Gary, I am not surprised that the Washington wine scored higher. I have had an overall better experience when I drink a Washington wine. THey are usually very silky and smooth for my palate. I have a suggestion….can you please use a different glass for each wine you taste? Whenever, I use the same glass there seems to be a residue left over that affects my take on wine tasting unless I rinse it better. I think it will definitely affect the smell since some of the previous wine stays on the wall of the glass. Keep up the good job.

Lagniappe is pronounced ‘lan-yap’ not ‘lang-a-pay.’

Yeah – more Washington State.

QOTD: Tablas Creek

I really enjoy the head to heads. However, I wouldn’t mind seeing a NFL-like introduction with the 2 bottles slamming into each, sparks flying everywhere, and an over-the-top announcer saying, “Gramercy Cellars! Rhapsody3! Only on WLTV!” I think I would enjoy that.

QOTD: I try and forget most $30 bottles I’ve had and didn’t like. I do remember having a 2003(?) Sunstone Estate Syrah that was incredibly boring.

I really enjoy the head to heads. However, I wouldn’t mind seeing a NFL-like introduction with the 2 bottles slamming into each, sparks flying everywhere, and an over-the-top announcer saying, “Gramercy Cellars! Rhapsody3! Only on WLTV!” I think I would enjoy that.

QOTD: I try and forget most $30 bottles I’ve had and didn’t like. I do remember having a 2003(?) Sunstone Estate Syrah that was incredibly boring.

Gotta love the head to head match ups. You need to kick that off with the old school Monday Night Football helmet explosion. Do you know what I’m talking about?

QOTD: If I’m opening a $30 bottle, I’m going to enjoy it because it’s going to be for a fairly special occasion. No complaints on nights like those.

QOTD – Never bought a $30 wine.

QOTD: Pierrier Jouet Champagne… the oak ruined it, definitely not my thing.

QOTD: Pierrier Jouet Champagne… the oak ruined it, definitely not my thing.

most 30$ (or more) wines I recently ordered are still in the cellar waiting for the right time.. as for now most of the time im stil trying new areas and new things at a lesser pricepoint.. but if there was one big dissapointment .. it was this one (and only) Brunello I had so far.. was a bottle my dad bought at a supermarket at a way too low price to be a good brunello.. didnt bring any thunder for sure.

just saw Mark mentioning a Guigal CDP also.. Ive also had one of these.. a 2001 though i think.. and got 93 rating..I do love CDP but i think for less money i enjoyed the clos de loratoire des papes a lot more.

QOTD: Tyrus Evans Syrah from Wa State. I can’t remember what year it was…I’m thinking 2004. The tannins seemed overpowering, however, it may have needed a few hours to decant (which it didn’t get).

Gary, huge shout out to you for your appearence on the Big Idea last night. It got me all sorts of FIRED UP. My entrepreneur(ial) spirit has been on overdrive trying to drum up ideas for my own business combining passion and knowledge. Again, well done!

Nice head to head too bad they were overhyped.

QOTD: Most of my $30 and above wines are hits because they are my weekend wines. The 2004 Worthy cab is the one that comes to mind, very disappointing for right under the 30 dollar mark.

QOTD …I don’t remember what it was but I had saved it for a couple years and it was CORKED.

As an AArper on a CDC budget, $30 is usually too rich for my blood.

Something to consider: Unless it really doesn’t make sense (say a Romanee-Conti tasting), always have an $8, $10, $12 or $15 wine as one of the group so you can honestly say: Would I recommend one of these or 2 or 3 of these?

Interesting to watch…not wines we would try.

QOTD: $30 wine…ha, ha, ha.

Another great battle Gary! It would have been interesting to have a 3 way battle and include France. French Syrah’s are usually our favorites – especially value Cotes Du Rhones.

Hvae had the Gramercey and would agree on your assesment. QOTD-Guiliams Cab Sav. one dimensionally flat!

Mott’s right, definetly go with 2 big ass glasses next time.

Oh, and by the way, you wouldn’t happen to have a video of that “The big idea” show for us unlucky few that doesn’t live in the US and can’t watch it on cnbc.com (apparently blocking all non US IP addresses or some crap like that) ?

Hmmm at a Pinot Noir tasting, did not like em all, and some were up there at $60-$80. The thing is, I don’t like Pinot Noir all that much. I like f-ing Merlot 🙂 (seriously).

QOTD: I probably just had it although it was a penny away from $40.00 rather than $30.00. It was a hughly hyped 1993 Beaulieu, George de Latour. I really looked forward to drinking this wine because the best wine that I have had was also a 15 yr old California cabernet. Very ordinary. Drinkable, but absolutely no thunder.

Check your email.

QOTD: I probably just had it although it was a penny away from $40.00 rather than $30.00. It was a hughly hyped 1993 Beaulieu, George de Latour. I really looked forward to drinking this wine because the best wine that I have had was also a 15 yr old California cabernet. Very ordinary. Drinkable, but absolutely no thunder.

Check your email.

Great job on the Big Idea, caught it this morning after recording it. Very inspiring words ! But who cares what’s hot in Hollywood???

30$ ??? I’ve bought a couple special bottles from Napa for more than that and they were worth every penny. Otherwise $20 is my regular limit.

Great job on the Big Idea, caught it this morning after recording it. Very inspiring words ! But who cares what’s hot in Hollywood???

30$ ??? I’ve bought a couple special bottles from Napa for more than that and they were worth every penny. Otherwise $20 is my regular limit.

Laughing Magpie which is 30 bones in Canada. I have had wines half that price that brought the thunder.