Gary, great show today.

QOTD – Best wine experience: Sipping a Sugarille Brunello at the lake a couple of summers ago.
Worst wine experience: Choking on Dandelion Wine from the Amana Colonies in Iowa.

Wana

QOTD: I normally don’t seek out the wines you taste on the show, because a.) you’ve already tasted them for me 😉 b.) I don’t remember wine names unless I write them down (which I only seldom do), c.) I’m very independant. and d.) Now it doesn’t matter because in Canada I can barely find anything at the LCBO!

Best wine: The Prisoner with my wife on the beach at sunset (ya think mood had something to do with this?)
Worst wine : Not really a wine …. Grape or apple Malt duck in the 70’s

good show!

QOTD – Worst wine was a 2005 Bordeaux by Christian Moiux it was so disjointed I threw it out after one glass! I bought it at costco for 9 bones because you said that NO ONE could make a bad 05 bordeaux!

Best wine as a result of the show the Tokaji that was in the secret pack very tasty and first time I tried a non sweet one. thanks!

p.s. come to Maui’s winery on Maui for a show!

Not likely to try those wines…it’s just us. Maybe someday…but not soon.

QOTD: Best: Primitovo, several have been lovely. Worst: Wow…some tarantas, don’t remember which.

Per SE…….hummmm. NICE!!!Out till 12:30….. must have closed the place!

That sounds like it could have been a trip to South Beach for the weekend.

For the average Joe that is…..lol

We’ll have to call her Lucky Lizzie

🙂

PS….. I still need that bulk price on the books!!!!!!!

This is my first comment I am a loooooong time lurker.

QOTD:I went to the Wine Spectator grand tasting in LAS vegas this weekend
and tried many good wines. Then I saw a booth that had Tokaji, so I tried
it because Gary had tasted some. It was the worst crap I have ever had,nearly
spit all over the girl that poured it. That was one nasty mofo. But I did
expand my palate, thanks Gary.

If you come to seattle I will come.

Worst: red zin, tasted like cherry cola

Best: Basel cellars claret

Lurker speaking:

I haven’t been watching the show long enough to have had any wine that you’ve mentioned. However, both the best and worst thing to have resulted from me watching the Thundershow is, that it has opened my eyes to the incidental crappiness of my parents’ wine choices. 😛

Greetings from Hugo–allowed to buy wine for 10 months now.

The best would have to be Chateau Beausejour Duffau Lagarrose 2004. This bordeaux was one of the first wines I ordered from WL and it was excellent! I wish I could find more of it!

The worst was Domaine de Ferrand Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2005. I didn’t get this from WL but found it at one of the local liquor stores in St. Louis. I had to try a cdp just to see what the fuss was all about. It was rated at 94 by Wine Spectator so I thought it would be was a safe bet. The nose was exactly like an opened blueberry pop tart that had been poured over a cinnamon roll. The wine (to me) was undrinkable. It was very unfocused and couldn’t present any recognizable flavor profile.

QOTD:

Best… Le Montrachet when I was about 20-21…maybe 23.

Worst…. recently I had a bad case…and I mean every bottle bad. There was mold, wet corks, corks sinking, popped corks…you name it… and just bad and non drinkable if you know what I’m sayin. It was Cougar Crest Syrah. WOW…BAD!!! Actually I opened 5 bottles…sent them all back. Bad storage I guess.

You were out of it so someone there…..shuuu!!!….gave me a name of a place that had it. What a mistake. I’d tell ya who, but I’m no rat.

In fact, if you don’t have what I want from now on at the Library, I’ll just have to do without. Because that’s how I roll. I learned my lesson. Wheeew!!!

I was looking forward to that Syrah after your review too….

🙁

Great show to learn about a varietal I would pass by in the store. Now I might consider it as I like the razor sensation on the tongue.
QOTD Best wine is the Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc that was on special in the wine store on that section of Geary Blvd where every third person speaks Russian.
Worst: Blueberry wine from Maine very awkward wine tasted at the winery, but I did like their rhubarb wine so I got a T-shirt. Was surprised to see a winery in such an off the radar place.

(de-lurking…)

Since Gary LOVES to present wines that get limited distribution, those of us out in the boonies don’t get as much chance to be “directly” influenced by WLTV as those in the cities. The influence, for me, has been more global and generic. Listening to hundreds of Gary’s tastings has broadened my views on wine, sharpened my palette, and induced an almost obsessive need to try out varietals and styles new to me. That’s the best part: lots of tastings that I would never have tried before, many of them wonderful.

The worst part is that I’m getting far less tolerant of the swill.

I’ve really enjoyed the recent forays into weird and obscure varietals and offbeat producers, and am hoping for more of the same.

And since Gary is reading this on the train, and giving every post careful consideration, here’s a suggestion:

How about “Sure Bet Thursdays?” I know you prefer to only taste wines that are new to you on WLTV, but every once in a while, you pull out a few “Sure Bets” that you tasted in the past. Those are great episodes, because it gives all of us some stuff we know we can count on. It also tends to expose us to wines with more “mainstream” distribution, which helps the average shopper.

(re-lurking…)

Wow! De-lurked and joined the forum to put in my vote to getcha to T.o. Anyway, thanks for another great episode… what happened to the new theme music? Can’t really answer the question of the day (other than to say that I’m in Toronto) cuz the damn LCBO doesn’t often stock stuff that you feature on the show. Though, come to think of it, I did enjoy a Bandol Le Galantin 2004 that you recommended either on the show or in online reviews. Cheers!

First off what are you doing in the District?
Second nice to see you and the book referenced in the May issue of Men’s Health Pg 44.

