Looks great on paper – Episode #260

June 20, 2007

Today Gary tries 4 wines that look great on paper. Let’s see if they deliver.

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Comments on this episode(148) Leave a comment ›

“The ercavio looks tempting..on the Pikes you mentioned it was focus th…” by Adrian
“Did Eric finally make an appearance on WLTV? Was that him writing in …” by Dessert Wine Nerd
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Wines tasted in this episode:

2006 Allan Scott Sauvignon BlancNew Zealand Sauvignon Blanc
2005 Defaix Chablis Cote De LechetChablis
2005 Ercavio Roble La ManchaOther Spanish Red Wine
2003 Pikes Shiraz EastsideAustralian Shiraz/Syrah

Links mentioned in todays episode.

The Introduce Yourself Forum

148 Responses

June 20, 2007

yoshi
hi gary
June 20, 2007

Oleg I.
#2
June 20, 2007

KAHUNA
Nice and early – ggod job GV!
June 20, 2007

Jeffrey
I don’t think GV had anything to do with this being posted early, based on his twittering
June 20, 2007

KenP
Top ten?
June 20, 2007

Karl Laczko
Nice spread of wines here, Gary’s pretty chirpy today as well.
June 20, 2007

KAHUNA
The 04 Ercavio was very good also- Not sure if GV reviewed that one but I bought a case of it for some reason- Glad the 05 is just as good will pick some up
June 20, 2007

Hinrgman
Great Episode Gary!
June 20, 2007

KAHUNA
QOTD: the last Porn DVD I got looked great from the cover but was really sucky and blew. None of the girls looked like the ones on the cover art. Oh and the acting was pretty bad also- though the musical score was well done
June 20, 2007

Jeffrey
qotd – Yanks of the last few years! On paper, we should have at least 6 trophies since 96, not 4!
June 20, 2007

yoshi
QOTD Stock picks!
June 20, 2007

italianwinelover
Love thats its early! glad to be a top 10!!!
Nice selection…seems they lived up to the paper…need to find the Ercavio near my house.

QOTD: hmmmm….last singles website I was on…
June 20, 2007

waibeans
sup GV.. what you got for us chooday!
June 20, 2007

TheDumbPhase
QOTD- My first Russian mail-order bride. I think she was from Belarus…
June 20, 2007

Ryan D
QotD: It involves beer goggles.
June 20, 2007

Rob B.
Gary nice episode.
You did the 04 Ercavio in episode 160.
June 20, 2007

Clifford James
Great show again, Gary. I bought two bottles of the Ercavio in a case a while back from WL and was very pleased as well — a great value. This was an example of a time I trusted how the wine looked “on paper,” as you say. There have been many times, however, that I have been drawn to a wine because of the tasting-notes and rating displayed in the wine store only to be disappointed later; often, it seems, on Australian selections.

My selections have been almost 100% since I started taking your advice on wines, and for that Darcey and I indeed thank you!

Your show/service is awesome … our Vayniac wristband picture should happen soon, as a small payback for all you do!
June 20, 2007

wildebeest
Yay! SF glass!

QOTD: Burned by something that looked good on paper? Over and over again on ebay. I once found three tins of a very rare pipe tobacco for about $60. I was pretty enthused because I’d often seen the same tobacco sell for as much as $60 PER TIN. But when I got the tins, two of them were rusted, and the douchebag hasn’t responded to my complaints.
June 20, 2007

wine-ot
Gv – Thanks for the value driven shows…although the sun has put a hault on my cross country shipping…there’s still so much for us all to learn about regarding wine….even if we can’t be drinking the exact wine while we do!
June 20, 2007

Orion Slayer
Cool episode. Once again, Spanish wines show a great QPR. I will be looking for that Ercavio Roble La Mancha!

QOTD: James Jett. Everything about him looked great on paper:
- played football at West Virginia University
- seven time All-American in track
- gold medal winning 4×100 relay team in the 1992 Summer Olympics
- outran eventual gold metalist Carl Lewis in 100M during prelims
Total bust as a Raider wide receiver!
June 20, 2007

Cam
QOTD: Ha! My ex-boyfriend.
June 20, 2007

Neil
Will have to try the 2005 Ercavio Roble La Mancha.

