Rhone Rangers – Episode #308

September 5, 2007

Gary Vaynerchuk focuses on the wines that are making Rhone style wines in California!

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Comments on this episode(171) Leave a comment ›

“Sad Gary? Sad Gary is no good. This is no good! I always hate it ( …” by Dessert Wine Nerd
“Cline Cashmere is a nice Rhone Ranger for $15……” by NateO
View all 171 ›

Wines tasted in this episode:

2003 Garretson “g”Other California Rhone Blends
2005 Beckmen Cuvee Le BecOther California Rhone Blends
2005 Michael Austin Bad HabitOther California Rhone Blends

171 Responses

September 5, 2007

garyv
1st
September 5, 2007

Hinrgman
Great to be #1
September 5, 2007

Kevin
Third!?!?
September 5, 2007

diego de la p...
secooooooond
September 5, 2007

Hinrgman
No video yet – but a comment box
September 5, 2007

Len C
Pats 24 Jets 13
September 5, 2007

rob in indy
2 days in a row!!! GO COLTS!!!
September 5, 2007

Chris G
Bit sad but I wanted to be in the top 10 for once
Will watch the episode now!
September 5, 2007

KenP
Top ten?
September 5, 2007

Withnail
good topic
September 5, 2007

dmg
missed again!
September 5, 2007

daverdude
HAVENT EVEN WATCHED THE VIDEO YET
JUST WANNA MAKE THE TOP TEN (LOL)
September 5, 2007

drew
Rhone Rangers eh? Nice pun.
September 5, 2007

daverdude
Bummer missed again
What do you first Ten got some sort of Vayniac Life Alert ?
September 5, 2007

waibeans
WTF?! No twisted oak in there?

LOL!
September 5, 2007

BK
Nice! Boobies on the board. and well, another great ep.
September 5, 2007

Phil G
QOTD – I really like wines based on Rhone varieties (especially because you can drink many of them with or without food) but have recently been trying more from France, rather than elsewhere. I have enjoyed Langmeil ‘Three Gardens’ ranger from Barossa…
September 5, 2007

portland guy
Good, tight episode.

QOTD – Lean toward Barossa for the Rhone varietals.
September 5, 2007

Eric Nyeste
VIE. This guy is doing great stuff with Mourvedre in Cali. VIE winery has got some neat stuff, and damn! I almost forgot about Twisted Oak. I can’t say the names of any of their Rhone Rangers, but I can tell you that the &%^$# definitely doesn’t taste like $#%^.
September 5, 2007

BK
90pts. blahhahhla
I am in.
September 5, 2007

SP
QOTD: Pretty sure I have, don’t think I thought they were great, would rather have Rhone itself.
September 5, 2007

MonkuWino
Why does he have a drawing of a bra behind him? And winking at people, no less.
September 5, 2007

BK
QOTD: Yes. I am not much of a wordsmith
September 5, 2007

Brandon M
Rhone Rangers?………..MY favorite!
September 5, 2007

Jeremy L
All about the rhone! had the le bec before and have enjoyed previous vintages. the paso robles and sb county rhones both have a lot to offer! completely different characters come out in the wines from the two regions. imagine blending the two! thats sneaky. my favorite rhone blend is the cuvee jeanne marie from foxen in sb county hands down. take it easy gary
September 5, 2007

AmandaM
QOTD: I actually bought one yesterday and enjoyed it quite a bit last night.
September 5, 2007

Brandon
Great episode, Garretson and Beckmen where the producers that got me interested in Rhone wines. Any of the Garretson is definitely new world fruit-bomb, but Beckmen does some amazing upper end syrah and grenache from Purisima mountain. Two other rhone rangers I regularly enjoy, Andrew Murray and Rusack. Sometimes a little fire on the finish is good.
September 5, 2007

Sassodoro
Top 25? Wow, you guys are fast!
September 5, 2007

BiggRigg
Big game this Sunday.
Let’s Go PATS
September 5, 2007

David Canada
What have you got the Thundercats doing to your boblehead….damn….
QOTD – Don’t think I have ever had a Rhone Ranger…..I am always scared about getting one like the bad habit and having to put it down the drain and waste $40…. I know….they are not all that way so I’ll give it another shot.
September 5, 2007

Darrell T.
I’ve had many Rhone Rangers, the Beckman you reviewed 2002 vintage, Saxum, Alban vionigner and syrah, Rosenblum,Beaucastel,Copain and Radio-Coteau.
I enjoy the fruity spiciness of Rhones that compliment food so well, especially during the grilling season.
September 5, 2007

JimVarney01
QOTD: Rhone ranger… I had a Kunde… Valle De La Lune, it was alright, definitely a pretty decent blend of old/new world characteristics. That’s all I can remember about it though. Probably leaned towards new world more. I got it from Woot wine and it came with a Claret also… Claret was MUCH BETTER!!

Man, haven’t posted here in a while. Feels good to leave a comment that doesn’t say ‘first’ or ‘top 10′
September 5, 2007

Bossman
Are you sure that NJ armpit sniffy-sniff emanated from the glass? The Mottster and I have declared a truce so I’m not insinuating anything (hey, this is YOUR third straight taping, right?) You never know, just sayin’.

Okay so the wine sucks but give Bad Habit some credit for trying to overshadow the lack of quality with an imaginative label and winery notes:

“Michael Austin grew up in a monastery on the outskirts of France. He was raised by a pack of wild nuns who taught him how to live on a strict diet of wine, cheese and real estate investments. Today, he is religious about only one thing – making great wine.” -Winery

Unfortunately, you can’d drink that crap, can you?

Okay putting my football picks in. always the fan of the underdog so I’m taking the Jets in your honor (but there’s no way in hell I’m taking them for the survivor pools THIS week.

QOTD:
1) No, can’t say that I have.
2) See #1
3) See #2
4) See #3
September 5, 2007

corkdork
I love the GSM!!! Low end to high end they all work for me. Marquis Philips and I will second the Langmeil comment. These grapes work together so well to give a well rounded tasty taste. Love it!
September 5, 2007

TommyBoBo of WI
LOL!!!!!!!!! CHECK OUT 4:21 ON TODAYS EP AND SEE HOW GV CAN MAKE HIS COLLAR DANCE WITH THE GREEN TANNINS COMMENT!! THIS MAY BE AS BIG AS THE SNIFFY SNIFF TALENT HE SHOWS…..
September 5, 2007

Piper
Ha ha ha – I had reviewed Beckman Cuvee last month:
http://www.corkd.com/wine/view/34095-Beckman_2005_Cuvee_le_Bec
I’m sticking with what I wrote, but it was great to hear your take on it!
QOTD: No paragraphs. No thesis. I’m keeping my answers bland from now on.
But I like some CA rhone varietals… Eberle makes a good one.
September 5, 2007

KAHUNA
Any chance on tucking those few chest hairs back in the shirt for next weeks episodes-
September 5, 2007

Jeffrey
Where’s the Twisted OAK love!?
September 5, 2007

aktormedic
QOTD: Yes….I drink the RR all the time. However, you left out (IMHO) the BEST of the bunch, and a founding member of the Rhone Rangers (Which is actually a growers group here in california – http://rhonerangers.org/ )

