EP 109 Classic Wine Tasting.

Wines tasted in this episode:

Today Gary tastes some of the classics and treats himself and you to some of the greatest wines in the world including Mouton, Le Pin and Torbreck.

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Alexandre Savoie aka Sniffysix

WTF
Anyways not a fan of Aussie shiraz or any aussie wine actually

Tags: Bordeaux, red meritage, red wines, review, Video, wine, wines

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  • Julius

    SS Chris – The Wine Enthusiast is saying that at the price listed you get 3 adjustable (actually, a fixed shelf that is adjustable by its placement) and 1 rolling (pull-out) shelf. You can order additional shelving (which will make it look like what you see pictured. Remember, the 260 bottle capacity is determined by using only the minimum number of adjustable shelves and standard Bordeaux bottles. Those slightly fatter and/or taller bottles favored by some California and Australian wineries can further reduce that number. I have 3 fixed and 8 rolling shelves plus basket at the bottom in my unit and the capacity is about 190. I was lucky when I bought it, because they were running a “super sale” at the time and I got the glass door and additional shelves for free, and the base price for the unit was less than what it is now. (I guess I should have bought two.)

  • Julius

    SS Chris – The Wine Enthusiast is saying that at the price listed you get 3 adjustable (actually, a fixed shelf that is adjustable by its placement) and 1 rolling (pull-out) shelf. You can order additional shelving (which will make it look like what you see pictured. Remember, the 260 bottle capacity is determined by using only the minimum number of adjustable shelves and standard Bordeaux bottles. Those slightly fatter and/or taller bottles favored by some California and Australian wineries can further reduce that number. I have 3 fixed and 8 rolling shelves plus basket at the bottom in my unit and the capacity is about 190. I was lucky when I bought it, because they were running a “super sale” at the time and I got the glass door and additional shelves for free, and the base price for the unit was less than what it is now. (I guess I should have bought two.)

  • joe

    Gary:

    awesome episode, that is the old Gary humor! I loved episode 69 then, and I love episode 109 now. I almost flipped when I saw that wine lineup – – I half beleived your were going to open $4-$5K worth of wine up. Very funny!

    My favorite Aussie Shiraz I ever had was the 1997 Penfolds Grange had this year, with 2 hours of decanting before consuming. Wonderfully complex and mamouthly long.

    Joe

  • joe

    Gary:

    awesome episode, that is the old Gary humor! I loved episode 69 then, and I love episode 109 now. I almost flipped when I saw that wine lineup – – I half beleived your were going to open $4-$5K worth of wine up. Very funny!

    My favorite Aussie Shiraz I ever had was the 1997 Penfolds Grange had this year, with 2 hours of decanting before consuming. Wonderfully complex and mamouthly long.

    Joe

  • Jaye

    Yowsa! 152 comments already in the can by the time I have a few minutes to watch this episode?!!

    Yikes. I used to read all the comments before I would post, but I can’t go through that many and still keep my job.

    Yes, I also noticed the bottles weren’t open. I got all tingly when I saw the screen thing come up after the Torbreck — I knew it was going to be followed by some sort of silly fun. Thanks for not disappointing.

    So far the best Aussie Shiraz I have had was the 2001 Glen Eldon Dry Bore. I have a fairly pricey shiraz sitting in my cellar that I am waiting a few more years on before I try . . . Elderton Command 2000.

  • Jaye

    Yowsa! 152 comments already in the can by the time I have a few minutes to watch this episode?!!

    Yikes. I used to read all the comments before I would post, but I can’t go through that many and still keep my job.

    Yes, I also noticed the bottles weren’t open. I got all tingly when I saw the screen thing come up after the Torbreck — I knew it was going to be followed by some sort of silly fun. Thanks for not disappointing.

    So far the best Aussie Shiraz I have had was the 2001 Glen Eldon Dry Bore. I have a fairly pricey shiraz sitting in my cellar that I am waiting a few more years on before I try . . . Elderton Command 2000.