QOTD: I bought a Beni Di Batasiolo Barolo from Costco that completely blew. The shelf talker claimed Spectator (or was it Parker?) gave it 90+ points or something like that. One sip, the rest of the bottle went down the drain. A complete waste of money.
June 20, 2007

glenn
QotD: my med school g-friend Laura!
June 20, 2007

JC
QOTD: Stocks, women, a car or 2… For the most part, a fine effort today GV.
June 20, 2007

AlisonD
QOTD – oh that’s an easy one! Half the guys I have dated = )
June 20, 2007

KenP
KAHUNA, TheDumpPhase, great answers!
QOTD: Erik (formerly of ChiPs’) Estrada’s ‘California Pines’. Slow dusty death at a high elevation. http://www.calpines.com/
Just kiddin’. (Don’t wanna be sued.) Built a dream home, for feral cats and sheep.

GV, great ep.
June 20, 2007

wildebeest
you recommended the 2004 vintage of the Ercavio last year, and I’m surprized you didn’t mention it. That one was a bit too sweet for my taste, though undeniably a good value for the money. Would you say this vintage blows the 2004 away? How does the flavor compare?
June 20, 2007

DK44
Cool idea, great episode!

QOTD: 2007 Cubs. Looked good on paper…………..
June 20, 2007

pegleg
The last thing that looked good on paper?
Probably Mark Mulder from the stl cardinals. Still waiting…
June 20, 2007

Steve-o
QOTD: My ex girlfriend…I suppose the “on paper” thing is figurative…but yeah
June 20, 2007

thescrewcap
I bought a bottle of that Ercavio the other day b/c it looked interesting. Curious to see what gv has to say about it.
June 20, 2007

3dvw
QOTD: Carlos Delgado on my fantasy team …. so far
June 20, 2007

cdavis
EAST SIIIIDE! Love it!

Want the Ercavio tonight!! Huge Temp fan!
June 20, 2007

Norcal
Ocean’s Twelve, baby!

Looking forward to the Ercavio…
June 20, 2007

Canuckchuk
Wow! Theme of the day so far on the thread: don’t do a wine-lover wrong when it comes to love. Hell hath no fury like a scorned wine-lover. etc., etc.

QOTD: Damn those fortune cookies!

And Gary, would you mind doing shows on wines from the following countries: Croatia, India, and China.

Thanks.
June 20, 2007

He who is loved by many animals, but not so much human babies - they freak me out!
Have tried the ercavio, but you now – I prefer the prima from toro 04. Same price I think. Oh, and try the Aalto 04 if you can lay your hands on some, A have 2 cases secured through futures, and it is fantastic! Spain has a certain style, but the Aalto wines (and also the Mauro ones from same winemaker Mariano Garcia) are fantastic! Do try them, they come highly recommended!

Adam
June 20, 2007

Harold
Nice to hear that the Ercavio lived up to the hype. I’ve had a couple of Jay Miller 90+ pointers and IMO he over scored all of them. Thanks GV.
June 20, 2007

MannyPants
Nice one Gary. Really enjoyed this epidode. Way to bring it, although I believe it’s a tucan on the Fruit Loops box. QOTD: Mike Vick pre-Ron Mexico/Smoking a J on Myspace/Water bottle in the Miami airport/Skipping his meeting with Congress/Sponsering a dog fighting ring. Wow.
June 20, 2007

Harold
QOTD: Fantasy Football 2004, Kevan Barlow
June 20, 2007

RuralTom
Greetings Mr V!

Question of the Day: My previous cooking job…
June 20, 2007

TSchampaert
Nice. Pity for the Pikes. My experiences with Pikes are very good. Their Shirazzes and Merlots (especially the reserves) are great. Quite Northern Rhone even: very earthy, backward, little bit serious, dry and refined. Never heard of the Eastside though, I’m gonna seek’m out.
QOTD: CdP Chante Cigale 2003. Something in the nineties for Parker. No way!
June 20, 2007

Autoproxy
QOTD – Law school.
June 20, 2007

MC Dubs
QOTD: Wasting a keeper spot on Brad Lidge instead of Bob Wickman this year – doh!
June 20, 2007

Wine Lush
QOTD: Buying a house….any house.
June 20, 2007

Lb in KS
QOTD: My current job….which happens to be the same job I’ve had for the past 17 years. weird huh?
June 20, 2007

GottaGoDrink
Gary- Great show all the way around. I am holding a case of the ‘04 Ercavio based on your Ep 160 review where you said you’d be very interested to see what it’s doing in 2-3 years. See, we do listen. Too hot to ship the ‘05, however.

