Gary, My first great cab was the 1969 Freemark Abbey. Since then it appears regularly in my rotation. Cab, Chianti, and Rioja are my mainstay reds. Did I already say I’m an old world guy?

It’s summertime in south Louisiana (VERY HOT!!). Staying off of cabs until the fall. Into pinot and riesling right now. Lots of seafood down here.

QOTD – Cabernet was the really the first wine to wow me. I’d say I’m in the middle. Drank mainly Cabernet for the first few years. But the last 2 years I’ve been get more in the red Italian varietals.

QOTD: I love Cabernet, and it’s definitely my go-to favorite (my two current favorite reds are a more old world style Cali Cab and a Virginia Cab Franc). I’m really adventurous about food and wine, though, so I’m always ready to try something new. I suppose I’m in the middle of the Cab ladder, but I don’t know if I’ll ever really get to the end.

QOTD: I’m toward the middle to the end. Been on bit of a Shiraz kick lately.

OMG, that episode was so damn funny Gary, found myself laughing out loud a number of times. My boss must think in huffing dust-off in my office. Turnbull, you’ve convinced me on that one, I would have never known.
QOTD: Rarely drink cabs these days, if I do it’s usually a Bordeaux, but sometimes I do want a big Cali Cab with a nice cut of NY steak. Going to a BBQ this Friday were I will be eating some NYS, now I know what Cab to bring with me, thanks Gary. Great episode today. I think a touch of that wine is starting to catch up with you though, now I understand the comment you made to me at the SanFran party 😉
Cheers!!

Firstly, Iâ??m not really a lurker since barolo-episode, and secondly, the recent episode was definately cool again and thanks for that Gary!You are amazing, don’t ever retire!

Niklas, a semi-lurker from Finland

Obs. It’s 01:10 am here in Finland but aren’t we changing the wine world?

QOTD – I’ve got 125 bottles in my cellar and about 60% are Cali Cabs. It’s always been my fav wine, but price and the fact that my wife like reds with less tannins has forced me to buy other wines. I still enjoy a good Cab every other week or so with a heavy meat meal, but am enjoying other wines as well (Merlots and Spanish wines especially). So, on my “ladder” I’m kinda stuck in the middle.

Well – off to the wine shoppe to score some Turnbull!! LOL!

Haven’t bought a cali cab in a long time. I don’t know if we don’t get the better ones imported to the UK but I’m consistently dissapointed with them. At a new world tasting with Chile, Arg, Aus, NZ, SA and the US, it was only the US where I found uniform mediocrity and overpricing. Maybe I’m old world, maybe it;s because I’m in the UK but either way I just don’t get it. I also am confused that a wine mentionned as ‘unnaceptable’ can be scored 85 points??

QOTD: Probably the last one, was on it when I started into wine, went off it for a while but am now getting more into it as I fine better examples.

QOTD: I guess I haven’t really started up the ladder. I will enjoy a cab every once in a while, but I can’t say it’s a staple of the wine that I drink.
Now I really want to try that Turnbull.

Good ep G!
Who was the mystery guest taking pictures of you during the episode??? Will we ever be able to go and be in the assitance for the show too?? And then someone would call out….”PhilB, come on down! Welcome to WLTV!” and I get to taste with you?? That would kick ass!

Anyhow, QOTD: I guess Bordeaux puts me on the ladder, but I would absolutely love to taste more Cali Cabs to get a better idea… 90% of my experience with the grape comes from Bordeaux and French blends….

Cali Cabs are a stand-by but account for maybe 15% of what I drink. The best thing about Cabs? I think there is less variation between a good one and a bad one than with other varietals. (Not that there isn’t some). So if I am at a work or charity function and they have a host bar, I go for the cab – it isn’t great but it usually is good, especially compared to the other options — usually generic Merlot, Chardonnay and White Zin.

Cali Cabs are a stand-by but account for maybe 15% of what I drink. The best thing about Cabs? I think there is less variation between a good one and a bad one than with other varietals. (Not that there isn’t some). So if I am at a work or charity function and they have a host bar, I go for the cab – it isn’t great but it usually is good, especially compared to the other options — usually generic Merlot, Chardonnay and White Zin.

I dont want to be a lurker so here I am. This is the first time I’ve seen your show and it is awesome. I am a new wine drinker and I’m trying to learn all I can about flavors and tasting so I am hooked. Good job. I’m going out to find some Turnbull.

….I am so tired of cali cabs…move on please. Yeah they are great…but give me something interesting!

QOTD: Definitely in the middle.

….I am so tired of cali cabs…move on please. Yeah they are great…but give me something interesting!

QOTD: Definitely in the middle.

Gary, Nice show man… very entertaining. I’d have to say that I’m low on the Cabernet ladder, just starting out my friend. But… BUT, I did just buy a bottle of Merlot to change things up a bit. But the wife and I poliched that bottle off so now we’re back to Cabernet again.

Great episode Gary. QOTD I am in the middle of the cab ladder. I have tried many cali cabs and continue to try to find good values. Guess I have to seek out the TurnBull.

QOTD: Like everyone else- middle. Rode the craze and moved on. I do keep a bunch in my cellar for the 2″ thick steak nights!

QOTD: Like everyone else- middle. Rode the craze and moved on. I do keep a bunch in my cellar for the 2″ thick steak nights!

Good show and thanks for the tip on Turbull. QOD: I am in the middle of the Cabernet ladder. Variety is where it’s at!

QOTD: Cali cabs are constantly shrinking on my list of what I am drinking- they are powerful, high octane wines but that these characteristics come at the expense of the elegance of some previous vintages. I’ve only been drinking wine for a couple of years but I firmly believe that Cali cabs are going way down hill. I have had some 15+ year old bottles of cab that I think the new stuff will never touch. Alcohol is just way too high for me. Even a lot of 1997s, 1999s to me are not holding up well, especially ’97. I am curious what people’s take on “Estate” wines. I kind of have the opposite opinion as GV – while I appreciate estate fruit because there is more constant reflection of the place the grapes were grown, I think the negociant stuff is more consistent because of the sheer volume of grapes many producers have access to. The wines may be consistenly mediocre, but consistent just the same.

QOTD: Cali cabs are constantly shrinking on my list of what I am drinking- they are powerful, high octane wines but that these characteristics come at the expense of the elegance of some previous vintages. I’ve only been drinking wine for a couple of years but I firmly believe that Cali cabs are going way down hill. I have had some 15+ year old bottles of cab that I think the new stuff will never touch. Alcohol is just way too high for me. Even a lot of 1997s, 1999s to me are not holding up well, especially ’97. I am curious what people’s take on “Estate” wines. I kind of have the opposite opinion as GV – while I appreciate estate fruit because there is more constant reflection of the place the grapes were grown, I think the negociant stuff is more consistent because of the sheer volume of grapes many producers have access to. The wines may be consistenly mediocre, but consistent just the same.

QOTD: I’m at the beginning, I have to admit I mainly drink Cabs, and I enjoy most of them. I am actively trying to move into other areas, though I have to admit I’m a bit afraid of many whites, though I am willing to try. Me, with a little bit of you, we’ll accomplish my goal.