  • Julius

    Brandon – You, and anybody else, might find the following link useful in developing your nose and palate. I know I did.

    http://www.wset.co.uk/documents/xac_sat_17_07_06.pdf

  • Julius

    Brandon – You, and anybody else, might find the following link useful in developing your nose and palate. I know I did.

    http://www.wset.co.uk/documents/xac_sat_17_07_06.pdf

  • This isn’t about selling wine Lawrence, it’s about the experience!

    B

  • This isn’t about selling wine Lawrence, it’s about the experience!

    B

  • Susan

    Julius,
    Thanks for the link:)
    Yes, it is helpful to a newbie like me!

  • Susan

    Julius,
    Thanks for the link:)
    Yes, it is helpful to a newbie like me!

  • Jason R.

    Everyone – I would like to Thank all of you for buying all of the 2001 Guigal CDP. It was on my order and they are all out ๐Ÿ™ I will just have to sniff my computer while reading your comments, lick my baseball glove & spit into a decanter for about 2-3 hours to get the same orgasmic experience that everyone explains.

    Oh’well – thats what is so damn fun in enjoying wine – The guys at WL Shipping dept. were awesome and I quickly found something to replace it with. GL everyone else that had it on their order list!!!

  • Jason R.

    Everyone – I would like to Thank all of you for buying all of the 2001 Guigal CDP. It was on my order and they are all out ๐Ÿ™ I will just have to sniff my computer while reading your comments, lick my baseball glove & spit into a decanter for about 2-3 hours to get the same orgasmic experience that everyone explains.

    Oh’well – thats what is so damn fun in enjoying wine – The guys at WL Shipping dept. were awesome and I quickly found something to replace it with. GL everyone else that had it on their order list!!!

  • Gary

    I would have to wait ten years for the Torbreck and I can drink the Two Up now. Oh Yeah! I get it! I can drink the Two Up for the next ten years while waiting for the Torbreck.

    These are your tasting notes for comparison.

    Two Up Shiraz 2004 รข?? 12.99

    By Far, the BEST of this BUNCH, NOSE-wow, acacia flowers, plum, cocoa; TASTE-great structure, nice mid-palate, long bacon fat finish, ton of fruit: strawberry, currant, plum, blackberries. FANTASTIC. This is what you’re looking for..BARGAIN!

    Torbreck The Factor Red 2003 รข?? 79.99

    #1; NOSE-candied licorice, liqueur aspect, very intense, very big; TASTE-Wow !, So massive, huge luscious blackberry, black currant, raisins, huge wine, taking over entire palate, very well structured, great character, real long finish, pure silk, HUGE wine, needs to be cellared (another 7-15 years), a VALUE @ $80, as good as it gets; black pepper, apricot on finish; RP-96; GV-95

  • Gary

    I would have to wait ten years for the Torbreck and I can drink the Two Up now. Oh Yeah! I get it! I can drink the Two Up for the next ten years while waiting for the Torbreck.

    These are your tasting notes for comparison.

    Two Up Shiraz 2004 รข?? 12.99

    By Far, the BEST of this BUNCH, NOSE-wow, acacia flowers, plum, cocoa; TASTE-great structure, nice mid-palate, long bacon fat finish, ton of fruit: strawberry, currant, plum, blackberries. FANTASTIC. This is what you’re looking for..BARGAIN!

    Torbreck The Factor Red 2003 รข?? 79.99

    #1; NOSE-candied licorice, liqueur aspect, very intense, very big; TASTE-Wow !, So massive, huge luscious blackberry, black currant, raisins, huge wine, taking over entire palate, very well structured, great character, real long finish, pure silk, HUGE wine, needs to be cellared (another 7-15 years), a VALUE @ $80, as good as it gets; black pepper, apricot on finish; RP-96; GV-95

  • Matthew L

    Julius…(comment #154) thanks for the link.

