The Last Winesday with Gary Vee: 2008 Priest Ranch Petite Sirah

As many of you may have heard, yesterday marked Gary Vaynerchuk's official retirement from producing regular video wine content. 

As the host and creator of Wine Library TV and more recently the Daily Grape, Gary has had much to do with changing the wine world over the past 5 years. His irreverent style and down to earth approach to wine appealed to many, including myself. I feel fortunate to have spent some time with Gary and it was a wonderful opportunity and experience writing for Cork'd, his wine content website.

Gary was, and no doubt continues to be, a proponent of experiencing "the world of wine" and has always encouraged wine lovers to be adventurous and think outside the house Pinot Grigio. On that note, I am happy to leave you with his last Winesday pick for The Glamorous Gourmet, a delightful, yet often overlooked wine: Petite Sirah. I am sure great things are in store for Gary and wish him the best. Without further ado, here's his take on the 2008 Priest Ranch Petite Sirah.

"There are few grapes that have the niche-yet-passionate following of Petite Sirah. Just this past weekend, a group of Petite Sirah tragics gathered at the sold-out PS I Love You symposium in Livermore, California to celebrate this inky, tannic, all-too-often ignored grape. Sometimes known as Durif, Petite Sirah brings incredible structure and age-worthy character to the table in warmer climates across California, Australia, France, and even Israel. This Napa Valley interpretation from Priest Ranch brings tremendous amounts of thunder, with fruit from Somerston Estate, which in the past has sold their fruit to big-boys like Ramey, Caymus, Duckhorn and Viader. If Priest Ranch continues to churn out this kind of quality, then they need to be on your radar screen."

Gary's tasting note: Big nose with cranberries, blueberries, and other dark fruit flavors, along with a cedar and creme fraiche play. On the palate, the cherries and tannins step to the forefront and deliver an incredibly balanced, dark and well structured Petite Sirah. This will pair with most beef dishes and will last 15 years, no problem.
2008 Priest Ranch Petite Sirah
100% Petite Sirah
90 points
$45 MSRP

Winesday with Gary Vee: Insights on California Pinot Noir & Cobb Rice-Spivak Vineyard Pinot Noir 2008!

For all you Pinot Noir lovers out there, this Winesday Gary provides an interesting update on California Pinot Noir and identifies one wine maker definitely worth checking out:

"California Pinot Noir producers have one man to thank for the ability to routinely price their wines over $50: Rex Pickett. The author of the book-made-movie, Sideways, single handedly skyrocketed the popularity of Pinot Noir almost overnight with his $71 million grossing blockbuster. Yet so much of the Golden State's Pinot Noir is overpriced, overrated, and overripe... it almost seems like some winemakers are blending in Syrah! 

Enter Ross Cobb, former assistant winemaker at some of California's most classic wineries, like Bonny Doon Vineyard, Williams Selyem, and Flowers Vineyard. In 2001, with the help of his father, Cobb created Cobb Vineyards. Today he just seems to be hitting his stride, with wines that can compete or surpass the Pinots made at his Alma Mater. These are elegant and well-structured, but undeniably delicious in true California fashion.  Another tip: Watch for the wines from Hirsch Vineyards, where Cobb also resides as head winemaker."

Gary's tasting note: This nose is far more interesting than the Cobb Joy Road. Taffy, coffee, black pepper, and hints of chocolate. Little hints of grain, beef jerky, soy sauce, violets and some sour plum skin. Finishes with a bacon, burnt rubber and it's surprising to me how much I like this wine more than the Joy Road.

