Randy Sloan from Match Vineyards Comes by the Thunder Show

Randy Sloan from Match Vineyards Comes by the Thunder Show – Episode #640

March 10, 2009

Gary Vaynerchuk welcomes Randy from Match and talks about Napa, wine and a few other things.

Having trouble viewing this video? Try the Quicktime version.

Comments on this episode(143) Leave a comment ›

“Cool show but crazy expensive bottle- too rich for me. QOTD: I have t…” by yowens
“Titus Titus Titus for Napa Valley Value…incredible…” by RD
View all 143 ›

Wines tasted in this episode:

2006 Match Cabernet Sauvignon Butterdragon Hill
2005 Match Cabernet Sauvignon Butterdragon Hill
2005 Match Baconbrook Cabernet Sauvignon

Links mentioned in today’s episode.

143 Responses

Pages: « 6 5 4 [3] 2 1 » Show All

March 11, 2009

Eric Z.
Don’t worry about using “play,” Gary — it’s who you are, unfiltered.

I like your asking the guest which wines have knocked his socks off lately — anyone on the show should be able to give a good answer to that without it seeming like a curveball, and I’d love to have heard what Charles Smith, Randall Grahm, et al, have been excited about lately.

I’m two ways about the QOTD being a surprise for the guest. On one hand, what absolutely, absolutely makes your show work is that we watch you and the guests drink wines — we watch their faces and their reactions — and it’s the same way watching someone think up a QOTD (and, as with last week, it tests whether they watch the show). On the other hand, if they knew beforehand that they had to ask a question, maybe they’d be less stumped. My opinion, I like watching someone on air come up with a question.
March 11, 2009

John D.
I enjoyed this episode. Randy seems like an honest and passionate guy, and I give him props for that. How he named his wines was a nice touch and says something about him. I think we get a filtered, perhaps G-rated version of you Gary when you have (some) guests on. To be honest, I don’t have a problem with that at all. I just take your comments with a grain of salt. You have a business to run that is heavily dependent on relationships (not being in the wine business, I could be wrong), so I think viewers need to take such episodes at face value, learn something and just enjoy the show, which I always do.

On another note, I have to say the price point of Napa Cab is a deal-breaker for me. I understand folks like Randy are in business to make money. But I can’t bring myself to spend over 70 bones to get a qood Napa Cab when I can buy killer wines from all over Spain (Jumilla, Toro, Rioja, etc.) and France (Rhone, Ventoux, Languedoc) that bring huge QPR & thunder at a fraction of the price. And as Jeffrey Davies said, let’s not forget Bordeaux. You can find great wines from 01, 03, 04 and even 05 for less than $100, some for far less. It looks like 06 will offer similar opportunities.

Bottom line, I see tremendous value at every price point up to and above $100 for Spanish and French wines and I’m having a hard time seeing that out of CA. If I’m way off base, I’d welcome a nudge in the right direction.
March 10, 2009

wayno da wino
Top 65 OOOOOOOH YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH !!!!!!!!!
March 10, 2009

SargieAZ
Randy-go straight for the Vina Godeval Godello, Santiago Ruizwhite blend, and the Odysseus Garnacha Blanca. For reds I like the Palacios Petalos, Muga for Riojas (white rose and red) and my favorite being a nice Ribera del Duero, like Emilio Moro or Condado de Haza. Viva Espana!!
March 10, 2009

Vanguy
Good guest. Reminded me a little bit of Andy Richter when he was on Conan.
March 10, 2009

Russell
Have any of you ever noticed how Wine Spectator coddles California? It is unblievable. It is almost like they somehow own some vineyards in Napa or Sonoma. There are Great wines being grown in Virginia right now. Not a mention of them in WS. That is why I dropped by subscription to WS. Gary, nice work on VA so far…How about another Virginia show showcasing the 2007 reds? I have had a few and they are delicious.
March 10, 2009

RICK
Gary, great show and great guest, you can really tell this guy is very passionate and proud of his wines, but, 75 bones for me is a little too steep, i can probably buy 5 or 6 bottles of great wine, such as Cartiladge and Browne cabernet, Soujourn pinot noir, walnut crest cab, Robert Mondavi cabernet, casillero del diablo, etc. keep up the great work and asta la vista.
March 10, 2009

my2cents
Good show. Not much for the poor and value driven consumer though.

I have some 05 Murcia Pico Madama that I got on pre sale at wine library but haven’t tried it yet. I hope it is the best Spanish wine I’ve had once I try it.

Gary, I did notice that you spoke all over your guest’s comments once again this show. I can see you are working on it but sometimes forget and go back to your old ways like using “play”. That is really getting old now. Please try to use “real” words and phrases instead of “slang”. Maybe thinking of it like that will help? or you could just pretend we’re all naked. Ha ha

I had a chance to open a magnum of 05 Valsalado Paisajes V this weekend and it was pretty good. We had a paring dinner and drank way more than usual. The group all agreed it was good and went with the food courses. It does seem true that Spanish wines go very well with lots of foods.