QOTD- Brett Favre. He has all the records, stats, MVPs, a ring, and the smalltown kid thing, but he is a head case who refers to himself as THE BRETT FAVRE. Scary guy!
June 20, 2007

KW
Two good picks today – a white and spanish red. There are still reasonably priced good wines out there. How does the Ercavio match the San Felipe Cab you reviewed some time back? I bought the San Felipe Cab and felt it was a bit more fruity than I would have liked though overall quality was good for the price.
June 20, 2007

KyBoy
QOTD: Billy Donovan…glad we got Billy Gillispie (any Ky fan knows what I’m talking about)
June 20, 2007

manual
QOTD : every day i check the weather forecast here in Chicago.

nice episode Gary. great idea for a theme. was that a Real Madrid fan in the background?
love the ‘03 Ercavio. will be buying the ‘05 soon.

cheers!
June 20, 2007

Patt
QOTD: Admiral’s Table, Mackinaw City, MI
June 20, 2007

yowens44
Thanks GV. I’m in for 1/2 case of the Ercavio- QPR baby!!! QOTD: Anything on Ebay. NEVER as nice as advertised. I’m now completely Ebay-free.
June 20, 2007

Fco.
As always, good show and I am writing down the Ercavio info to go get me some.
June 20, 2007

geespot
QOD: Buying a car. Every car I’ve ever owned. I’m never buying a car ever again.
June 20, 2007

Greg B.
Big G. Good stuff. I love me some temperino. QOTD. On paper I really did think my Bears should of pulled it out in Miami. Oh Well, there is always AZ.
June 20, 2007

SoCal
QOTD: When I thought my Mac hard drive would hold up….now I am waiting for my MAcBook Pro to get back
June 20, 2007

CellarDweller
Good info on this episodeâ€”thanks, GV, as always. QOTD: My cell phone (won’t say which brand, but it rhymes with Motorola Razr). I really have to replace it sometime soon.

I’ve been thinking of putting a little sign in my living room that counts down the days till I get a new one.

Hey… waitaminit…
June 20, 2007

Sean
Really excited about the Ercavio. I was deceived when I traded in a ford mustang for a ford explorer thinking I needed in the rockies…
June 20, 2007

Lars
QOTD: Da Vikes in 4 Superbowls! Still in therapy.

Dat shirt is not happenin’. Bring back the Oak Monster shirt.

Great ep! Thanks for the tasting.
June 20, 2007

Winodontist
Always amazes me how inexpensive those Tempranillo wines are.

QOTD: several employees I’ve hired looked like dynamos on the resume and at the interview, then turned out to be flops, very puzzling
June 20, 2007

Harley Stan
Gary,
Great episode but I have to ask, was the Ercavio a ringer? You did the 2004 Ercavio sometime ago as a result I have one sitting for the right moment in time to open it. I also have to agree with MannyPanta up above Tucan Sam was not a pelican, still a great episode.
QOTD- Denver!!! (oops, that was the monday answer again) Jewelry on ebay, I won’t do that again, it looked good and sounded good but was not even close to what I was expecting.
June 20, 2007

LarryF
I will be out looking for a couple of bottles of Eroavio Roble La Mancha tomorrow.

The Gov’t alway deceives us. That is what they are about.
June 20, 2007

Jared B
QOTD: I remember the first time I invested in a technology mutual fun back in the late 90’s. Looked great on paper. Needless to say, it didn’t last. :’(
June 20, 2007

wolfie
qotd: i’m too much of a cynic. i always expect to get burned, so when i don’t, i win, and when i do, i’m not suprised!
June 20, 2007

MikeBro
“This is really darn good”, the episode! Nice to see some thunder, the Ereavio is my kind of wine. Little fruity tutty and exactly what I dream of for under 10 bones.

Just a little pun, Gary the Oak Monster is taking over your wine world. Your GV shirt just isn’t bringing the thunder..

Vayniac picture coming soon, stay tuned.

QOTD: Buying a car that doesn’t live up to the sticker gas mileage, that’s just not right.
June 20, 2007

TommyBoBo of WI
April 2000,,, 600 point correction in the market,,,, and I was planning on retiring early and buying for all the Vayniacs!!! Sry Guys.
June 20, 2007

Dominus
Good show.

