Last year on a wine exibition I tried several Hess wines from the two Americas. They were not bad at all, pure fruit, but they were very 1-dimensional and each tasted very similar, Hessified if you want. Considering the price not a QPR but not over-priced either.

QOTD: Unfortunately I’m working all weekend… BUT I know that I’m getting up north to Crushnet to sort some Vayniac Cab. fruit early nest week on my first day off!! Can’t wait!!

HEY GV

Fun wines, I have had the Hess and the Clos before, interested in trying the other two. I see the Franciscan on wine lists a lot. We went to Hess last year while we were in Napa and we weren’t too impressed with their regular stuff, we were SUPER impressed with their vineyard designate wines though…but the price jumps up dramatically.

QOTD: Friday – Normal Friday night tasting at local wine shop, then special dessert and wine tasting at a hip little restaurant in downtown Richmond, Saturday – pouring at an event at the “family winery”; SUnday – going to DC for some museum hitting, and a nice dinner.

J DUB
changing it every day!!

Useful show Gary. Nice to see two Cali Cabs for trying under 20, and that the Justin showed well. QOTD: Bit of everything. It’s a beautiful Autumn day, so a great opportunity for weatherproofing the house and firewood. The usual twenty errands, daughter’s soccer, and of course the requisite trip to WL to see what you all are tasting this afternoon! 🙂

I’ve never understood what the fuss about Hess cabs is all about. QOTD: Brown v Princeton on the gridiron. Go Bears!!!

I have tasted Cabernets from all four producers numerous times before, and basically agree with your assessments. The Clos du Val may indeed have been a little disjointed. In my experience, it generally takes longer to reach “drinkability” than the other three wines, which are usually ready immediately. But when the Clos is ready, it should be a “cut above” the other wines….and with even more age, more like a Bordeaux (which they assert as their goal) and more complex than the other three wines.

QOTD: Watching college football, grilling thick pork chops, and enjoying a Pinot Noir with it.

QOTD: Playing in a Texas Hold’em tournament at my friend Tony’s house at 2:30 today! Wish me luck!!

Loved this episode, as I am a huge Justin fan. In New York State, however, the price of the Justin has nudged up quite a bit….in retail speak, my wholesale cost now is almost what the retail price you quoted is…astonishing. That being said, I’d STILL pay $20 for the Justin. I love it. Also love the Isosceles and the Justification.

Cabs are some of my favorites. I don’t think I’ve ever tried these though (I really need to work on tasting more stuff)

QOTD: Last night was dinner at an Irish Pub in Fells Point. Today I’m going apple picking! (what pears with fresh baked apple pie? :P) Tomorrow baking and relaxing and doing some work on http://www.newindieartists.com — good tunes there.

(ignore the typo. Maybe I’ll pick some pears, too)

Love the ’04 Franciscan, will have to try the Justin now too.
QOTD: taking my wife out for her 31st birthday tonight to a new restaurant and bringing a bottle of the incredible 2004 Surh Luchtel “GARY’s Vineyard” Pinot.

Watching my Philadelphia Eagles start a season comeback by squashing the Jets 35-14.

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On that note, the Franciscan and Justine I agree with you whole-heartedly…I poured these at a tasting about 6 months ago, and they just lit up the room in price point and quality — really decent.

I actually drank the Clos Du Valle last night at a tasting I walked right by, and had to turnaround and go in of course — and it was just OK. Once I had it in my mouth, it really went all over the place, and didn’t enjoy it. I told the vendor who was running the tasting that and he looked like I just killed his favorite puppy….

They tasted the Hess Syrah as well, it was just OK — not worth the asking price if you ask me.

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Gary: can you taste some Chilean gems — if you have any in mind?

QoTD: I’m going to a tasting with a friend this afternoon 🙂 -and- Then, I’m going to an erotica convention this evening, which should be … interesting.

QOTD:
We are attending a wedding at a Lodi (CA) Winery, Oak Farm Vineyards. . . .and hoping that it doesn’t rain!
Grape leaves are starting to turn in Napa but not quite yet in Lodi although most of the picking is done. I tasted a nice late harvest Zin at Lucas Winery last week and the namesake owner was in his rubber boots working hard on this year’s mash. A very gracious host and a fun stop in Lodi.

Gary another great show!!!
QOTD: doing some renovations on the house, spending time with the kids and watching Football!!

QOTD – Going to a wine and food charity event at a local restaurant. Food from 5 local chefs matched with wines donated by local distributors. Also watching football. Thanks for reviewing wines that are readily available.

QOTD- SELLING ALL OF THESE WINES AT WHOLEFOODS!

Would like to pursue the Justin and the 04 Franciscan had the 03 before it was “pretty good”
QOTD Went to a horrible concert last night repping for the ckc’s Young joc sucked so bad!!! worst concert ever been to in my life!!!!

Great show as usual!!! Love what is coming out of Paso Robles and will seek out the Justin!!

QOTD: Selling wine on Saturday and riding my horse on the beautiful trails of Illinois on Sunday with my son of course!!! Its my form of therapy and a good way to stay in touch with him!!! But difficult to drink a bottle of wine while doing!!!

Hope everyone has an awesome time!!

QOTD: Easy one! My parents got me into wine, my Dad’s 60th birthday I’m at their house drinking wine (and champaigne and port) all weekend out of their nice cellar. Oh man, that’s a good WLTV weekend. I’m trying to get them into WLTV, but I might have better luck with corkd with my Dad…we’ll see.

QOTD – Finally chilly enough in Jersey to make some homemade pasta sauce with meatballs and spend sunday on the couch eating, drinking, and watching as much football as possible on DirectTv with the NFL package.

QOTD: Comedy Club Friday, Hockey game Saturday, nervously watching Cowboys-Pats Sunday.

QOTD:
We have a meeting in Minneapolis Saturday, that evening we have plans to meet some very dear friends that we haven’t seen for a long time…should be sweet.

You and Mott saying “sniffy sniff” in stereo was great! Plus, loved the vanilla ice cream analogy…I had a merlot yesterday that kinda had a similar issue!

QOTD: watching rugby today with French kids, then who knows?

QOTD- Working-started my own business and gotta work weekends.

HUGE fan of the Justin wines. As a newbie wine cllector, my first so called “Vertical” I am collecting is their Isosceles, a bordeaux blend. Can’t wait to open them years from now.

As for Franciscan, I like their Merlot better than their Cab.

I would buy the book 🙂