gary,

i think it would be a great idea if, for one of your shows, instead of pouring out the wine you drank it. that way by the end of the tasting we will get to see what the buzzed gary is like. i bring this up because i think it would be a great way for us to feel like were out with our pal gary having some drinks, that and i just saw beerfest.

Gary,

I would love to see you try the Palmina Mattia 2004. I think the blend is very interesting and I am a big fan of some of the Ital-Cal reds.
Thanks,
Mike

Nice Show as always. QOD: 2003 The Foundry Syrah from South Africa. Loved the 01 I had while in Cape Town. Keep up the good work. Looking forward to the New Year’s free shipping after the Raiders beat the Jets on New Year’s Eve!

Cheers

Wow, Gary, thanks for the update!! I can’t wait!! I’m so excited I think I just peed myself!!!

But seriously, Gary, I think I peed myself!!!

Probably the best wine I’ve bought from you is the 2001 Guigal CdP. Even though you’ve been spot on so far in every wine I’ve tasted, I’d love your take on the Guigal. I’m totally impressed every time I open a bottle of this (I think I’ve placed three different orders with you for this wine). I’d really appreciate your tasting notes. Also, I can’t help myself from drinking all the bottles of the Guigal I get, but am I committing a sin here? Should I be holding on to this wine? If so, for how long?

Other than that, I’d love to see a Bordeaux vs. Napa cult cab episode. Many of us are poor (or at least can’t afford $50-100+ bottles of wine). And even though we want to buy the best bargains (like the Little Penquin), we also want to live vicariously through someone like you and watch you spit out $130 Napa cab.

BTW, I totally agree on the Jacob’s Creek. It came highly recommended to me, and I thought it was a hollow, empty, souless, tasteless wine. Zero fruit or style. Basically, nothing but oak and tannin. No midpalette anywhere to be found.

As always, keep up the incredible work, and keep me updated on the heat episode!!!

P.S. Don’t think I didn’t notice that you reworded my quote to exclude the “wine phases” (aka “close down”) episode. You’re not going to get off that easy. There are very clearly two episodes on my “nag Gary” list, and – as you know – I’m not about to let you forget it. I recommend that you get used to it. 😉

Hey Gary,

Great episode! I think that many people, especially newcomers to the wine scene, are becoming fans of Aussie style Shiraz, although I agree that it is true that some of the wines can go a little too far when it comes to residual sugar and extraction. Although I don’t always like my wines to be so in-your-face, it can be fun to drink them sometimes. Are you a fan of Jim Barry’s The Armagh. It is quite extracted and rich, but I find it to be delicate and complex at the same time. I have thoroughly enjoyed the ’00, ’01, and ’02 Armagh. In fact, I think it is probably my favorite Oz Shiraz, with Amon-Ra trailing close behind. I’m also a huge fan of the Glaetzer Godolphin Shiraz/Cab blend. I wish WineLibrary carried it.

Well, as far as wines that I would like for you to taste, I have quite a list……many wines that I have either already purchased, would like to purchase, or wines that I have tasted, but would like to hear your opinion on so that I may compare and calibrate my palate and scoring to yours. So, in the future, I will have many more requests to be tasted, but for now, I just have to see what you think of the following:

1. 2003 Kongsgaard Hudson Valley Syrah
2. 2002 Numanthia Termanthia
3. 2003 Vall Llach Cellars Vall Llach
4. 2002 Shirvington Cabernet
5. 2003 Vina Almaviva
6. 2002 Von Strasser Diamond Mtn. Rsrv Red Blend

In fact, I think that makes up a great lineup right there, but if you don’t fit them all into this episode, then I guess I’ll let it slide. Among other things, I’d also love to see some Brewer-Clifton Pinots and I’d like to see you taste and review your all time favorite New World white wine. By the way, what are your all time favorite producers……New World red and white, and Old World red and white?

Well, can’t wait for the episode tomorrow. Hopefully you’ll get to try some great wines. Keep up the viewer recommendation episodes. I’ve got about 30 wines that I’d like to see you try before I buy them, but hey, at least I’ll be buying them from WineLibrary. Have a great day. Best wishes.

WH

Hey Gary,

Great episode! I think that many people, especially newcomers to the wine scene, are becoming fans of Aussie style Shiraz, although I agree that it is true that some of the wines can go a little too far when it comes to residual sugar and extraction. Although I don’t always like my wines to be so in-your-face, it can be fun to drink them sometimes. Are you a fan of Jim Barry’s The Armagh. It is quite extracted and rich, but I find it to be delicate and complex at the same time. I have thoroughly enjoyed the ’00, ’01, and ’02 Armagh. In fact, I think it is probably my favorite Oz Shiraz, with Amon-Ra trailing close behind. I’m also a huge fan of the Glaetzer Godolphin Shiraz/Cab blend. I wish WineLibrary carried it.

Well, as far as wines that I would like for you to taste, I have quite a list……many wines that I have either already purchased, would like to purchase, or wines that I have tasted, but would like to hear your opinion on so that I may compare and calibrate my palate and scoring to yours. So, in the future, I will have many more requests to be tasted, but for now, I just have to see what you think of the following:

1. 2003 Kongsgaard Hudson Valley Syrah
2. 2002 Numanthia Termanthia
3. 2003 Vall Llach Cellars Vall Llach
4. 2002 Shirvington Cabernet
5. 2003 Vina Almaviva
6. 2002 Von Strasser Diamond Mtn. Rsrv Red Blend

In fact, I think that makes up a great lineup right there, but if you don’t fit them all into this episode, then I guess I’ll let it slide. Among other things, I’d also love to see some Brewer-Clifton Pinots and I’d like to see you taste and review your all time favorite New World white wine. By the way, what are your all time favorite producers……New World red and white, and Old World red and white?

