Australia vs France In A Chardonnay Battle

Australia vs France In A Chardonnay Battle – Episode #415

February 25, 2008

Gary Vaynerchuk takes a look at two Chardonnay wines, one from Aussy and one from Burgundy, who will win?

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Wines tasted in this episode:

2003 Vincent Girardin Meursault Poruzot DessusMeursault
2005 Tapanappa Chardonnay TiersAustralian Chardonnay

308 Responses

February 25, 2008

Kristen
Am I honestly the first one?
February 25, 2008

Anthony L.
Not a fan of the Aussie wines.
February 25, 2008

Scott EJ
Whew…top 5.

Fun episode, GV. Love these square-offs. How’s about a Cali, v. WA Cab battle. Oregon, v. Burg. This could be an endless topic.

(BTW – Thanks for the wristband. I now feel O-fish-L.)
February 25, 2008

Hinrgman
Gary – you just keep on going!!!
February 25, 2008

*/^_^\*
this looks to be lopsided….
February 25, 2008

Hinrgman
Some of these Aussie wines are not so good
February 25, 2008

Hinrgman
Thanks for taking the time to do this episode!!
February 25, 2008

Ryan D
QotD: Bought a Starfire Zinfandel after having it and loving it during a night of revelry. It was disgusting, tasted like particle board [2 bottles tasted the same] and we poured them out, seriously undrinkable.
February 25, 2008

sobojosh
top 10
February 25, 2008

Large Format Fever
Ohh no no no!!! Trying to steal my thunder. Too bad you cant be in Chicago on 3-29…. We have an open spot if you can though!!!!
February 25, 2008

josh
10????
February 25, 2008

Taylor
Loving the commitment, but not those wine over a 100 bones for two crappy wines.
QOTD Last night T-pain concert if you could call it that, real good friend got sick and we had to leave early didnt even get T-pain perform.
February 25, 2008

Brently
Wow. How can they get away selling wines at that price?

QOTD: Yesterday I opened a bottle and it was terrible. SOOOO funky. Full on dirt and banana peels. Trashy banana peels. Barely a hint of cherry underneath. Just gross and it got worse as it sit out. Salty and more peely. Firestone Estate 2000 Merlot that I had just purchased from the Firestone winery. They need to remove those bottles, sheesh. Made my palate MAAAAAAD!
February 25, 2008

Anthony
Tisk tisk .. I was actually expecting the aussy to be a complete fruit bomb
February 25, 2008

kitty and meow meow
you should have combined the wines together. lolz and omg!
February 25, 2008

jason
i am down with the head to head bouts. winner takes all. too bad that it was a bad round one. in defense of burgundy, 2003 and chardonnay did not party well. the grapes just got burnt. white burg geeks say 05 was too hot for chard. in semi defense of giradin, his mersault is not very good and one should steer towards other whites from this producer.
ps, this is more like a cage match rather than a battle royal!
February 25, 2008

Dr T from N. Carolina
Wow, what Mick Foley (to extend your wrestling metaphor) would have called an untelevised Owne Hart/Al Snow match. How disappointing for you. But thanks for sharing it

“T”
February 25, 2008

jason
forgot
QOTD: i am trying not to drink french wine for two weeks (it is ruff and tuff), so i went new world last night and tried penfolds cab / shyraz , 05 and boy was i sad. i knew what i was getting into, but i still tried. it is easier to not drink aussie wine for 2 weeks than french. if all wine taste liek this, i would have more $$$ for other stuff.
February 25, 2008

WineHawk
Top 20
February 25, 2008

sobojosh
Love the head to head idea. Lets hope it gets better.

QOTD: Last time I trusted the wine store lady
February 25, 2008

Jaybird
Well I probably was first to watch the show…well whoopitty-dooo. Except I didn’t sit here refreshing the page like all the Perez Hilton fans.
Nothing worth running out to get today, the only white from Australia I’ve had is Verdelho.
QOTD: The last time I was disappointed was when I saw WS list for 2005 Bordeaux this week…I knew and have paid attention to the high prices but it really hit me when I looked at the whole list all together. I’m Going to have to find another region to shop for my French wines. I don’t anticipate 2007 being a good vintage either, but at least Napa had great weather…AND as for Vayniac cab it may be good enough that I won’t care about expanding my pallet.
February 25, 2008

crank
I’m in.
February 25, 2008

bigmay
Nice idea on the head-to-head pairings. No luck today though.

QOTD: 1998 Vikings in the NFC Championship game.
February 25, 2008

Paul M
QOTD: When Sharper Image filed Chapter 11 recently owing me $33,000
February 25, 2008

purplejuicebruce
QOTD….The last time America elected W.as President that was pretty bad for me.
February 25, 2008

Capt M
It won’t download on iTunes. Gary, help!
February 25, 2008

waibeans
man this ruined my whole WEEK!

thx GV

j/k lol!
February 25, 2008

George
QOTD: When I had a 2005 Excelsior Cab. Gross.
February 25, 2008

PSPatrick
Gary, Mott, can’t download this episode via itunes. Itunes says an identification would be required…
February 25, 2008

Glen... winecrazy.com
My last dissapointment was today when I didn’t get the wine I ordered last week from you on Thursday.

Still waiting……….
February 25, 2008

CrazyManAndy
“We’re making wine, whether you like it or not!”

LOL! Good stuff. Too bad the wines were flops. The head-to-head battle is an awesome idea though! I’m sure the next episode will turn out better.

CMA
February 25, 2008

Panosh
QOTD:
This is easy…..my EX-wife.
February 25, 2008

Harley Stan
Great energy today even if the wine had no thunder, I’ll be back tomorrow anyway.
QOTD- My new Jeep, already in the shop for warranty work in just 1 month. Oh yeah and Double Dog Dare Cabernet not worth the 4 bones, actually not even worth the nickel for recycling the bottle.
February 25, 2008

Neil
QOTD: The food and wine pairing at Redd in Napa.
February 25, 2008

Sharon
Oh, not your fault about the 2 under-performing chards. But if I had spent $51 on one of these I’d be pissed.
QOTD: Mild disappointment – tried famous Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio and found it to be completely MEH. Major disappointment – that big NFL game on Feb 3rd that our local franchise should have WON. grrrrrrr
February 25, 2008

BoiseWiner
I love Chardonnay’s and I love that I was not tempted by your show today to run out and spend $50 *grin*.

QOTD: My husband and I brew our own mead and last year used some wonderful juicy berry’s in a recipe and just new it was going to heaven-on-earth. Nothing could be further from the truth…nicknamed the stuff ‘Frankestein’ and whenever we come across a bottle we quickly put it out of it’s misery – down the drain .
February 25, 2008

Marc
Win some lose some..glad you paid for it and not me!
February 25, 2008

ev
Never heard of that aussie chard before. Why not try with a Penfolds Yattarna or Leeuwin Artist Series chard. I’ve never had those but hear they are the top of the heap.
February 25, 2008

Robin C
Chard’s hard. I pulled a 2006 Stag’s Leap chard for dinner tonight. Hope springs eternal.
QOTD: I was obnoxiously disappointed when I came home to find that my husband had constructed a scaffolding between the top story and the bottom story of our home inside the front entrance for the cats to climb on. However, the cats didn’t like it even when he threw them down on it, or especially when he threw them down on it. I was relieved when he took it down, but he was disappointed. So, there you are.
February 25, 2008

mlong
software demo last Friday. The peeps who did the demo were so proud and I would have been into the package if it was 2001. Sadly, they were clueless and wasting their own time.
February 25, 2008

DannInNH
Nothing better than an honest show.
Anxiously awaiting the next 4 shows this week; can only get better and the Vayniacs will be there.
February 25, 2008

Joe Po
I rarely drink Chards and one of the very few that were delicious was at Rombauer in Napa. Otherwise i don’t care for their aftertaste.
QOTD: When you chose to battle with chardonnays!!!!!
February 25, 2008

Fangorn81
Eww.
February 25, 2008

Paul C
Surprising that the premier cru Mersault was so bad. Get some Corton Charlamaigne on the show.

By the way, had the best white wine ever yesterday (I’m not joking)
it was Corton Charlamaigne 2005 Michel Voarick. Simply stunning in it’s power and refinement. It simply coats the palate with apple cake and pear. The
soft acidi power is overwhelming . EUR 40 a bottle. I’m buying a case.

Cheers,

Paul C.
February 25, 2008

Linderelli
QOTD: that’s easy – Friday was incredibly sad and disappointing for me. And not just because you were such a sour puss.
February 25, 2008

docent
I very much like the idea of the duels; as a matter of fact I’ve planned something similar for the monthly meetings of my very small tasting group, with a difference that we’ll be tasting blind. Today’s episode only confirms a well known fact, that expensive != good. Looking forward to more interesting duels.
February 25, 2008

laurie in VT
QOTD: Last wine I bought from a grocery store (I know better, but I sometimes try anyway)- La Vielle Ferme Cotes du Ventoux Rouge 2005- was like licking a dirty ashtray. I didn’t even dare cook with it. Yuk.
February 25, 2008

Linderelli
but then Chris sent me flowers and said he’d build me my dream house. We made an offer on a house, and finally walked away from it because though our loan was ready the sellers bank couldn’t get their act together and let two closing dates pass.
February 25, 2008

John
“We’re making wine, whether you like it or not” – LOL!

