EP 122 Opus One yes Opus 1, Insignia, Mondavi and Caymus Taste Off. Do I Need To Say More?

Wines tasted in this episode:

Today it’s the war of the wine titans! Watch today as Gary tastes these four world renowned wines. See if these heavyweight wines measure up to the palette of Gary Vay-ner-chuk. Also a new QOD.Opus 1, Joseph Phelps Insignia and Caymus Special Select what a NAPA valley tour of a life time, or is it?

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RobertB

This show was great as I have enjoyed and not enjoyed all four wines rated. I have toured three of the four vineyards. The Opus vineyard is completely different than the Robert Mondavi vineyard. The Opus way of making wine is also completely different.

Tags: cabernet, napa, red meritage, red wines, review, Video, wine, wines

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  • Why use a one touch system…why not use Windows Task manager to back it up on a daily basis to the Maxtor drive. Then all you have to do is…well..nothing!

  • BigBob

    Opus is always over-rated…

  • BigBob

    Opus is always over-rated…

  • I ask the same question I asked on the forum…isn’t Opus and Mondavi Reserve the same damn juice?

  • I ask the same question I asked on the forum…isn’t Opus and Mondavi Reserve the same damn juice?

  • GOL

    SS Chris – It’s nice to be missed! Work has been killing me but the load is getting lighter so beware I will be active in the Forum shortly…

  • GOL

    SS Chris – It’s nice to be missed! Work has been killing me but the load is getting lighter so beware I will be active in the Forum shortly…

  • KAHUNA

    Brandon M,

    I back it up as a complete bootable drive-can I do that with Task Manager? I will definately try your suggestion on my other computer with external Hard drives. Thanks for the info

  • KAHUNA

    Brandon M,

    I back it up as a complete bootable drive-can I do that with Task Manager? I will definately try your suggestion on my other computer with external Hard drives. Thanks for the info

  • hmmm…never done it as a complete bootable drive, but I don’t see why you couldn’t.

  • hmmm…never done it as a complete bootable drive, but I don’t see why you couldn’t.

  • Thanks Kahuna….I can’t wait for all of us stupid kingdumb members to sit around our round table, so we can grunt, swear and be men (and women) and enjoy some good wine.

  • Thanks Kahuna….I can’t wait for all of us stupid kingdumb members to sit around our round table, so we can grunt, swear and be men (and women) and enjoy some good wine.

  • TampaSteve

    QOTD….check your e-mail and you tell me.

  • TampaSteve

    QOTD….check your e-mail and you tell me.

  • TampaSteve

    STUPID KINGDOM POWER!!!!!!!

  • TampaSteve

    STUPID KINGDOM POWER!!!!!!!

  • Albert and Remy

    Gary,

  • Albert and Remy

    Gary,

  • Gary,

  • Albert and Remy

    Gary, Great episode! You saved us the $100+ on the Insignia, but now we really would love to try the Caymus. Do you know if you will be getting it in stock?

  • Gary,

  • Albert and Remy

    Gary, Great episode! You saved us the $100+ on the Insignia, but now we really would love to try the Caymus. Do you know if you will be getting it in stock?

  • Is it me, or is Insignia getting to be like Silver Oak?
    Not is taste, but in the fact that it’s EVERYWHERE

    Costco, Grocery Store, Wine Shop, Online….why is it $110.00 whne you can literally get it whenever you want?

  • Is it me, or is Insignia getting to be like Silver Oak?
    Not is taste, but in the fact that it’s EVERYWHERE

    Costco, Grocery Store, Wine Shop, Online….why is it $110.00 whne you can literally get it whenever you want?

  • cgf

    brandon,
    im not sure about the vineyard sources but im pretty sure the blends are different. for instance the 1997 reserve was 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot while the opus one was 82% cab, 8% cab franc, 5% merlot, 4% malbec, and 1% petit verdot.
    im curious what makes you think they are coming from the same site, or as you say “the same juice”? i couldnt find an answer to that question. and also, don’t things like different winemakers, oak treatments, and grape selections make a difference? or are you literally saying that they just stick a different label on a bottle?

  • cgf

    brandon,
    im not sure about the vineyard sources but im pretty sure the blends are different. for instance the 1997 reserve was 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot while the opus one was 82% cab, 8% cab franc, 5% merlot, 4% malbec, and 1% petit verdot.
    im curious what makes you think they are coming from the same site, or as you say “the same juice”? i couldnt find an answer to that question. and also, don’t things like different winemakers, oak treatments, and grape selections make a difference? or are you literally saying that they just stick a different label on a bottle?

