Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Challenge

Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Challenge – Episode #688

June 11, 2009

Gary goes outside and deals with the foggy, muggy, ugly day to taste 2 very respected Pinot Noir’s from the Anderson Valley in California.

Having trouble viewing this video? Try the Quicktime version.

Comments on this episode(222) Leave a comment ›

“The weather brings back memories of a dismal June. Catching up several…” by Dan-o
“Fun show, like the change of scenery. We had a fun drive up through A…” by Will Gosling
View all 222 ›

Wines tasted in this episode:

2006 Claudia Springs Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
2007 Black Kite Kites Rest Pinot Noir

Links mentioned in today’s episode.

222 Responses

Pages: « 9 8 7 6 [5] 4 3 2 1 » Show All

June 12, 2009

Libby'sgirl
qotd= i’m with “M”: vanilla base w/a little chocolate something. Brigham’s chocolate chip is a classic Boston fav.

Congrats Gary & Lizzie, Misha is awfully cute. I love her fluffy little head of hair and big eyes!
June 12, 2009

Kevin K
Hey, where the heck is our 4th of July secret pack?!
June 12, 2009

M
QOTD: Vanilla base with something chocolatey in it. For example Cookies and Cream. But more interesting. Some crunchy and gooey textures in a vanilla base.
June 12, 2009

pawncop
Good show and really want to try the Black Kite.

QOTD #1 – Not a big dessert fan, but do LOVE port!

QOTD #2 – AN old flavor from Braum’s that is no longer offered – Key Lime Pie.
June 12, 2009

Nancy E
Best Pinot by far… Moshin in Sonoma, CA. Pricey but worth it! If you want a great CA sparkling… Mayo is to die for. You are so cool Gary. Saw your dad at the Library this week. Congrats on the babe!!!!

QOTD #2 Chocolate turtle and rocky road.
June 12, 2009

Jeff R
QOTD: Chocolate Peanutbutter Crunch
June 12, 2009

J3rome
Butter Pecan.
June 12, 2009

Tom P
time and place… where you are is the right place, always….

good show.

Been on a carmel kick recently
June 12, 2009

Justin
Speaking of overpriced Pinot Noirs, I attended the Santa Cruz Mountains Vintner’s Festival last weekend. I tasted some really great wines, but it seemed like all the price points were $10-$20 higher than I thought they should be. I’m talking $40 at the lowest end of the price spectrum for a decent should-be-$20 bottle. Is that a result of their smaller production or are they in the “build it and they will come” Napa envy mindset? This is after going to Napa two weekends before and being astounded that most of the bottles were in the $25 – $35 range.

There was one KNOCKOUT wine I had. It was a 2005 Estate Pinot from McHenry Vineyards. Literal shack as the entrance to their cellar, but this $25 bottle was absolutely phenomenal. The winemaker was a great guy and the whole place had a really charming family feel to it. I highly recommend you seek it out if possible.
June 12, 2009

Geoffrey
I completely agree with what you said about the bullshit of scoring. How’d you decide to taste the Claudia Springs before the Black Kite, given that they’re both Anderson Valley pinot noirs? (I asked a similar question after the Gigondas episode a little bit back.)

Thank you!
– a 21 yr old trying to learn as much as he can about the wine world

QOTD2: pear, without a doubt (more sorbet than ice cream, but close enough i hope!)
June 12, 2009

crazy wine device
Nice show again GV!

Thanks to you, I’m starting to go deep on Pinot. I used to be a Cab/Malbec guy. But since I started watching WLTV I’m trying different stuff all the time. “Expanding my palate!”

QOTD1: After a desert I usually have a good Espresso.
QOTD2: Chocolate.

GV, I found some crazy device on Amazon, called The Wine Clip™ that supposedly makes tannic wine taste better?! Sounds a little too magical for me…

I think would a nice show idea for you to test this thing for the Vaynernation.

A Kiss on Misha,
Best wishes to you and your family,

Mauricio Fernandes.
from Brazil)
June 12, 2009

eagleputt
QOTD 1. The only thing I want after dessert is more dessert.
QOTD 2. My favorite flavor isn’t made any more. Goo Goo Clusters.