QOTD: most recently – Primitivo “Levanter”, Vignamaggio, Greve in Chianti, 2005, 17 SFR. (aprox. 14.- USD) – from my notes:

“Weak, alkoholic nose – hard to distinguish anything. Sour, undistinguished flavors, soapy on the mid-palette. Shot of bitterness on the finish… then it falls apart… wouldn’t drink it for free.”

…and their “Chianti Classico” is so nice!

BTW: am starting a “Third Thirsty Thursday” in ZÃ¼rich, Switzerland. Already have over ten interested. Spreading the thunder internationally

Liebe GrÃ¼sse
(”dear greetings”, as we say)
John
February 25, 2008

laurie in VT
PSPatrick & Capt M: iTunes is having issues today- this isn’t the only podcast that is affected…
February 25, 2008

Rich
I love the “battle” format. Really entertaining. I also like that you trust you “pal”. It makes the show so educational and fun.
February 25, 2008

Bigapablo
QOTD: Last week when work went bad last week, but it is getting better now.
February 25, 2008

Sonnenuhr
ABC – Anything But Chardonnay

QOTD – Very disappointed when I opened a 1970 Chateau de Pez that was way over-the-hill on Saturday night. Oh well, had another one 2 weeks ago that still rocked. That’s the way it goes with old wines
February 25, 2008

Chris
QOTD- Went to Bridlewood in Santa Barbara- horribly disappointed. Only the Viognier was drinkable, and that was $30- about $20 too expensive.
February 25, 2008

bfrankphoto
QOTD: My Seahawks getting carjacked by the refs in the Super Bowl. I used to like Jerome Bettis, but now I can’t even look at the guy without wanting to throw something at the TV.
February 25, 2008

*/^_^\*
qotd: last time i was disappointed was when i was gonna do a chile vs argentina cab showdown and one was corked and the other oak monster-fied! ah!
February 25, 2008

John Farrin
Better your 102 bones than mine tHis is exactly why we need reviewers. We’re flying blind out here (although, in this case we would’ve been screwed anyway). How can two professional critics be so far apart? And it happens ALL the time! This is particularly true of the Wine Spectator and the Wine Advocate. It almost seems to be an ego thing with them. Like, ‘If you say it’s good, we say it’s not. When we’re talking about classified growths in Bordeaux, and many other areas of the world also, there is no excuse for having one of them say a wine is 94-96 and the other say it’s an 89.

QOTD: The selections of a signature red wine club that another retailer (yes, I cheat on you sometimes) has made over the last six months. I finally cancelled Saturday.
February 25, 2008

Sayle
QOTD: When I had my own small victory last week (audition that I felt I had rocked) and called home to have the mom say, “but you haven’t heard back from them, have you?” Uh, no mom, I haven’t and thanks for bringing that up…some people don’t get it. ANYWHO…

Never been a huge Chard fan but admit that on a hot summer’s day it is the way to roll….love the duel episode…how about you do a ‘blind duel’ episode?
February 25, 2008

flynbrian
LET’S GET READY TO RUMMMBLE!!! Hopefully things will get better for the rest of the week.
February 25, 2008

SS Chris
Don’t apologize….we all love the “Straight Talk Express”!!
February 25, 2008

Little Jonny H
Ha! I laugh in the face of exorbitance. If it costs more than $25 the QPR will never come close to solid $10 wine!!!

QOTD: I recently visited two wonderful bakeries, -one italian and the other french. The desserts in the window screamed EAT ME. After purchasing something from each, it turns out they were all show. I make better desserts every time i get out mixer… for 1/10 the price!
February 25, 2008

Mandy
Next time you brag about your mad twirling abilities, try not to spill the wine all over the table, twice

QOTD: I was introducing some friends to Malbec, and the bottle I opened smelled very strongly like cat pee! Yucky.
February 25, 2008

Barry
While the results were disappointing to Gary, any loss by the French is a good thing.
February 25, 2008

Mitchell
when is WLTV going HD?!?!
February 25, 2008

Zakk Forchilli
QOTD – Very dissapointed actually.. Recently, when i figured out i wasted half a year of my education.
February 25, 2008

Palmer
QOTD: the last time I was obnoxiously disappointed was watching the Oscars two years ago when CRASH, a bright seventh grader’s look at race relations in America, won for best picture over several more deserving films (including SYRIANA which wasn’t even nominated…).
February 25, 2008

hank
dude, don’t worry. the first 5 minutes of friday’s show were super informative, super interesting, and totally make up for the snoozefest match-up. QOTD: being sick, having no appetite or sense of smell and not popping a cork in the last 5 days. does that mean i have a problem? maybe. but disappointing nonetheless.
February 25, 2008

underivy
QOTD: Every time I go into the bathroom and the cap to the toothpaste has mysteriously disappeared.
February 25, 2008

Sassodoro
Gary, did you describe the first wine as both flabby and excessively acidic? I tend to think of flabby wines (or at least the ones that strike me that way) as insufficiently acidic.

QOTD. Things are not great at work. Let’s leave it at that.
February 25, 2008

Rani Haykal
Great Show!!!

I like this head-to-head format you’ve got going for this week….even if the two wines bomb, still very educating.

QOTD: my biggest disappointment came to me when I visited Napa this last year. I decided I had to go to Opus One and do a tasting, no matter what the price. After $30 or $40 (i dont remember the exact price of the tasting) I realized that I could have spent the money for the 3 or 4oz pour on a moderately priced st. emillion bottle and gotten a better wine.

–RH
February 25, 2008

Lev
2006 Belle Glos Los Altura Pinot Noir, very sad more fruit than PAX
February 25, 2008

dank
meh, i’ve been on a varietal craze. so this Chardonnay situation really makes me feel happy, in a way.

i’ve had Albarino, Viognier, Chenin Blanc, Cotes-du-Rhone Blanc, Roussane and Gruner Veltliner all in the past week. Chardonnay ain’t the top dawg in my book no mo’.

disappointment? two weeks ago.. hyped up situation that fell flat on it’s face
February 25, 2008

AVP
Interesting battle with good commentary. Waiting to see more..
February 25, 2008

GrapeStuff
Like the head-to-head format!
Yikes on the two wines today!

QOTD: Had a “90″ point, Best Buy rating (WS) 2004 Jacobs Creek Reserve Shiraz the other day – for ten bones, figured I would give it a try. Tasted it over 3 hears – didnt even break into the 80s for me. Yikes.
February 25, 2008

JonE
Its a shame G-Man. I had real high hopesa for that Meursault. French Australian projects big thumbs down.

QOTD: Today…work…can’t talk about it. Vey disappointed.
February 25, 2008

Big D
The “Battle Royal” concept seems like a good one but maybe you ought to make it a 3 or 4 way “Free For All”. There are plenty of very good wines out there that would make a good “Free For All” card.

QOTD: My biggest disappointment was when I spent 3 weeks in Italy and bought a case of various recommended wines, got home just in time to move and when I opened the wines every one of them had been heat damaged from the move. Bummer!
February 25, 2008

mbannon
Hee hee, I actually thought that was a pretty fun episode! Mix it up, huh? Thanks for taping ahead for us GV!
February 25, 2008

T. Reasoner
Loved the head to head match up and I was truly hoping the chards would get me to buy one. But hey better to know before the 102 bone waste. I am pretty stuck on red’s although I started the new year off with a fantastic french sancerre.

looking forward to the next battle royal

aloha,

TLR
February 25, 2008

Syrahhhhhhhhh
Head-to-head is a great idea! It’s Monday.It’s ok to start off with a “warm up” match before the big boys enter the ring later this week. I really appreciate your honest opinion and saving us some bones.

QOTD: W x 2.
February 25, 2008

Christopher J
QOTD: Just recently? The Simpsons movie. Everyone said it was great, I thought it was not funny at all. I guess the expectations were set too high before I saw it.
February 25, 2008

KVolk
QOTD: see Dallas…..the playoffs since 1996…..
February 25, 2008

ScottG
Gary: Thanks for being honest. That’s why I continue to watch the Thunder Show and spread the Thunder (even though I didn’t win anything last week!).
February 25, 2008

Dave Canada
Woah….what a downer!
QOTD – On man……tough question……no clue!
February 25, 2008

Dr. Dan
Had a Full Boat Cab 2005 over the weekend. I bought it from WL, and what was most disappointing is that of all the wines I’ve bought from WL, this is the first time that I was seriously disappointed. It’s like drinking Hi-C. I feel that I’m setting the education of my palate back several years just drinking this swill. It’s not that it came highly recommended or anything. In fact, I can’t remember why I bought it a year ago. On the up-side, though, it is the first big disappointment from WL, which is remarkable I think.
February 25, 2008

Malphas
QotD: The last time I was obnoxiously disappointed was this past weekend. Among some of my Oscar picks not winning, I also got some stressful and silly news about a place that I’d like to move to soon.
February 25, 2008

JC
Great stuff Gary! QOTD: The last pair of top of the line work boots I bought, they’re falling apart.
February 25, 2008

Alex Hopgood
Man that was funny, goes to show, price most of the time means nothing.

QOTD: The last time when I was obnoxiously down was back at Super Bowl 39. Eagles vs Patriots and seeing my team lose to Bradys gayness. Waaaaaaah
February 25, 2008

BruceP
QOTD. I suppose the last time I was “bitterly” disappointed was when I didn’t get into Stanford when I graduated from high school. Since that was over 25 years ago, that’s not a bad run, and life has worked out pretty well. Go Cal!
February 25, 2008

Dominus
Good show though the wines were not stellar but that’s ok, it was informative. Now, if you had pitted the Meursault against a Devil’s Lair Chard then it would have been a beat down. DL is one of my fav Chards.