I had the Ercavio at a neighborhood wine shop and I agree with you 100%. Of course, they don’t sell it for 8 bones so I’m ordering some along with the Scott SB and, of course, the Oak Monster!

QOTD: Easy, easy. 1969 Super Bowl. Warner Wolf, who was the sportscaster in DC at the time, predicted a Colts victory on TV of 42-0! I didn’t think it would be that close. We all know the final score, 16-7. Of course, the Jets never beat the Colts again (and to this day) but nevertheless, “on paper” that’s all it’s worth: a piece of paper.

Cheers!
June 20, 2007

Wave
QOD.I’m a Raider fan.How many years were we one of the best teams on paper(pre Gruden).Only to stink it up. At least for G.V. the Jets never have that problem!!!! Ouch!!!
June 20, 2007

Karol
2005 Ercavio – can’t wait to try this.
June 20, 2007

Jeff
QOTD: Dodge Stratus
June 20, 2007

Justmarsh
Is the ‘05 Ercavio a complete departure from ‘04? I remember the ‘04 as being such an obvious green pepper flavor. Is this one way fruiter or something?

I’ve had a Pikes Shiraz sitting in my closet for at least a year now. The problem is I stopped liking shiraz. Maybe one day I’ll like it again. It’s a lot easier to hold on to varietals you don’t love. Funny, huh?
June 20, 2007

GlassRunnethEmpty
QOTD: Deceived when all looked better on paper? My first Adjustable Rate Mortgage. 6.25 percent to start, then jumped to 9.25 after one year. REFI time!

As far as wines go? Hmmmmmm…..many times wines haven’t hit the ratings given by the “professionals”. No one particular wine comes to mind.
June 20, 2007

brad eshbach
long time fan, first time commenter. thanks for all you do for the CKC gary. we may be young, we may be broke but hell if we dont swoon for wine like the rest of them. EAST TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY in the house!
June 20, 2007

RIck K
QOTD – When have you been deceived by what looked phenomenal on paper. Well, I saw a wine for $9 at my wine store that was RP 90. Wow, sounded great. Bought a case. Got home, the most intense wine I have ever had. Did not know what to make of the nose or the taste. Kind of felt I screwed up. Then, episode 138, Gary loved it. Pillar Red 2005. Was a little confused. Then I decanted it for 3 hours. Big difference. Love decanting now. bought 2 more cases.
June 20, 2007

JonE
QOTD: 02′Beaux Freres pinots at deep discount, it got cooked in the bottle by disreputable distributors. Terrible deception of the highest accord.
June 20, 2007

Marc
QOTD: My code before I compile it, run it, and run into a error or calculation result from left field. If there are any other programmers out there you know what I mean. Or you’re better than me and you don’t.
June 20, 2007

Kraemer
I love the Allan Scott Sauvignon Blanc and i’m glad that you reviewed this vintage. The last I tried of it was the 04,

I remember having a very very long night a few years back, then having to go to work the next day. A guest ordered a bottle of the Allan Scott (which I had not seen nor tried prior to this), I presented it to the table and started to cut the foil as I would a regular corked bottle. I did this for a solid 20 seconds before I realized it was a screw cap. Talk about embarassing.
June 20, 2007

mas
Will have to seek out the Ercavio. That review was a surprise – worth taking a flyer on.

QOTD: Day old Sushi …. (just kidding)
June 20, 2007

Bossman
QOTD: I have to agree witn Winodondist, my last hire seemingly had all the right stuff, say all the right things, had a resume tailor made for the position, talked the talk but didn’t walk the walk. Interviews are so subjective.
June 20, 2007

ChadD.
Hey 2 out of 4 ain’t bad! Gotta get some Ercavio Roble. QOTD: at work everyday!! I work with numbers.
June 20, 2007

ChadD.
Hey Gary, I’ll send you a myspace add request. I use my online alias of “chuckwilson”. This is the ONLY blog/website where I use my real name. Just thought I would throw that in so you’re not like “who the hell is chuckwilson”.
June 20, 2007

portman
Good ep. I’ve been looking for decent Spanish wines. Now I have a good recommendation on one.

QOTD: a great business opportunity about ten years ago. Lost about two grand. Am I smarter now?
June 20, 2007

Dave Canada
Great idea for an episode!
QOTD – London School of Economics. I got accepted there to do my Masters degree and the program was totally different in reality when I arrived. A realy mind bender for me.
June 20, 2007

cgf
QOTD: A-Rod.
June 20, 2007

John Witherspoon
HEY GV

Nice EP, I have to see if my local shop has the Ercavio. ANd I have add Allan Scott a couple of times and haven’t been disappointed yet.

