Yep. Still buying Napa cabs. Selectively, though. I’ve recently bought Hundred Acres Kali Morgan, Buccella, O’Shaughnessy, Blankiet, Beau Vigne, Conn Creek Ltd Reserve. Most I’m buying to collect in a new wine vault I just built, particularly the culty mailing list wines like Hunacred Acre, O’Shaughness, Buccella and Blankiet. The rest to consume.

Gary, great show, keep the entertaining and informative guests coming. Joshua, great job, always knew about your mag, of course, but never really bothered to take a serious look; I will now, after seeing you on the show.

QOTD: Don’t even get me started… I’ve been a lurker, and this Q is spurring me to post for the first time. Napa cabs are wonderful, but freaking overpriced. If I’m buying CA cab these days it’s more often than not Alexander Valley, Russian River Valley (lovely Zins, too), or Paso Robles. I refuse, based largely on principle, to overpay for the wines coming out of Napa; out of the 40+ bottles I have here at the house right now, one is a Napa cab, and fully 1/2 of my wines are above the $20 price point. Tonight is a great example, I’m looking for a decent bottle to open for a friend, and am considering a Gigondas, a Vacqueyras, a Chateauneuf-du-Pape (admittedly getting expensive but a better PQR than Napa IMO), or a Bierzo.

Gary,

I have been an avid watcher for almost 2 years now. I would call myself an advanced beginner when it comes to wine drinking mostly thanks to your show. I too am one of the ones who get frustrated when you interrupt the interviewees but thought that Joshua was a perfect interview. Actually, he was more of a counterpart to you, a great John Madden to your Al Michaels. He provided great insight and information on the wine and felt a little deference from you to his opinion, which I felt is rare in your interviews.
Would love to see him back soon!

Magazine subscriptions will shoot through the roof. Good show. I’m ready to subscribe.

QOTD: I got tired of CA Cab in my price range. I haven’t tried any expensive wines from anywhere. I enjoy expanding my palate but I often find myself drinking/buying Spanish wines as my go-to wines.

Second part was just as good as the first. Great guest, great chemistry, great wines. I knew Riojas could, and should age, but I didn’t realize the extent of it – current releases from 20+ years ago, 2001 being considered very young. I’m definitely going to but some Rioja away from a long time, but in the meantime are much older vintages readily available and are there any that stand out? I’m 22 years old, I’ve had a few ports and Champagnes that are older than me and some Bordeaux about my age but I’d love to try a Rioja that’s got me by 10 years.

Also, the Diamond Creek sounds incredible, I would imagine it’s small production, but how would one go about trying to find this?

Don’t forget to come back to the Cristal!

QOTD – I’ve moved away from Cali cabs lately, mainly because of familiarity and trying to keep trying new things, but the price point also does play some role. If anything I’ve found the quality getting better – the ’06 Phifer Pavitt Date Night is still one of the best wines I’ve had in the past year, but as I’ve explored, I’ve found better QPR in other places around the world – Portugal, Southern Rhone, and most recently, the Loire Valley.

Excellent episode! Kudos to Joshua for being a spot on great guest, very knowledgeable, very forthright, just a joy to listen to. Kudos to Gary as well for doing a great job with the interview. Nice work, GV! I really enjoyed Joshua’s insights and opinions on the different wines and the wealth of knowledge that he displayed on the areas and the producers. Outstanding!

QOTD: Oddly, I’ve never bought much Napa cab in the past. This year, I bought some Dominus, Caymus, Dancing Hare, Shafer 1.5, and Phelps Insignia. I think those are all 2005 vintage. Historically, I have always had a soft spot for Bordeaux and I went crazy on the 2005 Bordeaux purchases, so I’ve settled down some and went back to the USA for awhile.

I drink CA Cabs from time to time, but over all they are too shallow unless you go over 100$ and in that case I would go for a nice Bordeaux!!!