Where were the Edmunds St Johns Wines!!! They have to be some of the BEST Non-French Rhone Varietal wines around, with aging potential galore! Throw them up on screen sometime if you have a chance!
September 5, 2007

TheDumbPhase
QOTD:
I have yet to have an Alban that I didn’t like. The Seymour’s and the Reva Syrahs are really standouts. Shafer Relentless and Stolpman Hilltops are another couple of favorites. Have yet to drink a SQN. Some that I don’t like? Some recents I was less than thrilled with- Garretson Craic, Phelps Mistral & T-Vine Napa.
September 5, 2007

Taylor
To give my 2 cents about the upcoming games Saints-colts, im hoping colts eat it hard and the saints win by 14, but more imoortantly that the pats end the weekend with a Big V, in this case its for victory, sorry Gary the v isn’t for vaynerchuk.
September 5, 2007

Norcal
QOTD: Love the Rhone Rangers. Feeling Jeffrey on the Twisted Oak (is that El Jefe in disguise?), also Unti makes great Grenache blends. Some of the blends from Tablas creek are nice too, and just tried their single-varietal Counoise (pretty nice, much lighter in body than I would expect from a rhone varietal). Beckmen, Domaine de la Terre Rouge, hmm…

Oh, and Pax. My goodness.

Some great Aussie ones that don’t taste overly New World-The Torbreck Juveniles is a great value, no oak, very unconventional for Australia. The Rosemount GSM is great too. Washington state, good times…

I’ll stop now. Enjoy my old state, GV!
September 5, 2007

Kevin K and Amara
QOTD: I have had a few Rhone Ranger wines, but my favorite so far was a Saxum Syrah that was super tannic. -K
September 5, 2007

BW
QOTD – Rhone Rangers Rock !

I’ll admit, I am a huge New World fan, so there are a lot of Rhone Rangers that will make the New World fan happy. I especially like the Paso Robles region, where I have some connections, so it has a soft sport in my heart.

Personal favs -

Villa Creek Cellars – Favorite bottle is Avenger (65 Syrah 25 Mourvedre 10 Grenache). Also a super interesting bottle is the Mas de Maha – not a pure Rhone – tempranillo with Grenache & Mourvedre.

L’Aventure – A hybrid venture of bordeaux & Rhone grapes. Winemaker is from Bordeaux & could not make these blends in France (illegal to combine Rhone & Bordeuax varietals – GV – Can you do something about that?, you known, changing the wine world & all of that) – so came to the Paso Robeles region to do his thing. Love both the Estate cuvee & Cote a Cote (a true Rhone – about equal parts Syrah Grenache & Mourvedre)

Denner Vineyards – Try the Ditch Digger – 43 Grenache 23 Syrah 23 Mourvedre 8 Counoise. Owners are from Denver (my home town) so I have to give them some props! Seroiusly though, this is good stuff.

Linne Calodo – Sticks & Stones my favorite pure Rhone 62 Grenache 14 Syrah 24 Mourvedre. They also do some cool blends using Rhone grapes with Zinfandel (how very California !) favorite is Leone’s.

Tablas Creek – Really like their white Rhones – esp. Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc (mostly Roussanne) – don’t forget about those white Rhone Rangers!

Saxum – Finally, if you can get a hold of anything from Saxum & you are a new world fan, do it ! Very limited production & very hard to get a hold of but man is it good stuff! If you can’t get a hold of it, I have something for you to be looking out for in about 2 yrs. Saxum winemaker Justin Smith is collaborating with on a new project – 1st crush for commercial production will be this fall, so 1st release will be in about 2 years – Look for Epoch Estate Wines at that point. No garuatees, but they also a have winemaker from Harlan involved in the project & the land originally was part of the Paterevski (sp?) estate, which back in the early 1900’s was world famous for it’s Zinfandels. Anyway, look like they have a lot going for them. Big difference is they will be largely unknown when they come out, which will give everyone a chance to get on their mailing list before it fills up, as most of these high end , limited production outfits do.

GV, you requested paragraphs & essays, so I delivered ….
September 5, 2007

Augustus
In my opinion nobody does Rhone in California as well as the wineries in Paso Robles. Paso is producing some really fabulous stuff in the Rhone style and some of it can still be found on the cheap. But, there is also plenty of good boutique juice to be had if you are willing to pony up the money. Cass does amazing things with Grenache and Mourvedre. Denner makes a Grenache so good that it makes the hair on my arms stand up – and their Ditch Digger blend is wonderful. Anglum has an amazing best barrel Syrah, cut with Viogner, right now. Even Robert Hall puts together a pretty nice Rhone blend for about ten bucks that works as a great everyday/dinner at home bottle. Though, old world lovers beware. Yes, these are Paso producers using Rhone grapes, but all done in a fairly new world style (which, by the way, equals DELICIOUS). In addition to the wines mentioned above, Adelaida, Edward Cellars and Tablas Creek (the Tablas 100% Counoise is amazing!) do fun things with Rhone grapes as well. Enjoy! Gary, have you had the Tablas Creek Rose? Best Rose in the US right now.
September 5, 2007

cgatesman
Dang it, Gary! Those better be boobies, and not what I’m thinking it is! Haha!

QOTD: I have not had a Rhone Ranger, but I’m sure up for trying one like all the other wines I haven’t had! I’m putting the Beckmen Cuvee Le Bec in my “wishlist”. It sounds very interesting!

Great show!

-Chad
September 5, 2007

Sassodoro
QOTD: I haven’t had many Rhone Rangers. I have had Beckmen and liked it, but I tend to look to Southern Rhone, Languedoc-Roussillon, and sometimes Spain, for less expensive red Rhone varietals, and to Northern Rhone and Sicily (believe it or not) for more expensive Syrah-dominant wines. You did turn me on to South Africa for a less expensive source of that bacon smell than Cote Rotie.

I would love to find a source of good, not-too-expensive white Rhone varietals. Nothing tastes like Condrieu, but I have liked some California Viogniers. Similarly, I haven’t found anything that matches the minerality and spiciness of white Chateauneuf du Pape (or even white Cotes du Rhone). A few years ago I compared a Beckmen Marsanne to a Beckmen Roussanne. Prior to that I had only had the two grapes blended together, so it was very interesting to taste them separately. Maybe you could follow up this episode with one on white Rhone Rangers.
September 5, 2007

Dusty
you are pimpin gary! “cause i can get it all day for half price.” i’m gonna try to use that line sometime this week. QOTD: haven’t really had too many rhone rangers. had been eyeballin the G for a while, so we’ll see.
September 5, 2007

Greg B.
Big G, Nice Job, I’m not boddered by that at all…LOL. I’m looking forward to trying the Beckman.

QOTD: Never had one, but love me some Rhone Wines.
September 5, 2007

Brandon M
Is Michael Austin even a Rhone Ranger? I don’t think this winery is one of the “Verified” wineries.
September 5, 2007

Susan
Gary-Super episode!!! No Rhone wines yet………………………
September 5, 2007

Elliot Essman
No Rhone rangers as of yet, but California Syrah, Viognier and Roussanne are in my cabinet, and you have prompted me to visit them.
September 5, 2007

Karl Laczko
Nice sedate episode, just what I needed after a hard day at work (12 hours today, god I’m knackered).

