EP 579 Napa Cabernet and Chocolate

Gary Vaynerchuk welcomes Suzanne Phifer Pavitt to the Thunder Show for some Cabernet and chocolate.

Wines tasted in this episode:

2005 Phifer Pavitt Date Night
2006 Phifer Pavitt Date Night

Links mentioned in today’s episode.

Latest Comment:

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Luca Bercelli

90/100

line of the day – ‘in real life I like a bit of love handle action’

Unlike a lot of the Vayniacs who posted comments, I liked the show…and the guest. Yes, she brought in a wine consultant and most of the actual winemaking is done by someone else, but she’s honest about it and could be pursuing a lot of other careers that are much less commendable (such as robbing banks, financial trading, selling real estate…the list goes on). She was also honest about the finances and the last time I looked not many wineries are designed to be charities. Give the girl a break.

Tags: cabernet, california, napa, red, review, Video, wine, wines

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  • suikagirl1

    First thing that comes to mind… I love that(on camera)Gary’s shirt totally matches the labels.

    QOTD: using Suzanne’s definition of date night as “finding a little bit of time somewhere to connect”… then, after nearly 22 years, I can honestly say that just about every night is a date night for us. Remember, your spouse is the one you said ‘yes to Forever’ with…

  • suikagirl1

    First thing that comes to mind… I love that(on camera)Gary’s shirt totally matches the labels.

    QOTD: using Suzanne’s definition of date night as “finding a little bit of time somewhere to connect”… then, after nearly 22 years, I can honestly say that just about every night is a date night for us. Remember, your spouse is the one you said ‘yes to Forever’ with…

  • amgryger

    Maybe I’m a “wine heretic” here, but I don’t think I will ever spend $75 on a Napa cab when I can buy barolo, which hits my palate in a way that transcends mere taste. I’m just saying…

  • amgryger

    Maybe I’m a “wine heretic” here, but I don’t think I will ever spend $75 on a Napa cab when I can buy barolo, which hits my palate in a way that transcends mere taste. I’m just saying…

  • Herm

    I liked the show but I couldn’t bring myself to spend that much for a bottle of wine…..two bottles of wine, the chocolate and a Jets spit bucket maybe forty bucks…..

  • Herm

    I liked the show but I couldn’t bring myself to spend that much for a bottle of wine…..two bottles of wine, the chocolate and a Jets spit bucket maybe forty bucks…..

  • Wow! I love what they are doing. Date Night has a great cause and a great business. Props. Great job by the guest but it was very funny watching her devious look as she waited on your response to the tastes. Anyway, awesome show.

    QOTD: For sure, my wife and I try hard to honor that commitment. Challenging with young ones though.

  • Wow! I love what they are doing. Date Night has a great cause and a great business. Props. Great job by the guest but it was very funny watching her devious look as she waited on your response to the tastes. Anyway, awesome show.

    QOTD: For sure, my wife and I try hard to honor that commitment. Challenging with young ones though.

  • Maahcuzz

    Could this be the eagerly awaited VanerNation’s SP?

  • Congratulation on the buckets. The flow is better, more relaxed.

    The wine is made with organic grapes but is not organic.In order to be called “organic wine” the winery has to be certified organic and no sulfides added to the wine.Interesting show. Alain

  • Maahcuzz

    Could this be the eagerly awaited VanerNation’s SP?

  • Congratulation on the buckets. The flow is better, more relaxed.

    The wine is made with organic grapes but is not organic.In order to be called “organic wine” the winery has to be certified organic and no sulfides added to the wine.Interesting show. Alain

  • PaulW

    I dont want to be rude to the guest, im sure she’s a very nice (and very rich) person…maybe im just spoiled with all the great guests that have been on lately…but this is the first episode i havent watched all the way thru in a long long time.

  • PaulW

    I dont want to be rude to the guest, im sure she’s a very nice (and very rich) person…maybe im just spoiled with all the great guests that have been on lately…but this is the first episode i havent watched all the way thru in a long long time.

  • Anonymous

    QOTD: We don’t get out nearly enough being busy with college, but our most recent great night was a nice homecooked Italian dinner & a movie relaxing at home.

    The weekly date night is a great idea for when we have a tad more time, though!

  • David T

    QOTD: We don’t get out nearly enough being busy with college, but our most recent great night was a nice homecooked Italian dinner & a movie relaxing at home.

    The weekly date night is a great idea for when we have a tad more time, though!

  • Great episode! Too bad the Jets are going down this week. Just sayin’…

    QOTD: We have a date night every week. Last weekend…dinner out and a movie at home. This weekend…I’m enduring Twilight. My wife loves the story. I’m glad it’s not real…I could never compete with a dreamy vampire.

  • Great episode! Too bad the Jets are going down this week. Just sayin’…

    QOTD: We have a date night every week. Last weekend…dinner out and a movie at home. This weekend…I’m enduring Twilight. My wife loves the story. I’m glad it’s not real…I could never compete with a dreamy vampire.

