Merry Christmas everyone!

QOTD – Enjoyed the Braida Moscato D’asti after dinner last night, really nice wine. Had nice lemon, apples, and pear flavors, and before it went too far down the syrupy road, the acid came in and gave it a crisp middle/end. Nice viscosity, mouthfeel, great soft bubbles – I probably could drink a whole bottle myself! (not probably, I could indeed).

Merry Christmas everyone!

QOTD – Enjoyed the Braida Moscato D’asti after dinner last night, really nice wine. Had nice lemon, apples, and pear flavors, and before it went too far down the syrupy road, the acid came in and gave it a crisp middle/end. Nice viscosity, mouthfeel, great soft bubbles – I probably could drink a whole bottle myself! (not probably, I could indeed).

Merry Christmas everybody here at WLTV.

Gary, for the QOTD: This Christmas Day I have opened a bottle of Puligny-Montrachet, “Les Hautes Collines”, 2004, from Duchesse Violette and a bottle of “Sonnenglanz” 2004, Pinot gris, Domaine Bott-Geyl from Alsace. They have been followed by two Châteauneuf-du-Papes – Domaine du Pégau, Cuvée Réservée, 2003 and Clos du Mont-Olivet, Cuvée Papet, 2003.

Oh, BTW – nice call on the Braida Moscato, GV and Mott!

Oh, BTW – nice call on the Braida Moscato, GV and Mott!

We are with friends holed up after the great Blizzard of 09. We do not observe Christmas but had a great meal with all of the friends last night. Too may wines to review but tried 3 different Malbecs from Argentina that everyone liked, a 1994 Dom Perignon that had a heavenly mousse and biscuits and lime flavor. Great bottle. Finished off with a 1996 Essencia from Qady. Also a nice bottle.

Loved that Hofstatter. Bought three from Cindy couple mos back snd shoulda
went for at least half case. Love to see how it would age.

QOTD: Christ eve – ’99 Pichon Lalande. Pine needles and shaved dark choco
and dark cherry on nose. Very silky on the palate with
nice soft tanins on the finish. Not a great left banker
tastes more right bank (45% merlot I believe). Still a
very good wine.

Loved that Hofstatter. Bought three from Cindy couple mos back snd shoulda
went for at least half case. Love to see how it would age.

QOTD: Christ eve – ’99 Pichon Lalande. Pine needles and shaved dark choco
and dark cherry on nose. Very silky on the palate with
nice soft tanins on the finish. Not a great left banker
tastes more right bank (45% merlot I believe). Still a
very good wine.

QOTD: Tabali Pinot Noir. Good not amazing. It didn’t have enough umph to stand up next to the Christmas ham.

xmas eve – 2007 chateau pesquie terrases – very solid, lots of cherry and tobacco, lots of dirty earth – a lot of character for such a young and inexpensive wine. decanted for 90 mins prior to drinking and i think that made a huge difference.

2008 cline ancient vines zinfandel – very good, big, jammy, but with structure and balance. really long finish.

tonight we’re popping a 2006 Shafer Merlot and a bottle of Veuve Yellow Label ( your fave gary 🙂

happy holidays!

xmas eve – 2007 chateau pesquie terrases – very solid, lots of cherry and tobacco, lots of dirty earth – a lot of character for such a young and inexpensive wine. decanted for 90 mins prior to drinking and i think that made a huge difference.

2008 cline ancient vines zinfandel – very good, big, jammy, but with structure and balance. really long finish.

tonight we’re popping a 2006 Shafer Merlot and a bottle of Veuve Yellow Label ( your fave gary 🙂

happy holidays!

QOTD: We had an Estancia 2007 Central Coast Shiraz along with a pork tenderloin. Not famous, way too dry and tannic for a Shiraz for me. But I am expanding my palate and just trying things. Also had a Gruet sparkling wine with some chocolate cake, which was very nice, and a friend brought over a Bovila Cahors Malbec, which was also quite tannic. We had that with some dark chocolate, which paired nicely.