QOTD: I can’t really recall a time that I was disappointed by something that looked good on paper. I guess that is a good thing.

J DUB
June 20, 2007

Susan
Gary-Glad to be right about one thing in life! When you were first talking to the ‘peanut gallery’ I wondered if that was AJ.It was AJ!Great Ep!
:)
June 20, 2007

stevo
Had the Ercavio a month ago. Paid around $13 for it. Didn’t like it at all. Down the drain it went.

QOTD: My wife and I have been looking for a home recently and there have been many that look great on paper, only to pull up to the house and see power lines next door. Got right back into the car. The equivalent of right down the drain.
June 20, 2007

SacramentoCharlie
Good Episode GV…The viewers ask for value wine episodes and you deliver want the fans want…That is great customer service.

QOTD: Something that appeared better on paper than the real deal ??? Well, that pic in your Spectator AD this month looks possibly photoshopped.

Seriously, let’s go with Las Vegas. Seems like a great place to visit on paper….
June 20, 2007

Madrone
QOTD: My first car which lasted about 50 miles.

Hey Gary, nice ad in the recent Wine Spectator. You look so nice an clean! I prefer the look after twelve episodes filmed in one day.

I haven’t looked back but have you ever critiqued the concept of scoring? Like scoring a painting or a sunset or my wife, it sometimes seems a little absurd. So the whole “looks good on paper” falls apart if you look too close. Sometimes something is just good (or bad) because it is or maybe because of the context. One of the best wines I ever had was a junk viognier but the context (people, place, and food) was so good that I think it is literally the best thing I have ever put in my mouth. I’m sure if I had it now: ho hum.
June 20, 2007

Herm
I really enjoyed the episode….the sauvignon blanc looks like a winner as well as the ercavio….QoTD: Have you ever owned a boat?….that question is my answer….
June 20, 2007

amgryger
Good episode. While I never fell for the “Sideways Effect,” but I have been reading a lot of Hemingway lately and have found myself craving Spanish wines. Your description of the Ecravio reminded me a lot of the 2006 Luzon Verde I had the other night, which I picked up for 8 bones. Maybe I will seek this one out and compare the two, though I’d probably give the Luzon an 88.

QOTD: The “Impact of Technology” Class I took with Prof. JL (not to give any full names) I took about two years ago. It was a new class with a great description in the course catalog and just generally horrible and depressing in practice.
June 20, 2007

Tom (vtjones)
QOTD: On paper those sea monkeys looked like they would be awesome!
June 20, 2007

Tim H.
Awesome episode. As a sports fan, you see this all the time (See Robbie Alomar with Mets, Edgar Renteria with the Red Sox). As for the wine, I had the Allan Scott a few months ago & completely agree- great QPR. Looking forward to trying the Ercavio.

QOTD- Star Wars Episode 1- the trailer made it look great, but it was just awful.
June 20, 2007

Alos Diallo
I had that happen with one of the last girls I dated haha. Life I guess haha
June 20, 2007

GeneV
Nice episode.

I described the 2004 Ercavio Roble as blackberry jam on a horse blanket draped over an oak twig. The fruit and the puckery tannins did not get to the 90 on my palate, but a dynamite buy for 8 bucks.
June 20, 2007

surf.sf
Bought a 1989 Chateau Meyney from K&L wines to see what an old bordeaux tasted like. There wasn’t any fading and it didn’t excite me much!
June 20, 2007

maggiej
QOTD: The last hike I did with my husband and dog. On paper- lush and following a stream. Reality- the desert with a non-visible stream and a dog doing crzay dances and wining because he was burning his feet.

I can’t wait to try the Ercavio.
June 20, 2007

Jermaine Justice
I believe it was a toucan on the box of fruit loops, not a pelican. Toucan Sam, if I remember correctly. (Who am I kidding, I see the commercials on Cartoon Network all the time.)