    Thanks to those who mentioned the Dear Arm. I’ve seen bottles of 2003 for 52 bones (as Gary would say), but the 2002 is $35 a bottle. ’03 must have been a superior vintage year in Australia for Shiraz.

  • Kahuna

    TampaSteve,
    Last time at Burns we did the Kitchen and Wine Cellar tour- I was blown away- I love that place and I tell people it is worth the flight down there just to eat at it. They grow many of their own greens and the seperate dessert floor is the best. Other steak houses I love are El Goucho(over priced but great expierence the waitor actually escorts the women to the bathroom) and Metropolitan Grill in Seattle.

    I ate at a place in Houston that was amazing as we ate in the cigar room. I will have to dig up the name.

  • Matthew L

    Julius…(comment #154) thanks for the link.

    Thanks to those who mentioned the Dear Arm. I’ve seen bottles of 2003 for 52 bones (as Gary would say), but the 2002 is $35 a bottle. ’03 must have been a superior vintage year in Australia for Shiraz.

  • Kahuna

    TampaSteve,
    Last time at Burns we did the Kitchen and Wine Cellar tour- I was blown away- I love that place and I tell people it is worth the flight down there just to eat at it. They grow many of their own greens and the seperate dessert floor is the best. Other steak houses I love are El Goucho(over priced but great expierence the waitor actually escorts the women to the bathroom) and Metropolitan Grill in Seattle.

    I ate at a place in Houston that was amazing as we ate in the cigar room. I will have to dig up the name.

  • Panman

    SS Chris – Avanti wine coolers are a pain to get repaired if you need to have one fixed. Check out the website. Half the authorized repair shops listed don’t exist or are no longer repair shops.

    Gary – not only was this episode like having a R rated movie on TBS, this episode was like the Heidi Bowl! ๐Ÿ™

  • Panman

    SS Chris – Avanti wine coolers are a pain to get repaired if you need to have one fixed. Check out the website. Half the authorized repair shops listed don’t exist or are no longer repair shops.

    Gary – not only was this episode like having a R rated movie on TBS, this episode was like the Heidi Bowl! ๐Ÿ™

  • SS Chris

    TAMPA STEVE,
    Thanks VERY much for the info. When I was compiling all of the “Favorite Restaurants” into the spreadsheet, your description of BURNS clearly stood out. I wish I was there for your 40th…sounds like a PERFECT evening (great steak, great wine, great cigars). I think I may have to make a trip to Tampa…I’ll let you know if I come.

    TAMPA STEVE, JULIUS, STALLION and DOUG G,
    Thanks so much for all of your great info…I can’t tell you how much I appreciate.

    Gotta love this BLOG!!!

    Gotta love the VaynIACS!!!! thanks again, Chris

    P.S.
    If you guys would like the ‘Restaurant Spreadsheet’ (actually it’s the entire Spreadsheet w/ different tabs), have Gary forward me your email addresses so that I can send. (I’d feel like I’m recipricating in my own small way.) ๐Ÿ™‚

  • SS Chris

    TAMPA STEVE,
    Thanks VERY much for the info. When I was compiling all of the “Favorite Restaurants” into the spreadsheet, your description of BURNS clearly stood out. I wish I was there for your 40th…sounds like a PERFECT evening (great steak, great wine, great cigars). I think I may have to make a trip to Tampa…I’ll let you know if I come.

    TAMPA STEVE, JULIUS, STALLION and DOUG G,
    Thanks so much for all of your great info…I can’t tell you how much I appreciate.

    Gotta love this BLOG!!!

    Gotta love the VaynIACS!!!! thanks again, Chris

    P.S.
    If you guys would like the ‘Restaurant Spreadsheet’ (actually it’s the entire Spreadsheet w/ different tabs), have Gary forward me your email addresses so that I can send. (I’d feel like I’m recipricating in my own small way.) ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Bruce S

    Funny joke Gary.