QotD – last night , X-mas Eve, we had Bacalhao, a Brasilian/Portuguese Salted Codfish Casserole made w potatoes, onion and green peppers. Kale, brown rice, and haricots as the sides. I served them 2 Vinho Verdes, the fresh, bright Famega, and the even better, Praia (Beach), brought to us, here in Florida throught the fine Fran Kysela, Pere et Fil organization. modest, yes, but a varietal/ style in which you can reach the best if the best that there is to offer, and not spend, nenecessarily more than 10 bucks, or so. Of course, my whole reason for this cheapish wine choice, is a cultural tradition of the X-mas meal -a Portuguese fish casserole, and there coud be no better match, than that which I picked. They loved the vibrant, sharp and ripe fruit, slight spritz was very fresh, and refreshing, against the de-brined, milky, flaky white fish and potatoes.
Tonight , Xmas dinner, it is Prime Rib of Beef, for 9 people. Only half of those have any more than a passing interest in the wine. I have the little Bordeaux, 2004 Mathilde du Chat. La Fleur Morange, St. Emilion. Made by Veronique and Jean Francois Julien, 500 case production. 100% Merlot, hand pcked, sorted, lightly pressed, 6 months on lees, tank aging. And I will compare it side by side to 1998 Chat. Meyney, St. Estephe, one of Seagram Estate’s widely distributed brands. Reasonable, not astounding. 123 acres, should make this in the 40K, or over case production, and St. Estephe isn’t my first love, but it’s a demo for my family, who , for the most part, don’t know, or care about the wine. I cannot stop them from trying to out shop me, and they bring nothing but costco wines… I’ve given up on them , but this kind of demo, w’ a prime rib, I hope to be pleasant enough a demonstration of the possibilities, and I give a brief momentary introduction to the wines, then we move on… Half the time, in their dark resistance to my muse, and it’s call, they think that alcohol iscompletely about getting juiced, or something – and the funny thing is, that they raised me in an open, cultured manner, to be responsible, and against the very way that they percieve my work!!!

2 nights ago, it was burgers w/ 2004 Santa Ema Merlot Reserva, and it was gorgeous, for it’s under 20 dolar mark. Friends; Drink 20 Chile/ Argentina!!!

Merry Christmas!

QotD – last night , X-mas Eve, we had Bacalhao, a Brasilian/Portuguese Salted Codfish Casserole made w potatoes, onion and green peppers. Kale, brown rice, and haricots as the sides. I served them 2 Vinho Verdes, the fresh, bright Famega, and the even better, Praia (Beach), brought to us, here in Florida throught the fine Fran Kysela, Pere et Fil organization. modest, yes, but a varietal/ style in which you can reach the best if the best that there is to offer, and not spend, nenecessarily more than 10 bucks, or so. Of course, my whole reason for this cheapish wine choice, is a cultural tradition of the X-mas meal -a Portuguese fish casserole, and there coud be no better match, than that which I picked. They loved the vibrant, sharp and ripe fruit, slight spritz was very fresh, and refreshing, against the de-brined, milky, flaky white fish and potatoes.
Tonight , Xmas dinner, it is Prime Rib of Beef, for 9 people. Only half of those have any more than a passing interest in the wine. I have the little Bordeaux, 2004 Mathilde du Chat. La Fleur Morange, St. Emilion. Made by Veronique and Jean Francois Julien, 500 case production. 100% Merlot, hand pcked, sorted, lightly pressed, 6 months on lees, tank aging. And I will compare it side by side to 1998 Chat. Meyney, St. Estephe, one of Seagram Estate’s widely distributed brands. Reasonable, not astounding. 123 acres, should make this in the 40K, or over case production, and St. Estephe isn’t my first love, but it’s a demo for my family, who , for the most part, don’t know, or care about the wine. I cannot stop them from trying to out shop me, and they bring nothing but costco wines… I’ve given up on them , but this kind of demo, w’ a prime rib, I hope to be pleasant enough a demonstration of the possibilities, and I give a brief momentary introduction to the wines, then we move on… Half the time, in their dark resistance to my muse, and it’s call, they think that alcohol iscompletely about getting juiced, or something – and the funny thing is, that they raised me in an open, cultured manner, to be responsible, and against the very way that they percieve my work!!!

