QOTD: Tough one…I haven´t had the money to compare all these producers in the same vintage, but here are my cross vintage favorites in order of preference:
1. D.R. Stephens Moose Valley Cab 2000 (can´t even dream of what a “better” vintage could taste like)
2. Caymus 1992 Special selection
3. Mondavi Reserve, 2003 (I think Gary did it on an early show, have to check)
4. Flora Springs 1995 Cab (can´t remember vineyard)

Although it may have some petit verdot, malbec, cab franc, merlot, it is still a cabernet sauvignon. The 04 rocca has 91% cab sav.

Also in regards to the person below that says he cant believe how many are saying silver oak, caymus, cake breead. I agree, the only reason I said caymus ss was because it was an 85, i would never drink their new releases for that price!!

QOTD: I guess I’m a ‘lurker.’ I thought I’d respond for once…Groth is one of my faves and the only one to come to mind right now. Everyday great choice: Arnold Palmer Cab (believe it or not…made by Luna, I think.

I was sad to see Hobbs fair poorly. I remember loving it. Pretty sure I like wood more than GV.

Nick G:
I really hate to use the comment space to respond to another Vayniac, but I take issue with your comment. My fondness of Opus One has nothing to do with it’s pedigree or price, and I did mention that it is not 100% Cabernet. I happened to earn the opportunity to drink the wine and dine with the winemaker while working my a** off in culinary school, not at some expensive restaurant in Napa. I am not trying to show my “shoe size”. Isnt WLTV all about the love??

Nick G:
I really hate to use the comment space to respond to another Vayniac, but I take issue with your comment. My fondness of Opus One has nothing to do with it’s pedigree or price, and I did mention that it is not 100% Cabernet. I happened to earn the opportunity to drink the wine and dine with the winemaker while working my a** off in culinary school, not at some expensive restaurant in Napa. I am not trying to show my “shoe size”. Isnt WLTV all about the love??

Very cool! Loved the blind tastig thing!

Very cool! Loved the blind tastig thing!

I have to be the king of the Lurkers having watched every episode, and having never left a comment, so here it goes. Since this episode was on my fvorite wine…NAPA Cabs. My favorite for everyday drinking would have to be Heitz Cellars. My favorite all time NAPA Cab is Heitz Cellars Martha’s Vineyard.

QUOTD: I do really enjoy (just about everything from) Robert Mondavi. Beringer is also very good. I do however, not have a lot to compare with, as we don’t get too many Californian wines in Denmark.

QOTD: Its a tie, Cafaro and Dunn. THATS IT, THATS ALL.

Sadly, I have not had many napa cabs, but I got a few waiting on the rack for me to try in the next few years!

GREAT episode today Gary!
Congrats on the Book, Conan, and Mad Money

GREAT episode today Gary!
Congrats on the Book, Conan, and Mad Money

Interesting epidose. Great to see you at the book signing yesterday.
QOTD: 2001 Corison

Interesting epidose. Great to see you at the book signing yesterday.
QOTD: 2001 Corison

QOTD: Have never been big on the napa valley region, most tend to just be over my price range for being just a college kid :D.

Phelps Insignia 1997 & 2001

1997 Shafer Hillside Select

Best show I have watched so far (only heard about you a week ago)…love the suspense of the blind tasting…took notes like I was in class.

I belong to a group called The Grape Nuts and go to Napa at least twice a year.

Franks Family Vineyards is #1 in my book for overall wine selection period!…every wine is great!…and you have got to love Dennis!

Bremer Family Wine is right there as a close second.

GV – Fun show! QOTD – Shafer 1.5

QOTD: 1998 Freemark Abbey Sycamore Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. Wow.

qotd. Sullivan Vineyards Coer

QOTD: You can’t go wrong with Neal Family Vineyards. For special occasions, Dominus.

QOTYesterday: It would be the Reverie Reserve on Diamond Mountain. Runner up would be Hartwell Estate Cabernet. Both are small producers and are kind of pricey. Best bargains (if you could call it that) would be St Clement Orrppas and Flora Springs Trilogy. That said my wife and I enjoyed the 2003 Corison last night with dinner and for a tricky vintage was really, really good. It would be fun to do a blind tasting of all of these, but I don’t roll as deep as GaryV. Good luck with the book!

No question that I prefer Washington cabs over Calif. cabs. However, there are many Napa cabs I seek out…my favorite is Caymus Special Select with Etude a close 2nd. I don’t know if my palate has changed over the years, but I started out liking Silver Oak in the 80’s and Opus One in the 90’s. Those wines don’t appeal to me as much…I think their quality has diminished.