I won’t go into too much detail here, but I opened a bottle each of Ch. Bourgneuf 1998-2001. The ’98 was tired; complex but without much fruit left (off bottle?). The ’99 was slightly corked. The 2000 was very nice: fruit-forward still with red fruit, sweet spices, a nice dusty, dirty earthiness, and a little floral character. It was very perfumed and quite complex. Great stuff. The 2001 was a lot more approachable in style. The nose of candied red fruit smelled more like grenache than merlot to me. The palate had fresher fruit (which was even more predominant) and some earth with a bit of mint. A pleasant wine, but not as complex as the 2000 or as Bordeaux like. I don’t think it will last as long as the 2000. Two tasters (not super experienced) preferred this to the 2000 because of its deliciousness.

With dessert we had a 1993 Royal Tokaji 6 Puttonyos Betstek (sp?) Tokaji. I didn’t take notes, but it had an apple pie thing (baked apple with a lot of sweet spice) that stood out and was gaining a bit of petrol with its age. Absolutely delicious.

I won’t go into too much detail here, but I opened a bottle each of Ch. Bourgneuf 1998-2001. The ’98 was tired; complex but without much fruit left (off bottle?). The ’99 was slightly corked. The 2000 was very nice: fruit-forward still with red fruit, sweet spices, a nice dusty, dirty earthiness, and a little floral character. It was very perfumed and quite complex. Great stuff. The 2001 was a lot more approachable in style. The nose of candied red fruit smelled more like grenache than merlot to me. The palate had fresher fruit (which was even more predominant) and some earth with a bit of mint. A pleasant wine, but not as complex as the 2000 or as Bordeaux like. I don’t think it will last as long as the 2000. Two tasters (not super experienced) preferred this to the 2000 because of its deliciousness.

With dessert we had a 1993 Royal Tokaji 6 Puttonyos Betstek (sp?) Tokaji. I didn’t take notes, but it had an apple pie thing (baked apple with a lot of sweet spice) that stood out and was gaining a bit of petrol with its age. Absolutely delicious.

I won’t go into too much detail here, but I opened a bottle each of Ch. Bourgneuf 1998-2001. The ’98 was tired; complex but without much fruit left (off bottle?). The ’99 was slightly corked. The 2000 was very nice: fruit-forward still with red fruit, sweet spices, a nice dusty, dirty earthiness, and a little floral character. It was very perfumed and quite complex. Great stuff. The 2001 was a lot more approachable in style. The nose of candied red fruit smelled more like grenache than merlot to me. The palate had fresher fruit (which was even more predominant) and some earth with a bit of mint. A pleasant wine, but not as complex as the 2000 or as Bordeaux like. I don’t think it will last as long as the 2000. Two tasters (not super experienced) preferred this to the 2000 because of its deliciousness.

With dessert we had a 1993 Royal Tokaji 6 Puttonyos Betstek (sp?) Tokaji. I didn’t take notes, but it had an apple pie thing (baked apple with a lot of sweet spice) that stood out and was gaining a bit of petrol with its age. Absolutely delicious.

I won’t go into too much detail here, but I opened a bottle each of Ch. Bourgneuf 1998-2001. The ’98 was tired; complex but without much fruit left (off bottle?). The ’99 was slightly corked. The 2000 was very nice: fruit-forward still with red fruit, sweet spices, a nice dusty, dirty earthiness, and a little floral character. It was very perfumed and quite complex. Great stuff. The 2001 was a lot more approachable in style. The nose of candied red fruit smelled more like grenache than merlot to me. The palate had fresher fruit (which was even more predominant) and some earth with a bit of mint. A pleasant wine, but not as complex as the 2000 or as Bordeaux like. I don’t think it will last as long as the 2000. Two tasters (not super experienced) preferred this to the 2000 because of its deliciousness.

With dessert we had a 1993 Royal Tokaji 6 Puttonyos Betstek (sp?) Tokaji. I didn’t take notes, but it had an apple pie thing (baked apple with a lot of sweet spice) that stood out and was gaining a bit of petrol with its age. Absolutely delicious.

QotD: Opened a bottle of 97 Gun Bun Cab and a 2000 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cab. Gun Bun was big and meaty but mellowed after some time in the decanter. The Silver Oak was smooth yet lifeless.

QotD: Opened a bottle of 97 Gun Bun Cab and a 2000 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cab. Gun Bun was big and meaty but mellowed after some time in the decanter. The Silver Oak was smooth yet lifeless.

QotD: Opened a bottle of 97 Gun Bun Cab and a 2000 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cab. Gun Bun was big and meaty but mellowed after some time in the decanter. The Silver Oak was smooth yet lifeless.

I don’t remember the names, but I shared a sparkling wine-blanc de blanc, from New Mexico, and a Prosecco. No OJ added. I was enjoying comparing the two: the chard=pear aromas, vivacious, and chalky, the Prosecco=, apple, frizzante, rounder, juicier.
BTW..Gary, I received Merlove for xmas, While I think the film had many problems: disjointed, heavy handed, etc, I thought you knocked it out of the park with your comments near the end of the film. It reminded me why I’ve been following you and your show. Thanks.

