Looking up lots of old shows, some stuff I missed along the way and looking up some specific wines. Thats why I'm dropping comments everywhere. I'm taking a couple weeks leave with the new baby, a little "daddy-baby time." When he naps, I learn about wine. Looked up this show because one of my wine pals just made me aware of Shafer. Hope to try some soon.

QOTD: I take for granted the calm and peace in my life. Healthy, beautiful baby, beautiful wife and a fulfilling, happy marriage. I have a job I love, close with family, great friends, able to afford the essentials and some things I love (like wine). I am by no means rich, but the lack of "drama trauma" in my life and the above mentioned things are easy to take for granted!

Just found your show(s)...love the format...great info...can't wait to dive into all the episodes.
QOTD: Take for granted 'the moments at hand'...if you are not paying attention...they pass by too quickly!

Familiarity breeds indifference. Appreciation for all things always - that's the way. Don't discrimin8.

Gary, nice show. My wife and I had the One Point Five the other day at a restaurant with a steak. What a nice paring. We went to the Shafer winery last year on vacation it's an awesome place and I loved all the wines we tasted. Going back this year. Do you think the price of nice wines will drop in this bad economy? Frank

Gary, Great show about a great winery. One of my favorites. I was recently able to get back on their mailing list. We absolutely love Hillside Select!!! Speaking of Napa wineries have you ever done a program on Bottle Shock, the movie/book? Really love your shows. Just haven't seen all of them. Bob C

GV - I have always liked the Shafer product. I find some of them a bit pricey, but that is the market dynamic. Good show.

QOTD - We take for granted our freedom and all of the good things that we have. Don't focus on money and toys, focus on your family - living, breathing, loving. You will be much happier.

LOVE a TERRIFIC CLASSIC NAPA CAB - my favorite, when done right - balanced and elegant. The BEST!!

QOTD: What do I take for granted? Sadly, probably family - sometimes get so busy with everything else that family falls to the rear. Thanks for the reminder...

Hi Gary,

I like Staglin - but I love Shafer. Been a fan of the Stag's Leap District and Shafer products for a long time. The 1.5 is a great wine and probably the best value of the line-up. I agree with your review all the way.

QOTD - Sometimes I take for granted the love of my wife. I'm sure that it happens to all of us as we get wrapped up in our own worlds and the issues that lie within.

See you soon,
Karl B. (original Thunder Cruiser)

GV, your descriptions are so vivid and imaginative that it seem to me I'm tasting the wine with you. Thanks for the amazing experience day in and day out.

QOTD: Living in this great country. My family is from China and Taiwan and for years there has been tension between the two regions. On top of that, northern china has been experiencing major violence. This has shown me how much I take the freedom and stability of the U.S. for granted, even in these turbulent economic times.

I had the 2005 Shafer One Point Five last night, and it was just epic. I swear I could still taste it when I woke up this morning. If the 2004 is even better... wow. I have just got to track that down.

QOTD: My wife.

Gary you ROCK!

Totally agree with you - sometimes old school is best school!

Great show you have here, and yes you are changing the world of wine...

Nice show - sometimes the one bottle episodes work really well.

Do you read the comments even when they are posted a few days after the show?

QOTD - without a doubt my sight, smelling and hearing.

Well, still out of my price range for cab....but when I hit the lottery...watch out..QOTD..prolly my job, like many others, my job has been downsized, and I don't make what I used too, but it could still be much worse, so.. as much as I *itch about it, I am grateful for what I have.

Loved the description of the Shafer, sounds yummy! Have never tried it but now I certainly will. Would love to see an episode with some Pahlmeyer Merlot, one of my all time favorites from the Napa Valley.

QOTD: My wonderful family and friends!

WOW! Nice balcony! :)

QOTD. Being able to do what I want. Buy the wine I want. Have my wife understand me the way I am. We are so privileged!

Gary V...I love your shows. I, too, am a new poppa. My son Asher was born 5-19. I went to college with Ian Schafer. I'm learning so much about wines from your shows. I really like the shows that don't go for 20+ minutes -- I can sneak them in at work when I'm taking a respite. One quick quibble -- the new rating format makes it really difficult to search for wines. Anything you can do to bring back the old format? Best, Jeff

QOTD: Unfortunately many days I take breathing for granted.

Nice show. Liked the relaxed feel. Also love all the information.

QOTD: Unfortunately, I tend to take my family for granted. Lots of time I get more than I give. Have to work on that!

I thought this was so fun to watch! Loved you in your natural habitat...