  • MarcT

    Great episode Gary, of course we miss you!!!

    I think that Opus and Insignia are both over marketed. Both wines to me while being very good on most vintages are over priced. I feel I can get the same quality and not have to pay for the upkeep required at the Mondavi facilities.

  • MarcT

    Great episode Gary, of course we miss you!!!

    I think that Opus and Insignia are both over marketed. Both wines to me while being very good on most vintages are over priced. I feel I can get the same quality and not have to pay for the upkeep required at the Mondavi facilities.

  • MarcT

    Brandon M,

    I back it up as a complete bootable drive-can I do that with Task Manager? I will definately try your suggestion on my other computer with external Hard drives. Thanks for the info

    Comment 30: By KAHUNA on November 6th, 2006 at 5:28 pm

    Kahuna…if you want another bootable drive backup try Acronis…it’s free!
    http://www.acronis.com/

  • MarcT

    Brandon M,

    I back it up as a complete bootable drive-can I do that with Task Manager? I will definately try your suggestion on my other computer with external Hard drives. Thanks for the info

    Comment 30: By KAHUNA on November 6th, 2006 at 5:28 pm

    Kahuna…if you want another bootable drive backup try Acronis…it’s free!
    http://www.acronis.com/

  • MaryS

    Gary,
    I’m sure your wife misses you more than I do. Didn’t have an extra seat on the WL Jet for her?
    🙂

  • MaryS

    Gary,
    I’m sure your wife misses you more than I do. Didn’t have an extra seat on the WL Jet for her?
    🙂

  • MarcT

    I can say from experience that you can have the same grapes from the same vine picked on the same day taste totally different. How? American Oak and French Oak make things very different. I experienced this first hand at a small boutique winery in Napa (Sawyer Cellars). We did straight barrel samples and were blown away at the difference. It was new world from one and old world from the other.
    So can it be the same juice? Technically yes. Is it the same? NO!

  • MarcT

    I can say from experience that you can have the same grapes from the same vine picked on the same day taste totally different. How? American Oak and French Oak make things very different. I experienced this first hand at a small boutique winery in Napa (Sawyer Cellars). We did straight barrel samples and were blown away at the difference. It was new world from one and old world from the other.
    So can it be the same juice? Technically yes. Is it the same? NO!

  • Great show Gary…I’ve had a few of those wines at tastings (not those vintages) and, although I love new world heavy hitters as well as old world dusties, I go up and down on them…especially when taking price into consideration. I never buy these kinds of wine, so when I taste them, I try and look at it just from the perspective of tasting a wine. But it’s hard to fathom spending that kind of money and getting something that’s run of the mill. If I’m ever going to spend $100+ on a bottle…it better be DANG good, like it better kick me in the teeth.

    QOD: I only miss you when I go to log on to watch a new episode and there isn’t a new one. So, for right now, I don’t miss you. I’m still hoping to see you tomorrow.

    OK…GO BEARS!! Stupid Dolphins. Leave it to a 1-6 team (well, now 2-6) w/ ex-Vikings and ex-Lions quarterback to make the Bears look like a powder-puff team. That’s alright, our tour of the East Coast will be void of all the “undefeated” talk now, so we can just concentrate on football.

    See you later man, have fun in Paris.
    T

  • Great show Gary…I’ve had a few of those wines at tastings (not those vintages) and, although I love new world heavy hitters as well as old world dusties, I go up and down on them…especially when taking price into consideration. I never buy these kinds of wine, so when I taste them, I try and look at it just from the perspective of tasting a wine. But it’s hard to fathom spending that kind of money and getting something that’s run of the mill. If I’m ever going to spend $100+ on a bottle…it better be DANG good, like it better kick me in the teeth.

    QOD: I only miss you when I go to log on to watch a new episode and there isn’t a new one. So, for right now, I don’t miss you. I’m still hoping to see you tomorrow.

    OK…GO BEARS!! Stupid Dolphins. Leave it to a 1-6 team (well, now 2-6) w/ ex-Vikings and ex-Lions quarterback to make the Bears look like a powder-puff team. That’s alright, our tour of the East Coast will be void of all the “undefeated” talk now, so we can just concentrate on football.

