The first wine that ever wowed me was ’89 Chateau Malmaison from Molis in the Medoc. Soon thereafter, I started drinking Cali Cabs (Napa, Sonoma, Central Coast etc…) and of course, plenty more Bordeaux. Nowadays I drink wine from mostly anywhere. Tomorrow night I’m looking foward to kick-ass Italian meal with several wines including an Amarone and a ’98 Rosso de Montelcino (aka -baby Brunello).

No cab ladder…wine web. I expand in a radial fashion along my favorite appellations and varietals thus avoiding the narrow linear experience of the wine ladder…:)

Have not tried the 04 turnbull yet but loved the 03.

QOTD: I started w/ Cabernet and now I’m exploring other things. I return every once in a while to check in, but my attention is primarily elsewhere. I don’t really know where that puts me on your scale, but it seems to be in the middle somewhere so I’ll call myself a two. You could also say that I’m sleeping around w/ Cabernet’s rustic cousin, Cab Franc, which is easily one of my favorite varietals.

QOTD: I’m on a different part of the scale where I didn’t start with Cabernet but every time I’ve gone to it, usually with an inexpensive but highly recommended bottle, I’ve liked it a lot. The tobacco flavors, the dark fruits, the just-the-right-amount-of-oak were terrific. But I have yet to try a really good, high-end Cabernet. Maybe I should seek out the Turnbull?!?!

I will seek out the Turnbull; didn’t know that it would be that good.

QOTD: Started with Cabernets. I continue to drink them while I branch out in other areas all of the time. It maintains a spot in my starting lineup and I keep it as part of my tried and true repertoire. If you don’t mind paying the price, I think that these wines are some of the best in the world. I guess that that’s a pretty broad statement…

Smile for the camera, GV! They clicked just as you grimaced over the Luna!

QOTD: Don’t think I fit any of those Cab ladder profiles. I have always drunk some Cab’s but it has never been my primary grape. I have also never actively avoided it.

Thanks for your honest, up-front reviews of wine. I have been avoiding Napa Cabs because they’re so overpriced. I’d like to see you review Cabs from anywhere else. A friend of mine (who’s a novice) went to several wineries in Napa, including Luna and said that their Cab was “bitter.” Oak Monster turning off would-be wine drinkers!

Yup, yet ANOTHER great episode filled with honest tastings that truly, REALLY, honestly HELP US out here choose our wine.

CABERNET SAUVIGNON Ladder:
I admit I was a Cabernet ONLY man for several years, THEN, thanks in-part to WLTV I branched out, and NOW I find it fun to have a “recommended” (e.g. today’s Turnbull) Cabernet every other week or so to remind my palate. Happy to have branched out, but now it takes something a little special for me to REALLY like a Cabernet Sauvignon.

I LOVE drinking wine.

I’m goin back to Cali…..

I started out drinking nothing but cali cabs and have made a very long European and south american excursion. With the exception of 2003 Neal Family, I haven’t bough one in many years. The turnbull sound like a good option.

What is with all the flashes? Modeling? Riigghhtttttttt

Wow. Some episodes just have a tendancy to grow on you. For me, episode 250 is a “Sleeper of the Vintage” if you will… After all, it’s only fitting that such a quality episode presents itself half way between 200 and 300.

Gotta love California Cabs. It’s kind of sad though that 3 out of 4 were not priced for quality.

QOTD: I’ve never really gotten into cabs. I’ve tried a couple (usually a house cab at a restaurant), but they’re a little too dry for my wife, so we never get a bottle together. We usually like Zinfandels, Chiantis and Reislings.

Gary,

Not sure if you are still reading these past comments or not, but I had to express a huge thanks for recommending the Turnbull. I just now tasted it, I only let it breathe in the bottle for about 90 minutes (I couldn’t wait any longer), and WOW. Great structure, long finish, and smooooth tannins. It continues to get better over time. I only wish I had chosen to drink this with the filet I had last night.

I will seek out more bottles of this for the future, tremendous QPR!

Thanks again for all you do!

Went out and got a couple bottles of the Turnbull – had heard good things previously but your review, Gary, sealed the deal. Can’t wait until the weather cools down a bit so I can order my wines from Wine Library rather than getting them from my LWS here in Cali. Your prices always win-out by at least a few bucks a bottle. Good ep. !

Gary… You ignored the fact that this was episode 250… CONGRATS!!!

QOD: As far as my Cabernet ladder, I’d say it’s my trusty fall back but I mainly drink other things so experiment. It’s no longer my “favorite” grape as it once was but I definitely quite like them.

Lol, I’m not even 21 but you make me want to break the law. Keep it the coke use, your energy is contagious.

Gary, just watched this show after your recommendation of the Turnbull on Twitter and it looks fantastic. In fact, I think I’m a little to excited about it because I have a feeling I’m going to cave and order two bottles, the first as the gift I mentioned and the second for me. Anyway, great show as always and I’m I guess I’m a foot away from the Cabernet latter, I’ve had two or maybe three bottles but have had far more Shiraz so far in the year I’ve been drinking wine and I’m expecting great things from the wine I hear so much about.

Damn. I feel bad when you get cranked for a series of high end wines and most of them fail to bring it. My parents drink a fair amount of Cali Cab, but its always the cheap stuff. Id like to search around for a nice higher end one to show them what theyve been missing, even though I have no real clue about them. QOTD: I think the previous sentence answered that one for you…. Im still in AA ball.

I feel that I’m early on in the ladder, but I’m way past the point where cabernet is the only thing I’ll drink. For me, the challenge is to find a good cabernet at a price I can afford to drink regularly. Forty bones is not something I’ll drink every day, or even every week. I’m seeking $40 cab in a $15-25 bottle to go with a weekly grill. Feel free to suggest something….

Just had a Tolva (Maule Valley, Chile) Cab-Merlot 2006, it cost £4.80 (£3.80 after case discount), it had a handful of balanced flavours- blackcurrant, mocha, green pepper and was silky smooth. For the price unbelievable. I find the cabs with green pepper to be better with food, but i’m more of a red wine by itself at the moment leaning towards new world, but i’m sure my sweet tooth will begin to dissipate!

qotd in the middle, have had it alot, usually goin for the stuff i havent had alot.
speaking of which…. Gary how about treating us to a vin jaune on your show, havent seen alot of vin jaunes anywhere.

I'm in the first 30 or 40% of the Cabernet ladder.

I know this episode is old school and you may not ever see this comment Gary, but I say you take this opportunity to taste the 2006 Turnbull Cab Sauv. I just had it very recently, and it was delicious. It was the first time I had a Turnbull wine. CG gave the 2006 vintage a 91 I think, or maybe even a 92. Think about it GV.