I don’t remember the names, but I shared a sparkling wine-blanc de blanc, from New Mexico, and a Prosecco. No OJ added. I was enjoying comparing the two: the chard=pear aromas, vivacious, and chalky, the Prosecco=, apple, frizzante, rounder, juicier.
BTW..Gary, I received Merlove for xmas, While I think the film had many problems: disjointed, heavy handed, etc, I thought you knocked it out of the park with your comments near the end of the film. It reminded me why I’ve been following you and your show. Thanks.

I don’t remember the names, but I shared a sparkling wine-blanc de blanc, from New Mexico, and a Prosecco. No OJ added. I was enjoying comparing the two: the chard=pear aromas, vivacious, and chalky, the Prosecco=, apple, frizzante, rounder, juicier.
BTW..Gary, I received Merlove for xmas, While I think the film had many problems: disjointed, heavy handed, etc, I thought you knocked it out of the park with your comments near the end of the film. It reminded me why I’ve been following you and your show. Thanks.

I don’t remember the names, but I shared a sparkling wine-blanc de blanc, from New Mexico, and a Prosecco. No OJ added. I was enjoying comparing the two: the chard=pear aromas, vivacious, and chalky, the Prosecco=, apple, frizzante, rounder, juicier.
BTW..Gary, I received Merlove for xmas, While I think the film had many problems: disjointed, heavy handed, etc, I thought you knocked it out of the park with your comments near the end of the film. It reminded me why I’ve been following you and your show. Thanks.

Happy Holidays to Wine Library TV Cast & Crew,(both of you)

As we are not sophisticated wine drinkers, I made my 25 yr. old daughter a champagne cocktail of Chateau Ste. Michelle blanc de noirs and St. Germain (she liked), while I sniffed and swirled a glass of Steltzner Cabernet Sauv., 2003, as I prepared Christmas Eve dinner of turkey and ham, etc. We drank King Estate 2007 Pinot Noir with dinner, and opened Horton 2008 Viognier with leftovers at Christmas Day lunch. All the wines were delicious.

Happy Holidays to Wine Library TV Cast & Crew,(both of you)

As we are not sophisticated wine drinkers, I made my 25 yr. old daughter a champagne cocktail of Chateau Ste. Michelle blanc de noirs and St. Germain (she liked), while I sniffed and swirled a glass of Steltzner Cabernet Sauv., 2003, as I prepared Christmas Eve dinner of turkey and ham, etc. We drank King Estate 2007 Pinot Noir with dinner, and opened Horton 2008 Viognier with leftovers at Christmas Day lunch. All the wines were delicious.

Happy Holidays to Wine Library TV Cast & Crew,(both of you)

As we are not sophisticated wine drinkers, I made my 25 yr. old daughter a champagne cocktail of Chateau Ste. Michelle blanc de noirs and St. Germain (she liked), while I sniffed and swirled a glass of Steltzner Cabernet Sauv., 2003, as I prepared Christmas Eve dinner of turkey and ham, etc. We drank King Estate 2007 Pinot Noir with dinner, and opened Horton 2008 Viognier with leftovers at Christmas Day lunch. All the wines were delicious.

Happy Holidays to Wine Library TV Cast & Crew,(both of you)

As we are not sophisticated wine drinkers, I made my 25 yr. old daughter a champagne cocktail of Chateau Ste. Michelle blanc de noirs and St. Germain (she liked), while I sniffed and swirled a glass of Steltzner Cabernet Sauv., 2003, as I prepared Christmas Eve dinner of turkey and ham, etc. We drank King Estate 2007 Pinot Noir with dinner, and opened Horton 2008 Viognier with leftovers at Christmas Day lunch. All the wines were delicious.

Hi Gary,

I know that you will be ready to reply to this message! For Christmas day we had prime rib and I served a 2001 Staglin Cab and a 2002 Barnett Rattlesnake Hill Cab. Both 100% Cabs from different parts of Napa. The Barnett was still young as the tannins were powerful on the finish (my score-93 points), but there was an exotic taste of olive brine that made the wine a combination of elegant Cab and a dirty martini – I loved it. The Staglin was good, but I must admit (despite how you publicly have expressed your disposition towards Staglin wine on the boat and to me) that I could have obtained this flavor profile selectively from a $50 Napa Cab (my score – 91 points). OK, you win on that one. 😉
Christmas Eve was a roller coaster of pairings as we started with Champagne, went through a Chasseur Pinot Noir and an Austrian Gewurz with appetizers, and finishing up with a 2004 Brunello with the Lasagna/Zuppa di Pesce finish. You should come to my house next year!
All the best!
Karl and Grace Behrend