QOTD – Haven’t had any Rhone Ranger, haven’t had many Rhone Originals either, but I do like Spanish, Australian and Lebanese wines with Grenache, Mourverdre & Carignan in the mix.
September 5, 2007

rafi schutzer http://www.KosherCuvee.com
Are there any kosher ones? Gary, send back the bobble head. Tell them that you want one that looks like you!
September 5, 2007

Neil
Qotd: Rhone Rangers from Cali that I enjoy: Arrowood, L. Preston, Quivira, Hop Kiln, Qupe, Alban……That’s about all I can recall. Over Labor Day we visited Dry Creek Valley and I appreciated the L Preston. On Sundays Preston also open up the back and people can taste their Guadagni 2005 field blend which (although 50% Zin) contains quite a few of the Rhone varietals. If you like it, you can take home a 3 litre jug which they pour for you on the spot.
September 5, 2007

DrEdwardo
I’ve had some (Cline, Tablas Creek). Quite enjoyed the Esprit de Beaucastel (Tablas) but find that the Rhone Rangers are in general, like most Californian wine, overpriced compared to comparable quality from France or Australia.

As Gary so eloquently put it “why would I spend $30 dollars for something that I can get every day for $14?”

There are *plenty* of Cotes du Rhones, Cotes du Ventoux, etc. in France never mind Australia that deliver.

My $0.02 worth.

Edwardo
September 5, 2007

Louisiana George
QOTD: Yes – 2004 Bonny Doon Vineyard Grenache Clos de Gilroy on 12/15/2006
Tasting notes: Little bouquet, some red fruits. Lighter style with good, long finish, but bitter tannins on 30 second finish – 86 points
September 5, 2007

Palmer
QOTD: I just recently had the Sierra Vista Fleur de Montagne, a Chateauneuf-du-Pape like blend of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre and Cinsault.

I thought it was pretty interesting with a very floral nose and some nice light red fruit flavors. The “wine expert” who tasted it with us thought it was a little fakey and lacked backbone, but what does he know? I’m certainly going to try some more Rhone Rangers, especially those from the Sierra Foothills.
September 5, 2007

E
Very much so … grew up on Curtis (which unfortunately I can’t get around here anymore), loved the Cuvee le Bec before it was cool (’04 not so much as ‘03), the not-exactly-Rhone-like-by-any-definition-but-still-compelling Davis Family syrah, and I agree that if there’s a more interesting wine in the United States for the price than Edmunds St. John, damned if I know what it is.
September 5, 2007

Martin
I had a cali petite syrah once at a steak house. I can’t remember what it was, but it was okay. I’ll agree that I like the “real” Rhone wines, but I should give the “Rhone Rangers” more of a chance.
September 5, 2007

Lynne
No,Kemosabe, I’ve had no Rhone Rangers, knowingly. I did order the Beckmen to try.
September 5, 2007

LT
I’m just gonna throw this out there – i like radishes. Beckmen radish scent intrigues me…plus my friend identified a photo of David Beckham as “dave beckmen,” therefore, i will seek this wine out and gift it for sure!!!

QOTD: I really enjoy Real Rhones, but i’m not sure i’ve had a Rhone Ranger, or would know how to ID it. Will ask the over-anxious owner in neighborhood store when i get a chance…he’s ALWAYS eager to “help.”
September 5, 2007

Orion Slayer
You’re going to get tired of this, but great show! There was some NFL, some wine, some bobble-head worship, and a little bit of Gary. What more could you ask for?

QOTD: I visited the Fair-Play appellation in the California El Dorado hills back in July. I visited several Rhone Rangers that day. My two favorite were:

Cedarville: http://tinyurl.com/2ofthn

Mt Aukum: http://tinyurl.com/2jkdny

I wish I could have afforded to by a bottle of each of the wines I sampled at these two wineries. They had great syrahs, mourvedres, viogniers and blends. These wines were sublte (not fruit bombs at all.) I experienced a different style of wine than I’m used to and enjoyed them. I don’t know if these wines were expressing the terroir of the Fair Play area or just made in a less fruit bomb style and therefore the characteristic of the grape came out. These wines compared to some of the wines I had at a Rhone wine tasting last year.

I was not at all impressed with this Rhone Ranger:

Perry Creek: http://tinyurl.com/2v3o4e

The wines from this place were less intricate and good tasting.
September 5, 2007

GrapeStuff
QOTD: Have had the Beckmen Cuve Le Bec and would agree, its a pretty fantastic wine, esp. at that price point. In fact, this episode caused me to go and buy a 3-pack. Cheers, GV!
September 5, 2007

Orion Slayer
You’re going to get tired of hearing this, but great show! There was NFL, bobble-head worship, wine, a little bit of Gary, and Rhone Rangers. What more could anyone want?

QOTD:

I visited the Fair Play appellation back in July and tasted at several Rhone Ranger wineries. Two of the ones I really liked were:

Cedarville: http://tinyurl.com/2ofthn (Grenache, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Viognier )

Mt Aukum: http://tinyurl.com/2jkdny (Marsanne, Mourvedre, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Viognier )

I wish I could afford to buy more of the wines I tried at these two places. Most of them were made in a different style than I had tried before. They were less fruit-forward, more complex and flavorful. I don’t know if it was the type of grapes or the terroir of the Sierra foothills, but these wines were more interesting than the fruitbombs I ususally enjoy. They remind me of the wines I had at a Rhone tasting last year (go figure.)

One Rhone Ranger I didn’t enjoy was:

Perry Creek: http://tinyurl.com/2v3o4e

The wines here were not as interesting or tasty as the other two wineries. I’m not knowelegable enough to describe the difference, but these wines were unimpressive.
September 5, 2007

ScoTT from Salt Lake
QOTD: I like what Bob Lindquist does at Qupe: The 2005 Bien Nacido Cuvee is an unbelievable find (50% Vio/50% Chard). Red Cars Shake Rattle & Roll is mind blowing and can go head to head with ANY Cote Rotie. Andrew Murray and Ojai are both making some good swill.
September 5, 2007

Tommy Vernieri
Who’s a Rhone Ranger?

I can send you my thesis if you want it.
September 5, 2007

cumpari
QODT: Yup. Sean Thackery makes “rhone” styles in CA and they’re great.
September 5, 2007

Tommy Vernieri
Hold up, I think I have had a Rhone Ranger. 2004 Arrowood CÃ´te de Lune Blanc, Saralee’s Vineyard. We really liked it at the tasting room and bought two bottles. I hated the first one, I think I had it with either pasta primavera or shrimp scampi and only chilled it for about 30 minutes in the fridge.

I loved the second one. I think we had it on it’s own and very chilled (I felt like the first bottle improved as we chilled it more). It was still different, but I liked it; I got lots of almonds and it paired really well with rich chocolate brownies, somehow the combination created a strawberry flavor.
September 5, 2007

Bacchus
Great episode.