2008 Cobb Rice-Spivak Vineyard Pinot Noir

100% Pinot Noir

91 Points

$68 MSRP

 

Winesday with Gary Vee: 2009 Cazin Cour-Cheverny Cuvée Renaissance

This Winesday, Gary has chosen an interesting white to share with The Glamorous Gourmet readers. The 2009 Cazin Cour-Cheverny Cuvée Renaissance hails from the somewhat obscure Cour-Cheverny appellation in France's Loire Valley. This young appellation, established in 1993, produces only white wine made from the Romorantin grape that has grown in the Loire Valley since the sixteenth century. Here's what he has to say about this wine and why it is this week's selection:

"Anyone who has watched my wine shows over the last 5+ years know that I'm constantly pushing people to try new and different wines. This wine may transcend that mission better than any other. Romorantin is an ancient varietal dating back to the 15th century, and François Cazin is "the man" in Cour-Cheverny. I'd tasted the 2008 Cazin Cour-Cheverny on episode 19 from Tangled Vine Wine Bar & Kitchen and fell in love (http://dailygrape.com/videos/15-french-whites-from-a-hot-new-york-city-wine-bar). Following that tasting just a couple months back, this 2009 Cuvee Renaissance reaffirms what makes Cazin so darn special. Off-dry with just a touch of sweetness and great minerality, this is nerdy wine to say the least. You won't find it at just any local wine shop, but I'd strongly urge you to add this to your wish list, hunt it down, and enjoy with any lighter summertime fare like oysters and delicate fish dishes."

Gary's tasting note: Heavy minerality on the nose. Little hints of mustard, pine cone, and forest floor. Nice hint of residual sugar, but not too much. Very vibrant and clean. The kind of wine I like to drink with summer time food on the porch by the pool in the Hamptons. A nice summer time into fall white wine.

2009 Cazin Cour-Cheverny Cuvée Renaissance 

100% Romorantin

90- Points

$16 MSRP

Winesday with Gary Vee: a White Burgundy Sure to Make Shellfish Sing!

This week, Gary's got a hot tip on a lovely white Burgundy that's perfect for you shellfish fans out there! Check out what he has to say about the 2009 Domaine Gilbert Picq Chablis 1er Cru Vosgros:

 

"Nothing says summer like some mollusks. I absolutely adore shellfish of all kinds, especially west coast Kumamoto oysters. Now, this pairing might sound cliché… and as a general rule, I think it’s overrated… but this 2009 Gilbert Picq Vosgros Chablis 1er Cru is a quintessential “oyster wine”. It’s got great viscosity and weight, but all the acid to keep it food friendly. Many wine writers have criticized the 2009 vintage in White Burgundy for lacking acid for long term aging, but this wine will age into the next decade, no problem. I tasted more than fifty 2008 & 2009 White Burgundies in my most recent newsletter, and no other bottle was better fit for summer afternoons with a half-dozen bivalves!"

Gary's tasting notes: "Aromatically a little more interesting than the village level, with some fresh lychee and grassy components. Then on the palate this wine has beautiful viscosity and extremely focused fruit. I love the mid palate transition to the finish, which make it a very technically sound wine... like John Stockton in basketball. It also has wonderful integration of flavors. Word on the street is that the '09 Chablis don't carry the same acid that the '08s, however this wine will fool you into thinking otherwise. Cellar it 10-15 years easy. Picq continues to peak."

 

2009 Domaine Gilbert Picq Chablis 1er Cru Vosgros

100% Chardonnay

90+ points

$27 MSRP

Winesday with Gary Vee: A Fabulous Sparkling Wine for Summer Sipping!

What's not to love about a refreshing glass of sparkling pink bubbles to sip by the pool this Summer? Gary Vaynerchuk of the Daily Grape has a recommendation exclusively for readers of The Glamorous Gourmet for a delightful and affordable Spanish Cava that will deliver in the glass and not break the bank! Check out what he has to say about the
2008 Parxet Titiana Brut Rosé Pinot Noir Cava:

"With the summer weather you're going to want to drink something fresh and lively. Cavas are produced in the same method as Champagne at a fraction of the price. Many can be hit or miss, but this one both has a friendly price tag and impressive structure for its price point. Lounging by the pool or cooling off after mowing the lawn…this wine is a no brainer."