QOTD: This is easy. My boys losing to Norv Turner and those bum Chargers with that garbage QB and LT on the bench! Pulllleeeeeeezzzzzzzze!

P.S. Can we have a “Groovy Gruner” show in the 10-15, 15-20, and 20-30 bones range? I really like those wines.

Make sure to keep it in Vegas
February 25, 2008

Fingerlaker
2006 buffalo sabres.. almost making the stanley cup finals (would have won it) with 1/2 there minor league players playing because of injuries…

but NOTHING and i mean NOTHING beats out NO GOAL !!! die and burn brett hull!!!
ahem.. im ok now.. really i am … (grumble)
February 25, 2008

Leio
I have to echo Sassodoro, the flabby and acidic comment does not make sense to me.
February 25, 2008

Fraser Gould
Great episode…just how I like them: short, brutally honest and not a word mentioned about the NY Jets!

QOTD: The last time I was disappointed (though not “bitterly” so) was when I recently learned that GV won’t be at the Wine Library for my first visit. It’s happening tomorrow, and I’m coming from Japan…a bit of a haul. Oh well, I imagine I won’t be disappointed with the shop – I’ve been told it’s great.
February 25, 2008

Chris
QOTD: Definitely in January when exam grades came out.
February 25, 2008

Aaron Gonzales
QOTD: The list is long and distinquished on expensive wines that not only didn’t bring the thunder but were barely mouse farts. Merryvale Napa Cab has to be toward the top of that list for sure. I was so disappointed that I vowed to never purchase a wine of theirs unless someone from the winery came to explain why their last 3 vintages were so lackluster. There has been some Cali Pinots on the list but I’ll stick to the latest one that I was bummed about.
February 25, 2008

Skol
Actually a good episode Gary. Saved me money since I was going to try the Tapanappa.
February 25, 2008

Salvatore
$102 disappointment……..

Better on your dime than ours…… Thanks for the truth and consequence!

Your to young to remember a similar named game show!
February 25, 2008

antony
Canale Gran Reserve Pinot Noir – Patagonia. The regular regular reserve merlot is a great go to wine for me – about Â£7 when on offer and comes on like a classy St Emilion twice the price. So when in the locale I blew the best part of Â£20 on the big boy pinot as a treat… It was barely drinkable.
February 25, 2008

Laura Gellman
About 5 minutes ago.
February 25, 2008

BenF
Great show anyway tell it like it is… QOTD saturday night i went to buy a bottle of wine and figured I can’t go wrong with an 05 Bordeax but it was just ok not really impressive it was Chatea La Mothe Du Barry…
February 25, 2008

Fiorentina!
Hey Gary-
To be honest… I was REALLY disappointed in Turnbull’s 2005 Old Bull Red. Now I love Turnbull Cabs and is one of the only wines I make sure I get every vintage, so there was a lot of hype with the Old Bull Red, but it was just not good…even at $20.
February 25, 2008

Allan
Gary . . . maybe the wines are dumb – leave them for a bit them come back and taste them again (together – same format)
February 25, 2008

yowens
Sorry brosef, disappointing 1st round. QOTD: The last time I thought about my life
February 25, 2008

mikey lennon
QOTD: Being a Minnesota Viking’s fan I am hugely disappointed every year.

Have a good week off, hopefully you can taste some good chardonnay on your travels.
February 25, 2008

Tara
Hey Gary…bland wines for a bland day! QOTD: When my boyfriend (who is now an ex) gifted me with luggage for my birthday. I was VERY disappointed!
February 25, 2008

Justin Thorp
I love the Battle Royale idea. I also like the 11 minute format. Good show.

QOTD: On Friday, I was on a Northwest flight. While we were on the tarmac, the generator ended up overheating so we had to get off the plane. They gave us a new plane but it had a flat tire. I was disappointed.
February 25, 2008

The Original Marc
QOTD: Embassy Club restaraunt in Des Moines at the top floor of the Principal building. I’ve never been treated so bad at a fancy restaraunt. Good thing I wasn’t the one paying.
February 25, 2008

Jan-Michael
Major disappointment: Mets ‘06 season. They set you up and then they knock you down.
February 25, 2008

kaybee
QoTd
My biggest disappointment was when we spent $30 on a bottle of champagne and it was terrible. That was back when I thought the more you spent the better the wine. Ha!
February 25, 2008

Bob Sikorski
Of course you can claim that this the internet’s most popular wine program!
February 25, 2008

Marshall
Awesome theme for the week. I can’t wait for the upcoming episodes.
February 25, 2008

familydoc
Gary- This is written with the uttmost respect, but:

QOTD: I was abnoxiously disappointed with today’s show. I know the wines were bad, but the show itself matched. The single worst WLTV Ep that I’ve seen. I’ve got my fingers crossed for tomorrows show.
February 25, 2008

Senator
QOTD: My major disappointment? When my heavily favored Rams went into the 2002 Super Bowl and got beat by the HATED Patriots. Adding insult to my injury was the fact that I watched this on a cruise ship with about 50 to 60 other cruisers and there were only two of us in the room rooting for the Rams. Did I mention that I hate the Patriots???

But I’m not bitter…

I did get some closure this year when, once again, I watched the Super Bowl on a cruise ship and rooted the Patiots to a painful loss. Still makes me smile when I think of it.

But I’m not bitter…
February 25, 2008

thefanjestic
Odd episode.

Qotd – A well rated (by Gary) bottle of wine. Even my wife didn’t like it. GV – you still rock!!!
February 25, 2008

Daniel
QOTD: I was obnoxiously disapointed this past Saterday when my college b-ball team, Alabama, lost to Auburn. A team that they used to dominate and just a month ago beat them by 20.
February 25, 2008

Maria
Thanks Gary. The Tapanappa was $71.50 at the cellar door, but sold out. It is $73.00 at Cloudwine in VIC. Pretty pricey, so I will leave it alone. Loved your tasting comparison.
February 25, 2008

ryan
Gary, this is why I don’t drink chard (or much white in general)- way over priced for such a mediocre wine.
February 25, 2008

FJDR
My usual reaction to chardonnay is the same as yours today – I’ve never had one that I’d go back to. I’m sure there are some good ones but there are so many “meh” ones that I don’t have time for them anymore.

QOTD: I root for the Philly sports teams, take your pick from the past 25 years – last year Phils v. Rockies for a recent one (but at least we were the beneficiaries of the schMetz’ collapse!! – that part was fun!).
February 25, 2008

cgatesman
Bummer. I guess that’ll happen some times. Not your fault.

QOTD: I remember some disappointments, but none that really stand out as being a huge waste of money.
February 25, 2008

Tommy Vernieri
QOTD: I try to not keep track of that kind of stuff.

I can’t wait until later in the week, it’s going to just get sillier, I love that.
February 25, 2008

Chuck
QOTD – Tried a mourvedre at a local wine show and it knocked my socks off. Major bonus that it was from a local VA winery. Took a bottle home, even better then the first taste. Bought some at the store some time later and could not believe it was the same thing. Absolute undrinkable crap. I’ve tried it again for the last 4 years hoping to reproduce that first experience. Poured it out every time.
February 25, 2008

SGoodwin
Gary,

Love the head-to-head match-up format. Too bad about the two featherweights today.

QOTD: Yankees – Red Sox 2004….wow, it’s painful just typing it out!
February 25, 2008

vinamor
Um, Gary, you tend to comment that you like drinking whites at room temp. Ever considered tasting the same wine at various temperatures and telling us what you think then?
February 25, 2008

Jameson
This is why I love German Rieslings. Far better wines for half the money!
This senseless tragedy could have been avoided.
February 25, 2008

Jon B.
Wow that stinks.Thanks for the pretape. I’m sure the rest of the week will live up to the hype.Leave it to Chard to disappoint. Any how QOTD Born and raised in Cincinnati Oh. as a Bengals fan nuff said!!! Thanks Gary and WLTV crew.
February 25, 2008

james murphy
Forget Hogan vs. Piper. That was more like Rene Goulet vs. S. D. Jones.
February 25, 2008

Nick
QOTD: 05 Banfi Chianti Classico, not too good
February 25, 2008

Scoot70
Early 1980’s at the Columbus Convention Center..Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated by The Superstar. 2 went for the million dollar knee, Superstar turned out and pinned him. One disappointed #2 fan. Gary, if you have heard of this rivalry, I will be impressed.

Another disappointment which I need to post in an earlier show….Went to 4 places in my town and could NOT find a Cabernet Franc. We need a Wine Library!
February 25, 2008

Kristen
Thanks for saving us from $102 of lost dinero. Too bad it was a washout, but I’m looking forward to the next battle royale episodes to come!

QOTD: Tough one….either not being able to go to the college of my choice or seeing Bush elected for the first time in 2004.
February 25, 2008

E
A ‘99 Kistler Vine Hill gifted me. Started out orgasmic, turned into pineapple juice within a few hours. An emphatic meh.
February 25, 2008

Cliff and Darcey
QOTD: The last bottle that I was disappointed in was a 1999 Pomerol Chateau de Sales for $30 … it wasn’t awful, but it was very boring! I was expecting more.
February 25, 2008

Capt M
Very cool show, nonetheless. Thanks!
February 25, 2008

Mikey K
QOTD: 93 Phillies… i still cringe when I hear Joe Carter’s name
February 25, 2008

Lisa
Just recently tried that Giradin – agree completely! Try the Laboure Roi Meursault Premier Cru – that would have been a clear TKO for the French!
February 25, 2008

RANDI
Part of the honest show you give is to say when a wine is bad…that it IS bad.. So, thank you for another great show…More wines are to come..