Great follow up to the first part GV. I don’t drink Cali Cabs because they are so over priced. Rather go to Washington for the value.

CA Cabs are not a good QPR. Also, the trend in the past decade has been to over-oak, and it’s killed my interest. Until I start seeing a “100% Certified no Oak-Monster” seal on ’em, it’s tough for me to dish out. Seriously, the land there is so good, why do they have to mess with it?

QOTD: Good Cali Cab is beyond my budget. I mostly stick the Chilean cabs or Australian…

Great question–I will buy any red over napa cab–it is largely overpriced!!!

09:03 “WHAT!” That was hilarious.

Amazing 2 part episode. Loved the guest & loved your chemistry. Seemed very natural unlike some previous guests.

QOTD: In general, I am not buying Cali Cab. I honestly, have never had the opportunity to buy it. By the time I got into wine (6 years ago) Cali Cab had priced itself out of my range. The few I have had in the past, I enjoyed, but I find that the QPR is not the same as other regions. As a father of 2 kids, I have a hard time shelling out $50 for a wine (never mind $150), when I can get the same level of enjoyment for $20-30 from the Rhone, Portugal, Spain, or Italy. If prices came down, then I would be quick to jump in.

P.S. Gary, as a Pats fan, it pains me to say, but congrat on beating us & being 3-0. Your Jets look very impressive. I will issue one word of caution, don’t count the Pats out yet. Brady still has not hit his stride, but seems to be making steps every week as does the defense. See you (the Jets) in November.

Another great magnum sized episode. Joshua Green obviously has a great depth of knowledge and experience, and comes across as a very classy guy. You both got on very well, and I dare say Joshua’s calm and confident demeanor kept GV’s interviewing right in the end zone. I think we all wished we could be there tasting with you both.

QOTD: CA-Cabs just are not on the regular shopping list…I try them at tastings whenever I get a chance, but the ones priced for the mainstream are pretty much ho-hum, and the ones that get the kudos are out of the current and historical budgetary guidelines. That said, your reaction’s to the Diamond Creek make me think I might need to lobby for a special procurement. Otherwise I get my cabs from Chile if I want new world juice.

Great show. I was very impressed with Joshua’s enthusiasm, insight and intelligence. Nice storyteller as well. I never bought much CA Cab, mainly because there were far better deals at my price points, especially on the East Coast. I do feel that Napa Cab was an overpriced luxury item for the great bottles. But I’ve appreciated them quite a bit more over the past few months living here in California, and hope they’ll be able to adjust to the new economy. There are quite a few well made Cabs for under $30, but far too few under $20. Those that merit the super-lux prices will survive, but I doubt all the vanity brands selling mediocre stuff for $30-60 will last.

I had to comment again…I woke up chuckling this morning because or dream that had a replay of your reaction to the Castillo Y Gay story…”Whaaaaaaaaaat???!!!”

Really enjoyed this guest and you as well. good exchange and you are getting better as an interviewer.

QOTD – Now that it is getting into fall and cooler weather, will be focusing on the red wine varietals. While I have not avoided California Cabs I am much more a lighter white wine type of consumer.

QOTD. I never bought Cali Cab and I probably never will. It’s way too overpriced in my opinion. Plus I’m not a big meat eater, so it’s difficult to find a good time to drink it.

Great show Gary! Thanks for having such as great guests as Joshua, Heidi Barrett, etc. So much knowledge to be gleaned just by listening to you interact with them. I’m really looking forward to my 5th Wine & Spirits Magazine’s “Top 100” Tasting in 6 years on 10/14!

QOTD: It seems like most of your comments are anti-CA Cab. To be honest,having been involved with wine – started as a wine buyer with Safeway while in college – for 20 years, I am definitely conscious of PQR. Of course, I’ve tasted countless high end CA Cabs at various trade tastings, but would rarely if ever buy a bottle, except as a gift. However, that has changed in 2009, due to

1) The simply amazing deals out there on wines such as Caymus Special Select, BV Georges de la Tour, Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages, Rubicon Estates “Rubicon,” and so forth. Caymus is practically half-price, for instance.

