I’m looking forward to joining you at a 2007 WL Tasting. In answering Zerocreap’s question you reiterated your mantra to “taste as many wines as possible.”. A couple months ago I e-mailed you to tell you I was going to Seattle, and could you recommend a winery or two for me to check out. You recommended Woodhouse Family Cellars. They are closed during the week off-season, but I decided it wouldn’t hurt to “name drop” and try to get in.

Now, please don’t let this go to your head . . . but your name worked very, very well in this instance. My husband and I got to try not only the wines they normally offer on weekends for tastings, but also all the wines WL carries (even the ones that are now sold out at the winery), and the newer vintages of the Maghee, Dussek and Darighe, too. Guess your name carries quite a bit of weight in some circles!

I have to tell you, this was quite possibly the best tasting I have ever been to! Their wines are really, really awesome. Our hostess, Victoria Lane (Director of Operations) even took the time to decant the wines for us, even letting the Darighe breathe for an hour while we stepped away for lunch and then returned. Gary, we tried all the Woodhouse wines you sell at WineLibrary (as well as wines only available locally), and I have to tell you . . . they ROCK! I will be placing an order online with WL right away. Also, you need to get their 2002 Maghee (new spelling) — as good as the ’01 is, the ’02 blows it away!

If you pick my number to taste tomorrow — any of the Woodhouse wines will be super since their tastes are still very fresh in my mind.

Edge Napa Cab Sauv 2003

WL gave it a great review (90 points) and I had it recently at a store here in Chicago. Is it as good as I remember?

Gary,

I’ve really liked the mountain district Napa Valley cabs I’ve tried. Recently I bought a bottle of Ramey Diamond Mountain and it was cooked – really cooked. I had brought it to the family reunion to share with my wine expert uncle. He was gracious but I nearly gagged on the stuff. So my vote for tomorrow’s show is the 2003 Ramey Diamond Mountain Red you’ve got sitting on the shelf. You can tell me (and the world) how my bottle might have been!

Trying to stay humble in Patriot’s Nation

-Jeff

Hi again, Gary. Got to change my choice for QOD. You already tasted them all in episode 46! Guess I am not as good a Vaniac as others out there. OK, so, how about we try this one: Cheeky Chick Peeper’s Blend Red 2004. It seems to be a best seller in your store, it answers the request of so many commenters for wines under $10, and it has a very cute label.

Ciao!
Jaye

I see the Clos Du Val Napa Cabernet Sauvignon in about every store I go into at $20-$25. How about tasting that?

Yes!!!! I’ll be seeing YOU in San Francisco! These are going to be on a weekend, I’m assuming. Any ideas for dates yet? And what’s in it for the event coordinators? I’m thinking in terms of cases here.

Gary, I want to learn more about Italian wines, like Brunellos, but most of them are hideously expensive, and I’m not rich like Brandon M.

I’m wondering if the La Colombina Brunello Di Montalcino 2001 (item #6060) is worth the $32.99 it’s listed for. Wine Enthusiast gives it a 91, and it’s the cheapest Brunello on your site. Is this wine a good place to start? Is it 91 points? Is it worth $32.99, or should I just pick up 16 bottles of Two Buck Chuck (which is actually $2 out here)?

I can buy the 2001 Guigal CdP for $28.99, and that’s a stunning wine. What is buying this wine going to give me that I’d miss with the Guigal?

Thanks Gary!

Gary, I knew you had the Strawberry Shortcake dolls that smell like strawberries, and the ones that smell like oranges. But, I didn’t realize that you had the ones that smell like poop. Those weren’t great sellers for American Greetings. You should hold onto ’em…hope they’re in the original packaging.

Episode suggestion: Could you taste one of the world-famous, super-hyped wines for us? Opus One, Lafite, Petrus, Latour, etc.? The names are, of course, famous, but are they really worth the price tag?

QOD: 2003 Larkmead Cab

Gary
How about trying Paternoster Aglianico Del Vulture!
Dennis

I agree with Picktown! been thinking of investing in wines like Opus for the cellar, but have been having success with spanish wines for the money.