Gary's tasting note: Tight nose, not showing much and not nearly as aromatic as the other sparkling roses. But a subtle elegance and complexity, just a preview of strawberry fruit. Very complex fruit, quite earthy with beets along with rose petal and ripe black raspberry flavors dominate this complex bottle of bubs. I like the finish and mouthfeel, and in general I'm impressed. Not knowing what it costs when I taste it, if this wine is $20 or under, I might text my friends to pick up a bottle. (Trouty just told me this is only $15. Winner winner, chicken dinner. I think everyone needs to add this to their wishlist).

2008 Parxet Titiana Brut Rose Pinot Noir Cava
100% Pinot Noir
90 points
$15 MSRP

Winesday with Gary Vee: an Update from Tuscany and Sangiovese Gem!

Calling all Super Tuscan fans! Check out the latest scoop from Gary Vaynerchuk on some great opportunities to stock up on your favorite wines from Tuscany. Sangiovese is the predominant grape in this region and is known for its high level of acidity, moderate tannins and rustic, savory flavors of sour cherry, spice and dried orange peel. These wines are meant to be consumed with food, so throw a Bistecca alla Fiorentina on the grill and pop the cork on a bottle of the 2007 Poliziano Vino Nobile di Montepulciano - Cin-cin!

"For all you longtime Italian fans out there, you very well know that about 10 years ago, Tuscan wines were as hot as Saved by the Bell. In the last few years, popularity has waned... not only are sales down, but prices have followed suit for many high end wines, especially in the Super Tuscan and Brunello categories. But what that means is that there's opportunity... This Vino Nobile di Montepulciano brings just that! This brings opportunity for all of you Tuscan fans out there! Buy by the case, 'cause this stuff is a steal."

Gary's tasting notes: Dark chocolate and top soil flavors on the nose, with a hint of mint and chocolate. This has that rustic quality you can only find in Italy, which is intriguing. Comes across even better on the palate than it did on the nose, with great structure and extremely drying. Beautiful explosion of plum and red flowers. I can see this wine lasting another 15+ years, and I highly recommend people expanding their palate with this wine.

Wine:

2007 Poliziano Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 

100% Sangiovese

91 Points

$25 MSRP

 

Winesday with Gary Vee: an Italian Red Perfect for Summer Grilling!

This Winesday, Gary recommends a fabulous Italian gem to pair with your favorite grilled fare this Summer, the 2007 Il Colle Rosso di Montalcino. Gary explains, "In my most recent Daily Grape May Newsletter, I tasted a boat load of Tuscan red wines from the highly acclaimed 2006 and 2007 vintages. When people think Tuscan reds, and Italian red wine in general, they usually think of two food pairing situations - cheap Chianti with Pizza, or super expensive Brunello and Barolo with refined truffle and beef dishes. What they don't realize is that there's lots of room in between! This Rosso di Montalcino is the epitome of a "Baby Brunello," with impressive structure and depth, and a smoky component that works well with grilled foods. What it also has is an attractive price point, which makes it affordable enough to drink with burgers or flank steaks off the grill on a Tuesday."

Gary's Tasting Note: Sour cranberry and raspberry notes, with some smokiness and burnt wood character. Good tannins with dark chocolate that is super rich with nice elegance and power. Reminds me of hockey player Eric Lindros in his prime! Beautiful structure that combines strength with grace. Score: 92+, $23 msrp. 

Gotta love a guy who can work in a hockey reference in a tasting note! Be sure to check out Gary's Daily Grape Newsletter this month and get the low down on the much-hyped 2006 and 2007 vintages from Tuscany. What dishes do you look forward to grilling this Summer? Also, speaking of hockey, who are you rooting for to win the Stanley Cup - the Bruins or the Canucks?


Cheers,

 

Winesday with Gary Vee: Think Pink this Summer with a Provençal-Style Rosé from the USA & Recipe for Mussels “Marinières!"

