California Zinfandel Death Match

California Zinfandel Death Match – Episode #448

April 21, 2008

Gary Vaynerchuk explores 3 very serious Zinfandels on the thunder show and talks a little more about his new book!

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“QOTD: Late to comment once again, so Im not sure how I could help book…” by Dessert Wine Nerd
“GARY:
USE A WHITE TABLE CLOTH OR A WHITE NAPKIN ON THE SET . WE COU…” by JIM
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Wines tasted in this episode:

2004 Tres Sabores Rutherford ZinfandelNapa Red Zinfandel
2005 Neyers Zinfandel High ValleyOther California Red Zinfandel
2005 Ridge Lytton Springs ZinfandelSonoma Red Zinfandel

Links mentioned in todays episode.

403 Responses

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April 22, 2008

ZJK
Gary I have commented so many times to push you toward trying this wine…I REALLY REALLY want to see you do a *NORTON/CYNTHIANA* wine in the very near future (this week.) MAY 13th CANT WAIT FOR MY BOOK!
April 22, 2008

Andrew VItale
Gary,
I think a great idea for this week would be to do a DUNN HOWELL MOUNTAIN CABERNET tasting. Start with 1992 and you can perform a vertical tasting or even compare Howell Mountain to the regular Napa valley bottling. Thanks
April 22, 2008

Roberto
Hi Gary,

I thought it would be a great idea if you had a 3 wine, blind tasting episode. Mott (or someone) could get the 3 wines (varietals from around the world) that have already been “rated” by a major publication, and then go ahead and do your tasting and rating… I think it would be different and frankly, quite interesting to us Vayniacs.

QOTD: best way to sell a book is advertising… word of mouth is free, but nothing like a good quote from a respected wine writer (matt kramer comes to mind) and a small (1/8th of a page) in the USA today… really, think about it.
April 22, 2008

DirtWineKen
Gary, your shows only get better — thank you. OK down to business!!
QOTD1: I don’t remember tha question.
QOTD2: California Petite Syrah!!! Pls include Eaglepoint Ranch 2005.

I’m gonna ask now, any many times in the future,for an awsome GV casemesque shout out for my big 60 this year on August 5, 2008!
April 21, 2008

Phillip
Do the Teachworth Kirk left! Should be really interesting to see if there are any differences.

Go for some Shane Syrah that you tried some of in Cali.

More Cali Grenache–Dry Stack is doing some & I know there are a few others fairly acclaimed.

Most importantly, lots of blind and DOUBLE BLIND tasting! Chyeah, grow some.

And I like the comment about Iron Chef America…would be fun, great food, great promotion.
April 21, 2008

Justin Viger
For the second question of the day:

I agree with Newman about wines from BC. It would be nice to be able to get the wines you review and then watch the episode again and see if I can tell what you are talking about.
April 21, 2008

Steve & Marilee
QOTD publish random sections (selections) across the web … put 40 to 50 out there as a tease. Or start dropping 102 through 150..
April 21, 2008

Mike Godkin
Hey Gary howz it goin,

I just wanted to say that I started watching your show about a week ago and have since watched about 30 episodes, I have to say that I don’t think I learned more about any particular subject quite as quickly as I have learned with your help on the thunder show. You’ve inspired me into becoming an avid wine collector/sampler. Ill be picking up one or two of your books up in the next week or so (Mums day coming up). Have you done a British Columbia wines show? I haven’t seen one so far. Anyway keep up the good work and Ill be watching.

Mike from Vancouver Canada
April 21, 2008

Jerry the 2thdr
QOTD You need a national TV appearence to push the book. Perhaps on the food channel or Oprah. How about a Corton-Charlemagne tasting perhaps head to head with some top Chardsfrom around the world. Jerry the 2thdr
April 21, 2008

JeffH
Gary, great show. My wife and I really enjoy zins. I have tried some Ridge but the other two are new to me. You got me pumped about the Neyers. I will track that one down. Had a very good zin from a small Napa producer last week, Laura Zahtila Vineyards 2005. Makes a nice cab also.

QOTD #1: Get a copy on the next space shuttle flight!

QOTD #2: How about 3-4 spanish red blends or Ribera del Duero 2003 from 3-4 different winemakers?
April 21, 2008

Justin Viger
Your welcome.

What was the first question of the day? I forget already. Oh right, marketing ideas. Trust me I am not the one to ask. I would just say let people buy it if the want.
April 21, 2008

CORSkier
QOTD1: Google advertising.

QOTD2: Southern Oregon wines! If not those, at least try and showcase what comes out of this state BESIDES Pinot Noir. Or maybe a Petite Sirah show? That would be cool. Or Roussanne, I know there are some of those popping up in the states. I love your episodes on wines that aren’t as well known.
April 21, 2008

David Scott
The BEST idea for the book is maximizing word of mouth exposure, which it looks like you’re doing already. As a follow-on book, have a contest to select maybe 25 of the Vayniacs who ordered the book, and let them provide their own reviews/comments and get involved (kind of like the wine project). I have to tell you, I see a magazine coming soon, Gary V!