Gary,
Tried the “Feudi Di San Gregorio Fiano De Avellino 2004” that I picked up at the WL, and did not like it onw bit. Like you to try it and see if you have the same reaction.
Dennis

QOD: Schmitt Wagner Longuicher Maximiner Herrenberg Kabinett 2004 A personal favorite. I also thought I’d spread my choices to increase my odds!
Dennis

Gary
My last choice of the evening for the QOD: Christoffel Spatlese Erdener Treppchen Riesling 2004
Thanks
Dennis

Answer to QOD: Atlas Peak Cabernet 2002.

Gary,

Please try Seven deadly Zins (2004). It’s our everyday wine. I would love to know what you think.
Mary

Gary… Alright, very excited that you’ll be coming to Chicago! It should be great and hopefully not that cold. Hopefully. Nice episode today, wish I’d had a Burg to drink along with you (they’re all in storage). My eye-opening wine, the wine that smacked me in the face and forced me to love it, was a 2001 Chambolle-Musigny Les Charmes from Dugat-Py. I mean, how could you not just fall instantly in love; pure velvet. It started a love for Burgundy that’s still going strong. Anyway, that’s all side note, as for the QOD: I’ve been eyeing this and would love to see what you think of the 2003 Behrens & Hitchcock Alder Springs Syrah. On that note, looking forward to the Chicago party!

Gary, I had a great time at the tasting this evening. Thanks for putting it together. I’ll have to recommend my favorite wine at the moment, since you actually had the semi-obscure wine there. Jarvis Cabernet 2001.

Chris aka “Panman”

not to be annoying (and post for the third episode) but I’ll post again in the QOTD lottery….L’aventure Optimus.

Gary,

I’m on board with Copp and Bill T and others. Time to head down the value aisle. I’m always on the lookout for wines under $20 that pay off way bigger than their price. Honestly, you are at your best on WLTV when you uncover one of these gems because you get so excited about them. Well, I do too.

Gary Vayner-chuk,

It was awsome meeting you today at the store and great that you were able to chat at the wine tasting. The wine tasting by the way, was PHENOMENOL. It was also great meeting your wife…Hello Mrs. Vaynerchuk. For you guys out there who haven’t been fortunate enough to go to the Wine Library or meet Gary, he is an AMAZINGLY nice and down to earth guy. In a world of wine snobs, you have a down to earth, cool guy like Gary. Gary is the type of guy that you chill with on Sunday wearing sweat pants and your favorite teams jersey, with a 6 pack of Coronas (with limes of course)and eating pizza….(WOW, I just described my college years…lol). In any case, Gary it was great meeting you and keep up what your doing. We all know this show is tough to do because your so busy running that incredible store, but we all thank you. By the way, thanks for taking footage of the Stallion for your show. Can’t wait to try the Rocky Zinfadel (Of course I can’t, the name is ROCKY)

YOUR THE MAN

-Stallion

Brandon,

I’ve noticed a couple of things:

1. Vayniacs had a huge lead all the way through the voting, but suddenly “Wine Librarians” won at the end.
2. I don’t hear anybody calling themselves a “Wine Librarian”.
3. People ARE still calling themselves “Vayniacs”.

So what’s up with that? I’m not sure I trust (or agree with) the results of this vote. I, for one, do NOT want a T-shirt that says “Wine Librarian” on it. “Hi, I’m Tony and I’m a Wine Librarian.” I don’t think so.

Anyone else want to weigh in on this? Time for a recount? Special election?

I would love for you to try the EDGE cabernet….but then everyone’s going to want it and make it impossible for me to buy, so on second thought….maybe not…lol

-Stallion

I would love for you to try the EDGE cabernet….but then everyone’s going to want it and make it impossible for me to buy, so on second thought….maybe not…lol

-Stallion

Gary,
Great show tonight. I have a passion for Burgundyâ??s, but they are a tough to get a good one. You need to kiss some toads to find a queen. Anyway, how about a show that focuses on big brothers? You know, as an example Harlan & Maiden, Pahlmeyer & Jayson, Sonny & Cher (just kidding). It would be nice to see how they stack up to each other…

Good luck,

Felsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia 1995 AND a second vote for the
Giacomo Borgogno Grignolino 2004.