Gary, Ive said it before, but I’ll say it again: We all sincerely appreciate the time you take out of your life to do WLTV. And I personally would rather see you take a few days off when you really need it rather than burn out from trying to do too much.

In fact, why don’t you take Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday off next week? I’ll be at a conference in freezing cold, rainy Rochester until Thursday, so that’d work out great for me. I haven’t missed a single episode for months, and I know I’m going to feel terrible when I get back and see everything I missed. 🙁

Taking the red eye out tonight. I can’t believe that snow is actually a possibility in the forecast. It’s 85 degrees out here in NorCal right now and not a cloud in the sky. Man, that’s going to be a shock to the system!

Hopefully, we’ll get a chance to hit the Finger Lakes. Looking forward to that.

Don’t have too much fun without me!

Pete B (#96 yesterday) – I have the same thoughts about washing wine glasses. I suggest everyone take their glasses off the shelf and check out the “nose” of the empty glass. It’s likely not scent-less. Especially if you use a dish soap with “sheeting action” – to reduce spotting – it purposefully leaves chemical residue. Then, add wet, alcoholic beverage to that chemical residue and you get add-ons to your wine aroma. Other than shape of the glass, I think washing probably makes way more difference than the glass or crystal itself. And, by and large, restaurants wash their wine glasses in a dishwasher so you’ve got the soap issue there all the time.

Tim F (#120 yesterday) – I have the Jonesy Port but haven’t opened it yet. A trusted wine store sommilier suggested it because he knows I like well-aged, high-alcohol Barossa Shiraz and he said this is right along that same profile – for under $10.

Buying glasses – I make a regular pass through the “houseware” section of the Goodwill stores in the old parts of our town (folks die, their whole kitchen contents to to the Goodwill). I have found FABULOUS vintage wine glasses, French crystal, and amazing vintage wine decanters (usually stuck in with the glass vases) for $1 – $3. They’re just stuck in with all the cheap glassware and it’s always priced the same as the junk. The treasure hunt is a blast!

QOD – Watts Casa Azul Reserve Chardonnay – 2003 – Lodi. Butterscotch, round, butter. $13.99 (have never had a $40 Chardonnay).

Ed R…I was thinking the same thing, but didn’t want to jump everyone into a frenzy….
Liz? Gary? AJ? Papa Vaynerchuk? Who will tell us?

Jason R…no worries…but if ANYONE is ever making a trip to Nor Cal from out of state…let me know and we can make it wine stop on your way throguh!

B

Ed R…I was thinking the same thing, but didn’t want to jump everyone into a frenzy….
Liz? Gary? AJ? Papa Vaynerchuk? Who will tell us?

Jason R…no worries…but if ANYONE is ever making a trip to Nor Cal from out of state…let me know and we can make it wine stop on your way throguh!

B

Hey, Brandon, I’m already here!

QOD – I’ve never been a big white wine drinker. Did like a Leveroni Chard that I tasted a few weeks back at a tasting, but overall, I haven’t really explored chards.

Hey, I’m just now getting into Italian reds – I can’t drink everything at once! But I’ll take your advice and try something good in the $20 range.

Suggestions anyone??

Miguelo…living or visiting?

Brandon,

You’re only about an hour and a half from where I live. I’m still waiting for your Bentley to show up at my front door.

We should definitely try to hook up some time. Let’s talk when I get back from NY. Maybe we can do a Fair Play/Amador trip together.

I live in Sunnyvale, which could produce some great agriculture if all these houses weren’t built upon this world-class soil, but I grow some killer veggies/fruit in my yard.

I live in Sunnyvale, which could produce some great agriculture if all these houses weren’t built upon this world-class soil, but I grow some killer veggies/fruit in my yard.

Gary,
My favorite california chardonnay would be the 2002 Talbot Cuvée Audrey. I also like Talbot’s Diamond T Chardonnay. The Cuvée Audrey is the unfined and unfiltered version of the Diamond T. Have you had either of these? If so, what do you think of them. Its very burgundian in style, or atleast that is how I feel.

I am glad this long week is over. Somebody pour me some wine!

oh yeah…also these are probably the most expensive chardonnays I have ever had either… The Audrey is $75 and the Diamond T is $55..

Brandon, I’ll have to check out the Sebastiani sounds like it’s my speed. I tried the Chateau St. Jean Chard and remember liking it. Not a big white wine guy.

Tony….absolutely in for a Amador trip…you can show me some of your hidden treasure wineries.

Miguelo…I have been to MANY MANY concerts in your area.

The 2007 Amador Wine Tasting Tour…let’s start the planning!

Back to the Glass issue – I drink my Boonesfarm right from the bottle – no glass required

2005 Sebastiani Casa De Sonoma Russian River Valley Winery Notes:

Aromas of pink grapefruit, lemon rind and yellow apple fill the nose, while intense fruit flavors of Meyer lemon, Golden Delicious apple and yellow peach fill your mouth.

The apple is so up front in it! I loved it cold, and at room temp. The kicker is it’s only $17.99 a bottle and with my club discount it’s only $14.40

If your into the Bordeaux / MEritage everyone NEEDS to try the Secolo, it’s so silky…awesome! It isn’t released for another month but the ’02 and ’03 was amazing!

sorry…the Casa De sonoma above IS the unoaked!

Brandon, Tony, Miguelo,

I am jeaolus(however you spell it) My wife and I were supposed to do a few days of Amador with our annual Sonoma/Napa trip but she is 7 mos Pregnant(when I catch the guy I am gonna kick his butt-Just kidding she will kill me for writing that). Anyway keep us posted on the plans that will be awesome- Now If I can just think of some reason I need to be out there for business? HHMMM

I laid off California Chards for almost two years and now I’m having another go at the beast. Overall, I’m most fond of Chardonnay’s from the Sanguacimo vinyard. I’ve tasted several efforts: one made by Carmenet and, most recently, Barnett. California chards can be fun wines but sometimes I find them obnoxious!

Brandon,
You ever make it down to Monterey/Carmel area to taste wine?

Justin…
Not in a couple of years, but wouldn’t mind taking a long weekend and going down there. Mybe I can kill two birds with one stone and come down for Concours next year!

Kahuna…Your un-born son will control your habits for a while (Or at least your sleep patterns), but we’ll try to plan something far enough out so anybody who wants to join can go along.

B

QOD – Kistler…on an expense account. Like butter.

Brandon,
In a few weeks Monterey County Vinters and Growers association is putting on the Annual Great Wine Escape Weekend. I have to work Saturday, but I am hoping to hit a few of the winery open houses on Sunday. Sometimes it is a pain working at a winery. You can never have days off when fun things are happening.

Gary

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QOD: This probably wasn’t the best chard from California I’ve had, but it left the most lasting impression. It may have been “the wine” that got me going on this wine whole thing. I tasted this in my Wine Appreciation class in college and loved it. It was the 1993 Chateau Potelle College Cuvee. If somebody has a bottle of that hanging around I’ll make you an offer (my professor said it would likely age well). Then again, it might spoil my memory…

Outside of this, I really, really, really like Kalin Cellars Chardonnay.