  • Brad Mac

    I was pulling for the Jets against the Pats, but I gotta go with the Titans being from the South. Jets have a good shot, though. The Jags put up a helluva against Tennessee on Sunday. They’re not invincible.

  • Brad Mac

    I was pulling for the Jets against the Pats, but I gotta go with the Titans being from the South. Jets have a good shot, though. The Jags put up a helluva against Tennessee on Sunday. They’re not invincible.

  • Phil G

    QOTD – not having kids, my girlfriend and I get to go our to eat once or twice a week, which is nice. Throw in an occasional movie, museum, or long walk and I think we have the date scene covered.

  • Phil G

    QOTD – not having kids, my girlfriend and I get to go our to eat once or twice a week, which is nice. Throw in an occasional movie, museum, or long walk and I think we have the date scene covered.

  • neutron212

    QOTD: date me for me is picking a place and running with and talking about what ever. last night went out for burgers and fries and a local chain life is good

  • neutron212

    QOTD: date me for me is picking a place and running with and talking about what ever. last night went out for burgers and fries and a local chain life is good

  • my2cents

    I missed something here I think. What made this guest’s wine worth talking about?
    I thought at first given the name of the wine that perhaps they donate a percentage of each “date” to a charity or local schools. (Might be worth thinking about?) I might consider spending that much if some was for a good cause.
    You forgot to try some chocolate with the second wine.

    Gary it’s time you learn how to wash your own clothes!

    I take my girlfriend out once or twice a week. We’ve been into Indian food lately. I usually have beer because I like the food spicy. Other nights we eat in and drink wine from a small “cellar”. Mostly reds from all over.

    We live in Sonoma County California, next door to Napa. Plenty of good wines this side of the county line made by real people who work hard with a real passion for the process. Like a date, making wine is more about connection with the process not just having all the “rockstar” ingredients.

  • my2cents

    I missed something here I think. What made this guest’s wine worth talking about?
    I thought at first given the name of the wine that perhaps they donate a percentage of each “date” to a charity or local schools. (Might be worth thinking about?) I might consider spending that much if some was for a good cause.
    You forgot to try some chocolate with the second wine.

    Gary it’s time you learn how to wash your own clothes!

    I take my girlfriend out once or twice a week. We’ve been into Indian food lately. I usually have beer because I like the food spicy. Other nights we eat in and drink wine from a small “cellar”. Mostly reds from all over.

    We live in Sonoma County California, next door to Napa. Plenty of good wines this side of the county line made by real people who work hard with a real passion for the process. Like a date, making wine is more about connection with the process not just having all the “rockstar” ingredients.

  • Adrian

    Mixed thoughts on this episode.

    Firstly, great project – props for ditching the rat race and pursuing a passion. Always have to respect that.

    Obviously there’s plenty of pride tied to such a project but I still felt the guest was too biased and was wanting to hear only what she wanted to. She would nod to every positive comment and was basically straight-faced for any comments that leaned more towards the cons of the product. I would think for a first project that you would want to be a little more open minded and take every piece of constructive criticism as a blessing. Wanting to describe the 06 as more sophisticated sounded like a lame attempt to add a cosmopolitan edge to the wine – which probably already does itself justice thanks to the winemaker. Trying to then promote the less sophisticated 05 as an approachable wine – I don’t know if I agreed with either. I’m sure it’s easy to drink but I completely agree with Gary that there’s probably plenty of cabs at $30 which would work equally well for people wanting to try some good cabs/red wines.

    Lastly, love cabernet and chocolate (dark specifically). Celebrated my birthday one day before Gary’s (happy belated btw). Started the evening’s journey with burgundy, bordeaux, and priorat with cheese, and ended with a malbec and a cabernet with dark chocolate – complimented with stogies and friends. Couldn’t ask for more …

  • Adrian

    Mixed thoughts on this episode.

    Firstly, great project – props for ditching the rat race and pursuing a passion. Always have to respect that.

    Obviously there’s plenty of pride tied to such a project but I still felt the guest was too biased and was wanting to hear only what she wanted to. She would nod to every positive comment and was basically straight-faced for any comments that leaned more towards the cons of the product. I would think for a first project that you would want to be a little more open minded and take every piece of constructive criticism as a blessing. Wanting to describe the 06 as more sophisticated sounded like a lame attempt to add a cosmopolitan edge to the wine – which probably already does itself justice thanks to the winemaker. Trying to then promote the less sophisticated 05 as an approachable wine – I don’t know if I agreed with either. I’m sure it’s easy to drink but I completely agree with Gary that there’s probably plenty of cabs at $30 which would work equally well for people wanting to try some good cabs/red wines.