Great show though, I’ve been watching for a couple weeks and I am officially not a lurker. I posted a comment. I love the show.
June 20, 2007

Grapedigger
I think people now are hooked on finding wines scoring 90 pts and more. Leafing feverishly in WS or other reviews and just looking at the 90 pt mark wines..Screw the rest because it’s garbage!! What became silly is that a lot would dismiss an 89 pt wine, even if it has a good QPR, and jumb on the 90 right away. You tell me the margin of error between scoring 88, 89 or 90 pts, taking into considerations people’s different taste in wine!! Your episode today illustrates this beautifully and sends a message that people have different wine tastes, even if they are wine experts…

QOTD, I got suckered once into buying some abdomine exercise machines (the six pack dream, right) that looked good on infomertials but sucked the big one in reality…

Cheers,
Grapedigger – Montreal
June 20, 2007

GottaGoDrink
GeneV- Tend to agree. That’s why I’m laying down a case for a year or two. If the fruit goes into the tannins, gotta heck of a deal for $8. Cheers!
June 20, 2007

Robin
QOTD: My last two Epson printers. The brief life span was not mentioned on paper. We’ll see how the Canon does.
I’ll be looking for Ercavio.
June 20, 2007

BW
GV – great call on the Ercavio; Have brought it to a bunch of parties & it’s always a favorite,
regardless of price point. Had a bottle of ‘04 from the cellar a couple weeks ago & it is developing a really interesting floral characteristic to it. Might want to retaste just for grins.

QOTD – I am in the oil exploration business. We had a wildcat in Utah last year which on paper
should have put OPEC out of business ( a slight exxageration … but only slight ) ….. it was truely a
thing of beauty, but it wasn’t to be – one of the worst dry holes of all time…. Ouch!!
June 20, 2007

JCfromtheWC
Nice episode – psyched about the Ercavio.

QOTD – women. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard…”she’s great. Really cute, really funny…” Hmm. Then again, I’m sure the sames been said about me – minus the cute part.

BTW, I vote no more QOTDs that incite people to rant about eBay. As an eBay employee, trust me I hear that enough. We’re trying people – trust me.
June 21, 2007

thabeav
Great idea. Thanks for searching for 30-40 seconds.

You need to take a chainsaw to the oak monster. He’s killing you.

How about a double blind tasting soon? Have the crew slip in one or two previously scored wines to check your consistency. I recommend tasting Voga again.

QOTD: yeah….every politician I’ve ever voted for. #%$% thieves.
June 21, 2007

Larry
QOTD: Have you ever payed the market?
June 21, 2007

G In RIC
Intersting episode. This is sort of a parable for life type episode. Don’t judge a book by its cover be adventureous etc.

Great Fun

QOTD: I tried a 1995 Latour in 2006. I was young it was a first growth – I had high expectations – needless to say it was too imature at that point in time. But it was case of looking great on paper – only to be disapointed.
June 21, 2007

vibemore
Looking forward to trying the winner.
June 21, 2007

fatdoi
QOTD 2001 Leeuwin Estate Cav Sav…. claimed to be the best vintage EVER….. bit rough to chew on when i last had the 98 which was way smoother….. and i still have 6 bottles to go!!
June 21, 2007

Jon B.
Great episode,nice cameo from the little bro.Ericavo hmmm.QOTD this question is right up my ally I’m born and raised in Cincinnati Ohio and every single year,for as long as I can remember both the Reds and the Bengals on paper were going to be the national champs in there respective sports… and as we all know it’s been 17 yrs. for the Reds and never for the Bengals.Boy is my face red again…later
June 21, 2007

Capt M
Nice episode. I encourage you to seek the Palo Alto Reserva wine from Chile that I commented on cork’d. QOTD: Sometimes it happens with Resorts: they look gorgeous on catalog, but when you get there is not that great.
June 21, 2007

Fishamble
Thanks, as always Gary.

QOTD: Every party-political pre-election manifesto. All of them.

(Sorry for introducing politics into the conversation )
June 21, 2007

Chriswalkenrules
I have been completely snowed by Josh Beckett every time I have had him on my fantasy team. This year I passed, and look what happened. Mr. Blister can have two consecutive starts. Great episode Gary
June 21, 2007

J Crazy
QOTD: Can I use curse words? Really? Wait no…ok. The Figueroa Hotel in Los Angeles. You want the address and email? Stayed there a year ago. Wife slipped and fell in the SLIMY DIRTY bathtub. Called up front desk…”well you didn’t use the bath matt, so!” Hmmmm, bathmat was hidden with no sign to inform us to use it or even if there was one. So, I went to the front desk and talked to the owner/manager(of 10 yrs) and, after some fistacuffs and argueing he informs me that he has never in 30 years heard a complaint about the bathtub being dirty and slimy. He’s a dick.
June 21, 2007