And 2) Joining a wine club – The Wine Hunters – here in the East Bay (Oakland, San Leandro, Dublin, etc.) – where the members are most appreciative of CA Cabs and Meritages, especially from Napa. Have tried wines this year I never have before, despite being in the trade … Shrader, Harlan (Bond, The Maiden), Hidden Ridge, Stephanie, CORRA, Stags Leap SLV and Fay, Gemstone, Textbook, Cornerstone, Rudd, Dancing Hare, Carter, Pahlmeyer, and on and on. Yes, it’s been a crazy year!

Great I like to find some spanish stuff!! I think spanish DO are the most undervalued wines in the US, here in Mexico they are the most available and I’ve tried some of them from Ribera del Duero and Rioja, being the first zone a hot hot terroir to elaborate some serious juice….. I’ve followed your career Gary and I love the spanish and italian wines as I’m addicted to these two cuisines and national products….. I enjoy your cheese and wine pairing and I advise you not to focus on italian cheese.. Bring on some french and spanish as well…. I think I may be your first mexican fan since here in Mexico wine consumption is under 0.300 Liter per capita a year…. Keep bringing the thunder….. Love your energy and attitude!!!

Thanks guys, an absolutely cracking show.

QOTD: Well too be honest CALIFORNIAN CABERNET IS PROBABLY THE WINE I WOULD BE LEAST LIKELY TO BUY IN THE WHOLE WORLD. I live in Hong Kong so am in a pretty open wine market and I love Cabernet, but in my opinion Cabernet from California seems to be the worst value for money wine going around. I ones I’ve tried have been to sweet and oaky and definitely bad value compared to what the rest of the world offers. I drink wine from everywhere, but I would drink more Canadian and Chinese wine than US wine!

Cheers
Andrew

Please more shows like this….
Wife: Hey that Diamond Creek sounds really good, we should try some of that.
Me: Uhh.. honey, you sure? It’s like $150?
Wife: Well, Gary really made it sound good.
Me: Well, sweetie, if you really want it…
(to myself: YES!! SCORE!!!)

Great show Gary…and loved the guest! Have drunk the Murrieta repeatedly and also have had a great experience with D’Arenberg wines generally. You asked a question at the start of the show as to which regions you sould take a closer look at. I’d beg you to look at Margaret River, Western Australia. There are some big name Chardonnays which are not really my thing…but I’d love to see you tasting some of the vintage Leeuwin Estate, Vasse Felix and Voyager estate wines amongst others. Even better, come down to Singapore for a tasting event and we’ll line them all up for you. Keep up the good work!

Hey Gary,

Looking over the comments in the blog i guess I am in the minority but I love good wine and the calif cab never disappoints for me. I just got back from Napa and had the luxury of hitting Frank Family, Pina, Tom Scott Vineyard(Barn Burner)and they are giving some great deals. I haver also noticed a lot of the wine list are opening up and it has been fun to buy a few bottles. i use wine a lot in my business and i love sharing with people who apprecaite the experience. I just had a bottle of the 2005 Dancing Hares…you should taste this wine. I thought it was great. Also just got the opportunity to buy some Futo which is way out of my price range but I eneded up getting a few bottles. you ever had this wine? if so let me know your thoughts before i get my shipment.

Got your book today and bought an extra(at your sugggestion) to give to a customer. I hope it is going well for you! Best of Luck!

Hell Gary! This was an amazing episode. To see the combined passion and expertise of you two bouncing of each other was truly inspirational. On a more broad note, your show has gotten my brother massively into wines. only 2 years ago he was sure he would never enjoy red win, now he’s sniffing and exploring and even went to France for a week to check out the vineyards. Thanks again!!