I haven’t had a 2006 Pinot yet…I HAVE had a 2005 Duck Pond and overall it was a pretty “elegantly” styled wine – almost delicate – but overall kind of flat. I thought I read somewhere that the 2005 was a slammin’ vintage – I didn’t taste it. Sad thing was, I let it sit on the bar uncorked overnight (an oversight, not on purpose!) and it tasted better the next afternoon.
April 21, 2008

Steve & Marilee
We agree Pink Death Match time! Spring will come someday soon.
April 21, 2008

Paul Horan
QOTD #1: One word… OPRAH.

QOTD #2: Go completely off the board and do wines from completely unheard-of areas, like Moldova (great Pinots) or Hungary (Cserszegi FÅ±szeres or HÃ¡rslevelÅ±)

Paul in VA
April 21, 2008

RnD
Good show GV! I look forward to watching every evening. QOTD 1: Talk to Eric over on Cellartracker.com I know you two are working deals 50000+ subscribers… how can you go wrong? just think if each one bought 2 books!!!

QOTD 2: With summer just around the corner, how about some white bordeaux.
April 21, 2008

Andrew & Christina
QOTD: It’s time for a Rose Death Match! Bring the Thunder, baby!
April 21, 2008

Tim Ray
Hey Gary,

Interesting show on the zinfandels! As a huge zinfandel fan, I really appreciate those. Have you ever tried Bella, from Dry Creek Valley? If not, get your hands on some and review them! They absolutely rock. HUGE fruit, serious old vines (80-110 years old for the Big River Ranch), and stupidly high scores (the 2005 Lily Hill Estate scored 94 points in WS.) I would love to see your review on that one….

As far as show ideas, I think you should do a review of SPOKANE, WASHINGTON wineries!! We have Robert Karl Cellars and their Horse Heaven Hills sourced fruit (amazing, highly structured, age worthy wines that receive rave reviews from everyone), Barrister Cellars (getting famous for their Cabernet Franc, although their syrahs are very serious efforts, and their cabs and merlots are also monsters), Grande Ronde (Walla Walla fruit, very good stuff), Nodland Cellars (they do a Bordeaux blend that is very nice), Townshend Cellars (nice whites, very good Cab Franc, and some great daily drinkers at the $9 to $17 price point), and several others. We now have 12 wineries in the Spokane area, all using Columbia Valley and Walla Walla Valley fruit. I’m telling ya….. some of these wineries are stupidly good! And I will put up a $28 Robert Karl Cab or syrah or merlot…. or a Barrister ANYTHING up against any Napa Valley wine at twice the price. Just a thought! Cheers, Tim
April 21, 2008

Kelly
Got my book ordered! The Kentucky Derby is coming up and the field this year is exciting and wide open. The first Saturday in May is a great day to enjoy with friends and the drink is BOURBON! How about tasting some of the high end, single barrel bourbons that have exploded on the scene in the past decade. My new fav: Elmer T. Lee.
April 21, 2008

CuriousInStLouis
and WHAM! the Neyers is sold out already!
April 21, 2008

fondue-stl
QOTD
You should start a rumor that there was a disgruntled graphic design artist that added something illicit to the cover art. You’ll sell millions!

How about a show on “Don’t be THAT guy/girl.” Discuss how trying to force high end wines on unsuspecting wine newbies is the best way to ensure that they “do not like wine.”

Dave
April 21, 2008

Michelle Moye
Hi Gary – I don’t have any suggestions about the book (I already bought my 2 copies).

QOTD – ‘05 vs. ‘06 Oregon Pinots…I think that the ’06s are drinking better than the ’05s right now.

Great show – I love Zin!
April 21, 2008

Robin C
QOTD: #1 Footwork – get back on that plane and hit all the bookstore in the U.S. #2 You could always try free shipping as a lure
Spend some time on Spanish and Portuguese wines – as that is your area of expertise.
April 21, 2008

SteveM
Gary,

Good luck with the book. Come to Dallas and do a book signing and you’ll sell a ton of them. I would love to see you concentrate a few shows on wines of the Central Coast, focusing on some of the cabernets and pinots that mere mortals can get their hands on. Would love to see your comments on Fess Parker Syrahs and Pinots, along with Jaffeurs and Blackjack out of Santa Barbara. Thanks!
April 21, 2008

Bernie Gehret
Easy. Get Vaniacs to hold the book up at sporting events (a la “John 3:16″ with the rainbow hair).

Also, put a coupon in there for a free bottle of wine worth the price of the book (payable only on orders via winelibrary of course). Buy the book, get free wine = free book! (plus more internet traffic = more advertising $$$, etc.).

My girlfriend wants a special on Rose, as she’s had really, REALLY bad ones as well as good ones. Summer is coming!

Come visit us in Portland, Oregon, and we’ll uncork my favorite Quilceda Creek’s for you.