QOTD: Disappointments….well, theres a few, but let us not dwell..
February 25, 2008

Boog
QOTD: I was obnoxiously dissappointed that I didn’t win that $270 Million Mega-Millions Lotto drawing last week. Now I have to keep going to work.
February 25, 2008

Tmas
Came to your store this weekend and purchased the Portuguese Feital Alvarinho Dorado you recommended on the birthday episode. GREAT PICK! Tasted like vanilla poundcake and worth the double-deuce.

QOTD: Getting a flat tire on the way to your store and only having 15 minutes to shop.
February 25, 2008

sgevurtz
love the idea of the battles! can’t wait for the rest of the week.
February 25, 2008

TennLee
Qotd: Real dissapointment? Not much to complain about, maybe that a couple bottles of Petrus cost more than my old truck?
February 25, 2008

Phil G
QOTD – Well, I will still root for and support Andy Pettitte, but I am really disappointed with his connection to HGH…
February 25, 2008

Katherine
Aw, bummer. Keep on trying, I’m sure you’ll get some good ones this week.
February 25, 2008

dustin
cool idea for this weeks shows. . . look forward to seeing more match-ups
February 25, 2008

drew
great show!
February 25, 2008

Lenny
QOTD

I opened a bottle of my everyday red wine, and removed a glass. Then I sealed it up with my new vacuum sealer I got for Christmas, The next day the wine was awful!!! Normally it will last several days. Not sure why the bad taste, but have not used the vacuum sealer since.
February 25, 2008

Eric
Disappointing wines, but a fun show. You handled it well.

QOTD: I’m a philadelphia sports fan. (See, I can’t even bring myself to use a capital p. It’s that disaPPointing!)
February 25, 2008

Bernie Bearnaise
Meursault is my favorite White Burgundy appellation due to its chalky soil.
Excellent with rich butter sauces and Seafood. I’m not familiar with this domaine but anything with “Genevieve” or close is usually going to be awesome. 2003 is the famous hot year that should make a flabby and high alchohol Chardonnay. If you don’t want oak and you want a leaner Chard. then try a real Chablis Premier Cru. For fifty dollars I’d expect a memorable event and ask to save the label but price doesn’t always mean quality. This show just saved all of us $50 and disappointment so I’m happy I tuned in.

I don’t think I’ve ever tried a $50 Australian Chardonnay so I thought this would be a win for the old world. So much for assumptions. Imagine that this or any other wine cost over $100 and Tanzer et al rated it 95 points and you purchased it and it was flawed…Believe me it can happen. I like little wine shops that say we tasted every wine we sell on the shelves and we thought is was good enough to recommend to you. I taste a lot of wines each week and I’d say that about 1 out of 10 is a winner. Now I’m staying in the $25 and under category looking for value. Australia certainly has brought the thunder in that price range. France does too but you have to be careful in Burgundy and know your domaine as you can spend more and get less. That’s why ratings are quality points but not a guarantee…Try a Louis Latour Chardonnay from Ardeche for about $10 and enjoy life. Try something else from that domaine and see the value…Gary educates us and steers us away from pitfalls. Thanks G.V.
February 25, 2008

Daniel O
This is why I watch this show: So that I am not disappointed by expensive bottles of wine that get high scores.

QOTD: I try not to dwell on disappointments, except to spur me on and motivate me to do better next time.
February 25, 2008

Ryan
You did the right thing. Even though you were afraid people would be depressed and not watch later this week, you still gave your honest opinion. That lets us know you can be trusted and therefore we shall watch! I saw on amazon you’ve got a book coming soon!

-british bulldog
February 25, 2008

T. Holland
Sad episode. Will have to go back an watch some old episodes to make me smile.

QOTD: Not even close. Watching my beloved Pats not show up against the Giants in the Superbowl. The only sports loss that this comes close in recent memory was the Red Sox losing to the MFY in the 2003 “Aaron Boone” game. Obviously 1986 against the Mets still takes the cake for any Boston sports fan. I know that no one feels bad for us, but it was still a tough loss especially living in NY.
February 25, 2008

Arthur
Hi Gary

It almost sounds like the Mersault bottle has some mercaptan-related flaws. Don’t know what to say about the Tapanappa…

I gotta ask again: “Palate” or “Preference”?

QOTD: Not too many disappointments lately, I’m happy to report.
February 25, 2008

Garrett C.
Like the head-to-head idea!

QOTD: Last week I had a ‘97 Palms d’Or. You expect a little more out of a $120 champagne, but to me it had this cheap dollar-store-candy sweetness w/no complexity whatsoever. Huge letdown, man.
February 25, 2008

John J.
QOTD: Last night’s Oscars. So sad.
February 25, 2008

SacramentoCharlie
A little lesson in expectation is not always bad.
QOTD: had a laughing magpie that was scored well by RP that just wasn’t my cup of tea.
February 25, 2008

NB_SPAZZ
I see where the quick head-to-heads can work – especially since GV’s on travel. (Enjoy Florida.)
QOTD: The end of each and every Rutgers Univ sports season since, ummm, since at least 1976.
February 25, 2008

lawschooldrunk
QOTD: probably the first time I tasted johnny walker blue label. talk about your let-downs! at 175-200 bones, you could easily get the same quality for 55 bones.

and I will take you up on your offer to arm wrestle- I will bring the thunder.

get fa’shnikin!
February 25, 2008

NeutralAngel
QOTD: The last time that I was obnoxiously disappointed in regards to wine, was with a $25-30 bottle of Chianti Classico Riserva. It was very flat and one-dimensional. I was disappointed because Chainti Classico Riservas have long been my favorite wine. However, I believe that my palette is growing more experienced, and my tastes are changing. My being SO disappointed in this wine has actually spurred me into trying some new things! Not a bad thing at all!
February 25, 2008

Eli2Tyree
QOTD – last time I was really dissapointed – this episoode of WLTV!!!
February 25, 2008

Shawna
Just wanted to echo what everyone else has said — this was a great show! It helps to see what you DON’T like sometimes too!
February 25, 2008

T-Bag
Gotta actually say, I enjoyed the honesty in this episode, thanks GV!

Having said that, the battle of the $50 Chards? Something I will NEVER pull off myself.
February 25, 2008

laposte
Good show, I enjoy head to head.

QOTD:

Last Tuesday, -31F when I woke up…ouch.
February 25, 2008

David
QOTD: Bought a used car for school, drove it to campus (about a 2-3 hour drive) and that very night the oil pump died and it took 3 weeks to get it fixed. Very disappointing…but the warranty covering the cost made it a little better.
February 25, 2008

Glenn
That will teach you to drink Chardonnay. Stay away from that stuff, it will kill you.
QOTD: Major disappointment after I won a Chargers-Broncos bet and took the $50 and bought a 2000 Canoe Ridge Merlot. It brought less to the table than the $5 2001 Columbia Crest Two Vines. Total crush as I am high on Washington Reds.
February 25, 2008

t_moderne
woohoo top 200!
GV – Let them sit open and come back to them in one to three hours and see if they improve with air. Perhaps . . .
I’m not disappointed nor disappointing.
February 25, 2008

shawnandlu
I would have cried if I dropped a c note on those two. Gary where were you on so many of my bad wine purchases.
February 25, 2008

Nathan
Las time I was redonculously disappointed was when my knee started crapping out on the Leadville 100 mile ultramarathon at the 15 mile point.
February 25, 2008

Grapedigger
I like the face off theme…I always had a hard time with Chardonnay!! Most of the affordable ones that I tried recently were either boring or just not well made…Bring back the thunder tp Chardonnay, will ya GV
February 25, 2008

EvanR
I love the idea of the head to head battles, even if both of the wines were subpar today. Great show!
February 25, 2008

Rhonda
I am excited for the battle format! I wish you had Tito Santana and Jesse Ventura rubber wrestlers so Tito could kick Ventura’s a$$ for calling him CHICO all those years

I had a major disappointment lately but its too much to get into here.
February 25, 2008

mrzitro
QOTD: The last time that I was obnoxiously disappointed was after tasting the 06 Crios Torrontes.
February 25, 2008

Patrick
I was disappointed last night when I opened a 2005 Beaujolais Fleurie. Had high expectations and to be honest the wine had good balance and a nice finish. The problem was the taste for me. veerryyy floral. Like having crushed up rose pedals. If you love floral wines this is great. Not me though.
February 25, 2008

Scott from Salt Lake
During wine tastings I get disappointed on a regular basis. Fortunately it’s those gems that keep me loving it.
February 25, 2008

David L
Yesterday when I found out that everyone (almost) coming to a Weinbach tasting is bringing the cheapest wine they make. I spent $56.00 and $59.00 for a Tokay Pinot Gris and Riesling respectively and feel a bit of a fool. They can afford it more than I. He asked, Pardon the gripe.
February 25, 2008

garyh
i enjoyed the show, even if the wines were terrible.

qotd: i’ve been disappointed several times lately with wines i bought last year. apparently, my tastes have changed considerably during that time, so what i found very appealing then (oak monster, for example) just doesn’t do it for me anymore. maybe i shouldn’t buy wines to put away for a long time until my palate becomes consistent.
February 25, 2008

George from NEPA
QOTD: Of course it has to deal with a girl. So there is this girl that I met a little while back who had a bf. He’s a douche and we all knew it. Needless to say we both fell for each other but she stayed with the douche cuz she thought she coud “change” him. Typical story I know. One of the coolest ppl I ever met and it went down in a flaming blaze. What ya gonna do, sit and sulk….HELL NO!!! Her loss. I’m back out in the field ladies.
February 25, 2008

Bill & Wendy Wilcox
Call’em like you see’em. Good stuff Gary. Don’t back down.
February 26, 2008

Gdizzle
Ouch….tough show. On the bright side you save me 102 bucks.
February 26, 2008

tuscanbob
That was interesting.