QOTD - my spouse and kids. When I catch myself doing it, I try to slow down and appreciate every second.

Hey Gary, right there with you with Shafer. We were there a couple of years ago for a tasting and met John Shafer. Beautiful winery and beautiful wine.

QOTD: All the priveleges I have had in my life, looking back, it's been a great ride.

Just got back from Napa/Sonoma and agree they are producing great wines in that area; many are so fresh and pure its hard to believe. I agree we in the US often take these great wines for granted. I sensed a little concen during my visit; I think many of the wineries are hurting from this horrible economy. Let's hope even the little guys can weather the storm; I would hate to lose some of the "under the radar" prducers making great wine.

You had me giggling with the steak description. It's fun watching you really enjoy a wine. The wine I'm drinking now:Hartford Zin 2006. Yum. Cheers!

I take for granted the friendship of my top 20 or so friends and my siblings, because I can. Even when I inevitably mess up, there are still there for me, and of course vice versa

QOTD - We have so much that we take most things for granted. You just need to read about what is happening in the world to see that we are blessed.

Thanks for a great show. Always wondered why my older Shafer cabs didn't have the 1.5 distinction. Now I know.

Great show....a few years ago you did a show about the differences in Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast. I thought of it when I bought a bottle of 2005 Beaulieu Vineyard Napa Cabernet the other day. Wine Enthusiast gave it 90 pts. and Spectator gave it 78 pts. Personally, I think Spectator dropped the ball big time. So, my question is, would you do another show about this? Really enjoyed the last one.

QOTD: My family, my health...really, life in general sometimes.

qotd: my family I know its bad but oh well

hey gary! great question...love,,love the shafer merlot..would like to hear your thought on it???? take for granted...my great health and my life here in texas /w/ the best friends!!! wine & boats and jet skiS

Question of the Day: What did I take for granted? Her. And now I don't have her.

QOTD-on the eve of the 4th I am aware of our precious freedom. I have no idea of what it means to live a restricted life and know that I our hard earned freedom much too lightly. Enjoy yours!!! Pam

No way you turned us off, grabbed a steak and sat chillin and grillin out there without us. Shame on you Gary V.

QOTD: Contrary Mary says "Too many of us take kids for granted. We better start learning from them instead of thinking it only works the other way around."

Gary, great as always. Love the grill. Assuming from the view its Fort Lee?
I picture Joe Klecko and Marty Lyons grilling those steaks. How about the Shafer Firebreak. I am down to my last bottle and that wine is the shizzle. Keep up the great reviews. Would love to see a show on Organic Wines. My local wine shop has a huge selection and frankly I am just waiting to see what you think before I wander from the South African, Aussie and California reds... Where will Shonn Greene go in your fantasy draft this year. Could he be our Penfolds Grange Hermitage? We shall see...

You said you like comments and suggestions for upcoming shows...
What about a show on "affordable" ICEWINES? One of my favorites is called Sweet Sydney from the Sineann winery in Oregon. It's made from late harvest zinfandel.

I'm sure there are other great icewines you could recommend - I need some ideas for new ones to try.

Thanks!

QOTD: I try not to take anything for granted. But I don't go around expressing it much. I don't kiss the ground everyday, etc...


We can make new friends (varietals) and keep the old ones .... expand our palates without forgetting what we've enjoyed in the past. I appreciate all of the varietals and wine regions. I think I will go chill on my patio before dinner. It looks relaxing!

I LOVE Shafer wines. I have 4 bottles of the 2006 1.5 in my cellar. I also love the "Relentless" Syrah - good stuff.

QOTD: I think we all take our friends for granted form time to time. I know I take little things for granted like nice weather and good health - except, of course, when they are not there. Every day I try and thank God for the things we often take for granted.

Really like a smooth Cali cab .
QOTD---- My family and our good health.

A very good program and a very good question.

QOTD - I try not to take anything for granted.

I work in two professions that constantly remind me that nothing should be taken for granted. In my work in the ER, I see example after example where things change so dramatically in my patients lives and with working in law enforcement it is so similiar in how rapid and unexpectedly a world can be torn apart by stupidity and/or tragedy.

As I get older I cherish so many more small things that I would pass over in a heartbeat as a young man. Sharing wine is one of those things.

QOTD: I take for granted the work that I've done to get where I am. Unfortunately, this sometimes leads me to have the same, and/or huge expectations of others; which really isn't fair.

ARRGH! Another unavailable wine. But we all still love you GV.

Have a great 4th!

QOTD: My beautiful wife.