Decanted Champagne, huh! Whoda thunk it? I would have never. Learn something new everyday. 😉

Good show… too bad that great one came in with that price tag…

QOTD: New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. I was down on it for a while, when I used to really enjoy it. A few weeks ago, I had the 2009 Jules Taylor – WOW. Amazing mouthfeel, great acid, just enough grass. It got me back on the NZ sauv blanc train.

Hump Day! I’m feel’n a “Laid Back Friday” this week! Of course with the COUCH!

QOTD: Pinot Noir from Austria (Wieninger[espacially grand select 2004], Auer, Prieler, Lentsch) in comparison with Pinot from Burgundy.

Great show on white burgundy !
QOTD : Beaujolais 2009, Beaujolais 2009 !

yep got those

QOTD: I went to HUNTING last Saturday with my grandfather and some others. It was pretty cold (-15 C) but clear and shiny. We had to ski because of deep snow – it was so wonderful feeling across fields skiing. Last time I was hunting, it was right before first snow in November and I remember my self thinking: what a pity, hunting season is almost over and it is my fist hunt when snow is on the ground in this season! Should definitely do more next season on winter time. By the way – I shot fox after we look each other some seconds right in the eye (21 steps in front of me). I missed but I was happy 🙂

QOTD: I have to say that you Gary, you have really inspired me and what I’m buying and drinking. I’m a sommelier, and I have to admit, it feels like the last year I’ve been in a bit of a wine funk… buying the same old stuff, and not trying new things. Since I started watching your show, I’ve bought more wine than I have in months. And the wines I’m buying is the usual, rare finds to help me expand my palate. Thank you for re-igniting the spark… looking forward to sipping lots of vino in 2011! 🙂

Hey Gary, I just got back in town from my first trip ever to Vegas. The first thing I did ( after hugging my wife and kids ) was to see what I missed this week on WL. I can’t wait to catch up and start leaving comments again.

QOTD I will Watch more wine library, twice each episode, sometimes thrice if the situation calls for it.

I think it depends on the type of Beaujolais. Beaujolais Nouveau is very much so a meh wine and is what Beaujolais is best known for. Beaujolais Cru has been a great value for years and years, and most will age a good 5-10 years depending upon the vintage and which of the 10 Cru’s it is from. The 09 vintage happens to be a particularly outstanding year for Beaujolais Cru and are at excellent prices. Just like 05 was a great year for Bordeaux etc. I’m basing this not just off of what I’ve heard but also from the 09 Beaujolais Cru’s I’ve gotten to try from the distributor’s I order wine from.

I know, it semmed crazy to me when I first heard it but some wines will. Tokaji Essencia outta Hungary will go 200 years in outstanding vintages, courtesy of the insane amount of residual sugar. Vin jaune will courtesy of the controlled oxidation it goes through during it’s 6 year 3 month aging period. But Madeira trumps them all. Thanks to it’s being fortified and the heating process it goes through while being aged, it’s virtually indestructible. I met a Master Sommelier who told me he has a bottle of Madeira from the 1880’s that he’s already opened years ago and he tastes a little bit once a year. I had gentleman come in to where I work not 2 months ago who told me he had a Madeira from the 1700’s at a tasting that was still good.
But if you search the net I’m sure you’ll see that aging potential confirmed when it comes to vin jaune’s and Tokaji Essencia’s. I think you can even find it on wikipedia if you look them up there.

QOTD: I had a 2007 Betz Cab and it was life changing. After leaving it out for almost 2 days, it was the most interesting wine I have ever had. It was big and fruity and complex. I now think that washington and oregon are good for a lot mor than just Pinot.

Gary, do a Washington state cab day!

Was always a big California cab, and Italian wine drinker, but a friend introduced me to a 1996 Faustino Gran Reserva from Rioja. Amazing stuff had it with a spanish blue cheese what a combo. Can’t get enough from Rioja now. Gary, region to do a show on again some of the 06 Crianzas are amazing.

Hey GV…when you have more than one wine, can you use more than one glass? I enjoy seeing the difference in color. I’m sure you rise fairly well, but have to think it would give you a more accurate taste as well.

Great show, although I’m not a big Chardonnay fan. However, I may inclined to try these.

QOTD: Siduri Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley reminded me this week that I have been ignoring the varietal in general too much lately. Gotta get back to the pinot.

Gary, do not pronounce the t in Montrachet.
Very good, solid show and of course very good wines.

Very good show – my goal for 2011 is tasting more white wines, port and dessert wines… Allmost all my experience is reds and this show inspired my for new “paths” 🙂

I had a Nebbiolo from Pio Cesare a few weeks back and I’ve been exploring Piedmont ever since. Nebbiolo, barbera and dolcetto… I love them all!

Pio Cesare’s ’05 Barbera D’alba blew me away last month

Allright, so fun to see Gary get focused and humble when there’s a big boy on the table.

QOTD Wine : Dalva Vintage port, colheita 1985. It redefined port, and it’s huge!
QOTD Food : Cheese, I really would like to know cheese like I know wine.
QOTD Other : Running 3 times a week makes my life really structured and well defined.

Cheers, JDR

I feel like you rated the second wine an 84 because of your expectations. Do you think you would rate a $15 wine higher just because it’s cheaper?

QOTD: Morgon, Marcel Lapierre 2009. Blew my mind away.

QOTD:
1 – Landauer Gisperg -Thermenregion – Pinot Noir – 2007 (Austrian). Fantastic.
2 – A lecture from Steve Raye about applying social network tools in business.

I want to leave a question to be answered.
If you have 2 bottles of Burgundy (Premier or Grand Cru) white or red and you know those wines are better consumed after years aging in bottle, when do you choose to open?
How to predict the best phase for drinking?

Great focus and energy Gary. Of course if I were drinking a 95 point white Burgundy, I’d be that way too. QOTD: I had an 01 Torbreck RunRig last summer on my 50th birthday that took me to the next level.