QOTD1- Yes, I've had many a Gigondas. Love them.

QOTD2- My Jayhawks are winning it all!

I like KY but I think their youth and crap conference will bite them along the way. I like Syracuse but only if Arinze Onuaku can play. If he can't go the Cuse will only go 6 deep making foul trouble and fatigue a major factor. After that Ohio St is pretty good but they are a one trick pony playing in a bad league. In typical fashion, Duke will once again get bounced before the Elite 8 because they won't be able to play in NC for the first two rounds.

If forced to make a selection before the bracket annoucement I would say..
Kansas
Ohio State
West VA (even though Huggy Bear's record is awful)
Kansas State

final 4? 0- no fuckin clue
side questionOTD – helllz yes! it is what hooked me on s. rhone wines. i figured if gigondas was lower on the pole than CDP, the sign me up. it captured a new realization for me. this gaminess and perfume was just captivating. one of my favorite wines last year was the 2000, boussiere gigondas la font. delicious

I'm with you on Kansas….but k state is mucho over rated. I wouldn't call OSU a one trick pony; they're starting 5 are all rock solid. They completely lack depth though. Foul trouble can end a game quickly for them.

Big ten=bad league? I think you'll find over the past ten year that the big ten has had nearly as many final four teams as the big east and acc. Big twelve is certainly having a hell of a year….and unquestionably better than the big ten this season. But generally speaking the big 10 is a much better bball conference.

hey hey … the couch has returned

KaD … insert it here

bwaaahaha what tourney are u watching?

in fact, in that time span, the big east only made 6 appearances, and the ACC 10

I only put KState in because I don't know what is goint to happen with Onuaku. If he can go then, yeah I think Syracuse will make it to the Final 4. KState isn't over rated their SOS is 4th and are 7-4 against the RPI top 50 (2 of those losses were to KU!) Did you see the beat down they laid on Ok State last night? An OK State team that will make the Tourney.

This year the Big 10 is a bad league. It sucks Hummel got hurt because I think Purdue could have made a run. But after Purdue OSU, MSU and Wisc that league is terrible. Please don't try to slide the Illini in there, they are not a good squad. How Bruce Webber still has a job is beyond me.

1. Have not had a Gigondas. 2. Kansas and Syracuse… the other 2, who knows. I'd have picked my Utes if Majerus was still there!

5 teams will still be in the tourney from the big ten. The bottom of the barrel was bad…pen state/iowa/indiana. But the middle is was still decent with northwestern having a good season, minnesota, and michigan playing good the second half of the season.

Not the best conference, but also nothing to scoff at. Big ten faired very well in non conference play this year as well.

I caught the last 10 minutes of the UMich and OSU game while at the gym…incredible last shot by OSU. I was hoping for a Blue upset, but what can you do.

QOTD 1: Yes, I drink Gigondas as often as possible! Recently, the 2006 St. Cosme cuvee has been my go-to base level bottle.

QOTD 2: Temple, Kentucky, Villanova, Syracuse

Mott's got mad camera skillzzz. 3 z's worth

I like the laid back Fridays.

side-QOTD: Using GV's lingo, I've had a crap-load of Gigondas. And I have some more in the cellar. I'm a fan and I can't afford CdP.

QOTD: I asked my 9 year old. He said Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, Syracuse.

Seeing you on the couch was like putting on my slippers.
(And that's a good thing). Warm fuzzies all over.

#1. Never had, to this point, a Gigondas. Was all set to possibly purchase the 1st wine, until you sipped the Bosquets.m Now I have to spring for the bigger bucks. Damn.

#2 Sorry, but no time for B Ball. Am working too hard to get the Caps to the Stanley Cup. [Having said that, I'm an “ACC” kinda guy].

QOTD: KU…i dont need to say the other 3 b/c they dont matter
SQOTD: NEVER

@gary…can you post pictures on here? i am pretty sure we have the EXACT same couch in my office.

I think the 07s are flabby and lacking structure in the Southern Rhone.
And as to the ratings.. compare what Decanter has to say about this vintage vs. the American critics.. they don't like it so much and neither do I.

Side question: You bet your lucky stars I have. I'm big on Gigondas, Vacqueyras, and even the generic Cotes du Rhone. You get much better bang for your buck than you do at twice the price out of Chateauneuf du Pape. Though at the top end, I've had a couple CdP's that have knocked my socks off.

QOTD: What's the Final Four? Heh j.k. I don't follow professional or college basketball.

Never had a Gigondas, will search one out soon!

In the bracket, look out for Washington and Wisconsin!

I'm looking for suggestions: Our group has trended toward a particular country for each of the last few tastings, and since we're next to host, I'd like to head back to France. I wanted to do a vertical of say 3 Chenin Blancs and I have something in mind there, but I had thought about doing a horizontal of 3 or so reds in addition. I'm thinking Gigondas could be fun, but which ones and would another vertical be better than a horizontal with this varietal?
I eagerly await the collective wisdom!

36 Gigondas in the last two years according to CT. The best by far was 98 Ste Cosme Vallebelle.

Look for West Virginia and Bob Huggins in the final 4. North Carolina has a chance…. to rock the Coaches Invitational! Nice.

The David Cooper hockey card. The guy was a stiff. Great name though.

That?s the way to do it. It?s nice to have the laid back Friday show. GV is like a kid again. Good Episode.
sQOTD: yes, I have and I love Grenache juice in the bottle.
QOTD: Syracuse for the Men?s. There is a micro chance that Cal might be in it.

I've never had Gigondas, and passed one over today at the liquor store, DANG!

Liken the “Laid Back Friday”! I'm a big fan of Grenache and Syrah now I must find the 2007 Bosquets Gigondas. Thanks.

Showing some midriff.
Gigondas — V8 engine.
Cards brought no thunder.

QOTD: I live on Tobacco Road…but I have to see the brackets before I answer that question. My pre-season thoughts were: 'Nova, Kansas, Kentucky, and — I think — Georgetown or MSU was my 4th. Please ask the question again in a few days' time.