An Exciting Day: Contest Winners, UStream, and Wine

An Exciting Day: Contest Winners, UStream, and Wine – Episode #506

July 22, 2008

Gary announces who will accompany him in Napa this weekend and the winners of the trip to France!

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Comments on this episode(258) Leave a comment ›

“Great Show. I am catching up on my episodes right now as you are chan…” by looper
“Oh! Congrats to all the contest winners! Hope the France trip was a …” by Dessert Wine Nerd
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Wines tasted in this episode:

2005 SassicaiaTOSCANA IGT
2003 Penfolds GrangeAustralian Shiraz/Syrah

Links mentioned in todays episode.

258 Responses

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June 10, 2009

looper
Great Show. I am catching up on my episodes right now as you are changing diapers! Can’t wait to watch the next one when you re-taste after 24 hours.

QOTD: I had a Castello di Romitorio 2004 Brunello di Montalcino about a week ago. It is still early for drinking as well, just like the 03 Grange. (not nearly as expensive) I think that the release price on the 04 Romitorio was about 75-80. Anyways, it ROCKED. Incredible, it had the scent of Meatloaf with ketchup smeared all over it on the sniffy sniff, followed by great bright cherries, silky tannins and a long finish on the palate.
Got to try this wine!
January 16, 2009

Dessert Wine Nerd
Oh! Congrats to all the contest winners! Hope the France trip was a life-changing event.
January 16, 2009

Dessert Wine Nerd
Ouch on the Penfolds. I roll pretty hardcore. Ive spent a LOT of money in the last year on wines. Part of it is my NEED in my DNA to have some big time wines ( like the 05 Estrounel or the 2000 Essencia ). Only time well tell if my palate likes them. Hopefully everything will work out. Life is a roll of the dice anyway, so I cant get too upset at myself if I dont like them. I could spend $200 on 9 cheaper wines and hate everyone of them. Or I could spend the same $200 on clothes and not like the way they look on me a month later. Crapshoot… thats all it is. QOTD: Well obviously the two wines I just mentioned, but I dont think ive yet to taste a wine over $100. Maybe a dessert wine I drank a glass of in a restaurant. cant say for sure. Im really excited to drink my 1994 vintage port in the future though.
January 11, 2009

kathyintex ( kathyd )
Great show… Never had the Grange before, but we sell it – hefty price tag. Sorry to hear it doesn’t live up to the legend. (

QOTD ~ Best wine over $100 – hands down, a 1994 Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, $125 at the time, now about $170. We had a private tasting on the patio, overlooking the vineyards, surrounded by the vineyards where the grapes were big and full on the vines (late August), flowers around the patio looked incredible. Our table… white linen, 10 -12 beautiful ‘big ass glasses’ awaiting the pouring of fantastic wines, beautiful cheese and meat platters. And, finally, the wines – awesome – that cab was so gorgeous, so big and smooth. Ahhh, definitely a day that almost tops my “Best Day” list (aside from the birth of my beautiful daughter). I have the picture of that tasting patio as my screensaver – fantastic wine, fantastic experience.
September 30, 2008

Benj
Great show, and congrats to the winners.

QOTD: I think I’ve only ever had 1 or 2 $100 bottles and they were many years ago with my parents, and I don’t remember what they were, so I’m a blank slate for now!

As far as wines to lust after… some Clos Ste Hune would be high up my list, as well as L’Extravagant de Doisy-Daëne, but I don’t think I’ll ever buy it!
August 13, 2008

yowens
Congrats to all the winners! Great show Gary, I’ve always been somewhat obsessed with Grange despite the fact that I’ve never had it. QOTD: Never had one, would love to try one of the big names in Bordeaux or Burgundy
August 11, 2008

Andrew D
Hey Gary

Interesting to hear your comments on Grange. A few things that maybe worth noting
1. 2003 was a pretty average year in Australia and the 2003 Grange has never been seen as anything, but a good attempt from a bad vintage – from what I hear 2004 and 2005 are much better.
2. How much does it retail for in the US? $264? In Australia it’s realise price is A$550, which is more than US$500 .. now that’s a ripoff and a disgrace.
3. Grange is a certain style and many Australian drinkers prefer the Penfolds St Henri less of a fruit bomb. Grange is something that’d I’d never buy and think there are so many more Australian wines out there that would suit your palate. Heathcote and Margraet River; why aren’t you drinking Gippsland, Tasmania and Beechworth??????

Cheeers
Andrew
August 10, 2008

Mason
Congrats, winners!!! Enjoy the trips (and the Zune)!

QOTD: Never had a $100 bottle of wine that I paid for, but did have a tasting of Mondavi Cab Reserve 1998 in Napa Valley one time that was pretty good. I just can’t get over the bottle of wine that my wife and I had for our 9th wedding anniversary this past weekend: Andrew Will Sheridan Vineyard 2004…What an amazingly elegant wine!!! Only $40 bones!
August 8, 2008

Susan
Gary & Mott, Can not wait to go to France!!! Sorry I won’t get to see either of you on September 12th or the 13th !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 6, 2008

Derek F.
Congrats to all contest winners…Have Fun!!!

QOTD: I want to try the 1994 Heitz Cellar cab.
August 1, 2008

Mr.Ambassador
Congrats to all the lucky winners!

QOTD – I’ve been so pleased with past bottles of Walla Walla’s Leonetti (Cabernets and Merlots) that I’m always interested in keeping a few on hand for special occasions. If you like a wine with a gorgeous nose than these are really tough to beat; you can linger for minutes simply enjoying aromatics between sips!
August 1, 2008

david h.
QOTD: Never had a $100 bottle and not planning on it for many years.