E-Rock
QOTD = Ask my bookie. Too many bets too even name back in my college days.
June 21, 2007

CNW
I can’t wait to try the Ercavio ….. mmmmmmhhh.
June 21, 2007

Elliot Essman
Plenty of restaurants deceive based on outward appearance, but the worst has to be internet dating. Fortunately I waded through all that dross and found my present sweetie. Now if only she liked Rhone blends.
June 21, 2007

Tofferotti
You fool!!! The Fruit loops bird is a Toucan not a pelican. I personally have a little trouble with spanish wine. I just don’t really get the style. Guess that leaves more for everyone else. One exception being the Lopez de heredia stuff. Picked up some bottles from my birth year. Big scores, under a c-note, still rockin after 31 years. How can you beat that.

QOTD: Most scores from spectator. I have a remedy, I just subtract 3 to 5 points. Oh and anyone who has ever internet dated. If you are 35, don’t put up your high school graduation picture. If you weigh over 250, you dont have an “average” build.
June 21, 2007

Philgilt
A LURKER FOR A LONG TIME, THAT JUST RETURNED FROM ASPEN AND A SEVEN VINTAGE
VERTICAL TASTING OF SCREAMING EAGLE. WOW ! THE CULT WINES OF CULT WINES
BROUGHT THE THUNDER.
June 21, 2007

Lawrence Leichtman
Bought the Ercavio the first time you reviewed it. Bought 3 bottles all gone now. Pleasnt wine not great but OK with Barbecue.

Cars have gotten me the most often. Bought an AMC Pacer becaues the reviews looked great. What a dog. Bough an Accord Hybrid, great write ups love Hondas; this car doesn’t get anywhere near the gas mileage it should so I’m now through with Honda.

Restaurants; read great reviews, get opinions from others that this or that place is great. Get there, the waiters never saw you, the kitchen was out of ………. insert ingredient or entree here.
June 21, 2007

msb2ncsu
QOTD: Buying 6 cases of quality wine when Honeymooning in Napa and shipping it back home… my “paper” forgot to note that IT IS THE MIDDLE OF JUNE AND YOU LIVE N NORTH CAROLINA, DUMBASS! I’m really scared to pop open a number of these bottles a few years from now for fear of what countless hours in a 115 degree shipping warehouse did to them.

Still waiting on my wristband…
June 21, 2007

Tony S.
Hey Gary…

QOD: I’d have to say this past Super Bowl. Not only were the Bears playing a girly “in-door” team in the Colts in an outdoor stadium, but we won the coin toss, returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, got a quick interception and made a field goal outta it AND it even started raining pretty badly—all of which had me convinced the Bears were going to win it all! And then the 2nd quarter happened, followed by the third and finally the fourth. I swear. But that first quarter man…

See you later,
GO BEARS!!
T
June 21, 2007

Bryan D
Gary, I admit I have been a long time lurker in fact don’t know if I have missed an episode. Great call on the Allan Scott, I had actually opened one last night as well and when was finishing the last glass when I sat down to watch the show. You nailed it. In the vein of NZ Sauv Blancs if you can fit it in to a show try the Arona for $8 I think it is pretty nice.
June 21, 2007

thabeav
For Tony:

Let’s be clear…..the Bears would not have made the playoffs if they were in the AFC. The “fortunate” first quarter is the only thing that made the game interesting.
June 21, 2007

matthews
QOTD- pistons cavs this year nba playoffs everthing looked great coming off the chicago series, than we were even up 2-0 BIG DISSAPOINTMENT AFTER THAT well atleast the cavs got the broom in the finals though not really a suprise.
June 21, 2007

Shadowbird
QOTD: Probably my trip to Toronto in August of ‘04. My poor planning caused me to miss out on meeting my girlfriend. Fortunately, I have a second chance in the near future.
June 21, 2007

Halden
Thanks for the Ep. Looks like I got a couple of wines to add to the shopping list.