QOTD: I’m completely disappointed with this new Dell Laptop I got a month ago and the hassles I’m going through to make this thing right. I’m ready to ship this thing back to the crack tech support staff in Bangalore and get my rupees back.
February 26, 2008

sAgE
Gary, I hope you will do a taste-off between 05 Amon-Ra and 05 Shotfire or
05 Boarding Pass… I e-mailed you a few weeks ago from my work and you told me that it would be a good idea.. so I certainly hope you picked these wines for a taste off before you went away.. oh I hope so..
February 26, 2008

brorjace
Great show gary, love the humor. Sad to see your first round pan out so poorly, I’ll be watching tomorrow though

QOTD: 2 words Corn Bread…also burned
February 26, 2008

tuscanbob
Oh, and Jimmy ‘Superfly’ Snuka would have kicked both their asses.
February 26, 2008

CRZYWinemaker
GV ~ Interesting tasting, bummer it didn’t rock the hizzie ! Looking forward to the rest of this weeks shows. Have fun in your travels !!

Qotd: Had a Ridge Zin recently (don’t remember the year?) and I was sadly disappointed, I’ve had many Ridge wines in the past and this was a definite pazzzz. Keep the T-show rolling,thx ~ Max
February 26, 2008

Kevin Carpenter
I was disappointed when I went to the art institute of Pittsburgh for my first quarter.

Commercial art is not art.

Ok, so I’ll step down from my soap-box. But, this episode didn’t disappoint me, I’m glad you’re telling the truth when it comes to certain wines…if everything was awesome you wouldn’t need to have this show.
February 26, 2008

Josh O
What ever happen to more realistic wines for the average joe. Past few episodes have had very expensive wines. Lets see more inexpensive wines. Perhaps an episode on amazing wines that college students would be wise to invest in…

QOTD: i bought a 15 dollar bottle of merlot recently and found that there was a evil oak monster that love to club the tung with a giant oak tree. I felt sorry for the money that was wasted.

Amazing show keep ‘em coming!
February 26, 2008

SteveW
I love the Battle Royale theme, maybe you can do a California Cabernet or Merlot VS Washington.
QOTD: Disappointments:
1) The Seahawks losing the Super Bowl to the Steelers!!!!!
2) The reelection of President Bush!!!!!
February 26, 2008

JeffK
Thanks for the episode Gary, too bad for the lackluster performances. I wonder if you mixed the two would you have gotten something that scored better?

QOTD: The last time I was obnoxiously disappointed with wine was recently when I bought the Lancaster Estate 2004 Alexander Valley Cabernet for $60 at my favorite wine shop. I was in the store all hyped up over the 97 points Wine Enthusiast score (big mistake to get all hyped up). Brought the wine to dinner to share with friends over nice juicy steaky steaks. Man was I let down! A 91 at best and I think that was far reaching.
February 26, 2008

Eric
Great idea for a week of shows. Sucks that today’s wine’s were no good, but the idea is GREAT, so props there.

Also, I just received my anniversary pack and there’s some really interesting stuff. Good work and look forward to trying them.

QOTD: Any number of times when work looks clear for the weekend but I then end up in the office all of Saturday, Sunday or both.
February 26, 2008

Dennis
Sometimes you never know what to expect when you buy wine!
QOTD: Case in point…I just poured nearly an entire bottle of Caves Fleury Bordeaux Rose’ 2005 down the sink on Sunday. It was awful!!!
February 26, 2008

Chris D
Aussie wins in a weak battle. Thanks for the fight night short set up.
February 26, 2008

Kevin Carpenter
Good work Gary.

Your show inspires me to get more and more into wine with every viewing. I just tried a 2005 Barton & Gustier Bordeaux because of you, a month ago I didn’t know what Bordeaux was!

Keep bringing the thunder plz.
February 26, 2008

Moselman
Found the episode, and results, quite enjoyable.

QOTD: The ‘74 Margaux we bought when our daughter was born, and opened on her 21st birthday, was corked. Big disappointment to us, but no biggie for her, as she’s not into wine.
February 26, 2008

Phil M'Glassup
Whew that 2003 (I think) Loring Rosella’s. After all the hype and after having spent half a benjy, this was total crap. Sheer Doctor Pepper. I will never drink a Loring wine again.
As for disapointments of a more personal nature, I have two words for you:
internet dating.
February 26, 2008

Mandy
Gary has a book coming out, wee! Can’t wait!
February 26, 2008

Ted Striker
… Who’s there? When are you going to be in Tampa? And for what? Taking me up on going to Bern’s? LIkely, no, but… Wow two big bombs, ouch! for that kinda dough. Totally looking forward to the rest of the match ups! Actually, i just tasted a bunch of Girardin red Burgundys. Volnay, Pommard, Santenay, and Bourgonge. All were very good. Especially the Bourg. for 20 bones. QOTD – Mitt dropping out!
(the Knock Knock…btw) Would love to know more about your Tampa appearance, maybe you can swing by the Wine Warehouse in South Tampa!
February 26, 2008

Scott - Boston
Disappointed : 2007-08 Patriots. I know the entire country hates the Pats, but c’mon… in 20 years everyone would’ve said, “Wow, remember that Pats team that year… incredible.” I mean, I’m not the biggest Wilt Chamberlain fan in the world (Bill Russell, anyone?), but you’ve got to admit it was pretty cool to hear of a guy scoring 100. No matter how much people hate him.

Oh, wine, er, Johnson’s (Alexander Valley, CA). Um, nice pipe organ.

Scott – Boston
February 26, 2008

Ted Striker
WOW!! I’ve repressed the memory it was so redonkulously disappointing… the Pats. Almost forgot. Ugghhh! Those were ‘05 Burgs btw. Seriously, would love to meet you, the legend, in person in Tampa.
February 26, 2008

Hamid
QOTD: It was today actually. 2 of the 3 wines I tried did not get along with my Pal. They were NY wines; a dry Riesling, and a sparking wine. I’m hoping this is due to my recovery from being sick.

I feel for you on today’s show, you tried to bring the Thunder, but ended up in a Blunder.
February 26, 2008

malliemcg
Yay, I’m happy to see a wine from the Adelaide hills featured – I did my maturation in oak in Adelaide and it’s now one of my past “home” regions.

QOTD: Can’t really recall being obnoxiously disappointed recently – life is going oh so well at the moment. The closest would be when I got Kieth Urban tickets in a PS3 box for my BDay, but that was turned to happiness when the PS3 was handed to me some hours later.
February 26, 2008

Yoni Rabkin
Great idea to do the Vs. week. Hope things pick up.

QOTD: Every day I read the news of what’s going on in my area (the middle east).
February 26, 2008

DJB
About 4 months back I had the wine clerk at a local shop sell me on this 37 dollar bottle of Caravan red. He was raving about how great it was, and what a steal the wine was. I opened it a few days later on the weekend and became more and more depressed with every sip I took. I found myself tasting it over and over waiting for the great fruit and structure he raved about to come out of hiding. It never did. Each sip was a bigger disappointment than the last. Now I am sad.
February 26, 2008

Oregon Jim
I sit here drinking a nice Reuilly SB wondering why we keep searching for a memorable chardonnay $50! That buys 3 of these, or a killer bottle of Walla Walla Merlot!

QOTD- I am going to make a confession. As much as I love Oregon Pinot Noir, there are lessons I still get to learn! A birthday party for a good friend was the reason for me to pop two bottles of ‘03 Rex Hill Maresh Loie’s Block Pinot Noir, a $75 bottle rated 93WE.

Grilled Pork chops with a Pinot mushroom reduction sauce. The $17 2006 Zoot Allure Pinot Noir we had to start with the crackers and hummus gave it a serious run. It was absolutely pedestrian. I was very dissapointed!
February 26, 2008

Kristi
I think I was painfully disappointed when you announced the end of wine library tv not too long ago.
February 26, 2008

Cephalopunk
Great show : great premise + honesty. I like the match up idea – I think it would be neat if the wines were tasted single blind. Potential matchups:

A Trockenbereenauslese Reisling and a Tokai. This would have to be tought on the palette.
Loire Cab Franc and New York Cab Franc (I can dream, right?)
Find a great Steen (South African Chenin) and pit it against a classic Loire Chenin Blanc.
Oregon Pinot and Burgundy. (Actually, I’ll be surprised if you’re not already doing this.)
Southern Rhone blends and New World or Languedoc Syrah.

God, I could make these up all day.

