P.S. Gary, quit biting your nails. 🙂

Gary, I really love when you have guests, especially those who really know about wine. It's nice to get to know the people behind the label. I learn so much more when I hear their “story” rather than just getting tasting notes.

I have really enjoyed the last several shoes. Keep bringing the Thunder!!!

QOTD….bring the thunder with an under $40 wine, thanks, (hilarious…solo hangman!)

good 5 of 5 episode, oh, was it only 2? smile.

QOTD: I moved away from Australia wines cause they were so popular and I don't jump on bandwagons, but seek other paths. Not in conversation, just to please myself. And haven't had a Shiraz in over a year from anywhere. To me, it's like Merlot. Just not interesting to me. But I love Australia, been there several times – love the people and the terrain. As I say at my winery, you don't have to like our wines, just like us! smile.
So to reconnect, you'll need to advertise as a country, not as each brand, to educate us that there is much adventure in wines of Australia. and don't lead with Shiraz. IMHO

Thanks guys. Very informative show. Thanks for letting us in. Did Michael say he had ONLY 2 out 36 wines tasted that were corked? Those are terrible odds.

QOTD: I like Aussie wines. I'm just finding less qpr from them these days. Plus, I'll usually bypass screwcap wines. Just a preference.

Dead Arm changed my life. I have a couple bottles of '05 tucked away in my cellar to be forgotten about for a while.
A couple years ago a customer was kind enough to give us a magnum of 1998 Fox Creek Reserve Shiraz to enjoy with our company Christmas dinner at Ruth's Chris and it was also unbelievable. There are definitely some diamonds in the rough.

Great two-parter. Thanks Michael and Gary!
QOTD: Educate the rest of the world about the many different regions and varietals in Australia and then get them exported (especially the the non-big-three producers). Also work on QPR.
We are really looking forward to our tasting group on the 15th focusing on what Australia has to offer (started planning it two or three weeks ago, so these episodes were terrific!)

QOTD I think it's hard to compete with other wines. You've got to go large to send it half way around the world! Love some Aussie wines but the good ones are pricey.
Great show, get in here Michael and talk to us.

Wow,another unbelievable great show. I have been drinking Two Hands for about 5 years and they are yummy.I actually had the 2003 Ares about six months ago and I would have to say it was easily in my top five favorite wines of all time, I just wish I could actually afford to buy some…lol.

Good on ya mate, you make some incredible wines!!!

QOTD:I have always loved Australian wines, so for me, you don't have do anything.But As far as everyone else out there, I think people pay way to much attention to what critics say, and not enough to their own pallet.I think people just need to appreciate it for what it is, which is delicious bold beautiful wines.I suppose you could get with Gary and throw down some wine to put on Cindy, maybe more people would get a chance to give it another shot if they have become disenchanted about Australian wines.

I also agree. How much effort does it take to look for a wine speciality store. I have about fifty here in Southern California.

Very educational and enriching show.

QOTD: Used to drink a lot of Aussie wines–several varieties and producers. Prices have gone up a lot since then. Don't always like to drink huge, bombastic wines that don't pair well with food(maybe Steak), not to say all are like that, but a large percentage are.

Man, are you ever missing out!! Get crackin', mate!!

Please name a couple.

The problem with cork is not even so much TCA it has more to do with the problems with inconsistent Oxy permeability. Check out this month's Wine Spectator to see the comparison. ITs time to get over cork and move to stelvin or something new. Synthetic corks are even worse than cork, especially Normacork

Thanks Mr. Twelftree!
I'd first encountered part of your line-up around 2004-2005, when my colleague brought them to my retail dept. upon tasting them (on my day off – it happens to each of us, regularly). He modestly brought Angel's, and Gnarly, but knew we had customers for Ares, which was very limited. It was the one w/ ridiculous Parker points. Our rollers bought some, and sure, and sadly enough, one came back, corked. Our carrier, of course, handled it correctly, and efficiently. No worries, then!
When I, later that season, got to taste a braod selection from your line-up, it was Bella's, and Max's that leapt out at me as standouts. Standouts among a real solid lineup! I continue, in a new state, with an even broader selection of your outstanding wines, and a clientele, which I'm still growing into, but happy that you're here, with us! Keep up the great work, mate!
QotD – You got one o' them Croc Dundee knives to kill a kangaroo with? Don't hesitate to use it! Fair dinkum!

Mr Telftree representing Australia! Good show, great guest, entertaining and educational. Barossa Shiraz at its finest when it is in balance.

GV – Great guest Mr Twelftree and I look forward to trying your wines. Keep fighting the good fight!

QOTD – My thoughts; to reconnect with the public the winemakers need to keep working with integrity. I think Aussie winemakers have figured out that a certain style carried to the extreme is not seen as very good by the wine buying public. Some winemakers may continue to push that bolder up the hill but less of them are sticking to that. Good winemakers whose wines have integrity will outlast the negative backlash and low point of trendiness. If wines are great, the prices are reasonable and the knowledge is out there consumers will comeback and rediscover what they liked about the wine in the first place. If 2009 and 2010 live up to their potential and the winemakers do a good job I think Aussie will come back strong in the market.

GFish – Peace and Jets

“Come on in the waters fine.”

GV….how much have you had to do with the “bandwagon” being for or against Aussie wines? Who drives this damn wagon anyway?

My advice: if you like a wine, drink it. If you don't like it, give it to your jerk brother-in-law.

Half a bottle of Glen Morangie and some enthusiasm talking 🙂

Great show enjoyed the interaction between Michael and Gary. After watching both episodes, I intend to give them (Australian wines) another try but at a higher price level.
I kind of got burnt out a few years back drinking their wines.

QOTD; I don't know what it will take but doing shows like Gary V. can only help.

QOTD–this is a very good, practical question.

I think american consumers are looking for a step back from high alcohol, high oak, and over-the-top wines. Do that while still showing the essence and terroir of australia and many will be pleased.

Also, branding aussie wines could use improvement. Many napa cabs are just as high alcohol/fruit-bombish but the “napa” brand is much stronger in the us.

I only drink 99 pointers from GV. Are there any? Ok send me some brother in law wine tooooooooooooooooooo

I think you are correct. Too much of the junk from down under.
I'm trying to sober up to read Murso's comment.

And read some comments on the show! How old are you?

I haven’t emailed GV about it, but would love to break out some great smokes for an episode. The Padron idea would be great. Here is something I was thinking: I’d be willing to break out, say, some ’70’s Davidoff Chateau Haut Brion’s and pair with the like Bdx. Maybe a 1994 Partagas Serie D#4 with a 1994 Dow. To me, there is nothing better than aged Cuban cigars with well aged wine/port/cognac.

Maybe we should pitch the idea, together!