QOTD: I like the dense, leathery, chocolaty ones like Alban Reva, L’Aventure Cote a Cote, and Linne Calodo Nemesis. Also, the Tablas Creek Esprit de Beaucastels are really well-made, both red and white. Had both 2003 vintages with Labor Day barbecue. Bridlewood’s “English Pleasure” is pretty good, as are the small production Beckman’s from Purisima.

The QPR is a bit off on these wines at the moment — the $60-$75 that you pay for some of these high-end Rhone Rangers buys you a lot of quality out of Hermitage, Cote Rotie or Gigondas.
September 5, 2007

Jon Martinez
First of all, you don’t have to be only from California to be a Rhone Ranger. If people would like to check out more information about this group, go to http://www.rhonerangers.org. One of my favorite Rhone Rangers, and someone who inspired me about rhone varietals from an American view point is McCrea Cellars out of Washington State. The one that was most memorable was a 2003 Counoise. Beautiful wine.
September 5, 2007

chenrys
Very interesting.

QOTD: Never had a “Rhone Ranger.” We’re pretty new to learning about wines…newer than I thought. We’ll have to look for some to try.
September 5, 2007

John Farrin
I liked the abbreviated review of the G when you forgot to pour the actual glass best. The beauty of the show is that you can have fun with the f-ups. Think of how mortified 7/8 of the world’s critics would have been in a similar situation and it gets even better.

QOTD: Probably like the Frick Syrahs and Cinsaults from Dry Creek Valley as much as any I’ve had. Maybe I’m biased because Frick is a tiny 5-acre vineyard run by Bill Frick. And when I say run I mean run. Bill does everything from growing the grapes to making the wine to manning the weekend tasting room. He used to sell a good proportion of his wines to Pacific Union in NYC when Rocco DeSpirito ran it. I’m not sure if he still does but outside of a little merlot the only thing that he makes are Rhone Rangers.
September 5, 2007

Gator Lurker
Gary

Saw the “Uncorked with Billy Merritt” episode on MOJO Channel…great job! You’re a natural. Is the fat guy really as stupid as he seems?

Thanks
Chris
September 5, 2007

Jon B.
Thanks again for the pre tape. Another good one today.Hope your not reading this but instead enjoying your vacation.Qotd haven’t had any “Rhone Rangers” however oddly enough I’m drinking a Shiraz-Viognier blend from Australia right now though, so a rhone ranger from down under.Domaine Terlato & Chapoutier 2004 Shiraz 95% Viognier 5% Beautiful nose and a nice finish just a little thin not bad though 87pts. Thanks Gary and WLTV crew.
September 5, 2007

hermitaged
QOTD: I’m not always sure what we mean by “Rhone Rangers” anymore, as the term has kind of come to be used for any producer making wine from grapes you can find in the Rhone – kind of like “garage wines” or worse yet “cult wines,” the term is applied more and more. I mean does making a Shiraz make you a Rhone Ranger? With that said (sorry for the stupid rant) I have always enjoyed some of the unique and affordable stuff from Qupe, and Treana used to do a really interesting Marsanne/Rousanne/Viognier type of thing that could be pretty interesting. I haven’t had that one in a while, but it used to be pretty cgood stuff. Ojai makes some Rhone-like stuff as well that I am usually really into.

Ok so here is my question of the day: what is with cork.com and does WLTV own it? I have been posting informally over there for a while – kind of an easy way to keep track of what I have been sipping on – but now it is weird because I am ‘ iowinos ‘ at corkd but ‘ hermitaged ‘ over here. Does anybody know how to combine them or something?
September 5, 2007

Cam
QOTD: Never had a “Rhone Ranger,” but will be on the lookout. I did just add our first Super Tuscan to the wine rack tonight. Really excited about trying that!
September 5, 2007

italianwinelover
Very nice show! Enjoy your holiday!!

QOTD: Never tried a “Rhone Ranger”, but will look for the Beckman to start!
September 5, 2007

Susan
Gary-Home sick today and NEEDED a good laugh!!! No it does not BODDER me any at all!!!!
LOL!!!!
September 5, 2007

yowens
GV- Passionate as always. Love it. QOTD: I dont think so. Maybe. Probably not.
September 5, 2007

amgryger
QOTD: I’ve actually only had one, which was the Edmunds St. John 2004 “Rocks and Gravel,” a GSM blend. I loved it. Based on a recommendation from Florida Jim in the forums, I bought some to watch it age too. And it was only 15 bones, which is great.

So after trying the “Rocks and Gravel,” I also tried a 2002 syrah from this producer called “The Shadow,” which was also quite good and am looking forward to trying other wines from this producer if/when I come across them. I agree with Aktormedic, if you get a chance to, you should put some Edmunds St John wines on the show.
September 5, 2007

hiliner
rhone haiku: rhone ranger why not?
red from chateau ste michelle
beautiful syrah
September 5, 2007

JonE
QOTD: So here’s my problem with “Rhone Rangers”, do we include straight Cali or Oregon syrahs? Or are we talking strictly blends? I’m in the business and I don’t think there’s anything definitive about the term. That being said I really enjoy the Syrahs from RockBlock, and all the stuff Wells Guthrie is doing with Copain. I’m still a big fan of Treana white, but the signature label stuff from Austin Hope really rocks.
September 5, 2007

Andy
Great ep G… we all need to try more Rhone Rangers .. Great wine with a lot of different foods. Meat on the grill is superb. We like the blends from the Dry Creek Valley in Cali.. You can’t go wrong there.
September 5, 2007

Joe
Totally into the Rhone Rangers! Alban my all time favorite – whites and reds. Alban Viognier changed my life in 1999. Now I love their Reds too (Reva especially).

Also long time fan of Paso Rangers Beckman adn Eberle (although my favorite wines form Eberle are his cabs which improve over 30 years in the bottle)

Joe
September 5, 2007

Bill V.
QOTD: This was my introduction to the Rhone Rangers — that wild bunch needs a posse!
I probably should go for the dirty rocks/raisins/pine-tar/leafy/olive oil experience of the Beckmen, which was your fave; but I’m more intrigued by the “toxic New Jersey armpit action” of the Garretson — at least they were merciful enough to give it zero finish!
And I must tell “William” about the Michael Austin Bad Habit over-the-top fruit bomb — for 36 bones!! He’ll remind you that Manischewitz Extra Heavy Malaga gets the same job done for less than $10 — and that’s pure sugar — no Splenda!

BV
September 5, 2007

J Crazy
Bonny Doon Le Cigare Volant (forget the vintage), 2004 DEWN Cigare Alternative C were the first Rhone Rangers I had and their distinct taste and that experience still stick in my mind. I had them at the tasting room in Santa Cruz, surrounded by the hippies and “vegetal” aromas that permeate that costa town. I was pleased with the Volant but I was more impressed by the Alternative C at their price points. I bought some of C and have been sharing it with my friends and colleagues. Everyone over here was pleased as well. I’m sure there are different or better ones out there but with Bonny Doon it’s the wine, crazy Randall (said affectionately of course) and the beautiful drive to the winery that makes tasting their wines at the tasting room a unique experience.
Damn, I freakin’ sound like a g.d. ad piece for them.
September 5, 2007

Suzanne
I don’t think I’ve ever had a Rhone Ranger. (And it took me the full episode today to realize that that was a picture of the Lone Ranger’s eye mask on the whiteboard, and not a peek-a-boo bra. Duh.)
September 5, 2007

SoCal
QOTD: TWISTED OAK! YUMM
September 5, 2007

HC
Loveg the episode g-man .I have never had a Rhone wine ,but thanks to you it has just madt the list .