Honestly, I really thought the white burg was a shoe-in in this one… that’s the only chard I’ve been getting worked up over these days. Again still a good show, one tasting note surprised me though – describing a wine as both ‘flabby’ and acidic.

QOTD: I don’t want to talk about disappointment today, it was actually something of a turn around from a lousy week. (The last bottle of Radikon ‘02 Ribolla Gialla let me down, if you must know.)
February 26, 2008

MagnumGourmet
Last time I was horribly dissapointed in a wine was when I picked up a six pack of Pinot Noir from a winery in Oregon (it was tasty at the time) and then over the next year opened them up and they all went down the sink they were so bad.
February 26, 2008

joel delon
Hey gary try again to pronounce “dessus” and not “dessous” which is under or below. With this burgundy chard meursault perysot dessus you’re going to set fire to the entire meursault area (sens dessus dessous = upside down !:)
i’m currently pruning a plot of land in languedoc planted with chard that’s why i’m laughing…
QOTD : my last wine tasting a cab sauv coming from the venice area really really disappointing… was not really “haute couture”
February 26, 2008

hastings 115
I was disappointed when I finally tried Opus One. It was an 03 and that night we were drank a cardinale and Kosta Browne reserve. We saved the Opus for last and it was so mediocre and blah. Don’t understand what all the hype is about Opus One.
February 26, 2008

RonC
Good show, but two short. You need two bouts a day to keep it interesting.
QOTD: The Mets choking last September.
February 26, 2008

RonC
I meant ‘too short’.
February 26, 2008

YoungDave
Tough break, G man…

QOTD: I brought a Cotes du Rhone from an unfamiliar wine shop in town on a recommendation from one of the senior salesmen… awful, extremely sour and thin bodied. That was the first and last time that I’ll be visiting that shop.
February 26, 2008

JordanW
QOTD: I’m outrageously disappointed every time my Ottawa Senators take a dump on the ice and get beaten by the Maple Leafs 5-0.
February 26, 2008

kokoa
Will be watching the episode tonight so not QOTD answer, but just to JordanW “Go Leafs!” \(^-^)/
February 26, 2008

chester
Ok not to offend anyone from France but it was kind of funny to here Gary say that France invaded something. that might be the only time that phase will be used. I am still on a high from the Giants winning the Super Bowl so no disappointments right now.
February 26, 2008

Klassh
Make a mess of the new table cloth already?

QOTD: 2003 Chamarre Tradition Bordeaux. That was my first Bordeaux, really, not good.
February 26, 2008

NathanN
QOTD: Was super excited to try a wine that was receiving a lot of hype and turned out to be corked. The awesome retailer I purchased it from took it back though so wasnâ€™t let down for long except they are sold out of that vintage.
February 26, 2008

NADINE
There are several times in life when we are disappointed weather it is with people, situations or just a new hot product we have purchased. I ended 2007 not so to my liking and started 2008 the same way, lol. I am trying to remain positive as the year is still not finished, lol. I guess we just have to say huh, ok that wasn’t how I thought it would turn out to be like a cake you baked and it comes out all wrong, lol. Sometimes you just have to follow your inside gut or pardon my french, intuition and not give a hoot about what other people think Gary. Cheer up ! I am sure the next pairing will be excellent
February 26, 2008

Robertico el cantante
Hey Gary.

I’m not a fan of Chardonnay at all, with very rare exceptions, such as one I tasted in Sonoma last January. That one tasted more like Sauvignon Blanc. Don’t like the oak monster and really dislike the butter bandit.

QOTD: Opus One. I don’t know if I got a bad bottle, but I don’t see what the big deal is all about.

PS: I heard you are going to be in Miami. Any chance we could meet you, say hello? Twitter?

R
February 26, 2008

Chippewamike
QOTD: Sunday’s Oscar show!
February 26, 2008

FTBoomer
QOTD: Last time I was disappointed was when TS told me I couldn’t have dinner with you tomorrow night @ Bern’s in Tampa.

See you tomorrow
February 26, 2008

Irina
Zdrasty!
That was realyly good show!!! I enjoy it a lot.
QOTD: Domain Morean Pere et Fils 2006 Chablis – maybe because I expected much more…
February 26, 2008

Scottie P
QOTD: Well, I’m a HUGE Philadelphia Flyers Fan so every year around May I get that feeling of loss and extreme disappointment renewed.
In my limited wine experience, I’m actually leaning towards Chards as my fav.
…the Hogan figure would’ve helped…
February 26, 2008

KNode
QOTD: I’ve actually been very disappointed by a lot of the red wines I’ve been trying lately. WAY to much oak and not a lot else! I’ve been very impressed with a lot of whites I’ve been trying though (I’ve been on a dry Riesling kick lately; trying them out from different areas), so that’s been a nice surprise.
February 26, 2008

wannaBconnoisseur
Fun Show GV! Can’t win them all I guess. Looking forward to “Battle Royale Week”!!!

Q-The Pats most recent loss.
February 26, 2008

Crosis
QOTD: The last time I was obnoxiously disappointed was the lat episode of The Sopranos.
February 26, 2008

Samuel Paes
bad bad gary… no donuts for you… lol

QOTD: yesterday on my anual work feedback meeting… I needed a drink after it.
February 26, 2008

Eric A.
Wow, rough day with the Chards. Especially with Burgundy, it’s so hit or miss. I go through phases when I love it, can’t get enough of it, and then just totally hate it, won’t go near it. Same with California — way too fruit cocktail for me. Gary, I think you have a pretty good Aussie one, Petaluma, which is about $25. A lot of money for Chard, but I think that’s one of the better Aussie ones out there.

QOTD: When was the last time I was obnoxiously disappointed? Not sure, I think it’s a tie between the last time I had a white Burgundy and Mark DeRosa swinging at ball 4 in game three of the NL playoffs last year.
February 26, 2008

JerseyGirl turned CNY vayniac
QOTD: I was really disappointed when my friend Bianca moved back to Ottowa. She had been working at my company as a freelancer and they “ran out of work to give her” so she had to go back to Canada. I was sooo bummed! I was also disappointed when my friend Val moved to NH to be with her boyfriend. I’m happy for her, but it’s just me and the boys now… I need my girlfriends!

Great show today Gary. Love the energy and honesty!
February 26, 2008

DavidB
Love the idea of the “head to head” action – hope for better wines later this week. Cheers

QOTD: Just this past week I opened a bottle my wife and I bought two years ago from Elyse winery while there for our anniversary – the bottle must have had some sort of taint during the processing as the wine was terrible. I even took it to me local guy to ask his opinion and sure enough, I was not crazy. So, a wine I had been saving for two years turns out to be crap! Very dissapointed and to top it off I emailed Elyse the next day and have heard nothing from them. Considering how much I spend on wine and how much I actually liked their wines, not a good customer service move.
February 26, 2008

DavidB
BTW – was that the shortest WLTV episode ever? Freaking dissapointed!
February 26, 2008

Obama_Man
GV, this is karma for throwing down so much bling lately on the Thunder Show!
February 26, 2008

Shadowbird
QOTD: Two words: Barefoot. Shiraz.
February 26, 2008

albert
Last Saturday. Drove three hours one way to an auction where the items, I was interested in, sold for more than they cost new.
February 26, 2008

Andy
Still a great show G ,, Old World vs New World … As you know not all high rated expensive wine is good or even average.
QOTD—- When you watch or listen to hype then the event totally sucks …aka a sporting event or a special meal…
February 26, 2008

Willie
Looking forward to the next show down
February 26, 2008

Simon D
QOTD: Hmm…last time I was really disappointed…

How about when you said you were quitting the show
February 26, 2008

FifthgenTexan
Thanks for keep’n it real Gary. So, taping this week’s shows all in one night? …By “Friday”, you may be like Harry Caray trying to pronounce names backwards when the game goes into extra innings. Can you imagine him trying to pronounce Kosuke Fukudome?

QOTD – In the “wine-world” it would be receiving a 1/2 case of 2001 Cantemerle bordeaux only to have the first bottle opened to be corked. The second bottle was a nice recovery however.
February 26, 2008

wayno da wino
QOTD: i remember bein’ a tad FRAAAAZZLED when me Cleveland
Brownies choked twice to da Denver Broncos & John Elway in da
AFC Playoffs back in da 80s………Wheeeeeheeeeeheeeeeaa
February 26, 2008

Johnny2Sheds
QOTD: A few weeks ago, I went to a Pitt hoops game only to watch them get WAXED by Rutgers…RUTGERS!!! As well as they played against Georgetown just days before, that’s how absolutely–and disappointly–HORRIBLE they played against Rutgers. Unfortunately, it appears that game was a sign of things to come for Pitt….
February 26, 2008

Johnny2Sheds
Uh…make that “disappointingly.”
February 26, 2008

mikeh
The palate bone’s connected to the tongue bone……and cannot tell a lie.
Tough tasting….great show. Keep the thunder rolling.
February 26, 2008

JeffC
Great show Gary. Thanks. Man, I would be hard pressed to spend that kind of money on what turns out to be average, at best, wines. Geez. Have you tried this one? 05 Step Road “Black Wing” Chardonnay. I picked up for $6 a bottle and have enjoyed quite a bit. Maybe not on the same level as these two you tasted, but what the heck. I can buy 6 of these instead. Later Gman.
February 26, 2008

VinoVixen
love the idea of the match up…I am sure you will get some good ones! I sure hope Lizzy gets to travel with you considering you are always going somewhere
QOTD: a wine class I have paid $1,200 bones for!
February 26, 2008

James P
Maybe try them both at the same time? Pour a little of both into the same glass and see what happens…
February 26, 2008

Roro
QOTD: Disapointed when you taped a show in a bad mood. You were not bringing the thunder to the thunder show. I’m glad your back.

