qotd: Well bought a case of Blue Mountain Pinot Noir 2006 reserve, recommended by a server I worked with, after I bought the server at work up sold the wine by telling the guest that the “sous-chef” bought a case of this and they were impressed [btw he was selling the non-reserve pinot haha]

only 10 btl left out of 12

Colour, Purple Red. Aroma Fruit + Rubber, clean. day 2 Earthy Sweet Cherry Smoke Taste day1 good fruit little spice nice acidity some tannins light + body. day2: Bright Acidity, a bitter cranberry [in a good way] little air and boom sweeter, tannins present not obtrusive 90pts.

GV: nice episode with three pretty gtood and two good+ wines.

QOTD: I had a 2005 Adelsheim Ribbon Springs Pinot Noir that was really impressive. They made a whopping 147 cases of it. Not sure what makes a wine a boutique wine…I assume it’s the number of cases made?
The big ass glass(es) made the wine really sing.

Great episode. The Dancing Hares Red wine got me excited for going back home (St. Helena, CA) in august, definitely going to try it and other “cult” wines when I get back in the valley.

Crush It Cruise: Maybe.

QOTD: I just started getting into wine, despite having grown up in the NV, and have yet to try any cult wines. As a broke, 21-year-old college student, my wine purchases have mainly been made at Trader Joe’s; but, I have been trying wines from different regions (lately I’ve been exploring New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Portugal). The problem with cult wines is that they tend to be priced higher than I am willing to spend.

And by the way, YOU ARE THE MAN!!! In Gary we trust.

Right on the camera! Nice throw. This was a pleasure to watch, I got so excited to try at least one these wines.

Gary,

As usual, a great show!

QOTD: I am not sure if they qualify as a cult wines, probably not, but I had two excellent wines on a recent cruise, at a so-called “connoisseur” wine dinner. The first was listed on the dinner menu as: “Meursault, Maison Louis Jadot 2004, Cote de Beaune” – a French chardonnay that spent some time in oak, but was so well balanced and smooth it was sick. Wine Spectator gave it a 90, describing it as: “A concentrated white, with honey and vanilla notes. Rich and well-balanced with bright acidity. A hint of new oak frames it all, leaving a toasty finish.” I would add that the nose included a sort of almond-nut fragrance that I have never encountered before in a chardonnay, which was fascinating. Probably too much oak for your palate, but perfect for mine with the spicy crab cake that it accompanied. I would rate it 92, as if my rating means anything! Four people at our table, who describe themselves as hard-core, red wine drinkers, thought it was the best wine of the evening, and there were some awesome reds.

One of those reds was my personal favorite of the event: “Chateau De Fieuzal, Grand Cru Classe de Graves, Pessac-Leognan 1996,” a Bordeaux blend. This was the smoothest red wine I have ever tasted. Medium-bodied, the nose was somewhat old world, with a hint of barnyard, but the flavors were of dark fruit, a hint of mushroom, and some earthiness, all delivered in a silky wrapper. It was served with a cream of wild mushroom soup. Fantastic. Parker rated this wine an 88, but I liked it more – like 91-92. Since I have a greater appreciation for red wines, I preferred this excellent red over the equally excellent chardonnay.

It’s nice to learn about all the different brands out there. Unfortunately I can’t get hold of lot of the names showned since there is a limit to what swedens monopoly can offer. (they do have 1200 red wines, 800 white and you can order any wine in the world, but if sold out at the manufacturer, its sold out 🙂 )

QOTD: I have some big names in my wine cabinet but have yet to dare myself to try them. The best I’ve had so far is a 1999 Cave de Tain Hermitage. Last new years, with fillet of beef , garlic potatoes, red wine sauce.
Smooth and silky, red berries, earthy, just yummy.

Where’s Mott with the eyeliner?

QOTD: Cult wines are too expensive for me…..

Another great show. I wasn’t expecting the Kanzler to knock it out of the park so. It’s gotten a lot of hype from the Wine Spectator but many on the wine boards are up and down about it. Still your review makes me want to try it.
I’m on several Pinot mailing lists. I can’t narrow my fave down to one so allow me to praise two outstanding wines. The first is the 06 Keefer Ranch which, like the Kanzler you reviewed, is a grower made (a vigneron) wine. Incredible lithe balance, graceful fruit, light body, hints of berry and bramble amd gentle all-spice. Superb with food.
My top fave is the 06 Rhys Alpine Vineyard Pinot, a wne so beautiful that one sip could make the strongestman weep with joy. Bright strawberry, savory ruhubarb, crushed white stone, herby (slgihtly stemmy?) all come together with ballerina type balance. Such delicacy, yet not shy at all, confident, as Janics Robinson would say, this is the best of California through and through. Definitely worht the hype and defintiely worh seeing out if you can find it; it’s quite scarce.