Keep up the great job !!

HC
September 5, 2007

JOEinLA
Thanks for bashing the fruit bomb. Why do they continue that?

QOTD: One RR that i enjoy is Le Mistral from Joseph Phelps. Especially the 01.
September 5, 2007

PASO LURKER
GARY V I’M FINALLY COMING OUT OF THE LURKER STATUS. JUST WANT TO SAY YOU’RE DOIN A GREAT JOB!! LOVE THE SHOW AND CAN’T GET ENOUGH.

-QOTD:I ENJOY THE DOUBLE R’S AND MY FAVORITE RIGHT NOW IS DENNER GRENACHE.(82% Grenache, 9% Syrah, 9% Cinsaut)-SO DELICIOUS!!! OH YEAH IT’S SO GOOD IT MADE MY ARM HAIR STAND ON END. GET SOME.
September 5, 2007

E-Rock
Barrel 27… Good Stuff…
September 5, 2007

Your downunder friend
Hey Gary,

Do you think that the olive oil component in the second wine was coming from the viognier? I have often found them to be oily and fat (not that that is a bad thing).
September 5, 2007

lenny
QOTD:

Never had a Rhone wine that I know of.
September 5, 2007

Grape Expectations
QOTD: I visited several Paso Robles wineries a year ago and several of them are making wines from the traditional Rhone varietals. My favorite was Tablas Creek. They partner with Chateau de Beaucastel which has a little experience, I believe, making Rhone wine. It’s also interesting that they actually brought over French vines (which had to spend 3 or so years in quarantine at UC Davis before they could be planted). I especially liked the Esprit de Beaucastel. And they do a nice Roussanne.
September 5, 2007

hiliner
GV you bring donwntoearthedness to the wine atmosphere. i love this show? how about an ep on caspian sea vino? there are some serious wines coming out of eastern europe that get very little play. do it, and i would have to say OCHEN PREKRASTNO!
September 5, 2007

Grapedigger
Never had a Rhone ranger and I am not in a hurry to try one…I’ll stick with the real Rhone! Cheers..
September 5, 2007

malbec maniac
Gary,
I’m all about the real deal. Right now I’m going through a Chateauneuf du Pape phase and have not found a California Syrah or Grenache based blend that could even come close. Depth of flavor trumps all! There’s just too much fruit in many Rhone “inspired” reds. Thanks for the great episode!
September 5, 2007

Harley Stan
Gary, Interesting episode.
QOTD- I have had grenache from Australia, but I like the real thing from Rhone much better, just for the record I did not like new coke back in the eighties.
September 5, 2007

JamesN.
QOTD; I enjoy rhone style wines, I have seriously enjoyed a 97 California Cardinal meritage, and the 97& 98 vintages of the Rosemount GSM was always nice.
September 5, 2007

joeboo
Gary,
Background on “Rhone Ranger”, this term was coined to decribe a group of maverick winemakers and not the wine. This term refers to a group of men who pursued rhone varietals both in planting and winemaking in California instead of the more popular Cabernet and Chardonnay of the 1980’s.

“Rhone Rangers”:
Steve Edmunds (Edmunds St. John ) being a key member.
Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon.
Bob Lindquist of Qupe.
Jim Clendenen of Au Bon Climat.
Gary Eberle of Eberle.
Adam Tolmach of Ojai.
Bill Crfawford of McDowell Valley Vineyards.
Joseph Phelps of Phelps.

The current list of “Rhone Rangers” is longer, but these are the “founding”
members, early in the promotion and propagation of Rhone varietals in California.

See ya’

Joeboo Sanchez
September 5, 2007

t_moderne
woohoo top 200!!! again. Wow. On a roll!

QOTD – yes yes yes. Bonny Doon Le Cigar Volante, Beckmen’s, Qupe, Rosenblum, and others. Always thought of the Rhone Rangers as the rebel winemakers making blended wines using various of the Rhone varietals. Now it seems that any syrah based wine is called Rhone Ranger. I’m not sure if that is appropriate, even while recognizing that Syrah is one of the predominate grapes.
anyway – good episode. Nice to see the passion.
September 5, 2007

Vinsant
I have enjoyed a few Cigare Volants, but Randall is now in WA making Riesling.
September 5, 2007

Pastafari Pirate
QOTD: not yet, I haven’t. Hope to change that soon. Caw! Caw! (sept 16)
September 5, 2007

TWofPasadena
GV-

Garretson rocks! As do numerous wines in PASO!!! Bring us more!
September 5, 2007

AndrewB
QOTD: No Gary, why would I waste time with a New World Rhone ranger that cost $15-40 when I can pick out any REAL French Rhone for what $6-$whatever amount who cares, they bring the thunder 95% of the time, I’m gonna be a bitch and only invest in old world until someone lets me taste for free a new world rhone ranger that shows me any thunder. California wines are OVER-priced and O-VER-ra-ted, except a couple pinots and we all know what happened to the price of those. Gimme a Spanish Monastrell, Hey Gary, do a MONASTRELL/JUMILLA Episode for cryin outloud! Rhone, Burgundy, Loire, Italy, thats where the thunder is folks. Old World fans! Who’s with me???
September 5, 2007

ChuckD
What wine goes good with someone backing off their prediction that the Jets will win and now expecting a loss ?!? Hope you have a good vacation.
September 5, 2007

AndrewB
I’d prefer a hoppy beer any day over a Hi-C, skittles, splenda, Rasberry Punch wine beverage any day, but that’s me.
September 6, 2007

TROC
Thanks for the honest Fruit Bomb review. I drink them now and then, but a memory they will never be. If I want Rhone style wine, I go buy a French one, Guigal is alway good.
September 6, 2007

mikeyrad
QOTD: So why should I buy a “Rhone Ranger” when I can buy the real thing at a similar price point?
September 6, 2007

ChrisR
Rhone Rangers? Thackrey, Thackrey, Thackrey. Who else blends 15 varietals so profoundly
September 6, 2007

vivaitalia
I much prefer the GSM’s from Australia. You can get some stellar wines for great prices there. Most of the Rhone blends i’ve had from Cali have ended up smelling like bacon or some other meat that’s been left out for a few days. I’ve really been digging Vaqueras. There are some great values to be had there. They also offer a great balance of old vs. new world flavors. Much love for taping for us all week gary, the amount of time you invest in WLTV and emails is incredible.
September 6, 2007

Happy Wine Guy
QOTD: I like L’Adventure and Saxum. I like Garretson too but it seems his wines are not very consistent.
September 6, 2007

Robin C.
That must be Randall Graham’s Rhone Ranger mask behind Gary. Last I heard, Randall Graham sold his Big House label and moved to the Rhone to do that organic farming where you bury cow’s horns by the light of the full moon, and then pick your grapes. And everyone was worried that he was going to make a joke of the biodynamic organic (or whatever it’s called) approach. I thought it was supposed to be something of a joke. Wouldn’t it be fun for the Vayniacs to have a French connection – those who would like to could harvest like Druids in the dark. I’ll bet that Randall could be talked into it, but face-to-face, real-time, not by Iphone or fax. Good excuse for a French vacation.