    Reading some of the other comments, it strikes me how clever an offer the free shipping codes are. It saves the customer about $2.50 a bottle by the case and yet it causes us to open up our wallets like drunken sailors. So, I assume that you made enough profit from the sale of the bottles to keep WLTV going for awhile. ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Bruce S

    Funny joke Gary.

    Reading some of the other comments, it strikes me how clever an offer the free shipping codes are. It saves the customer about $2.50 a bottle by the case and yet it causes us to open up our wallets like drunken sailors. So, I assume that you made enough profit from the sale of the bottles to keep WLTV going for awhile. ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Julius

    Matty Van – If your ever in Las Vegas, check out the Wine Cellar at the Rio. It hosts a 50,000 bottle collection valued at over $10,000,000 and at the wine bar offers more than 100 wines by the glass.

  • Jason R.

    Bruce – This may be true – But what great timing. How many people out there in the VaynerNation have been sitting on their ass all summer waiting for the Hot weather to go away so they could start shipping in again??? I’m guilty – Ordered a case last week from Los Angeles and this week from WL. Other than that for the past 4 months, I have only picked up a couple bottles here and there at local wine shops on my travels. With Free Shipping and ordering out of state (Takes Sales Tax out of the mix) – It doesn’t mean you are spending less – IT MEANS THAT YOU CAN ORDER MORE FOR YOUR BONES!!!

  • Julius

    Matty Van – If your ever in Las Vegas, check out the Wine Cellar at the Rio. It hosts a 50,000 bottle collection valued at over $10,000,000 and at the wine bar offers more than 100 wines by the glass.

  • Jason R.

    Bruce – This may be true – But what great timing. How many people out there in the VaynerNation have been sitting on their ass all summer waiting for the Hot weather to go away so they could start shipping in again??? I’m guilty – Ordered a case last week from Los Angeles and this week from WL. Other than that for the past 4 months, I have only picked up a couple bottles here and there at local wine shops on my travels. With Free Shipping and ordering out of state (Takes Sales Tax out of the mix) – It doesn’t mean you are spending less – IT MEANS THAT YOU CAN ORDER MORE FOR YOUR BONES!!!

  • Bruce…yes…but when you have the lowest prices in the country another $2.50 a bottle, especially on something that costs $14.99 REALLY makes it worth while!
    When I get wine I can’t find in a lot of places and it get’s shipped for free from NJ to CA, I HAVE to jump.

    Also Jason R…exactly!

    B

  • Bruce…yes…but when you have the lowest prices in the country another $2.50 a bottle, especially on something that costs $14.99 REALLY makes it worth while!
    When I get wine I can’t find in a lot of places and it get’s shipped for free from NJ to CA, I HAVE to jump.

    Also Jason R…exactly!

    B

  • Has anyone ever been to Aureole at Mandalay Bay, LV….I have only stood at the door and stared at that huge wine system! Unreal

    B

  • Has anyone ever been to Aureole at Mandalay Bay, LV….I have only stood at the door and stared at that huge wine system! Unreal

    B

  • Julius

    To answer the QOTD, I would have to answer by category. And I think that the answer will probably change as I get into the ones I currently have cellaring, like Clarendon Hills and Shirvington from recent vintages. And I can’t wait to compare them to some of the Pax offerings.

    For Bold and Brash – 1996 Glaetzer
    For Elegant and Refined – 1997 Eight Songs
    For Everyday Affordability – 2002 Laughing Magpie

  • Julius

    To answer the QOTD, I would have to answer by category. And I think that the answer will probably change as I get into the ones I currently have cellaring, like Clarendon Hills and Shirvington from recent vintages. And I can’t wait to compare them to some of the Pax offerings.