Hi Gary,

I know that you will be ready to reply to this message! For Christmas day we had prime rib and I served a 2001 Staglin Cab and a 2002 Barnett Rattlesnake Hill Cab. Both 100% Cabs from different parts of Napa. The Barnett was still young as the tannins were powerful on the finish (my score-93 points), but there was an exotic taste of olive brine that made the wine a combination of elegant Cab and a dirty martini – I loved it. The Staglin was good, but I must admit (despite how you publicly have expressed your disposition towards Staglin wine on the boat and to me) that I could have obtained this flavor profile selectively from a $50 Napa Cab (my score – 91 points). OK, you win on that one. 😉
Christmas Eve was a roller coaster of pairings as we started with Champagne, went through a Chasseur Pinot Noir and an Austrian Gewurz with appetizers, and finishing up with a 2004 Brunello with the Lasagna/Zuppa di Pesce finish. You should come to my house next year!
All the best!
Karl and Grace Behrend

Hi Gary,

I know that you will be ready to reply to this message! For Christmas day we had prime rib and I served a 2001 Staglin Cab and a 2002 Barnett Rattlesnake Hill Cab. Both 100% Cabs from different parts of Napa. The Barnett was still young as the tannins were powerful on the finish (my score-93 points), but there was an exotic taste of olive brine that made the wine a combination of elegant Cab and a dirty martini – I loved it. The Staglin was good, but I must admit (despite how you publicly have expressed your disposition towards Staglin wine on the boat and to me) that I could have obtained this flavor profile selectively from a $50 Napa Cab (my score – 91 points). OK, you win on that one. 😉
Christmas Eve was a roller coaster of pairings as we started with Champagne, went through a Chasseur Pinot Noir and an Austrian Gewurz with appetizers, and finishing up with a 2004 Brunello with the Lasagna/Zuppa di Pesce finish. You should come to my house next year!
All the best!
Karl and Grace Behrend

Hi Gary,

I know that you will be ready to reply to this message! For Christmas day we had prime rib and I served a 2001 Staglin Cab and a 2002 Barnett Rattlesnake Hill Cab. Both 100% Cabs from different parts of Napa. The Barnett was still young as the tannins were powerful on the finish (my score-93 points), but there was an exotic taste of olive brine that made the wine a combination of elegant Cab and a dirty martini – I loved it. The Staglin was good, but I must admit (despite how you publicly have expressed your disposition towards Staglin wine on the boat and to me) that I could have obtained this flavor profile selectively from a $50 Napa Cab (my score – 91 points). OK, you win on that one. 😉
Christmas Eve was a roller coaster of pairings as we started with Champagne, went through a Chasseur Pinot Noir and an Austrian Gewurz with appetizers, and finishing up with a 2004 Brunello with the Lasagna/Zuppa di Pesce finish. You should come to my house next year!
All the best!
Karl and Grace Behrend

QOTD: I don’t celebrate Christmas. While everyone was celebrating, my husband and I enjoyed MAS CARLOT LES ENFANTS TERRIBLES RED 2007 with Dec 24 dinner. It’s a nice wine from COSTIERES DE NIMES.

On my 2010 to do list, I’m adding trying an Italian Gewurz. I enjoy the heck out of Alsace Gewurz.

I got the B 3-pack for my dad. We just opened the Valderiz 2003. I liked it. I’m fairly new to wine, but I tasted some lemon on the after taste.

qotd: Allegrini La Poja 2001
full bodied corvina (underrated varietal), chewy, yet smooth & elegant, dark berries, nice acidity. kind of had a floral quality to it. delicious

My question/request for you Gary: Would love to see you put a vin jaune on 1 of your episodes. Is that something we’re gonna get to see?

Hope you & your family had a great holiday Gary.

Great Show Gary: qotd – Being a wine dummy, We drank a bottle someone had left at the Yankee Swap the night before: Chateau Beauchene Grand Reserve 2007 Cotes Du Rhone. I found this to be a delightful wine. We all found dark fruit on the sniffy sniff. I also found robotussin with citrus at the end. The flavor was dark fruit with spice with a nice finish.

Thanks for this question – this is the first time I have ever spent more than 30 seconds thinking about what a wine smells like! it was fun for the group of 60 somethings and 20 somethings.

Keep it up man – your show has become one of the very few daily habits i have.

Gary,

Thanks for sharing the three-pack with us. It is such a joy to learn from your wine tasting. I love the episodes when it’s just you because they are shorter snippits and I can watch in one sitting without getting pulled away by work.

QOTD – We enjoyed two Woodinville, WA wines – Ross Andrew Red Table (Bordeaux blend) $25. and a phenomenal 2006 Mark Ryan Long Haul (92 Wine Enthusiast). This wine was like ‘sex in a glass.’ Both reviews are being input into Corkd by the end of the weekend.

Merry Christmas from drinknectar.com @nectarwine (twitter)

Josh

2008 W Gisselbrecht Riesling Reserve. 82. Super searing acidity, not much minerality, and apple/citrus driven. Had it with poulet au riesling with cream sauce.

2005 Soie de Bourgogne 81. Cherry bomb, cherry pie. And some cherry. Pass. With beouf bourgignon.

2007 Domaine de Nalys Chateauneuf du Pape. 91. A bargain. Light, yet intense. Cool lavender/smoke on the nose. I’m going to buy more, as I really like the producer.