QATD: Gary, I don’t know what you think of the movie “Bottle Shock”, as I know a lot of people are quick to point out some grave inaccuracies and misrepresentations, but it really inspired me to check out California again. A lot of my wine training has been centered around Italy and France, for good reason of course, but I’m looking foward to a trip to Napa next month even more because of that movie.

that was an interesting finish
i like italian wines like from 2003 2004 i have been drinking alot and buying. but nebbiolo does for me what that white wine did for you

“Love me with your head and heart
love me from the place it starts…..”

LOL

Started to cook more and gotten really good at it lately.

GV:

Holy Christmas! 95+ points!!!!!!!!!! 1.21 Gigawatts!!!!

Holy Hanukkah!

No suckage here.

~TSL

QOTD: Spyro Gyra. I haven’t listened to them for a bit and recently heard a song and now I’m listening to their Road Scholars album again. VERY good jazz, at least for my ears.

Phil Anderson
http://www.generalwinethoughts.com

QOTD: I realized that I need to become more educated in RED Burgundy lately due to the massive amounts of study done on the area and the tremendous quality and complexity.

Well, the answer to QOTD is simply watching an ep’ of Wine Library. I’m an old school Vayniac (proud owner of the 1st gen’ wristband with the cruddy transfer logo) but dropped by the wayside for a couple of hundred shows. Just picked up on this one and figure that I wanna hang a while and share in the build-up to 999. To tell the truth, I never actually commented since the switch to the ‘new’ signing in system in which I lost my original username (Antony). Anyhow, great to see you riding high in the thunder saddle BUT have you done any shows about Beaujolais 2009? I’m not sure you have and for me, this is biggest story about. What’s happening? I know you and the high rollers you hang with these days probably consider Beaujolais kids stuff but for me the 09 is redonkulous deliciousness at a nice affordable price 😉

Gary, or others.. I LOVE white burg, but have not had too much outside of premium restaurants where we’ve gone on expense accounts. Is there an entry level (price) option here?

QOTD: hanging out in the Vaniacs wine forums

Thanks for reviewing the Paul Pernot, I bought an 06 Pernot, Les Pucelles about three years ago for my girlfriend’s birthday but ended saving it till this January. It could have lasted a lot more, but 3 years was a long time to wait when you have a short collection of great wines. We loved it and now I’m curious as to how the vintage you tasted is like. I think that pretty much sums up my QOTD because now I feel like trying more of the PP’s and that’s def not a good projeciton for the middle class income. I think sometimes you have to try something you know you’ll love even if that means it’s out of the value range, it reaffirms the passion that started it all.

First 95+ pointer I’ve ever seen here, and it’s a 90 bones bottle. Time to shake the loose change out of the laundry, car, sofa, kids pockets…

For the price point, I rarely dive into the white burgs. Your first two are a great example.

QOTD: Beaujolais. 2009 has re-opened my eyes to just how good and versatile they can be when done right in a solid vintage.

That’s cool, similar thing happened to me on facebook recently.
If you guys get together you should share a bottle of murlow.
🙂

LOL

Good timing, cuz I’m hearing the ’08’s are a benchmark year.

Venedo de los Vientos from Uruguay makes a stellar late harvest tannat called “Alcyone”, I recommend seeking out if you don’t mind a hedonistic sweet wine. It’s got a nose screaming of chocolate. Kind of picture a Banyuls on steroids.

Also for my money Tokaji is really hard to beat. You can get 5 and 6 puttonyos Tokaji in 500ml that destroy the q.p.r. of most Sauternes. Most have razor sharp acidity too that balances that sweetness and keeps it from being cloying. And of course that acid always helps carry it to a long finish

Going to Bern’s is on my list of things to do in 2011!

QOTD: Re-examining Champagnes and Sparkling wines. Didn’t have to twist my arm for that one. Also more Italian wines, Barbera, Dolcetto and Brunellos.

Count me in too!! This wine bring serious savory thunder and was a big eye opener for me as well!! Have some Copain but haven’t opened yet.

GV: Why is Puligny so inexpensive? I realize these are not cheap wines, but relative to the competition they seem underpriced. Pulignys are a fraction of the cost of the Grand Cru Montrachets, priced similarly to Chassagnes, Meurseaults and Premier Cru Chablis (less than Grand Cru Chablis), and even some Pouilly Fuisse, St. Aubin, Auxey-Duresses and even big name St. Veran are creeping into the range of Puligny pricing. My experience is that on the whole, I am usually more happy with Puligny than either Chassagne or Meurseault (Chablis is so different that it may not be a fair comparison), and when one finds a great Puligny like the Pernot you drank today, it is on par with a Batard or Chevalier costing at least twice as much. While Puligny is my overall favorite from that region of Burgundy, and I know a number of people who feel the same way, it seems like Puligny is the Rodney Dangerfield of white Burgundy. I’m not complaining, but wonder if there is a reason for this?

Who knew that I would have 2 beatings tonight? Heathens and Libertines the both of ya…

Wenches indeed.

I’m liking the fun facts in the beginning.

QOTD: 1991 Lopez de Heredia Todonia Blanco Reserva literally changed how I look at white wine. Prior to this experience, I thought of white wine as thin, not particularly interesting, and lacking the depth of flavors that one gets in red wine. This wine was an epiphany, a divine manifestation of what kinds of crazy, beautiful flavors can be found in white wine.

Great show. Can’t afford Puligny Montrachet on my $10-$15 btl budget, but I’ll get there one day.

Over the weekend I sampled an 01′ Puligny Montrachet with “Chicken N Waffles” (For those who don’t know that’s fried chicken and waffles with maple syrup)….it’s a must try!

QOTD: I recently tasted a NZ Sauvignon Blanc with JALAPENO POPPERS and found the pairing to be incredible. I’ve somewhat stirred clear of NZSB because I feel the market is so over-saturated with them. But the pairing was so incredible that it made me re-think how wonderful NZSB works with food!

CHEERS!