QOTD: we don’t have any Rhones at home. We’re working on drinking down the cabs. I like wines with grenache or granacha but I feel a little intimidated when I read a list of blends that I’m not familiar enough with to know what the individual taste is of each and every grape. I never order rhones at restaurants because the server never can tell me anything reassuring about them and I don’t want to get stuck with an overpriced boring wine. That said, I’ll try a Rhone (French if possible) the next time I go out, but it will be you-know-who’s fault if it’s not a success. (Jut kidding. I don’t hold grudges.).
September 6, 2007

jason
I am a big fan of both sides of the rhone, north and south. north being 100% syrah and the south being CDP can be any of the 13 grapes. these seem like a buffet style wine. it is the thing about american cooking too, it takes from everything and puts it together the way it wants. sometimes it works, sometimes it does not. maybe ranger is the key word here.
i am going to have to search some out here. the Beckman sounds good. i am really not into the Technicolor fruit though.
thanks for the show. good and informative. is anybody making a 100% syrah or a little 90% + some of that beautiful white wine?
QOTD: no “Rhone Rangers” in my cellar and none that i know of at the resto, but i have plenty of “rhone” wines… CDP, gigondas, vaqueryas, hermitage, crozes – hermitage, st. joseph waiting on the side.
September 6, 2007

Mike H
QOTD McCrea baby from Washington state. Doug McCrea is making some killer Rhone wines like Rousanne, Viognier, Mourvedre wow. Great wines to seek out.
Mike
September 6, 2007

Travis G. Snyder
You are such the Darth Vader of the fruit bomb. DIE! DIE! DIE! evil one. I still kind a like your opinion though, cuz I hear it, yo.
September 6, 2007

OldVinesJim
QOTD: Cline is one of my favorite producers and they are one of the original (OG!) Rhone Rangers.
- I love their Ancient Vines Mourvedre every year, which has a great mint/eucalyptus quality on top of dark fruit and dark chocolate.
- They use to release another Mourvedre called Small Berry Reserve that I also liked but I haven’t seen it in a while.
- On my last visit, I really dug their Los Carneros Syrah (smoky woodland aromas, muscular fruit).
- They also produce a Carignane that I’ve liked.
- And a GSM they call Cashmere (though I think it’s actually an MSG if you’re trying to represent the grape proportions accurately). It’s got nice mouthfeel and fruit, but doesn’t seem very Rhone to me.
- They do Rhone whites too – a Viognier and a Rousanne – but I haven’t been a big fan of these.

Check them out. They are New World, but not over the top in my opinion.
September 6, 2007

wildebeest
Dang. When I saw that Beckmen bottle, I nearly went through the roof. For a minute, I hoped it meant that you’d gotten more of their 2004 Block 6 Syrah in stock. But I quickly realized it was an entirely different Beckmen wine. Oh well.

QOTD: Dude, I live more than 200 miles from civilization. Where do you think I’m going to find a Rhone Ranger around here?
September 6, 2007

YoungDave
QOTD: I’ve had some pretty good real (Cote du) Rhone wines, and one Australian GSM (that was WAY too fruit driven without the tannin structure to back it up), but I have yet to try a Cali Rhone blend. I clearly have my work cut out for me…the exploration never ends.
September 6, 2007

bpsancho
How bouts any vintage of McCrea Cuvee Orleans out of Washington.
Aside from being some of the nicest people int the bizz, they make kick
ass Rhone wines. Put that in your big olde glass and drink it.
September 6, 2007

luvgrapesqeezings
Good EP Gary!”….licorice on steriods” that’s a rich one.

QOTD: Had a bottle of the 2004 Joseph Phelps Le Mistral earlier this summer. Good full mouthfeel, ripe tannins, some length. There is too much vanilla (oak critter) covering blackberry and raspberry flavors though. To me, it is NOT a good value since it’s priced in the mid-thirties.
September 6, 2007

MetalDave
QOTD:

I had the Qupe Syrah a couple of days ago that I purchased in Dublin. I though it was very nice and reminded of some Crozes-Hermitage that I had. It wasn’t rediculously fruity, oaky or alcoholic. It went perfectly with our roast chicken dinner. I pain â‚¬22 for it which I felt was good because it was better than some of the cheaper Crozes that I’ve had. Plus I was very happy to find any decent American wine in Ireland – a true scarcity.

Many months ago, when I last visited home, I had a rhone blend from Stags’ Leap. I don’t remember what it was called, only that it cost about $45. I don’t know if it was because I was tasting several fruit bombs that night, but I remember it being very good indeed. It was definately New World, but certainly not an Old-World-Fan-Leave-the-Room wine in any sense. It was expensive, but considering how much better it was than a Rosenblum Petite Syrah I had, worth it on the occasion. I have a Stags’ Leap Petite Syrah that a friend brought me from Detroit that I will be trying soon.
September 6, 2007

Dr. Dan
The only Rhone Ranger that I’ve had, I think, is the Adelaida Cellars Rhone Style Red, which several of us reviewed on Cork’d (http://corkd.com/wine/view/1829-Adelaida_2003_Rh_ne_Style). Again, Gary, I would suggest that you give their wines a try. Adelaida has four labels: Schoolhouse (mutt wine, 82-87 mostly), SLO (early maturity, 86-90), Adelaida (standard label, 88-92), and Reserve (just what it says, 90+). adelaida.com.
September 6, 2007

MetalDave
I’m with you AndyB!
September 6, 2007

MetalDave
BW

It’s actually not illegal to combine Rhone and Bordeaux varietals in France. In fact, there was just such a wine made blending the wine from a well-known Right Bank oenologist and Syrah from the Cote Rotie. It was sold at a charity auction for a lot of money. Wines like this are legal to make, you just can’t use the regional classification, it must be labeled as “vin de table.” If you could use any varietal you wanted in the Rhone and call it “Cotes-du-Rhone” then the phrase “Rhone varietal” wouldn’t mean anything. If I bought a Nuits-St-Georges and when I opened it tasted a Cab/Merlot blend, I would be pretty pissed off.
September 6, 2007

JerseyGirl turned CNY vayniac
QOTD: Sorry, haven’t had any Rhone Rangers that I can remember. But I have had a few real Rhone Merlot and Syrah in the $15 ranges. I didnt care for the Merlot (2000 Crozes-Hermitage) – way too much action and spice in the finish which you’d probably love, but I didnt care for. I did like the Syrah though (2000 Guigal Syrah) – it had good fruit, smoke and a surprising crispness on both the pallet and tounge. Good stuff, but I’d be interested to see what Cali can do with those grapes.
September 6, 2007

Johnn A.
Yo, Gary,
GREAT,great,great review and performance on the Rhone rangers..Yeah,agreed that the $$ Calif. hype machine and high price points make it maddening when there are soooo many good Aussie and even,I might add, S. African bargains out there. Goats Do Roam? It’s one of my daily go-to house wines that is a bargain of bargains at 6.99 on sale right now in the Boston area.And Pillar Box Red,another good one from Aus.is big and fun. Keep up the good work.
Yeah, Man.
Johnn A.
September 6, 2007

Deano
Hey Gary I hope you are having a good vacation. Good episode I will seek some of these rhones hout I saw you the other day when I was watching the mojo channel. I saw you on uncorked with billy merritt. Looks like you had some fun with him at your store. You are all over the place now Gary you are “da wine man” haha. Congrats on getting on his show I enjoyed seeing you on there.

