You never know when it comes to wine. Three days may hurt some, but then you have this: “I kept a bottle of this wine open for 11 days, recorking each evening after pouring an ounce or two for evaluation. The wine simply refused to oxidize, hitting its stride on day 3, and then beginning to drop some fruit by day 8.” – Robert Parker, from issue 146 of The Wine Advocate, refering to the 2000 L’Evangile.

Great episode, Gary. You're hilarious sometimes (having Chris show your trash shot on camera made me think that). I wonder if putting the screw caps back on those bottles would have been better than shoving corks into them. I suspect that it might have been because I know the openings on screw tops tend to be much wider than those on cork closed bottles. I was disappointed to hear the wines had been open so long as it might not have been fair to the wines. I still enjoyed the episode and understand that sometimes our days don't go exactly as planned. I'd like to see you taste the '07 Copain Tous Ensemble Pinot Noir on the show. WL had it on the shelf when I was in there a few weeks ago.

I also think it's time to bring this up again: What's up with a Madeira show? You've only had one Madeira on this whole time and it was nothing special. I'd like to see a whole show dedicated to this wine with a nice vintage Madeira included in the tasting. It is extremely important to the history of US wine culture, as I'm sure you know.

qotd: no

I’m just not sure wine should be tasted with reverence, any more than Bach should be listened to with reverence, or a Monet should be viewed with reverence. These things should all be far more approachable than that. It is possible to have depth without worship.

Sorry, I’m not trying to be combative, and I think I understand your point. But I like my analogy better. There’s something to be said for necking in the dark, which isn’t quite so, um, coarse as strip poker or Hell’s Kitchen.

Yes… 4 copies 😉 – @kevatfennsuay

Yes, but it was at your Crush It! reception bash in Chicago. So, I didn't buy it from a distributor, but we all got copies as part of the price of attendance. Great event, BTW.

Does the double part mean you don't know the appelation?

Keep trying that crumpled paper shot. Looks like you need more arc. (Everyone's a critic.)

QOTD: Yes. I read it once and I'm going to read it again on my upcoming flight to Australia! My Twitter name and Cork'd name is HousePour. I could some followers/followees. Come on peeps, let's link each other up!

Good show. Makes me want to drink a Pinot while watching a certain show about Oceanic Flight 815.

Good episode. The best Pinot Noir I have tasted ever was an Oregon Pinot – Archery Summit Red Hills Estate 2006.

QOTD – Yes.

Gary you gotta do a tasting of Niagra Penninusla Pinots… but they all need 3 days open.. so try that.. very tight and burgundian wines.

I am going to be drinking some bubs while watching a certain show about Oceanic Flight 815 than a GSM

Great blind tasting episode again GV. I decided to try something for this episode. As you went through the tasting, I decided to try and guess what you would score each bottle based on your reactions to each. Here's how I did. Wine #1: I said you would score it 85 pts and you scored it 85+. Wine #2: I said 89 pts and you scored it 88+. Wine #3: I said 91+ pts and you scored it 90+. And wine #4: I said 92 pts and you scored it 92. And this was as the show went on, not at the end after you lined them up. Not bad huh. Anyway…

QOTD: No, but…BUT…I am getting it, so not sure if that counts for anything, but as of now, I haven't picked it up.

My Favorite Cali pinots.. Littorai, Hirsch, Clos Saron, Cobb, Failla, Calera, Au Bon Climat. Have not read the book yet.

Brought the love for California…today….wow! Tandem is a good producer, nice…..

QTOD: NO

Wow, Ca. go figure?

qotd; You know it, first day of release.

That's funny that you mentioned this (see my post above) because I guessed what GV would score them as the show went along. I only got one exactly right but was within one point on one of them and within a half point on the other two. As far as the contest you propose, there's really no way to do it and make sure it was done legitimately.

Nope…Final year of grad school means I'm spending far less this year on “fun stuff”

Well its not a double blind, just a blind tasting. Double blind would mean GV had no idea at all what the variety was or anything before hand. But since he knows they are all Pinot Noirs from the start, it is just a blind tasting, meaning he doesn't know the brand or the price point.

'Gary's Scores?' is always a fun game to play!

GV it was also good that this blind tasting had the same vintage year…..

Wasn't the last time you did this last year in February with Pinot? How about all your blind tastings this year have same vintage year?

no

QOTD: No

I would have loved to seen a French Pinot in this Blind tasting

Ahhhh my favorite varietal along with my favorite “theme” of a show, the blind tasting. I agree, it is hilarious that Mott zooms in on the bag, I LMAO!

Though I'm a member of the OPNC (Oregon Pinot Noir Club) why would one not be surprised of Cali's showing when two of the most cult-like Pinots (Kosta-Browne and Sea Smoke) are produced there?

QOTD: Pleassse, a resounding YES! And numerous times.

P.S. Does it count I walked in a rainstorm like a gypsy having no clue where I am going on my lunch hour just to see you and have it signed?

P.S. You should be receiving a “gift” from me soon and can we have a 4th Anniversary Vayniac Reunion and watch

Good game to play. His facial expressions while he is swirling usually tells it all.

So who are rooting for this weekend DP? 🙂

One more, sorry, not trying to be like Kahuna 🙂 but are you coming to the DC Wine Expo?

Please say yes. 🙂

QOTD: Yes I did, Loving it!