Gary, I know you want to be the king on France, but…I’m tired of all of these Bordeaux reviews and other sky high priced french wines. Their prices don’t fit with their quality. Changing the wine world? How, if you are reviewing what everyone else is talking about? Do what you do best! Seek out the hidden wines.
February 26, 2008

ZinRiki
Jessie’s Grove Vintners Reserve. Tasted like it was made with concentrate (common).
February 26, 2008

Carly
Those last few comments almost made me burst out laughing… in the law school library! I would have been held in contempt for sure…

QOTD: I haven’t been obnoxiously disappointed in a wine, but once, my friend told me she was really into wine (and I was so excited!), and we each brought one of our favorites to a party. She brought an Australian Zin and I brought a Portuguese wine I’d recently discovered…I hated hers, and she didn’t really like mine. Her Zin was like drinking cherry/grape Kool-Aid with vinegar, and I guess my Portuguese wasn’t sugar-y enough for her!

My most obnoxious disappointment was getting nothing but clothing for Christmas when I was 12. It was the moment I realized that childhood was over (no more toys! Waaah!)
February 26, 2008

crank
QOTD: Patriots in the Super Bowl. Depressing.
February 26, 2008

J Dubb
QOTD: January 20th NFC Championship game, GBP lose to the Giants.
February 26, 2008

LarryTheWineGuy
Easy Answer to QOTD……….I got Dookered!!!! Got all excited about all the Mollydooker stuff and huge scores from Spectator and Parker…and after trying The Boxer and Carnival Of Love …I washed my car with the remainder of the bottles. Sorry Sarah And Sparky…Your Wines Are WAY DISJOINTED and over Alcholed…and Temporarily Singed the Lining of My Esophagus!! 16% alcholo more like 19% tastes like Nyquil with Vicks Vapo Rub being applied to your Chest Cavity!!
February 26, 2008

Peter Wood
Had a similar wine day today Gary. Tried some Austrian wines and found they were all boring. Had hoped for so much more. Made up for it by tasting some brilliant Italian wines!
February 26, 2008

OhioPride
Make it through the next round. Is it time for a wine bracket challenge on the thunder show. Sweet sixteen cali wine challange.
February 26, 2008

Martin
I couldn’t graduate form college on time
February 26, 2008

Karl Laczko
Wrestling with Mott, sorry Chris, the idea is well and truly out there now, DO IT!!!

Shame the wine sucked, but hey, sometimes that’s the way the dice roll, and you had some decent St. Aubin recently so Chardonnay’s not all bad.

QOTD – Biggest disappointment – the day to day workings of our 16yr old, whose experiments in drinking, smoking and stealing loose cash of his parents never fail to frustrate.
February 26, 2008

andrew
last time i was tremendously disappointed was/is with the current Chicago Bulls season. I thought they would contend in the east. i was way wrong.
February 26, 2008

W Miree
Well, that can happen sometimes. It could be your palate that is “off” at the time of your tasting, or the wines could be “off bottles”, but it is unlikely that both bottles would be out of sorts….especially given that they come from vintages two years apart.

QOTD: Yes. The disappointment comes from all over: 15+ year old corked bottles; 6 year old, perfectly stored Premier Cru White Burgundy that has become oxidized way before its expected peak; and then some wines just don’t deliver the quality and character you were expecting of them….like today.
February 26, 2008

Greg Ztolg
Hey Gary, were these wines warm or cold. Knowing you, they were probably warm. Maybe try them cold and then cut for 3 hours and then taste warm. How many of us out there actually drink whites warm? My guess is less than 1%.
February 26, 2008

Xian
Last time I was super disappointed was when I thought WLTV was being canceled.

It’s tough to beat the expectations on $50 bottles of Chardonnay.
February 26, 2008

SaraMHCRU
good show. i really appreciate when you offer insight into pricing (i.e., a good $10 bottle that beats some $30 bottles and the reverse, like today)… it’s a helpful thing.

qotd: when my appendix ruptured and I had to miss an event that was enormously important to me, in addition to being out of commission for the month or so that followed.
February 26, 2008

ValerieM
QOTD: The Panarroz 2006 Jumilla
February 26, 2008

Blake
QOTD: STAR WARS Ep. 1…I was expecting all the thunder in the world to come down on me to only be dissappointed. It wasn’t bad (like i’m sure millions of you know) but it didn’t “bring the thunder”
February 26, 2008

MontanaSage
QOTD: Last disappointment: spent $30 on a Chinon rose for Christmas Eve that was utterly bland and pointless.

But speaking of Chardonnay, I’m going to start bugging you about a tiny, almost unknown area: Grand Valley AVA.

I was in Grand Junction, Colorado last June and was shocked by the quality of the wines there. The “Two Rivers” Chardonnay was excellent: pop-n-pour it was lovely and classy, though a bit shy. After two hours of breathing, it opened up into a large, weighty wine with immediately pleasing fruit and enough backbone to be genuinely interesting. A light hand with the oak and a commitment to terroir comes through with a solid underpinning of mineral and herbal structure in the mid palate. In fact, everything I tried at Two Rivers was quite good. Their Cab Sauv was especially nice. Almost everything in the Grand Valley AVA comes in under $20. Great bargains.

No connection for me except my mom lives there.

Back to lurking…
February 26, 2008

Patrick L
GV QOTD; I’m an Eagles fan enough said
February 26, 2008

Eric Holm
tHANKS FOR SAVING MY PAL A BUNDEL AND ON TO THE NEXT!!!!!!!!!
February 26, 2008

ecola
So when is the big wrestling match between GV and Mott? A WLTV pay-per-view?
February 26, 2008

Derek
Very interesting!!!

QOTD: this years super bowl…I still cant think about it.
February 26, 2008

Mike L
funny show….sorry about those wines!

QOTD: last big let down, Packers losing the NFC title game…hands down.
February 26, 2008

chenrys
Sorry for the disappointing match up.

QOTD: We can’t even think of a recent shocking disappointment…mild disappointments maybe.
February 26, 2008

cma82
QOTD: Biggest disappointment..the fact that we haven’t seen Sir Gary Vaynerchuk and the Elegance Hour for tooooo long!
February 26, 2008

Kristen
QOTD: Maybe not the last time but to stick with a sports themed response. 1995 (my freshman year) Michigan State (with a top notch bball team) losing in the first round of the NCAA tourney to Weber State. Had to wait till 2000 for them to claim the title.

Have had some wine disappointments too, but they were to be expected- NC wines just don’t have the backbone yet (Raffeldini Wine Makers Blend, Duplin Ten), but I’m not gonna rule them out. After all NC is my home for good now!
February 26, 2008

Kevin
Quirky and fun episode! Really enjoyed it for some reason, more than normal. I’m on a bit of mission to start to feel the chardonnay. Maybe visiting Burgundy in a few weeks will help.

QOTD: Maurice Ecard Savigny Les Beaune, around $50-60 CDN, and I’ve got $8 french swill in my glass currently that is just as good. I feel your pain with the droppage of big coin for disappointment. I’m not a fan of that. At all.
February 26, 2008

amgryger
QOTD: I had a schematic design presentation with clients that went really poorly about a month ago.
February 26, 2008

Mike Z in SD
QOTD: Hmmm… I opened a 1999 Pride Merlot, which I’d traded for at the winery. I’d saved it for several years and was looking forward to it. It was corked. That sucked.
February 26, 2008

RDHudak
How is the Clone 5?
February 26, 2008

Dan Mc
sorry about the disappointing show gary! if it’s hard to watch it’s gotta be awful to tape

qotd (not to provoke anyone): not being able to have dinner with you in tampa. seriously bummed
February 26, 2008

Kirk (AKA: slave2thevine)
“we’re making wine wether you like it or not” THAT….is a killer quote.

QOTD: Wow…I’d have to say last night. I popped a 2005 Lazy Creek Pinot Noir and it wasn’t at all like I remembered it at the winery…funny thing was that it was our first winery of the day…and it really blew my socks off back then. I’ll sit on the other two bottle….see if they just need more time. Wow….
February 26, 2008

ktw
qotd:2 weekends ago – bad trip – huge disapointment
February 26, 2008

Ben
Just love it when you taste wines so far out of my price range. The closest I will ever come to them. Sounds fortunate in this case, except that you didn’t use the Thundermug, which probably threw you off.
February 27, 2008

Sev
Not a bad show, even though the wines were a bit of a miss. I am definitely looking forward to a week of battles. If you get 2000 comments one day, can you and Mott wrestle?

QOTD: No huge disappointments in my wine life, because even wines I didn’t love have given me a reference point. I am still really learning so anything I try is worth the experience. I don’t have to buy much wine though, so that helps.
February 27, 2008

Mason
QOTD: The last time that I was severely disappointed was this past weekend when the #1 Memphis Tigers played #2 Tennessee Vols. How can a #1 ranked team be number one when they average 50% from the free throw line, and get outrebounded every game????!! If that is the state of NCAA basketball this year, then I want to just skip March.

