oh and THANK YOU for speaking UP!

OUT! LOL 🙂

Gewurtz from Alsace 2007 vintage!

I think Kahuna is on that show.

QOTD: I recently saw on of my favorite authors, Jon Esposito, speak at a book tour and it was surprisingly…blah. Some people can just write a heck of a lot better than they can publicly speak, I guess.

As far as petit syrah goes, I have a 2004 Lava Dome (from Napa) in my “cellar” that I've been saving, but other than that I don't think I have had a p.syrah before.

A few things for Gary to recognize. Most importantly, since this is a wine show, Banyuls is not in the Rhone valley, it is the southern most region of France which borders Spain. Also it is not a late harvest wine, rather a Vin Doux Naturale. And since I am a history major I must bring up that Columbus did not name America. After four voyages across the Atlantic, he died thinking that he had landed in Asia. Interesting to note that he thought Cuba was actually China. Although Americas are believed to be named for the man who first claimed the lands to be a 'New World', Amerigo Vespucci. Still love you Gary. QOTD: Petite Sirah is the perfect grape for the high alcohol, super extraction Napa lover. Gary should check out Charbono for an alternative in Napa which has a bit more old world charm. I have high expectations for the final season of Lost but am also prepared for disappointment. We can only wait and see..

QOTD #1: To tell you the truth Gary I haven't heard or read about petite syrah that much, but it sounds like my palate would agree with it; I'll have to try one.

QOTD #2: Hmmm…a recent let down…well, I recently had a job interview that went very very well (I thought) until I got a notice in the mail saying that I didn't get the job. Oh well, can't get everything you want can you?

Great show Gary; if you ever get caught off guard like that again just call me up and I'll do a little dance for the Vayniacs while you think of what you're going to say next. Keep up the good work GV!

Cedric Ceballos, HA! Great stuff.

Big show. I mean really big. Gary was big, Mott was big, the wines were big. It was just…big.

QOTD 1.) I am in love with the PS. It has kicked a lot of Cabs out of my limited cellar space.

QOTD 2.) I was in Best Buy a couple of weeks ago. I was buying a video camera for a video blog ;-). I was staring at the rack for about an hour. Not only did nobody asked me if I needed help, I asked a few employees who just mumbled something about getting somebody over to help me. I know 6 or 7 hundred isn't the same as buying a car, but I should be able to reasonably expect a little love from the sales staff. Of course, they did not get the sale.

QOTD 1: Haven't had enough to comment. I'll try the Carver Sutro sometime in the next month or two for sure.

QOTD 2: Funny you should mention it. Just had my first Barolo (another CW offer, naturally), and I was more or less disappointed. For all I'd read about the Nebbiolo I was expecting a beast. I got something that had some firmness but was overall only medium-bodied and light on the finish. Now I know that Nebbiolo produces lighter-bodied stuff. Still wasn't overly impressed with the Barolo, but I haven't given up just yet.

Well said. I’ve never seen a 98 point Petite anything.

Don't give up on Barolo David, they are really good stuff and I think it is unusual that you found a bad one. If you like an aromatic wine it's hard to beat and most of them have the stuffing to back it up.

I agree that Gary pry doesn't really like the grape or the style. I haven't had a real pricey one but the ones I've had are delicious. I think he should have had a burger delivered.

Love the Caffaro, big qpr. I'll be up there for the barrel tasting in early March and will have to try the Zichichi. C U there!?

QOTD#1: can't remember having a petite sirah, and while I love inky dark wines, I trust your judgement. Gotta bring more thunder for 35+ bones.
QOTD#2: got a 1996 cab from California recently and was literally attacked by an oak monster as soon as I opened it. What were they thinking? Can a 96 CA cab just not stand up to the test of time?

Thanks, G.

My experience w/PS has been mixed. But, what I've found most consistent is the extraction being way too much. That whole thick, cloying, bubblicious profile turns me off. I do, however, find it funny when my non-wine nerds have some and think it's the best wine they've ever had due that “delicious” factor. I try not to go blind/deep on the PS given how they're such a role of the dice wine.

QOTD: I've got some resting in hopes that the fruit will calm down. I think a good alternative is charbono. If you have some handy, I recommend giving it a shot. Maybe an episode?

QOTD: The popularity of Jersey Shore. It's disappointing to think that our society has dumbed down that much to make these goofs superstars.

I had the 2004 of the heritage clones and it was really a solid effort it is probably my wifes all time favorite wines

QOTD:
1 – Have fun with Petite Sirah — Michael David Petite Petit
2 – 2008 Wrongo Dongo — needs time & maybe it will become something more worthy.

Don't worry, I haven't given up on Barolo/Nebbiolo just yet. Going to try a Langhe Nebbiolo to try a cheaper version and then maybe graduate to its bigger, more expensive older brother.

Loved the episode on PS wines. I love my cabernets – when I do 'cheat' on my grapes, I am generally seduced by a PS. Love the suggestion about getting Friday's wines ahead of time to taste. Not only am I going to do that, I'm going to FV (flipVd) it if I can get my friend to join me. This friend of mine who is most def your twin. You know how they say everyone has a twin somewhere in the world? Well, yours is here in Anchorage, Alaska. Going to do the tasting on Friday at my club (Petroleum Club) and will toast to the “Crusher”…..love the blogs and the sponteneity of it all. I kind of like the whole relationship references…..wine and people….some are beautiful right from the start, others require time to be what/who they were meant to be. Keep Vay-ntertaining us, Gary.

Surprised to see those wineries fail to differentiate themselves from the Aussie contingent…hmm…sure made me a little less likely to drop $30-$50 bones on a Napa PS.

QOTD: Are you kidding? The Pro Bowl. What a farce. Seriously, it isn't even worth having the game anymore….

1. QotD: I've always been interested in petite syrahs but really haven't had much lately, actually, for a long while. Plenty of varietals to try and finally make around to the more common ones. But of the experience I've had, I'm quite pleased and haven't felt like knocking it down yet.

2. QotD: I've always been a firm believer in that if you come in with no expectations, all you will never be disappointed. But, much like Self Imposed Wine Buying Moratorium, it's hard to maintain especially with Cindy. With that in mind, I would say dating. Admittedly, came in with a touch of expectations and it didn't really come to it. Still, no regrets.

Gary,

As you have pointed out numerous times, the way we perceive a wine depends on so many factors, so many intangibles, like how you are feeling, the occasion, the person or people you are with, the food, your mood, your health, your stress level, and so on. You seemed to be in a strange mood in this episode, and maybe your mood influenced your tastings. As for me – some days I like P.S. and some days not so much.

In your last episode, with Harry Karis, you and he got into a discussion of de-stemming, if I understood correctly. You were talking about the winemaker drawing a line in the sand. I have no idea what the two of you were talking about and I wondered if you would briefly explain that part of your conversation.

Also, how about tasting some Vino Nobile?

fwiw, this old school vayniac wants to know if you can access the forum via your mobile technology.

Do you think he will be back? Or wait until Labor Day and then go meet up with Warner in Hawaii somewhere?