QOTD: Most recent = W & J Graham’s 10 Year Tawny Port, and it came close to bringing the thunder after a great dinner with 10 friends and a sampling of three wines from the Willamette Valley, Oregon.

QOTD: The wine I’m drinking right now with my mom is Columbia Crest 2 Vines 2006 Gewurtztraminer.

Gar…popped the Argentinian torrontes( don’t know if I spelled that right)that I tried at the Wine Lib this past Saturday and yes…oh yes.. it brought the thunder. Great QPR!! Good to have you back man!

QTOD: STELLA MONTEPULCIANO not too bad, no thunder, but not a pazzzzz either

QOTD: 2003 Chateau Ferriere – Stellar bottle! Purchased for $15. Should have picked up more.

qotd 2005 weingut stadt krems. High acid but good

Glad your back…2005 Perrin & Fils Vacqueyras les christins and it went great with the lambchops!

QOTD: A yummy 2003 La Loggia Italian Barolo (I only know this because I bought 2 bottles of it). It’s 12 bucks (bones) at Trader Joes and I enjoyed the tobacco notes and berries, two of my favorite flavors in a wine. It’s super light bodied but packs flavor. I’d say it brings some thunder, actually. Quite a bit o’ thunder.

2005 Justin Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles. It seems to me that Justin must keep all their good fruit for Isosceles which is excellent most years. This was an adequate Cab, OK fruit, tannins in balance. Probably could do better for the price though. No thunder, maybe a cloudy day.

Montes Classic Series Merlot 2005 – Pass But its funny how after a glass or two it tastes ok….

I’ve just learned about your site (immediate bookmark), and have enjoyed a few recent episodes over a glass of Jose Gaspar Ye Mystic Red 2005. Background on the campy name for those unfamiliar: Jose Gaspar is a legendary pirate celebrated in the Tampa Bay area of Florida and lends his name to various Gasparilla events held from January through March (for example, http://www.gasparillapiratefest.com/). The wine bottle sports a front label with a pirate ship and a parrot, and the back label notes are written as a pirate proclamation. Yargh, mateys!

The wine itself is actually a careñena from Spain and a bit tannic yet still quaffable red. Outside of Tampa and the season, it’s probably a bit pricey at $12–but then again, Jose was a pirate.

The last wine I had was Seavey 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon. It did bring the thunder. I rate it 94 points. Welcome back Gary. I am no longer a lurker.

It has been so long since I have left a comment that I have devolved to lurkerhood. Sorry Garry.

Chandon Sparkling Shiraz (Yarra Valley, Australia, $17). I love a good sparkling shiraz and while this one is not nearly the best I have had, it was worth the money.

The last wine was part of an tasting experiment for me.

I tried a heavily oaked Chardonnay – Toasted Head 2005 and then tried an unoaked Chardonnay – Penfolds Thomas Hyland Chardonnay 2006 South Australia to try and determine the difference in flavors, arouma’s and mouth feel. I much prefer the Penfolds, but can see a place for the Toasted Head depending on the food.

Thank’s for your time and welcome back

QOTD: Christian Moueix Merlot 2005

Great company made a solid wine that much better. Recommended.

Good to have you back Gary.

Gehringer brothers 2006 riesling… this wine rocked my socks off for 15cad.

Black box cab at a wine tasting (actually a Riedel glass/wine tasting). OK for a party.

Welcome back G.
Last Saturday I had 4 wines that brought serious thunder, 2 of which were your suggestions:
-Started with a very nice German Riesling from Mosel: 2005 St. Urbans-Hof Piesporter Riesling Kabinett
Then 2 extremely contrasting wines neck to neck:
-La Coudraye Yannick Amirault Bourgueil 2005
-Amisfield 2005 Pinot Noir (to contrast with the cab franc above)
– for dessert, a delicious Canadian lates harvest Vidal: Inniskillin Select Late Harvest Vidal Ontario 2006
I loved all 4. 90 pts + across the board. Cheers

last wine i drank was 2004 Schild Estate Shiraz Ben Schild Reserve and I would say yes it brought the thunder. one I got it for a great price and two it was great with some burgers on the grill. im finding that i love shiraz with a good cookout. big fat juicy burger, onion, lettuce, tomato, some BBQ chips. all great with shiraz for me!!!

Welcome back! This episode brought serious thunder; like a storm that rolls in at the end of a scorching summer day!

QOTD: Chateau Ste Michelle 2006 Riesling. A mediocre wine in my opinion.

GV is back! Had 2 today. Ballast Stone petite verdot, I like and my wife so-so. No.2 was Gascon Malbec, I say new world and ok for the money, my important half gives a thumbs up.

Gary – great meeting you at SXSW!

QOTD: L’Aventure

Good to have you back. Tonight I finished off an excellent chianti riserva from Villa Caffaggio. Bought this wine because it’s made in Panzano in Chianti and we visited there on a market day…totally cool scene. Met that crazy butcher Dario Cecchini who cranks tunes and recites Dante as he’s wrapping up an insanely good val de chiani steak.

Good to have you back. Tonight I finished off an excellent chianti riserva from Villa Caffaggio. Bought this wine because it’s made in Panzano in Chianti and we visited there on a market day…totally cool scene. Met that crazy butcher Dario Cecchini who cranks tunes and recites Dante as he’s wrapping up an insanely good val de chiani steak.

Great to see you back.

QOTD: Had my first Oregon Pinot Gris (can’t remember the winery), but had it w/ a Panko Ginger Crusted Salmon- great pairing. Overall, have not been drinking too much wine as my wife is preggy again & don’t want to throw it in her face (as she enjoys the vino too).