Good episode. I like the idea of ustream but I think it would be better if you put the camera in a similar place so you aren’t constantly looking to the side.
July 31, 2008

*/^_^\*
*cries bc of business conference the week of the france trip and was unable to enter as a result…..

qotd: caymus 2003 cab. got me turned on to napa cab.
July 30, 2008

J Crazy
Wow, congrats to all the winners. Awesome episode. Who else can hit above par over 500 times in a row? Gary V!!

2002 Opus One really rocked me. Had it with tomato mushroom cream gnocchi with parsely and home made bread. It was truly the perfect complement to a night of good friends and family.
July 29, 2008

AM Runner
Fun show I enjoyed seeing these wines and knowing a bit about it if get on one of those “baller” business dinners hey maybe I can suggest or swing it. Hmmm $100 wine I have had some that were at dinners over $100 – for that My favorie right now (actually at any price) is the Domaine Serene Yamhill Cuvee Pinot Noir ‘04 – next big one I would love to try are the latest ones out there from them (they are more like $75 retail) but if perssed I would love to try a Grande Dame or a Dom Perignon at least to say I tried it
July 29, 2008

JayZee
Great show – VERY high end wines. Frankly, I’d say that a 93 point wine should still be under 100 bones (or at least not that much over) so I find both reviews disappointing for that matter.

QOTD: I’ve had a few $100 bottles of wine and the best was a 1982 Leoville Poyferre. The most disappointing $100 bottle I’ve had is a Dom Perignon. I don’t get it. It just isn’t worth $100 to my palate (and I’ve had several vintages).
July 29, 2008

Susan
Gary & Mott, I HAVE to AGREE with Achilleas in Cyprus!!! WHY would a BIG APPLE company like yours give away a Zune????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
July 28, 2008

Downtnmark
QOTD:

My favorite $100 wine was the 2002 Rubicon Estate. I cheated though and had a half-bottle for $50. I bought some 2002 Hewitt (back then) for $60 ea., but they now sell at the winery for more than $100, and this is still my favorite wine of all.
July 28, 2008

Tom P
Excellent show, great passion and really love that folks are getting to win along with you.

Dunno if I will be able to roll with the wines you brought out today.

QOTD – I have had Caymus at a couple of business dinners, 2001 & 2002, so they were over $100 in a restaurant. I also like Jordan Alexander Cab, which is less expensive but still about $100 at dinner. I have not bought any wines at $100 retail.
July 27, 2008

Jason Schermerhorn
I own bottles of the 2001 and 2002 vintage. I know that the Grange is the flagship of Penfold’s line. One thing that they always say, and I do not think just to put off realizing that the wine is average – is that it IS NOT A WINE TO DRINK RIGHT AWAY- it will be “green” and all of the “Oak monster” characteristics that you rightfully caught. They say at least cellar for 10 years – I wonder if you got your hands on an older vintage what your comments might be – after all they only JUST RELEASED the 2003 vintage – it still is so new. You have to cellar this beast to let it mellow down. I challenge you to try a Grange vintage at least 15 years old. A number of other fans on here offered you an earlier vintage – although I imagine they would be pretty expensive!

I love your show man, but I think you have to do right by the Grange. This is a wine to put away for a long time and bring out in 15-20 years. Question of the day: What do you think this wine will be in 15 years?!?!

Jason
July 27, 2008

YoungDave
QOTD: ‘01 Ornellaia
July 27, 2008

Oscar FL
The best 100 USD wine I had is ( well it was $98 back in 2003 it’s now more like $76 USD ) Chateu La Croix Chantecaille Saint-Emilion. Awesome, we had a bottle three weeks ago (my girlfriend and I) and made a note, see here for the 2003 vintage ( in spanish ):
Aromas-tierras humedas , chocolate amargo, naranjas pasadas,casablancas, zapato nuevo, interior de auto nuevo.
sabores al paladar- frutitas secas silvestres, chocolate, vitaminas de niÃ±o,clavos oxidados, libros.
cuerpo medio con el principio muy presente en taninos. Alcohol 13 grados

Now in english:
Aromas-damp earth, dark chocolate, matured oranges, casablancas(flower scent) new shoes, new car smell.
flavor at palate- dried wild berries, chocolate, children’s vitamins, rusty nails, leather bound books. ( i know, weird )
Mid body with very present tannins. Alcohol 13%

So There.

I would like to try that Sassicaia right about now.
July 27, 2008

Achilleas in Cyprus
Congratulations to the winners – ENJOY !!!

A Zune from a Mac and iPhone user – sacrilege!!!

QOTD: Hoping to try a whole bottle of Chateau Margaux Grand Cru Class 1996, though at about $1700 a bottle will be a long wait. The 1995 Pavillon Rouge De Chateau Margaux at about $185 is gorgeous!!
July 27, 2008

kenny
Mondavi that becomes +$100. GV why pick zune winner before #4?
July 26, 2008

Dan-o
I had the Grange at a premium Aussie tasting and it was awesome. We were drinking 1993 and 1994. We also had Clarendon Astralis – wow, along with BVE E&E Black Pepper Shiraz.

QOTD – I have always wanted to drink a left bank 1st growth and have not done so yet. I have a 1998 Mouton in my cellar that I received as a gift along with several different vinatages of Leoville Las Cases (2nd growth). One day I want to have the Latour!