fan of the 2005 Cristom Mt. Jefferson. I wish you offered that. I’m a big Cristom fan.
February 18, 2008

Dave
Video game: Maybe it was the sound from going up stairs in Kung Fu or Castlevania…
October 27, 2009

John J.
qotd makes me think of requesting a vin jaune episode for some odd reason