    For Bold and Brash – 1996 Glaetzer
    For Elegant and Refined – 1997 Eight Songs
    For Everyday Affordability – 2002 Laughing Magpie

  • PattyO

    Brandon M –
    If you’re thinking of expanding the WLTV-Vayner-Fashion Line past the T, here’s a thought:

    My kids have suggested a rubber wrist bracelet with the inscription:
    WWGD….
    Lately, they tease my husband and me about all our “Gary said this” and “Gary tasted that” comments and they roll their eyes when they see us sitting together in the den, with the laptop, watching WLTV. (My 15 year old had the audacity this weekend to say, “HE’S OBNOXIOUS!! TURN DOWN THE VOLUME!”) – and she couldn’t believe I was checking the Jets game-in-progress scores all afternoon Sunday!

  • PattyO

    Brandon M –
    If you’re thinking of expanding the WLTV-Vayner-Fashion Line past the T, here’s a thought:

    My kids have suggested a rubber wrist bracelet with the inscription:
    WWGD….
    Lately, they tease my husband and me about all our “Gary said this” and “Gary tasted that” comments and they roll their eyes when they see us sitting together in the den, with the laptop, watching WLTV. (My 15 year old had the audacity this weekend to say, “HE’S OBNOXIOUS!! TURN DOWN THE VOLUME!”) – and she couldn’t believe I was checking the Jets game-in-progress scores all afternoon Sunday!

  • SS Chris

    PattyO, did you get the SS??

  • SS Chris

    PattyO, did you get the SS??

  • PattyO…Great idea, however….I would only do that if Gary put in touch with a charity to hook up with for the wrist bands….I think that this should be a WLTV Schwag item that WLTV is allready puting together!

    B

  • PattyO…Great idea, however….I would only do that if Gary put in touch with a charity to hook up with for the wrist bands….I think that this should be a WLTV Schwag item that WLTV is allready puting together!

    B

  • SS Chris

    JULIUS & BRANDON M,

    I’ve added ‘Wine Cellar’ and ‘Aureole’ to the Restaurant SS.

    Aureole was already there per David K’s comment #42(Ep #88), but I enter restaurants as many times as they’re recommended — I figure that it is significant if a Restaurant is mentioned 3 times.

  • SS Chris

    JULIUS & BRANDON M,

    I’ve added ‘Wine Cellar’ and ‘Aureole’ to the Restaurant SS.

    Aureole was already there per David K’s comment #42(Ep #88), but I enter restaurants as many times as they’re recommended — I figure that it is significant if a Restaurant is mentioned 3 times.

  • Chris…where is the restaurant SS?

  • Chris…where is the restaurant SS?

  • Jason R,

    Sorry about the Guigal 2001! I think I might have got the last three bottles. Sweet! …but not for you. If you’re ever out in California, I’d be happy to pop one of mine for you.

  • Jason R,

    Sorry about the Guigal 2001! I think I might have got the last three bottles. Sweet! …but not for you. If you’re ever out in California, I’d be happy to pop one of mine for you.

  • Julius…that is a phenominal link…printing it out and puting it in my wine binder.

    To all…Gary has mentioned that woman are more in tuned with the wine senses than men. I wouldn’t know, but here’s a story from last night (not my wine up the nose story either)

    I was having a very difficult time with the Sebastiani last night. REALLY trying to get into it, but pushing too hard to come up with what I was smelling and tasting. Then Denyce spends about five minutes with the glass and says, “I smell black licorice!” And BOOOOM it all hits me. She nails it like never before, unbelievable!

    B

  • Julius…that is a phenominal link…printing it out and puting it in my wine binder.

    To all…Gary has mentioned that woman are more in tuned with the wine senses than men. I wouldn’t know, but here’s a story from last night (not my wine up the nose story either)

    I was having a very difficult time with the Sebastiani last night. REALLY trying to get into it, but pushing too hard to come up with what I was smelling and tasting. Then Denyce spends about five minutes with the glass and says, “I smell black licorice!” And BOOOOM it all hits me. She nails it like never before, unbelievable!

    B

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