Interestingly, I am drinking 2 Chateau Neuf’s this weekend. Vieux Telegraph 1991 and 1996. I was disappointed in one aspect of this particular show. You only mentioned in passing the “dumb” phase these wines go through. This can be a big disappointment to new wine drinkers and the reason that all of my CDP’s sit for at least 10 years after the initial tasting. The dumb phase can begin anywhere from 3-4 years after bottling and can last for 3-4 years after that. So, either drink them new as in 2-4 years after airing them for 3-4 hours first or wait 8-10. I have had so many of my friends say, “What’s the big deal with CDP?” only because they drank them too late or too soon.

Senor Vay-ner-chuk, usted es en fuego!

Orin Swift Cellars ’05 “The Prisoner” since both of our kids will be home tonight for the first time since Christmas along with my Mom and brother. A group hug and then an ’02 Valley of the Moon Cuvee de la Luna.

Life IS good!

GV – Fun show, glad you looked at some killer CdPs! Awesome, thanks! QOTD = Ch. Peyros 2001 and/or Clos la Coutak 2005.

Drinking Ken Wright Pinot with (yawn) ham on Sunday.

Always good to see a CdP show!

QOTD. Supporting my nation…. with some Unity Cab-Merlot 2004 from the Okanagan with some mean beef prime rib

QOTD: 2005 Domaine Terlato & Chapoutier Shiraz Lieu dit Malakoff

QOTD: I will be opening two wines for Easter dinner that are from a local vineyard in Temecula, CA
1. 2004 Stuart Cellars Malbec
2. 2006 Stuart Cellars Riesling

Gary VEE

I am drinking a 2005 Bogle Vineyards Old Vine Zinfandel.

Awesome QPR at 10 bones on sale.

Cheers

The two wines that I have on tap now are a 2004 Masciarelli Montepulciano d’Abruzzo and a 2004 Egervin Bulls Blood.

Wow, over-the-top, bring-down-the-thunder show. So glad to have you back Gary.

I visited the Torbreck winery last year. That was sort of like the guys flying in to spray Cristal all over the club – a seriously decadent experience. I loved it. I got to taste everything they make and for me the Steading had the best QPR.

QOTD: It’s Easter, we’ll have ham, and I’ve been waiting 9 months for this very weekend to open a bottle of 2004 Two Hands Grenache Aerope that I brought home from Ozzyland. Yep, it’s a Barossa fruit bomb. Yes it will be fantastic with ham.

Only a fraction of the energy from that show is required to finish a marathon. Way to bring the thunder Gary!!!!!!!!!!!QOTD-Whip Hand Cabernet 05-big score so what! I just need some wine with a name like WHIP HAND!!

One more thought – Please don’t drop the ratings all together. At least do something like I’ve been doing in my personal notes lately, rate with “Unbelievable”, “Yowzers”, “Yum”, “OK”, “Not worth it”, “Nasty.” We’ve got to have some way to compare and be consistent over time.

Going to be 74 degrees in Folsom Ca this Saturday – time for first barbecue of the year, family throwing it for my post 40th B-day.
Steak & Lobster “they must like me,,,,,i think”
2005 Byron Chardonnay Santa Marie from WL, 93pts WS – a little nervous after cellar tracker comment “over oaked,” we shall see what this does with Lobster.
1997 Fife Cab – cellar tracker tasters citing this is drinking perfectly now. Throw it against a brick red filet barbecued with Hickory wood.
Monday, should have blood checked after this meal.
No unusall wine this day, ITS A CALI BBQ!

Another good one!! I’m gonna be with some family Sat. night before easter and I’m gonna share a couple of bottles of 2003 Clarendon Hills Grenache Blewitt Springs Clarendon and……….taking them to and letting them in the nation!!
Andy

great show yet again-having really great friends over for dinner this weekend-we travel together,taste wine together-they’ve even looked after our owl when we went away for a few days-anyway,chateau montrose 1994 is on the menu with pontet canet 1994-really looking forweard to it

Wow, it would be nice to try one of those Dew Pops! Where can I get one?

QOTD: I’ll be drinking a 2004 Bordeaux red blend from the Rail Bridge, a Sacramento, CA winery (there are two now!)

Gary, I already emailed you a few months back, but I’m watching also because of my husband! And yes, you charmed me. Awwww. 🙂

We actually chose a 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape (1/2 bottle at 30 euros) to celebrate our wedding anniversary, earlier this month – because we wanted to “expand our palates”. And guess what? We LIKED it! So thanks Gary!

QOTD: because Gary keeps talking about how “boring” Yellowtail is, we’re going to have some of THAT this weekend. Just so we understand WHY.

Terrific show. Got to say its great when you get a theme going. Nothing wrong with jumping between dry, fruity, sweet, white, red etc. but one has got to wonder if you are just more in the mood for a type of wine on any given day.

QOTD: 2005 Chateau Pey la Tour bordeux.

Keep it going.

Gary, I appreciate you bringing the excitement back to the show today.

QOTD – I will be opening a bottle of 2004 Quilceda Creek Galitzine Vineyard this weekend. We have some close friends that are moving away and I wanted to dig deep to share the best stuff in the cellar. Wine really can bring people together and it is great to help celebrate those significant moments in life.

Wow! Even if the wines weren’t “over the top,” you certainly were today…in a good way. Great show! You really hit it when you said that “balance” is the key to great wine, and many CNP’s usually have it.

QOTD: 1990 Ridge Monte Bello with grilled ribeye Friday night
2002 Sauzet Puligny-Montrachet “Les Referts” with pan-seared Halibut-Sat
1993 Anne & Francois Gros Clos Vougeot “Les Grand Maupertui” with
veal scallopini Sunday night.

Bon Appetit!

Gary really good show… Love it… QOTD… I have no clue but i know tonight i will be drinking wine going to a friends house and i was told to bring nothing…. So i will be drinking there wine…. Maybe i can post again later….

Hey Gary,

I am a first-time comment contributor (sorry for all the lurking). I am just getting into developing my palate, and am thankful for your passionate instruction. Wish me well as I dive into the wine-world (budget friendly diving, that is).

Have a great weekend.

Hmmm. Not sure yet. It’s Easter, so probably dig something good out. I think a 2000 Barolo by Guido Porro. Also the 2004 The Foundry Syrah from S. Africa. People really need to drink more S. African syrah. It has its own taste which is neither northern Rhone or the fruit bombs of Oz and Santa Barbara. May also dig into the Pinot stash for some Merry Edwards RRV or Walter Hansel.

Gary, you were ON FIRE yesterday. This was a great great show and I was laughing my ass off during several parts (“… that 48 year old cousin that still wants to be 25. That’s you Spain!!” OMG… so hilarious.

QOTD: NV Marr Cuvee Selena

dang! your verbal bandwidth went from 2400baud to T-1 for this show! rock on.

QOTD: Marc Hebrart NV Reserve brut, probably a Leitz Dragonstone Riesling and maybe a Clos Pepe Pinot…