    Lastly, love cabernet and chocolate (dark specifically). Celebrated my birthday one day before Gary’s (happy belated btw). Started the evening’s journey with burgundy, bordeaux, and priorat with cheese, and ended with a malbec and a cabernet with dark chocolate – complimented with stogies and friends. Couldn’t ask for more …

  • Robin C

    QOTD: I don’t think I’ve had a date since 1996. However my husband and I do enjoy movies (dollar theatre) and eating out with a friend or two.

  • Robin C

    QOTD: I don’t think I’ve had a date since 1996. However my husband and I do enjoy movies (dollar theatre) and eating out with a friend or two.

  • lawschooldrunk

    I’ve been doing chocolate and single malt for the longest time…

    …And, go 49ers.

  • lawschooldrunk

    I’ve been doing chocolate and single malt for the longest time…

    …And, go 49ers.

  • Weston

    QOTD: Every couple months me and my dad go out for dinner, usually with my brother and his fiance sometimes friends of his but always with my dad we both enjoy food and wine. works for us

  • Weston

    QOTD: Every couple months me and my dad go out for dinner, usually with my brother and his fiance sometimes friends of his but always with my dad we both enjoy food and wine. works for us

  • cellar rat

    You better start praying GaryV. I don’t think your old man quarterback can handle the Titans defense because it’s like the Pythagorean Theorem. There is no answer(ShaquilleONeal-twitter).

  • cellar rat

    You better start praying GaryV. I don’t think your old man quarterback can handle the Titans defense because it’s like the Pythagorean Theorem. There is no answer(ShaquilleONeal-twitter).

  • T. Bone

    Seems like you could take a page out of Suzanne’s book when it comes to making your own wine. You’ve got so much passion, family, friends, and life story – seems like you could make some damn good wine. Why not go for a quality wine instead of the QPR?

  • T. Bone

    Seems like you could take a page out of Suzanne’s book when it comes to making your own wine. You’ve got so much passion, family, friends, and life story – seems like you could make some damn good wine. Why not go for a quality wine instead of the QPR?

  • Oklahoma Michael

    qotd= had one tonite. of course I am a bartender after all

  • Oklahoma Michael

    qotd= had one tonite. of course I am a bartender after all

  • Hawaiian Vayniac

    QOTD: Dinner and a movie while grandma and grandpa watched our 2 year old and newborn. Anything, anywhere is great in those circumstances.

    $75/bottle is never a bargain…and if it is then everything has gotten way too overpriced.

  • Hawaiian Vayniac

    QOTD: Dinner and a movie while grandma and grandpa watched our 2 year old and newborn. Anything, anywhere is great in those circumstances.

    $75/bottle is never a bargain…and if it is then everything has gotten way too overpriced.

  • Anonymous

    GREAT episode.

    QOTD: NO not yet… BUT I have a date TOMORROW with a very special lady and hopefully that will go well.

  • YoungDave

    GREAT episode.

    QOTD: NO not yet… BUT I have a date TOMORROW with a very special lady and hopefully that will go well.

  • Tom G

    Good episode. I actually prefer when the guest plays a bit more of a role in the wine “talking” but it was apparent that Suzanne was coming from the business side more than the wine-tasting/nerd side. So that was cool, too.

    QOTD: Not for a few weeks. Unacceptable. I’ll try to get on that this weekend!

  • Tom G

    Good episode. I actually prefer when the guest plays a bit more of a role in the wine “talking” but it was apparent that Suzanne was coming from the business side more than the wine-tasting/nerd side. So that was cool, too.

    QOTD: Not for a few weeks. Unacceptable. I’ll try to get on that this weekend!

  • QOTD: In a sense every night is date night because we make a point to make dinner time special, we always eat dinner together, and often make it together. We’ve been going out less, mostly because our schedules have allowed us too, I used to have late classes and get out at 7 or 8, so it was easier to just go out to eat. Now, both of us our usually home around 5 or 6. I wish I had a story with the last time we actually went out to eat, but not really. I guess the important part is that we enjoy each other.

    btw I really liked the story behind the name of the wine, I thought that it was just a marketing thing, but its nice to hear that some of those romance stories are really true.

  • QOTD: In a sense every night is date night because we make a point to make dinner time special, we always eat dinner together, and often make it together. We’ve been going out less, mostly because our schedules have allowed us too, I used to have late classes and get out at 7 or 8, so it was easier to just go out to eat. Now, both of us our usually home around 5 or 6. I wish I had a story with the last time we actually went out to eat, but not really. I guess the important part is that we enjoy each other.

    btw I really liked the story behind the name of the wine, I thought that it was just a marketing thing, but its nice to hear that some of those romance stories are really true.

  • hugh

    Definitely the “sexiest” guest buy far!!!
    But, does the world need another $75 Napa Cab??
    Gary, are you in the mode of “I’m not gonna shave until the Jets lose?”

  • hugh

    Definitely the “sexiest” guest buy far!!!
    But, does the world need another $75 Napa Cab??
    Gary, are you in the mode of “I’m not gonna shave until the Jets lose?”

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