Great show, by the way Gary V! Have a good time on your travels.
February 27, 2008

chito
Gary, thats why we watch..for your HONESTY!!!! That goes to show that the total tab for the evening does not mean you’re getting some. QOD. The previous season Cowboy-Seahawks Playoff game, worse than the ‘67 Cowboy- Packers Ice Bowl. Don’t remember much but my family said I even scared the dog.
February 27, 2008

ScottyWed
Wiens in Temecula. Bought my first case of wine. 12 bottles of 2005 Chardonnay. 8 bottles of vinegar and 4 that were ok. You win some and you lose some. No harm done.
February 27, 2008

Dan C.
WOW …. tough day. I can’t help but wonder if some of the disappointment stemmed from the hype and price point of those wines.

QOTD: Not being able to have any wine all last week on account of the flu!!!!
(Daniel downs another handful of Tylenol and vitamin C)
February 27, 2008

jenjen
qotd: couldn’t find most of the wines (that you’ve tasted in the show) at lcbo in toronto…soooooooo disappointed
February 27, 2008

Scott
Thanks for putting up shows even though you’re gone this week!

QOTD: I’ve got a list of about 30 wines you’ve reviewed that I can’t find anywhere. Every new wine store I go into in the Tampa or Miami area brings new hope and new disappointment. I’m still able to go on genre and find some good stuff though.
February 27, 2008

Johnny Utah
QOTD: 2001 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet tasted on Valentines Day…what a dissapointment! I used to bow down to silver oak gods…boy has my pal changed. This wine beat me silly with a 2 X 4 and then try to splash a bucket of vanilla in my face to wake me up…yikes!
February 27, 2008

Christian
2007 Rams!
February 27, 2008

Paul
“Patriots” 2008
February 27, 2008

ChezJosh
I was working as a server/pourer/bottle-opener for the Millbrook Winery fall harvest party lunch. There, I was surrounded by all of these (wealthy) Hudson Valley-ites who were tasting all of these wines and mooing over how incredible they all were. As a thank you for working the (poorly planned and executed) event, all of us employees got a c-note and a semi-personalized “thank you” bottle of their reserve Chardonnay. Let me just say, no amount of oak monstering can cover up Mid-Hudson Valley terroir. A good claret may taste like a forest floor, but this just tasted like dirt! I’m not terribly picky about wines – I’m as likely to buy bag-in-a-box as I am to buy Chinon – but this wine was so bad, I had to give it away. My friend didn’t care though, she loved it!
February 27, 2008

alfredhayes
QOTD: Went to a restaurant called Reds…they specialize in…wine…red to be exact. Looking through the menu for a glass of something interesting. What do my eyes feast upon but a 2005 Bordeaux…$20/7 oz. glass. As I was on business I didn’t mind getting hosed…thinking to myself.. it’s a 2005 Bordeaux. Order the wine to come with my meal. 30 minutes later I get “we don’t carry that wine anymore”. So I come back with, that’s OK do you have any other 2005 Bordeaux’s by the glass available. Their answer.. no. At this point I was trapped and had to settle for something else (a nice cab. from Napa), but man oh man.. what kind of place that specializes in wine doesn’t have an up-to-date wine list?!?!?!? I also noticed a price difference with an earlier wine (listed on 2 different menus at different prices)I had tried (a Washington Gertz. from Houge), mentioned it to the waitress and when I get the bill they charge me the higher price!! Needless to say I won’t be back soon.
February 27, 2008

pawncop
A good show even without a true knockout. Always learning with you and that is the true appeal of this program.
February 27, 2008

agentorange
QOTD: When I didn’t win any schwag for spreading the thunder…
February 27, 2008

Grape Expectations
Bummer, GV. Still, we learn–even from disappointments. Lesson being, ya ain’t gonna know unless you try.

QOTD: Haven’t had many disappointments lately. Isn’t that nice! But when I went to the “Super Bowl food and wine pairing” at my local store, they couldn’t get any raspberry-filled Hostess cupcakes to pair with the Chenin Blanc so we had gummy bears instead. That was disappointing.
February 28, 2008

ted vaughn
Tough show. My passion for white burgs began w/ Girardin….and for the most part, I have to say he makes amazing wine…perhaps too many wines….but they tend to be solid; especially the whites. It’s sad to see GV diss him…but I’m sure it was deserved. All I can say….try his Quintessance of Corton Charlamange – 2004 or 2005.
February 28, 2008

GR8wine
What a depressing show!
Fortunately I’m watching them backwards and know that the other matchups have been good.
QOTD: In regards to wine 2 events come to mind. One was when a friend opened a $100 bottle of very reputable Brunello and it was corked. The other was when I held some white’s too long (Viognier). They took a huge dive in their last year and I had to dump my last 3 bottles down the sink.
February 28, 2008

kjemt
QOTD: The damn Giants winning the super bowl, my Skins better meet the JETS next year in the super bowl, or it will be ANOTHER disapointment!
Interesting format this week Gary, love the head-to-head match ups, looking forward to the anv pack episode, it’s time to stop looking at these bottles and start tasting! We have friends coming over to join the thunder for that episode, more Vayaniacs in the making!
February 28, 2008

Big Mac
Even though it’s now 2008, and it’s over. I’m still obnoxiously disappointed with the Green Bay Packers playoff game against the now Champion Giants. Maybe next year!
February 28, 2008

Josh in Burgundy
QOTD: Had a 10 year old bottle of Napa Cab given to me as a gift. Popped it as for a specail occasion and it hadn’t been stored properly by the giver it was cooked. That was a large dissapointment
February 28, 2008

JayZee
QOTD: This show certainly disappointed me, but that’s not your fault.
February 28, 2008

Benjamin-VaTech
Shit, those wine reviews remind me of the time I turned 21, which leads to my

QOTD: My 21’st birthday was on a sunday, everything Everywhere was closed, I ended up doing aristocrat vodka (11$ a handle) shots until I got sick and had to lie down. Missed going out to a movie, ended up having to hang out by myself until I passed out. I woke up the next day to a 200$ fine for my friend parking (in my car) in a handicap spot the night before. Shittiest. 21st. Ever. (outside of our troops spending their 21’st in Iraq, respect that).
February 29, 2008

DARREL LAS VEGAS
Read my e-mail
March 1, 2008

Lois and Greg
2007 NY Jets
March 2, 2008

Dan-o
My most obnoxious disappointment has to be:

I traveled to Ireland on business and the Minn Vikings were playing in the NFC Championship in 1998 vs the ATL Falcons. I went to 4 different pubs trying to find somewhere to watch the game. I found the game at a nice pub where I had dinner and some of the mothers milk (Guinness).
The Vikings looked like they could wrap things up if Gary Anderson hit is 40th straight field goal. I thought to myself – he is due to miss! He missed! The Falcons came back and won the game and I drank more mothers milk.

Wine disappointment – opened up a 1980 Chateau Palmer that I purchased several years earlier at a small wine shop in Nantes, France. I opened up for the 2003 Super Bowl and it was gone! The cork was moldy, I decanted aggressively and I could not get rid of the mustiness. I poured a $100 bottle down the drain!
March 3, 2008

JÃ¸rn Idar
QOTD; When I got sick last weekend, and had a dinner planed for 5 dishes and 5 wines… Did’nt tast ANYTHING:-(
March 4, 2008

Jayhitek
QOTD: Newton Claret
Wasn’t worth the $30
March 6, 2008

MtnCharlie
QOTD: I just opened last night a bottle of 2006 Panarroz, Jumilla, 90pts RP and it was just too fruit bomb for me, sweet, Halls cherry cough drops. Not what I was expecting.
March 6, 2008

Andy
Most recent wine-related disappointment: Located 5 bottles of 96 Leoville Barton at a decent price, snatched them up, drank one and found it rather “meh.” (Full disclosure: the wine had probably been stored at room temp for the past 8-9 years and my preference leans towards the Rhone). On the upside, I was able to sell or trade the remainging ones at a profit, more than covered the bottle I drank.
March 13, 2008

Lawrence Leichtman
Been disappointed in many wines over many years. I would like the idea of you and Mott competing in wrestling though. Could that be a casual Friday. I mean real casual LOL.
May 16, 2008

Wine Bloke
I’m biased as I worked for Croser at Petaluma for a number of years. So I make that point known straight up. The Tapanappa Chardonnay is made predominantly from the Tiers vineyard, directly next door to the original Petaluma Winery, and was the Foundation vineyard for the Tiers Chardonnay for many years.

Traditionally it’s always been quite tight for the first few years, but develops remarkably well. It’s always been more elegant and refined than many Australian Chardonnays, a point of difference that is refreshing.

I’ve tasted the Tapanappa, and in my opinion it just needs time. Can’t say I’ve tried the Girardin, so can’t comment. Can’t win em all, but great match-up.
July 22, 2008

Dan Manu
QOTD WLTV ep#506
January 8, 2009

Dessert Wine Nerd
Piper is my all-time fav wrestler. I thought I read somewhere that he had it in his WWF contract that he could never be pinned? Obviously DQ’s and tag matches count as loses but if thats true I still think its pretty wicked. Piper would win that match, btw. Tough deal on the first battle royal of the week. Hope the rest of the week brings it. QOTD: The 2008 Seahawks season. Even with the injuries we had, I thought we could at least be 8-8 ( I knew the playoffs was out of the question once Matt went down long-term).
September 21, 2009

ulu ulu ulu ulu
QOTD: The other day the weather prediction stated it would be really nice, but it just rained all day.