QOTD: The Ottawa Senators.
June 21, 2007

NathanN
Great show! Being fairly new with wine this is how I usually decide by comparing recommendations, scoring and tasting notes and of course price.
June 21, 2007

Andre
QOTD: My mail order bride.
June 21, 2007

Lurkerdog
QOTD: Well, I ended up with swamp land in Florida …
June 21, 2007

Kelly
GARY PLEASE HAVE MJK ON THE SHOW
June 21, 2007

nougat
QOTD: Every NY Yankee team since, what, like 2001. Go Mets!
June 22, 2007

YoungDave
QOTD: A couple of apartment listings in LA…before I checked out the neighborhoods… and determined that descriptors such as “affordable” and “new paint” aren’t the most important things to be boasting about when posting an apartment listing.
June 22, 2007

Adrian
So a client of our took us to a really fancy restaraunt in San Fran. It is place called the Carnelian Room. We ordered a bottle of 1986 Mouton Rothschild Bordeaux. We thought that since it had the high price tag that it would be the bomb…We were comparing it a Northern California bottle of RUDD Cab that was 3 times less, and 10 times better…The Mouton was good, but not $900.00 good…It was a once in a lifetime experience but I knew in the back of my head that no bottle of wine is worth that much money…I you told me it was a $30-$50 bottle I would believe you…We all really loved all the wines that night but the RUDD cab was the winner by all 5 of us drinking…No more $900 bottles for me…I have learned that paper or price have nothing to do with quality or pesonal tasting experiences…
June 22, 2007

Muffinman
QOTD –> this bottle of snapple i have in my hand atm, tastes a little off =/
June 22, 2007

Carlitos
Hey! Good to see that little brother is a Real Madrid fan! This year league champions! Campeoooneees!

Excited about the Ercavio. I have some 04 but I guess I’ll have to look for the 05 too.
June 24, 2007

Bettina
Ercavio looks terrific. will search for it. love the fruit loops tn’s, my fave cereal from childhood.
June 25, 2007

ChefD
QOTD
June 25, 2007

bigvixen
Gary, I’m pretty sure it’s a Toucan and not a Pelican.
I cannot wait to try the Ercavio.
June 27, 2007

BWizzle
Ercavio is a great value driven wine. I bought 6 of the Ercavio and 6 of the 2005 Guillaume Gros El Nino Loco that you reviewed and my wife and I enjoyed the Ercavio over the El Nino. Although after sitting the El Nino Loco tasted better. If you have a bottle with dinner 5 days a week you can not go wrong with this $8 dollar bottle. I have since ordered another case.

I cant wait to get the Pasadoble when it arrives…two cases coming.
June 30, 2007

Mike Erdely
I really liked someone’s answer above (too lazy to go back and look): Star Wars: Episode I. I agree completely and think it’s a great answer.

My QOTD Answer: Heath Shuler (Redskins #1 draft pick QB).
July 4, 2007

Francois Tremblay
No, I don’t want to introduce myself! I don’t know anything about wine and I don’t even drink! I just watch the Thunder Show because it’s entertaining. I hope Gary won’t find me and kick my ass for being an evil luuuurkeeeer in the waaater. Please don’t hurt me!
July 17, 2007

mcj
QOTD: Bad Boys 2
July 17, 2007

Donald Pipkin
Do we need to get into the merits of Red Vines over Twizzlers? This is a classic east coast vs. west coast issue.
July 28, 2007

Andrew Vitale
I just recently tried the Ercavio from La Mancha and it is excellent. And you can’t beat the price for such a great wine that I feel will cellar well for years to come.
October 24, 2007

Valentin
Sad, sad, sad… but the new york jets will drown. They are pussies! Next year they will be happy if they win more than 3 games. So sad, even a colleage football team can defeat them.
February 16, 2008

Chris Tessari
You called the Pikes Shiraz focused and then 30 seconds later you called it not focused.
April 16, 2008

thefanjestic
Qotd: Don Melchor – any year.
July 18, 2008

Dessert Wine Nerd
Did Eric finally make an appearance on WLTV? Was that him writing in the background? Fun little episode. Nothing wrong with getting a steal on wine, or anything else. QOTD: The 2001 Seattle Mariners. On paper we should have destroyed everyone in our path on the way to a World Series. Have to give the Yankees props for sticking the wrench in the gears. I am rooting big time for Pinella to take the Cubs to the title though. Lou was the only manager who ever did any good for us here in Seattle, so Im hoping he can destroy the curse there. He’s going to be a God there if he does, too.
June 24, 2009

Adrian
The ercavio looks tempting..on the Pikes you mentioned it was focus then later you said it was unfocused..hhmmmm