QOTD:
-Havent had one yet
September 6, 2007

wlburk
QOTD: HAven’t had one, yet. But I will, I am young yet.
September 6, 2007

Bobby
Gary,

I have enjoyed several vintages of Morgan’s Cotes du Crow for a value Rhone Ranger. Then stepping up in price Tablas Creek Esprit du Beaucastel in certain vintages can be very nice. High end I would say the L’Aventure wines are killer especially Estate Cuvee.
September 6, 2007

paul
QOTD Had lots of rhone blends from elsewhere. Recently I tried Pelican Ranch Trois Amis (KenP), which was enjoyable but a bit pricey. I am quite enamored with Core Wines. David Corey makes a variety of blends, some with traditional Rhone varieties. All have been very good.
September 6, 2007

wayno da wino
Yooo, Gary, take no prisoners!!!!
Thought you was ’bout ready to punch
somebody out after slurpin’ dat Austin
Bad Habit wine!! But good advice,
“Why buy something for $36 when you can
get da same flavor profile for $10 to $15.”

QOTD: Haven’t had a Rhone Ranger in a looong
time. Last one was probably something by Zaca
Mesa Winery & i don’t even know if they exist
anymore?!
September 6, 2007

Colin
QOTD: I’ve not had a RR – so thanks for the intro yo…
September 6, 2007

Lawrence Leichtman
Didn’t see anyone mention the original Rhone Ranger of Justin. Have combed Paso for the best and had some good, some bad and some indifferent. Keep wanting to like Garretson but so far no sale. Tablas and Bonny Doone seem to do well but for the price none of them beat Rhone itself and most of the aren’t even close but I can go to Paso every year and can’t seem to get to Rhone.
September 6, 2007

de Las
Fo’ real. Truchard 03 Syrah. Tastin so f-in good right now folks. Fo’ real.
September 6, 2007

Gretchen
Hey Pablo, if your reading…
QOTD: Use to drink mostly Alban, but now Alta Maria and Native9
September 6, 2007

nolongeralurker
QOD: I’ve had one of Beckman’s syrahs before and liked it a lot.

Hey Gary, thanks for keeping the episode a little shorter today. Also, it was funny to see a little objectivity about your Jets! It’s OK to be biased about football….we only need your unbiased opinions when it comes to wine.
September 6, 2007

Wino4Life
qotd
v disappointed with Thackeray Pleiades xv or was it xvi recently…we didn’t even finish btl
can’t even think of a truly great cali syrah – possibly Ojai?? their pinots are some of my faves – 02***
from washington, l’ecole 41 syrah 02 was good
Cayuse & Dunham 01/02 are very very good, but they are not Rhone Rangers….!!
September 6, 2007

bradylite
Do you really want paragraphs? Started in the early 70’s with French wines and all the old Ridge field blends (fantastic bargains back then) and after years of Rhone loyalty (CDR’s/CDP’s mostly – good Hermitage was too dear/other village wines not readily available) my first RR experience was 15-ish years ago w/Bonny Doon Cigare de Volante – faithful replica of good CDP at a better price then, which became a fave (label’s humor didn’t hurt). Also dug their Old Telegraph. CDV’s style had drifted from tradition more recently, but I’d taken to Tablas Creek wines by then (though tried many others) – though prices were no longer favorable by the mid-late 90’s. I have forsaken most RR’s now in favor of the real things again – prices have reached relative parity re QPR, and both my wallet (and yes, belly) are a little fatter now anyway. Helps to be in a major metro area (DC) and a shipping-ban-free zone to get to all sorts of product. Rhone red blends are still one of my fave standby wines for cooking, and usually very compatible w/ varied foods. I was relatively late to the party on the whites – over 90% reds in our house – but have developed fondness for Tablas Creek’s blends – as well as the French. When it comes to Syrahs though, most domestics I’ve had (and I practically boycott Australia) are too extracted/overblown to my taste – CA and WA both, though exceptions (if only rarely values) do exist – Macrostie Wildcats come to mind, though I like mountain wines in general. Grenache is a grape vastly underappreciated by Americans, it seems, though it’s usually best blended IMO – really liked a Neyers recently though, and Spanish versions. In general – I think it’s important to be faithful to your mate, but you should be promiscuous as hell with wine – so I’ll try almost anything at least twice…
September 6, 2007

Roland Zahariades
The best, I repeat “best” rhone rangers that I have had, are both from Paso Robles. Edward Sellers ( both his syrah and cuvee de cinq) will make you cry!
Also, Terry Hoage (syrah/grenache and syrah) will open your eyes to this area! Roland
September 6, 2007

JC
Ravenswood Icon eh
September 6, 2007

Sangio
QOTD – the best was a 2001 Topolos Rhone Blend from the Russian River. The winery had been sold and they had a Rhone field blend at closeout. The wine was tasted in the middle of a long day of tastings. It was very good and priced right. One in our group found out the blend included Alicante Bouschet and was very big on the wine. I split a case with a friend. When I got home and later opened the first bottle, it was awesome. I ended up drinking all 6 bottles within the next month – couldn’t put it down.

I have been searching ever since for a replacement, it was a perfect mix of sour cherries and spices.
September 6, 2007

Del Lasoul
Go Jets!
September 6, 2007

Iron Man
QOTD: do I like Rhone Rangers? yes, Gary. I do. I like fat, flabby, low acid, high alcohol wines with tons of fruit and extraction and hardly any secondary nuances unless they come from the candy counter of a convenience store. “like twizzlers that came alive and beat the crap out you!” that my friend will garner an easy 94 from the man RP himself. Gary what’s 84 all about???

Disclaimer: I have not tried the Bad Habit.
September 6, 2007

Ricky G
Been a big fan of Garretson wines for a few years…Rhone varietals …very big and new world. Garretson’s G Red is perhaps the
entry level red..their more substancial Cote Rotie-styled, age-able offerings
are the Bulladoir, and Mon Amie. Love thier Viognier as well.

Rg
September 6, 2007

Beau Warren
Kudos to joeboo’s response….he got to my point before I did. Let’s not forget the pioneers of this movement, maverick winemakers tagged as “Rhone Rangers” after Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon wore a lone ranger mask at a photo shoot for a magazine. These guys paved the way for everybody else and actually ignited the rhone style wine craze we are now in.

QOTD—-Le Cigare Volant I enjoyed…especially the label and story on the back.
September 6, 2007

sharon
QOTD: maybe, perhaps, I don’t know, it’s possible.