Well, can’t wait for the episode tomorrow. Hopefully you’ll get to try some great wines. Keep up the viewer recommendation episodes. I’ve got about 30 wines that I’d like to see you try before I buy them, but hey, at least I’ll be buying them from WineLibrary. Have a great day. Best wishes.

WH

Great episode. I’m with ChrisR on the Barossa Shiraz in general. The ones with big RP scores are too much like cough syrup. The bargain bottles are actually more to my liking, if they taste like wine.

My previous vote for a taste was the Verite Le Desir, because of the 20 point spread between RP and WS, but it looks like WL is out of stock. I’ll have to think on this some more.

By the way, genetics has debunked the Persian legend for the Syrah grape. It is related to indigenous French grapes. A little known historical fact is that the wine for which Shiraz (Persia) was famous was white.

My previous comment doesn’t seem to be showing up, so sorry if this is a repost.

Gary, another great episode. It was awesome to see such an extensive, thorough tasting of Shiraz across price points.

QOTD:
I would love to see you taste the 2002 Stephan Ridge Syrah (http://winelibrary.com/reviewwine.asp?item=7628). You loved his Cabernet, which I agree is stellar. I’m curious to see how the Syrah matches up, I’ve heard good things about it.

Whoops! The Video Editor made a boo boo. Video fixed for all of you sharp eyed WLTV viewers!

Pity about the Jacob’s Creek … wasn’t that a 90-pointer?

QOD: well, since both of this weekend’s bottles were solid home runs, one suggestion in honor of each of ’em:

1) Nontraditional (non-oaky, non-buttery) Chardonnays: Chablis, Beaujolais Blanc, unwooded Aussie, etc.

2) Languedoc Smackdown! Calvet-Thunevin Cuvee Constance vs. Daumas Gassac.

95pt rating. Great broad look @ Australian Shiraz.

How about one of these for a try:
2001 Peirano Six Clones Merlot
2002 Cain Concept

Tony S: I’m from CT originally so I’m a Giants fan. My old brother is a huge Jets fan so I had to go the other direction when I was a kid. And I would never put ketchup on a hot dog — I get everything on it Chicago-style except the sport peppers.

To all those who find the downloading to be slow: After WLTV starts, hit pause and wait for the download to finish (you can tell by the color of the bar). Once it’s all there, press play and watch without hiccups.

Whoa!!! What happened? I guess the new format just rolled out…

Gary: Great episode (even without the Joe Walton sing off)!

I will repeat my earlier selections:
1993 Roagna Barolo
1995 Felsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia
It would be cool to see some “older” wines get the WLTV treatment. I purchased some of both from your website. Tried the Roagna, not the Felsina yet.
Thanks!

Great Episode! Glad to see you get corked too!
I would love to see you taste a Beaux Frères if you have any.

Le Cadeau Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2003 tasted against Londer Parabol Pinot Noir 2003 would be cool. A California vs. Oregon tasting. Would love to hear the differences in “Terrior” or fruit.

B

Wow, new format is right. I would like to see the comments numbered as before as it makes referring back to an earlier post easier.

Damn! One minute on look, the next minute a totally new look! Wow!

i vote you taste a ’61 or ’82 first growth

Great episode, really enjoyed the rollercoaster ride. It was very emotional, you just didn’t know what was gonna happen next.

Hey I like the idea for free shipping but what about us “Jersey guys”!?!

Guess I shouldn’t complain, not everyone can get there in person and be completely overwhelmed by the vast selection that you have there.

What about tasting some Boone’s Strawberry Hill? Just kidding, I wouldn’t want you doing that to yourself.

Great episode, really enjoyed the rollercoaster ride. It was very emotional, you just didn’t know what was gonna happen next.

Hey I like the idea for free shipping but what about us “Jersey guys”!?!

Guess I shouldn’t complain, not everyone can get there in person and be completely overwhelmed by the vast selection that you have there.

What about tasting some Boone’s Strawberry Hill? Just kidding, I wouldn’t want you doing that to yourself.

yeah guys what are you guys drinking;)

Hey, Gene Mishkevich will attest that before the site’s look changed, the second episode banner (where the letters come in all wavy and Gary says “I’m your host, Gary Whathisname”) clearly said “Episode #88”. They obviously fixed it before they switched to the new (and faster – thanks Gary!) server.

As to what I’ve been drinking…I’ll give you one quess. 🙂

I bought that peter lehmann stuff for a BYOW joint…left 3/4 of it in the bottle..this seems to me the best way to know if you enjoy the wine..if its empty at the end of dinner or even better half way though, i usually buy it again

enjoyed the shiraz episode. Sorry to here about the Jacob’s Creek. I tasted it and thought it was fairly good. It got a 91 from the spectator. Oh well,to each his own. How about tasting the Ridge 2004 Lytton spring Zin. Ridge has always been my favorite zin. I recently drank a 1981 ridge zin from san luis obispo[not made anymore]for my 25th wedding anniversary. It still tasted pretty good!

2000 Chateau Pavie – 100 points