QOTD: Bad, none that I have tried because of this show.
Good, hopefully a Cayuse Syrah that I am looking into buying.

QOTD: The worst, not only my worst WLTV wine but worst wine ever was 2005 Bordeaux d’Estrounel. I don’t think Gary did it on a show, but it was bought on the hype of 2005 and that “no one” made bad wine. I figured 2005 and a product of Cos d’Estournel I couldn’t go wrong. Here are some tasting notes:
“This is honestly the most vile stuff I have ever tried, it was so horrible that I assumed it was a bad bottle. I tried it again 3 weeks or so later (a friend bought a case and provided both bottles) and frankly I am shocked that Cos put their name on it. I am not exaggerating when I say that I would rather drink Mad Dog 20/20 or Boones Farm any day before choking this swill down again. I got notes of vomit and rotten spinach vinified in the stomache of a pig with a severe case of acid reflux. (0 pts., the sink drank both bottles)”

And now for the best wine experience 2003 Langwerth Von Simmern Erbacher Marcobrunn Riesling Spätlese. I would have never gone out of my way to Wine Library in NJ on my trip to NY (I live in San Jose, CA) if it weren’t for WLTV. It was one of the highlights of my trip and I ended up ordering a couple a cases. This wine however was fantastic for the sale price of $17.99. Right in my wheelhouse for a riesling, balanced acidity, floral and a hint of petrol hiding. I have 10 left and look forward to drinking this in the summer and over the next 15 years.

QOTD–Best wine I’ve tasted because of the Thunder show was the 2004 Vina Chocalan Gran Reserva and one I tried that you had on free shipping was 2004 Bodegas Almanseñas La Huella de Adaras (Almansa). And the 2005 is even better!

Some really great QPRs are coming out of some little known areas of Spain- such as Almansa, Bullas, Cariñena, Cigales, Montsant, Pla de Bages, Ribera del Jucar, Somontano, Valdeorras, Valdepenas, Valencia, and Yecla. Many of these wines are often made from indigenous grapes- and were virtually unknown until 5 years ago. Most are under 15 bones!! And wow, how very tasty they are.

Worst wine I had was the 2005 Boarding Pass Shiraz by R wines. It was highly touted= but after one sip- I knew I was in trouble. Ugh!!

Great show today, Gary. How about a show on Garnacha?

QOTD: WLTV has introduced me to a ton of new wines, but the ones that stand out most to me are the whites. A year ago, I would have told people that I mainly drink reds. Now, I drink about 1/3 to 1/2 white wine. I’ve become a lover of vouvray, torrontes, and (most recently) albarino, among others.

I don’t know if there was a wine where you really steered me wrong. You’re pretty good at describing the traits in a wine, and I’m getting good at knowing which of those I’ll like and which I won’t. Even if I do try something that isn’t quite what I like, it’s not a disaster (it’s just a new experience).

I hope you do get out to Seattle again for the book signing. We love having you here (and you already know we can round up a hundred people or more). The problem with the date that was listed is that it was Memorial Day weekend, and out here in the west everyone heads off on camping trips or day-long family jaunts. We were having a tough time finding people who would still be in town.

I like how GV grabs a few wines and one of them doesn’t fit the bill. This is exactly what we buyers go through when trying new stuff (actually it’s usually 50/50)!

QOTD: The workd wine I’ve had was an extremely poor rendition of Egri Bikaver, but I can’t racall the producer. The Best I’ve had is a toss up. I haven’t had anything that has blown my mind. Top honors go to Chateau Beulieau 2001, The Ravenswood Zin sourced from Lodi 2005. However, I each region/varietal has its own champion…

Unfortunately, of the wines that I contemplate buying, (based on your reviews), none of the stores, (and there are many in the DC area), carry but a few of them. However, of the few successful finds, I really haven’t had a bad bottle…….yet. A couple of good ones though. Naturally, I can’t remember most of the names, so I repurchase by label. Works for me. The Alamos Melbec comes to mind, as does the some Susana Balboa Crios. [By hook or crook, I will find the La Linda].

Great Show!!!

QOTD: Best wine would have to be the 2006 Munzberg Weissburgunder Kabinett trocken. I absolutely loved this wine. Worst wine I’ve had from the thunder show….I havent been too disappointed with alot of wines Ive tried as I tend to stay away from wines you’ve panned on the show

–RH

QOTD:
Best – Heartland Stickleback White

Worst – Porca De Murca, Douro from Portgual, Tinto 2005
Bought at the WL on the big party on March 19th to try a Douro and it just dissapointed. Very weak and kind of watery. I hope that it was this specific wine and not the varietal!

QOTD:
Best – Heartland Stickleback White

Worst – Porca De Murca, Douro from Portgual, Tinto 2005
Bought at the WL on the big party on March 19th to try a Douro and it just dissapointed. Very weak and kind of watery. I hope that it was this specific wine and not the varietal!

-FIRST TIME COMMENTER-

Aiight, I’ve been watching the show for awhile and you convinced me to leave a comment.

I have a question…

I want to hit up a good wine & cheese bar or a place that specializes in wine tasting here in NYC for my B-day (May 8th). Any suggestions?

Thanx!

QOTD- Best: (Domaine de la Chanteleuserie 2005 Bourgueil) Tried it cause it was a Cab Franc which I had heard Gary talk about.

Worst: (Boarding Pass 2005 Shiraz) Tried it because I wanted to see what an “over extracted australian” tastes like.

Oh, and Gary, read my e-mail by the 12th (its a b-day shout out), and come to Denver for a book signing. Please.

-Brian