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!

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

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

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!

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. :o(

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.

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.

Oh! Congrats to all the contest winners! Hope the France trip was a life-changing event.

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!

QOTD: An over $100 bottle of wine, who do you think I am, Mott? I would say aged Barolo, as it seems release price, and retail price when drinkable, are both high for a wine in general!

at 13:30, “Chateauhautbrion [steak]”, i’m certain that’s not the first time i’ve heard that slip, but we love it!

I have watched this show before but I can't seem to be able to figure out why???? But anywho

QOTD: I have not had a $100 bottle of wine. I was born in 1985 so I have had a few 1985 Ports but nothing over $100 yet.

qotd: Most recently, a Chateau la Nerthe, Chateauneuf du Pape