I have not been impressed with Cali Pinots in the past and I have tried many. I’ll give Anderson Vally pinots a go again but being a Seattlite the only pinot I like (other than burgandy obviously), comes from Oregon.
June 12, 2009

jwink
QOTD: Mint Choclate Chip, there is also a new Breyers Root Beer Float “swirl” that I like where the root beer is a sherbert mixed with vanilla that I’m liking a lot. Breyers has the puerest flavors IMO too.

PS–LOL that you stumped yourself on the QOTD
June 12, 2009

CaseyLee
listen to all the sirens in the background. it reminds me of Houston.
June 12, 2009

Adam J
QOTD#1: Yeah…I am the same way. Maybe not running to the fridge, but a little pickle or cashew after sweets is awesome.
QOTD#2: Homemade cookies and cream (make vanilla ice cream and then smash some Oreos into it.
June 12, 2009

Steve
I recently had a face ripping Pinot from the Russian River Valley, adjacent to Anderson Valley. Perhaps a couple of shows from there are in order. The Williams Selyem winery of Healdsburg makes some handcrafted wines that are not inexpensive either. The 2006 Pinot I had from the Flax Vineyard was about $70 clams.
June 12, 2009

shawnandlu
I can’t answer two questions of the day I am suffering from forum withdrawal and can’t focus that long. When are the forums coming back online? As to my favorite ice cream. Peanut butter chocolate. It has been my favorite for about 40 years.
June 12, 2009

Pittsburgh Alex
Let’s Go Pens

QOTD1: I need to have something salty after dessert. So I get what you are saying.

QOTD2: Cookies and Cream
June 12, 2009

Zino
Interesting. The way you feel about Anderson Valley is how I feel about Sardinia.
June 12, 2009

MaRc
Cool setting…sth different, btw, I think this is the very few times where you paused and it took you some time to think a bout the QOTD!!!
June 12, 2009

Brian
QOTD 1:Deep fried pickles are delicous. But never had your urge, except maybe with some string cheese after some sweets, or some fresh mozarella.

QOTD 2: I love ice cream, period. But you need to make your own ice cream to really find bliss. Go out buy one of those slow churning ice cream makers (less than $100) and make some of your very own creamy, delicious ice cream. You will thank me.
June 12, 2009

Kell Brigan
While up in the Anderson Valley, I also recommend a side trip or two to the Vichy Hot Springs in Ukiah (just do a half day before or after something else.) How often do you get to share tub schmutz with Mark Twain?

Also recommended, hike (or bike, carefully, about half the way) at Russian Gulch http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=25246. Love it up there. And, you can give the kids rides on the banana slugs!

Ice cream: I cannot tell a lie — Cherry Moose Tracks http://www.moosetracks.com/flavors/detail/20 (i.e. cherry ice cream & chocolate covered cherry juice candies, with a stripe of fudge). It’s took sweet and too ooky and too rich, and sometimes that’s a good thing. Second place goes to pistacio, and third to the mint version of cookies & cream I had the other day.)
June 12, 2009

Cameron J
Good episode. But I have to call it out – no region in CA can compete with OR in Pinot quality. It just can’t. Sorry, but it had to be said.

QOTD 1 – I gravitate towards sweets and cheese. the thought of a pickle or radish for dessert leaves me cold, that’s not my palate.

QOTD 2 – There’s a flavor of ice-cream other than chocolate?
June 12, 2009

David T (@ONUMello)
QOTD1: was there ever a question with that? The only thing I’ve ever wanted after dessert is either a cup of coffee or more dessert. Maybe the coffee is the bitter like your radishes? I’ve certainly never wanted a salad.

QOTD2: Moose Tracks
June 12, 2009

JasonA
Intersting show. I will have to keep an eye out for anderson valley next time I am shopping for a pinot.

QOTD 1. If I am having desert, then I tend to stick to the sweetness. The only time sweet and salty cross paths with me would be breakfast. When the syrup from the pancakes happen to get on the bacon!! YUM!

QOTD 2. I have never really been a big ice cream eater, but I always love chcolate chip cookie dough. I did have one a couple eyars ago called snow cream, and I really liked that. Not exactly like the snow cream we used to make with mom, but close enough to be enjoyable.

Jason