    See you later man, have fun in Paris.
    T

  • sheila

    Awesome line-up for this tasting…how true that Insignia and Opus One have become extremely over-priced… I have enjoyed the ’01 and ’02s… Is ’03 a rough year for Napa?

  • sheila

    Awesome line-up for this tasting…how true that Insignia and Opus One have become extremely over-priced… I have enjoyed the ’01 and ’02s… Is ’03 a rough year for Napa?

  • Steve F (Finger Lakes NY)

    Gary; Great Show!

    It is the value content in today’s show that pushes WLTV beyond the top! You are definately our Fat Albert in the junkyard game of Bunk-Bunk!!! You’re Huge; and of course we miss you!!!

    Please give us a show to help pick wines for the Thanksgiving feast. I need something for everybody; or a couple of somethings. I need the show quick so that I have time for delivery!!!

    Travel Safe!

  • Steve F (Finger Lakes NY)

    Gary; Great Show!

    It is the value content in today’s show that pushes WLTV beyond the top! You are definately our Fat Albert in the junkyard game of Bunk-Bunk!!! You’re Huge; and of course we miss you!!!

    Please give us a show to help pick wines for the Thanksgiving feast. I need something for everybody; or a couple of somethings. I need the show quick so that I have time for delivery!!!

    Travel Safe!

  • KAHUNA

    Sheila,
    I am finding 03 a tough vintage for my Cab tastes. Most of my old stand by’s are not up to snuff. I have found that I am spending more money per bottle right now due to the lower priced 03 cabs not hitting their mark with me yet- I have about 15-20 2003 Cabs to get through before I pick a few to stock up on.

  • KAHUNA

    Sheila,
    I am finding 03 a tough vintage for my Cab tastes. Most of my old stand by’s are not up to snuff. I have found that I am spending more money per bottle right now due to the lower priced 03 cabs not hitting their mark with me yet- I have about 15-20 2003 Cabs to get through before I pick a few to stock up on.

  • KAHUNA

    Thanks Marct for the info-

    I have too say it is nice to se the comments area back for some good dialogue-

    I will be stocking the 2004 Caymus as I think that has the most promise in the $50-$120 range- I also picked up a case of the 03 Amizetta estate Cab- based on so little 03 that I love- I hope Gary is right on this one.

  • KAHUNA

    Thanks Marct for the info-

    I have too say it is nice to se the comments area back for some good dialogue-

    I will be stocking the 2004 Caymus as I think that has the most promise in the $50-$120 range- I also picked up a case of the 03 Amizetta estate Cab- based on so little 03 that I love- I hope Gary is right on this one.

  • I was told by an industry “INSIDER” that they are sourced form the same reserve block at the Mondavi reserve vineyards. I never knew if it was true or not, but this guy was a pretty stand up guy and had been in the business for a LONG time.

    I have always been curious.

    B

  • I was told by an industry “INSIDER” that they are sourced form the same reserve block at the Mondavi reserve vineyards. I never knew if it was true or not, but this guy was a pretty stand up guy and had been in the business for a LONG time.

    I have always been curious.

    B

  • Bruce S

    Gary,

    Excellent point about how the Insignia has really increased in price over the years, especially after the WS WOTY award. You have to wonder at what point these types of wines leave their customer base behind and appeal for only a brief time to the point chasers. I think the CSJ Cinq Cepage went this route and now we see the wine being closed out at rock bottom prices left and right. I wish that places like Phelps wouldn’t go for the quick buck at the expense of previously loyal buyers, but it will be interesting to see what happens to the pricing over the next few years if the wine doesn’t get the reviews necessary to justify its current pricing.

  • Bruce S

    Gary,

    Excellent point about how the Insignia has really increased in price over the years, especially after the WS WOTY award. You have to wonder at what point these types of wines leave their customer base behind and appeal for only a brief time to the point chasers. I think the CSJ Cinq Cepage went this route and now we see the wine being closed out at rock bottom prices left and right. I wish that places like Phelps wouldn’t go for the quick buck at the expense of previously loyal buyers, but it will be interesting to see what happens to the pricing over the next few years if the wine doesn’t get the reviews necessary to justify its current pricing.

  • TimF

    QOD: Why would we miss you? You posted a new video today. If there was no video today, I’d need some WLTV methadone equivalent.

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