One more note: I’m a little surprised WL is able to offter the Kanzler. I thought that was a low production wine. I wonder if that might be dur to the economy and mailing list peeps taking a pazzzzz on their allocation.

One more note: I’m a little surprised WL is able to offter the Kanzler. I thought that was a low production wine. I wonder if that might be dur to the economy and mailing list peeps taking a pazzzzz on their allocation.

What a great show! Unfortunately I could not get any of these wines over here in Germany, but hey, you never heard of Keller’s G-Max Riesling or Wittmann’s Morstein either 😉

@QOTD
2005 Amon-Ra – wow, a fantastic wine!

friggin great show,would love 2 try 2,and 4,
5*

Great show.

QOTD: 2006 Orin Swift Prisoner. Gave it a 93, and can’t wait to get some more. Also 2003 Caldwell Flamejumper. Not really a cult wine, but the story behind this wine makes it cultlike. Gave it a 92, but harder to find than the Prisoner.

Phillips Hill Pinot Noir you featured a while back. Love the hints of tobacco in the nose and the taste. Tobacco and strawberries. My wife and I are in for the next cruise. Try a different cruise line next time with better food though but we would go even on MSC because it was a great time. I will definitely get on the mailing list for the second Pinot and the second Cab.

Excellent show guys !!!

AotD: It is not a wine, but I had some Absinthe last night for the first time. It is like a Jim Jones Froot Punch. Once you try it – it is all over!

PS – Drop a shot of it into a half glass of Red Bull – Absinthe Bombs!!!

Thanks a lot Gary!!! I got on Kanzler’s list about 4 months ago and now I am going to get screwed on my allocation. Damn.

Taking a couple of trips next year so I’m not sure about the “Crush It” Would love to go I’m up on donations!!??

Great show as usual.

QOTD: Not sure if this qualifies as a cult wine. 2005 Imagery Petite Syrah, Paso Robles. Not really oaky so I LOVE that so French Oak involved for sure! Rich inky dark colors, exceptional quality! Give it an 89 to my palate!!

Ahh….great show after the weekend anticipation! Nice way to start the week…thanks gary!

There had been a couple of times where I’ve put my tasting notes up here, not sure if you read it.

QOTD: Probably the Tignanello 2001 by Antinori. That was great but dad was like scoffing it down fast, dang! Next that nite was Hacienda Pradolagar Reserva Especial 2001 by Bodegas Marques de Vargas. Both really great but the

Tignanello 2001 rocks! –>
Nose – Rich, slightly jammy black fruits, licorice and leather
Palate – Black fruits with cherries, some red fruits and leather. Smooth and balanced with fresh acidity and firm tannins to give a long elegant finish.
(17.5+/20)

Too pricey for me at this time….love the info, though…

Great episode, I was a little concerned about the Dancing Hares being an oaky mess so I appreciate the tasting note!

QOTD: 2004 Kosta Browne Four Barrel – Tasted blind, nose screamed RRV (not in a good way). Huge fruit, creamy vanilla, oak. Not very interesting to me, have no interest in drinking.

Kosta Browne, but I had too many wines that evening so I can’t rreally remember it. I think I’ll pull another Kosta Browne for my birthday, and I’ll take notes then.

Ridge ATP club. We have an ’04 Carmichael and had an ’02 Petite Syrah last time my parents visited. Too bad my dad’s idea of grilling involves so much lighter fluid it made all the food AND the wine taste like gasoline and paint thinner. I was really upset that the wine was completely overwhelmed by the awful food.

Yo G, NIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICE VINOS !!!!!!!!!

qotd: Domaine Zind Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Clos Windsbuhl 2003 – intense
lychee aromas, smooooth silky lychee flavors wit a looooooooog finish…
YUUUUUUUUMMMMMMM!!! Give it a 94 !!! 🙂

Dehlinger Pinot Noir Octagon Vyd. 2000 – toasty/stemmy good intensity
herbal black cherry flavors wit a looooooong finish….. Another Yummy
Give it a 93+ !!

2005 Hartwell Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon: Andy Erickson Wine maker, big entrance, chocolate, earthy mid palate, good fruit structure, beautiful finish. i score this 95pts it was rated 95pts by Wine Spectator.

Yo G, since Ya mentioned Williams Selyem & i just swigged one, another
tastin’ note ta boot….

Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Sonoma County 2003 – stemmy/oaky medium
intense spice & black cherry flavors. Still in Great Shape…..