QOTD – A Pio Cesare Dolcetto, becaus after that episode I had to try one. Glad I did. And at this very moment a Valkenburg Gewurz, also a first for me. I’m discovering I have a real aversion to the oak monster and enjoy old world wines. Gary has been THE instrument of this discovery process. I’m a wine newbie and watching this video blog has taught me enough to conduct my own tasting experiments and discover what I like/don’t like. Without what I’ve learned here I’d be flying blind.

Nice show Gary, I’m liking these value wine shows too.

QOTD: 2006 Mirassou Sauvignon Blanc – this was actually pretty enjoyable, nice aroma, nice melon flavors, with grapefruit and pear on the end
2005 Peter Lehmann Clancy’s Red – one of my all time favorites, silky, smooth new world wine…just delicious

Interesting note re: A to Z. Good value, but they don’t actually make wine. They’re more like negotiants – buying up bulk from around the Willamette Valley and throwing their label in it. However they recently bought up Rex Hill, so as of this year (07 vintage) they now have a winery to make some of their own wine.

2003 yalumba shiraz/voigner, and a 2004 norton malbec reserva…..while watching your show!

Tin Roof Cab 2002
DuMOL Chardonnay 2005

Both were were so, so tasty.

QOTD: 2004 Campus Stella Albariño Rías Baixas and 2005 Novellum Vin de Pays des Côtes Catalanes. (Both under $13 by the way.)

My last two wines with notes:

2003 Dehesa de Rubiales Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León – What the hell is Prieto Picudo? Whatever it is, it’s kicking my ass tonight. I was expecting typical Spanish New World style, but this ended up being an Old World job. At first, it was incredibly vegetal. Like a bloody mary. Massive celery action on the nose, sprinkled with spices and cocoa. As it open up, it becomes extremely complex with more flavors than I can describe in this drunken state. Don’t let that deter you. Pop it, give it lots of air. Try it over a long evening. This is one of the most interesting wines I’ve had in a long time.

2006 Schloss Gobelsburg Riesling Gobelsburger – A good example of Riesling done in a dry style. Tasted slightly cooler than room temp. Very crisp and clean, with petrol on the nose. Vibrant palette with apple and nice mineral notes. Great acidity. Should pair beautifully with shellfish. A bit one dimensional but well-made and very pleasing.

Gary! bring the scores back >.

1997 Andrea Oberto Barolo Vigneto Rocche
2003 Pepper Bridge Winery Cabernet Sauvignon

1997 Andrea Oberto Barolo Vigneto Rocche
2003 Pepper Bridge Winery Cabernet Sauvignon

Gary,

The last two wines I drank were Burgans Albarino and Pfaffenheim Pinot Gris

Robert Howells

GV
Love the value episodes! I enjoy comparing tasting notes, because these are the wines I drink. I thought the Bogle Pinot was a solid value Pinot.
QOTD; The last 2 wines were a 2005 Burga’ns Albarino which was good with grilled jalapeno marinated shrimp, and a 2005 Castle Rock Pinot Monterey county, which was nice with grilled wild Coho Salmon.

Paul Jaboulet Parallele 45 2004
Stone Hill Winery Golden Spumante

Not too much excitement there, but they weren’t all that bad. I plan on hitting some better quality stuff next week when I am off call.

2003 Pepper Bridge Winery Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley is dark ruby-colored with a lovely perfume of pain grille, scorched earth, red currants, black currants, and blackberry liqueur. This is followed by a medium-bodied wine with a broad core of ripe, layered fruit, and good integration of oak, tannin, and acidity. It narrows out just a bit in the finish. Give it 3-4 years to round out and drink it through 2030. Tel. (509) 525-6502; http://www.pepperbridgewinery.com
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1997 Andrea Oberto Barolo Vigneto Rocche

The 1997 Barolo Vigneto Rocche boasts huge quantities of glycerin, which, combined with high alcohol, low acidity, and jammy black cherry and blackberry fruit, makes for an opulent texture and viscous mouth feel. It is a freak as far as classic Barolo goes, but a delicious one. Layered, thick, and almost over the top, it is a knock-out, dramatic effort that will be immensely popular. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2020. No known American importer.

QOTD: Gnarly Head 2004 old vines Zin. Davenrich 2004 Zinfandel. Both awesome.

QOTD: 2003 Chateau Montelena Estate Cab. Really a beautifully balanced wine that reminded my of my trip to Napa this spring. What a beautiful winery they have at Montelena. 2004 Ferrari Carano Cab. Also good, but very different style. Reds at Ferrari are really underrated, in my opinion.

1998 Lafon-Rochet
1998 Cantemerle

Double Blind – then took the bottles home and am having a leisurely sip memorizing their lovely little details.

QOTD: You’ve got me trying Albarino.

2005 Laxus
2006 Salneval

Both good to very good. Salneval is $4 less making it the winner.

QOTD:
2005 J. Moreau & Fils Touraine Rose;
2004 Les Vins de Vienne Reméage Rouge

Great news about the upcoming TV appearance. Lately I tried a new Lebanese wine: Syrah Cave Kouroum vallée de la Bekaa 2003, for 20$ CAD (probably 15$ in US). This is a relatively new winery (http://www.cavekouroum.com) and I was really surprised by the quality of this wine at this price point. The wine maker claims an aging potential of 20 yrs!! To me it was a 90 pointer (see it on Cork’d). I also tried E. Guigal Chateauneuf-du-pape 1999 and I was totally excited when I knew that it was WS wine of the year for 2002..So my expectations were very high to the extent that I was a bit disappointed with the wine..Of course it was great but I found the finish kinda short for something of such a stature..
Cheers

No longer a lurker!

Chateau St Jean Fume Blanc 2005 Fume Blanc
Chateau Beauchene 2005 Cote Du Rhone Villages

enjoyed both immensely. Fume blanc one of my favorite wines of the summer.

QOTD:

2004 Montesecondo Toscano Rosso: an awesome wine for ~$15. Very nervy red fruit flavors of cherry, raspberry, and cranberry. Great with food.

2005 Barmes-Buecher Cramant d’Alsace: a very interesting sparkling white made with Alsatian grape varieties. Not at all like Champagne. Apples, earth, and sweaty/oyster mushroom charateristics with a creamy mouth-feel.

QOTD – Los Lirios Malbec from Argentina and a Petite Sirah from Rosenblum – I think Heritage Clones or something. Oh actually a Valpolicella that will remain nameless because I always trust Andy at Cafe Emelia.

So happy to hear you will draw names for the trip to Cali for the Vayniak Cab thing. A very cool gesture.

Congrats on the Ellen show!

QOTD – Los Lirios Malbec from Argentina and a Petite Sirah from Rosenblum – I think Heritage Clones or something. Oh actually a Valpolicella that will remain nameless because I always trust Andy at Cafe Emelia.

So happy to hear you will draw names for the trip to Cali for the Vayniak Cab thing. A very cool gesture.

Congrats on the Ellen show!

I HATE WHEN I ACCIDENTALLY SWALLOW GUM!

QOTD: Château de Nages Réserve 2004 (Appellation Costières de Nimes Contrôlée)and the Moulin-á-Vent from Jadot 2001.