Thanks Gary!
March 10, 2009

Johnnyutah
QOTD: Ouch…tough one. Here’s my recommendation since i don’t remember Gary’s…Mas del Abundancia 2004 Monsant. Check it, Monsant is the new Priorat.

Cheers for showing terroir!
March 10, 2009

David T
Keep the new interview style! I think this was one of your best recently, & I thought Randy was very knowledgeable!

QOTD: I’m still working my way back thru all of the past year’s episodes so I can’t name anything specific, but right now I’m really into any Cava- great sparkly at a great price for anytime when you can’t plunk down for a good Champagne.
March 10, 2009

SteveF
Gary, When the guest said 75$ a bottle,the first words out of my mouth were holy

crap. Gary, times are tough, we need more wines that pack the thunder and less

PDiddy.

QOTD:2007 El Perro Verde Rueda
March 10, 2009

chadd
Awesome show gary you brought the thunder today !!!! Randy was one of your best guests yet..

QODA: I hae not gotten into spanish wines yet, I seem to stray away from that isle and always end up where the burgundys are
March 10, 2009

Adam J
Very good guest and show, Thanks!
March 10, 2009

Tooch
another enjoyable episode gary. great to see fellow forum rat Randy in the hot seat for some tastings.

QOTD; I enjoyed the 2006 Black Big Albarino – but I think that vintage is sold out and the 2007 is now available.

By the way Gary, Lito Sheppard is over the hill…you need to snap back to reality.
March 10, 2009

Doc P
Interesting discussion, but I agree with Little Jonny; some of the bordeauxs i have had recently for under $30 make me reluctant to spend that much money of a Cab.

QOTD; Alberinos are really nice
March 10, 2009

Dan
As fun as the guests are, I really do feel they subtract from your personality Gary. They also really don’t let you express your true feelings on a wine. I don’t know about everyone else, but I like it when you have no restraints, and you can just tell it like it is. It’s just a thought, anyways. You know I’m going to keep watching, regardless!
March 10, 2009

jwink
Ugh, come on, you’re a guest you get to ask the question of the day! The best Spanish wine GV has recommended is 2007 J&f Lurton Rueda White: http://winelibrary.com/reviewwine.asp?item=39896 Gary liked it so much he emptied the bottle on the show to finish it off, no joke! He’s never done that before to my knowledge. ROTFLMAO!
March 10, 2009

sam
Good show. Fun guest. At small production it becomes hard to compete price-wise. However, the public will be the best judge for the monetary value of the wine. Wine makers a sentimentally attached to their product and it makes it hard for them to evaluate it.
March 10, 2009

Kelly Goff
Gary, at first I thought Randy was going to bore me, but I was pleasantly surprised! And although I cannot ever see myself spending that kind of money on wine (even if I had it), it was very interesting to learn about his wines and insight. Oh, and you were fun to watch too…

I can’t keep track of all the recommendations, but there have been a few Albarinos that I loved!

ps I am now convinced you will be the father of a girl
March 10, 2009

Green Pea
Gary, I gotta shoot you straight and I don’t think you would have it any other way. I think you need to loose the guest. Randy was a great guy, no doubt about it but.. the passion and the thunder is just not there. Your personality and your personality alone is what makes the show. I also don’t think where getting the straight scoop that we would if it was just you and Mot. By the way Mot, good call on moving the bottles.
March 10, 2009

pawncop
Great episode and great guest. You continue to get better and better with your interviewing skills.

QOTD – The Albarino he had in the secret pack a few months ago.
March 10, 2009

dafo
Great show! Randy seems like such a real and great guy.
March 10, 2009

Scott EJ
Great to see a forum member get some love. Great jobs guys!! Oh, and I am a forumite who watches and posts almost every day. If you put forth the effort, so will I.

QOTD: From an interesting standpoint: 2006 Jose Pelacios Petalos, Bierzo; Easy to find and good qpr: any vintage Juan Gil, Jumilla; Delicous and reaching cult status: El Nido Clio
March 10, 2009

Pete
Hey Gary, good show. This really seems like an interesting vineyard that makes great wine, but I have a question about it. Not having a lot of experience with Napa, do you think its worth paying $75 a bottle to try a Match Cab or am I better off going with Turnbull or Soujourn from Sonoma which you rate higher for half the price? I’m not trying to bash Randy because he seems like a nice guy, but is his wine experience worth the price tag?
March 10, 2009

David Dadekian
QOTD: I don’t know if it’s the best, but for QPR the Finca Albarino was enjoyable.

Thanks for another great guest. More low key, but it was interesting.