Although some berry is fun, some chocolate is fun, Kool Aid is not. Your Beckman Cuvee le Bec sounded like it was right up my alley. Basil. Olive oil. Yum.
And after reading the New Yorker article about wine fraud
there is no way I am ever spending more than $20 on a bottle of wine. Especially if it tastes like licorice.
September 6, 2007

flippy
QOTD: Had some nice RRs in Paso in June… we get some Rhone Rangers in my neck of the woods, but not a ton.
September 6, 2007

MarkFarrell
QOTD: While I haven’t tried any California Rhone Rangers, I have had quite a few Australian. My favorites in rank order:

1) Kaesler Stonehorse ($20) – great wine year to year
2) Langmeil Three Gardens ($20) – right up there with the Stonehorse
3) The Stump Jump ($13) – good wine for college crew. I would rate 87-88 pts.

I had a bottle of the Kaesler Avignon which was hailed by Robert Parker as a great wine, but it came off super hot to me. The alcohol made me think I was taking shots as opposed to enjoying a glass of wine. I suppose it could be used for body shots!
September 6, 2007

GR8Wine
QOTD: As well drunk as I am I don’t think I’ve ever had a Rhone Ranger. I always try to go for the real thing. But I congratulate CA winemakers for going for something other than straight varietals or Bordeaux blends
Nice Ep and thanks for the heads up on the fruit bomb. The Beckmen sounds interesting; might have to give it a whirl.
September 6, 2007

Shad
Man, I hate playing catch up….OK, I’ve never had a rhone ranger, but I am always willing to give a rhone blend a chance.
September 6, 2007

James Roscoe
Steve Edmunds and ESJ wines. Beginning, middle, and end of debate!
September 6, 2007

David
Thanks so much for taping these shows in advance. Great show.

QOTD: I have had quite a few Rhone Rangers when I lived in L.A. and went up to Santa Barbara wine country pretty often – Andrew Murray, Rideau and Zaca Mesa are a few of my favorites.
September 6, 2007

DARREL LAS VEGAS
“FRUIT BOMB NEW WORLD WINE ”
Maybe America’s just not OLD enough for the “OLD WORLD” flavors!
September 7, 2007

mudshark
Great episode. The rant at the end was spot on, methinks. Keep up the good work!
September 7, 2007

Andrew
Agreed on the Beckman.

There’s gotta be some confusion about Rhone Rangers and how they differ from field blends. I mean shouldn’t an RR be limited to Rhone grapes (of which Petit Sirah is definitely not). If you expand the QOTD to include non-Rhone grapes, I’d add:

Owen Rowe – Abbots Table blend changes yearly but always seems to includ Zin

– Morgan – Cotes de Crow

– Justin – The Orphan
September 7, 2007

Matt the Lurker
:O
September 7, 2007

Matt the Lurker
Never use ass and crap in the same sentence!

QOTD – I’ve had Bonny Doon Le Cigare Volant. That’s about it.
September 8, 2007

Andrew
Hey Gary, thanks for another good episode.

QOTD: Australia has a heap of ‘Rhone Rangersâ€™; I suppose you could probably call them ‘Rhone Bushrangers’. Apart from all the Shiraz Viognier blends we do well (Clonakilla and De Bortoli are my favourites), there are also a heap of GSM produced in the Barossa and the McLaren Vale. My favourite would probably be Charles Melton’s ‘Nine Popes’, though I think it’s only a Grenache, Shiraz blend.

Australia is also starting to successfully produce the Rhone white varieties as well. The obvious example is Tahbilk in central Victoria who have produced a fantastic, age-worthy Marsanne for decades. I actually think they have the World’s largest planting of Marsanne grapes. This wine is a cracker and can usually be bought in Australia for less then $10 a bottle (US $8). From the same region is another producer Terra Felix who produce a Shiraz Viognier, a Mourvedre and a Marsanne Roussanne blend, all of which are again great value.

D’Arenberg in the McLaren Vale makes a huge selection of wines, but is an expert of the Rhone blends. It produces a host of great Grenache based wines, but again also produces some excellent whites. The ‘Hermit Crab’ Viognier Marsanne blend is a favourite, but their straight Roussanne and Viognier are also pretty good.

The list goes on and on, but I would expect to start seeing a lot more straight Viognier coming out of Australia â€¦

Cheers Andrew
September 8, 2007

Jim in Atlanta
I like Rhone varietals. Cline makes good, reasonably priced Rhone blends.
September 8, 2007

Jeff Cleveland
QOTD: Don’t recall having one.

What the heck was on the chalkboard?????
September 8, 2007

chenin
Never had a Rhone Ranger, except Languedoc/Roussillion and Provence wines.
September 9, 2007

wannaBconnoisseur
Great show!

Q: not had any rhone rangers that I can remember.
September 10, 2007

Russ J
Another kudo to joeboo for pointing out that the Rhone Rangers are wine makers, not wines so unless you “know” some of them in the Bibilical sense, have you really “had” a Rhone Ranger?
September 10, 2007

JayZee
Great show, Gary. But the Jets suck! The only team worse is my Browns.

QOTD: Rhone Rangers? Well, and this is ALL Ian’s fault, but since my trip to Paso Robles, I have been big time into the Rhone Rangers. I agree with you on the Garretson “G” Red, but most of Mat Garretson’s other wines kick butt. I love the Aisling Syrah, the Bulladoir, the Luascain, and don’t get me started on the fantastic Reliquary Red. Plus, his white wines are also really excellent. I like the Roussanne a lot and his Viognier is outstanding to me. The Marsanne is so-so. I also like his Grenache and his Mourvedre bottlings as interesting varietals.

You cannot go wrong with Tablas Creek. Neil Madrone, their winemaker, is doing great stuff. The Esprit de Beaucastel Red is very much like a fine CDP. His Rose’ is very nice as well. The Grenache Blanc is crisp and tart and really goes well with a lot of dishes, especially seafood. Nice acidity. I tasted a Counoise as well which I had never had by itself and it also was quite tasty and different.

Adelaide Cellars has some nice Rhone wines as well. I like their G-S-M blend and their Syrah. In Santa Ynez, you cannot go wrong with anything from Beckman. Their Syrahs are top notch and really bring the thunder. Carmody-McKnight also has a couple of decent Syrahs and one nice red blend.
September 11, 2007

MtnCharlie
QOTD: I am very interested in the Rhone Ranger wines and look for these. I was particularly interested in this episode because of the Beckman. I had bought a Purisma Mountain Syrah of theirs and really enjoyed it a lot. Seems we are on the same page. I found the Beckman very complex and not over the top fruit wise.
September 15, 2007

Vinacull
QOTD: Like DumbPhase’s comment, I’ve never had an Alban Estate I didn’t like. Sometimes Le Cigare Volant is very good. Same comment for Tablas Creek. The problem is that there are so many Rhone wines to try that are interesting and generally cost less. The Beckman description for nose and palate in this EP was intriguing and will definitely seek it out.
October 22, 2007

NateO
Cline Cashmere is a nice Rhone Ranger for $15…
August 11, 2008

Dessert Wine Nerd
Sad Gary? Sad Gary is no good. This is no good! I always hate it ( for you, not me. Id still try a wine ) when you bust out a new type of wine for WLTV, and overall the show is a let down. I know youre trying to expand our palates and its sad when the wines dont bring it. That being said Im sure to try one in the future, which leads me to the…… QOTD!!!!!!: Ive yet to try one.