2 nights ago, it was burgers w/ 2004 Santa Ema Merlot Reserva, and it was gorgeous, for it’s under 20 dolar mark. Friends; Drink 20 Chile/ Argentina!!!

Merry Christmas!

Gary, I love watching your shows. Keep up the good fight!

QOTD: Xmas evening: lobster and Champagne – Pierre Gimmonet – 2004 – Blancs de Blancs – Gastronome – Fantastic, creamy,long,long finish; followed by french-style rack of lamb and Brunello – Casanuova della Cerbaie – 1999 – I expected more from the wine, but the evolution “in the glass” was very interesting and the pairing was really good. Firm, big tannins! Could it still be too young to drink?

Merry Christmas from Brazil!!

I am drinking Primo Amore Sangiovese/Merlot. At first the wine had that cheap taste but after some aeration it opened up with nice acidity and a beautiful sour patch kids flavor on the finish. Merry Christmas to everyone.

PS.

Gary it has been 2 years since I visited WL on Dec 31,2007. You have become a celebrity since then but you are just as humble and authentic as before.

A long time Vayniac

Gary, I love watching your shows. Keep up the good fight!

QOTD: Xmas evening: lobster and Champagne – Pierre Gimmonet – 2004 – Blancs de Blancs – Gastronome – Fantastic, creamy,long,long finish; followed by french-style rack of lamb and Brunello – Casanuova della Cerbaie – 1999 – I expected more from the wine, but the evolution “in the glass” was very interesting and the pairing was really good. Firm, big tannins! Could it still be too young to drink?

Merry Christmas from Brazil!!

I use to be that way with all white wines but i am growing now. I am also an ex-lurker as of this moment! It was wonderful to meet you in OKC. You should do a hookah and wine pairing episode.

I use to be that way with all white wines but i am growing now. I am also an ex-lurker as of this moment! It was wonderful to meet you in OKC. You should do a hookah and wine pairing episode.

Last night we had the 2007 Conundrum with some take-out Chinese (Kosher vegetarian Chinese, no less). Big floral, tropical aromas, rich, almost oily mouth-feel, spice, citrus, and tropical fruit on the finish. Alcohol was present but in the back. I wish there was more acidity, but overall this was just really tasty and went well with dinner.

Last night we had the 2007 Conundrum with some take-out Chinese (Kosher vegetarian Chinese, no less). Big floral, tropical aromas, rich, almost oily mouth-feel, spice, citrus, and tropical fruit on the finish. Alcohol was present but in the back. I wish there was more acidity, but overall this was just really tasty and went well with dinner.

Happy Times Episode. I didn’t buy the christmas pack but enjoy what is said about the wines ( gives me a mark to look for them in the future ).

QOTD: I had two wines yesterday and I am having one today, here are links to my reviews.-

http://corkd.com/wine/view/109693-2006-el-circulo-crianza

http://corkd.com/wine/view/69269-2007-borsao-bodegas-tres-picos

http://www.garalysoka.com/vinos/2008/12/7/marques-de-murrieta.html

Happy Times Episode. I didn’t buy the christmas pack but enjoy what is said about the wines ( gives me a mark to look for them in the future ).

QOTD: I had two wines yesterday and I am having one today, here are links to my reviews.-

http://corkd.com/wine/view/109693-2006-el-circulo-crianza

http://corkd.com/wine/view/69269-2007-borsao-bodegas-tres-picos

http://www.garalysoka.com/vinos/2008/12/7/marques-de-murrieta.html

QOTD: Martin Codax Albariño, good combination with sea food, and champagne Lacourte-Guillemart, very tasty!

Merry Christmas everybody!

QOTD: Martin Codax Albariño, good combination with sea food, and champagne Lacourte-Guillemart, very tasty!

Merry Christmas everybody!