QOTD: Favorite Aussie white is the Hermit Crab, fave Aussie red is the Torbreck Woodcutter’s Shiraz. Great Episode!

qotd: james creek shiraz, bc it was the first wine i ever bought and it helped turn me from a beer snob into a novice wine geek.

QOTD: I hate to go with the big winerys but Rosemount Balmoral Syrah 2000 is the best Aussie wine I’ve had for a long time. On the white I’d go for Yalumba Eden Valley Viognier.

HAHA Awesome episode Gary! Made my day! I’ve been trying to get you to taste the Bin389 for years… and who would have thought that Gary V would ever utter the words Cricket Bat on the Thunder Show?!!

QOTD: At the moment the white has to be a Hunter Semillon… let’s say the Hope Estate 2008 Semillon (Someone already mentioned their Verdelho but the Semillon is spectacular too). Fave red, probably have to go for a Coonawarra Cabernet from Wynns!

Keep up the good work Gary!

I’ll have to try The Hermit Crab.
Nice rose the guest had at the end!

QOTD: Flinders Run Shiraz 2005. Elderton Barossa Cabernet 2005 is a close second.

One of my favorites from Australia is a CHATTO CLOUD SWING CHARDONNAY.
Its a great Chardonnay at a good price goes fabulous with Garlic Pasta dishes.
Love it… a bit of a warning though… the Oak monster peaks his head around the corner… just a touch.

One of my favorites from Australia is a CHATTO CLOUD SWING CHARDONNAY.
Its a great Chardonnay at a good price goes fabulous with Garlic Pasta dishes.
Love it… a bit of a warning though… the Oak monster peaks his head around the corner… just a touch.

Nice show, Gary. But, I thought today was going to be the show picked from Facebook suggestions? Maybe tomorrow. Either way, I’ll check out that white Meritage.

QOTD: I had some heavy duty Shiraz that had a bird on the label…maybe a grouse or something. It was good.

great show gary. fantastic host. you both held to your guns. fun,honest with no apologies.

QOTD… so far Layer Cake Shiraz is my favorite.

Solid show, and a great guest. Enjoyed the knowledge he brought about buying trends from “Down Under”. As for the wines, what kind of plums do you eat, GV? Clearly the chef would have more experience with them than you 😉

QOTD: Holly’s Garden Pinot Gris

Hey Gary,

Shame to open the Kooyong now… it’s a wine that really won’t show it’s best for another 5-10 years. So many other great Aussie Pinots that Ben could have brought up that would have jumped; Savaterre, Epis, Main Ridge, by Farr, William Downie and heaps of others.

Also, the 389 might have too much oak for you right now, but you’d be a bit remiss to suggest it’s a brand issue as you do at 20:05. Have a look at the current St. Henri (which is a bit more expensive) to see that Penfolds is well and truly capable of letting the terrior and varietal speak through.

QTOD: so tough, so many brilliant wines. Perhaps Torbreck Run-Rig, Kalleske Greenock Shiraz or Morris Old Premium Liqueur Muscat… but so many other brilliant wines.

QOTD: Mollydooker the Boxer

QOTD – Been a while since I was on line but glad I came back for this ep. Bin 389 and the reason is it was my first big purhcase too. In 1999 or 2000 I tried it and loved it. Ended up purchasing a few bottles and then a few more when those ran out, eventually buying about 2 cases before I could no longer find it around town. I have been attempting to get that same kick from it ever since, but most vintages have not had the same punch.

Massena Shiraz Eleventh Hour

QOTD: Amon Ra!

We like Benjamin! Have him back again, maybe for a show on what Aussie wines go well with food on the grill (sorry, ‘barbie’)? Maybe from the parking lot at a Jets game? Just a thought…

QOTD: Sentimental favorite is McLaren Valley Wallace Shiraz, can’t think of the maker just now.

Hey Gary !

Your guest today seems like a really good guy. Looks like he was having fun !

QOTD: My fave Australian wine would be a Barossa Sauvignon Blanc.

Love the chef “play.” QOTD: This is probably rube central, but I like the Penfolds Coonawarra.

Good episode, but I wonder if blue sweater wasn’t there if the Oak Monster would have been on full display in all its glory?

QOTD: Definitely Pensfold Bin 407 2004 Cab

Dam, it was great when he said “Barby”
through some thick dirty steaks on the barby

QOTD: Definitely Pensfold Bin 407 2004 Cab

Dam, it was great when he said “Barby”
through some thick dirty steaks on the barby

Penfolds Thomas Hyland was one of my first “serious” wines, but I will pretty much drink any Aussie Shiraz, Cab, Riesling, etc.

Great show…can’t wait to try the Hermit Crab. Admission: I’ve been spending way too much time tasting the Kiwi concoctions and not enough back in Australia. That said, the Grange is probably my favorite (though rarely shell out for it). I’m also a fan of some of the more common Penfolds…usually staying in the $12-$17 range. I have not had the 389, but will try a bottle the next time I cook up some steaks. Some of the other wineries I’ll frequently taste: Chapel Hill, Barton Vale, Hare’s Chase, and Cullen.

QOTD: Kaesler Stonehorse Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvedre Barossa Valley.

Another great show. I love the shows where the guests are so accessible. A strong blow for the demystification of wine.