This Winesday, Gary shares his thoughts on rosé wines and gives us a fabulous recommendation from the USA. Perfect for drinking this Memorial Day - Enjoy!

"With Spring in full effect, it's getting to be rosé season. Ladies, this will go great with all those outfits and guys, don't be afraid of the pink stuff! On a more serious note, there's so much more out there than just that sweet, White Zin your Grandma used to drink. The 2009 Azur Rosé from Napa Valley is inspired by the great rosé wines from the South of France. Bone-dry with great strawberry and rose petal characteristics, it's making a push to become one of the best domestic rosé wines I've ever had."

Gary's Tasting Note: An almost coppery kind of rose shade, with a little hint of strawberry and rose petal on the nose. Wonderful acidity...this is yum-yum city. Kudos to Azur for allowing me to believe that there's real potential for rose in California. At the time of the tasting, I don't know this wine's price but if it's under $25, it's making a push for one of the best domestic premium roses I've ever had." Score: 89+ points!

The Azur California website shared this recipe that pairs nicely with a Provençal-style rosé like this one. One of the things I love about rosé is it pairs nicely with a variety of dishes or, frankly, nothing at all. Hope you enjoy this one!

Mussels “Marinières” 
"Recipes from Provence" by René Husson
Serves 6 
9 lbs of mussels 
2 garlic cloves 
1 large onion 
2 shallots 
1 bunch of parsley 
3⁄4 cup of crème fraiche 
1 cup of white wine Olive oil
Debeard the mussels and rub off the excess seaweed, rinse in cold water.
In a large pot, warm the olive oil and sauté the minced shallots and onion, then add in the chopped parsley.
Add the mussels and let simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring from time to time.
Pour on the white wine and continue simmer for 5 minutes.
At the last moment, add the crème fraiche, stir in and serve right away.

Winesday Wednesday with Gary Vaynerchuk: an Italian Summer Sipper (not Pinot Grigio)!

Gary Vee & me at Wine Library

I am happy to announce The Glamorous Gourmet will now feature a weekly wine recommendation from the fabulous Gary Vaynerchuk, best known as the founder and host of Wine Library TV. As many of you know, I was a contributor to Gary's website, Cork'd before he began his latest exciting vinous adventure, The Daily Grape which includes, among other things, a daily show, newsletter and app. With his latest venture, Gary continues to demystify the world of wine and broaden palates in his fun, though far from conventional style!

The weather's heating up here in South Florida so I asked Gary if he had any advice or recommendations for readers looking for something to sip during the warmer Summer months. His reply? "Stop drinking the same old Pinot Grigio! There are so many other tremendous white wines coming out of Italy, and the quality has never been better than it is today... and the time never better. It's getting hot, you're by the pool or at the beach, and you need something with a 'delicious factor'.... the answer isn't New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc! Check out Italy's other white grapes, which excels with its indigenous grapes, and the Feudi di San Gregorio Fiano di Avellino 2009 is a primetime example. Fiano di Avellino, from Campania along the front "ankle" of Italy's boot, brings some sick (in a good way) aromatics and a juicy flavor profile. Downright beautiful... we're talking 'Mila Kunis beautiful'. This is a prime starting point for expanding your palate outside of your everyday Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio."

Gary's Tasting Note:  Beautiful and elegant orange-driven citrus fruits on the nose. Wow, this is really orangey! There's also little hints of white peach. And boy, this explodes on the mouth. Makes me wish that I was at a seafood or sushi restaurant right now. I really enjoy the lemongrass-meets-lime flavor up front, with an explosion of passion fruit on the mid-palate, finishing extremely smooth. This is very interesting, really solid white wine. I like it a lot!

Gary's Score:  90 points

Price: ~$17 msrp

Grape: 100% Fiano

Great wine at a great value - gotta love that! I hope you enjoyed Gary's review and I'd love to know what you think about the wine. It really is a perfect pairing for lighter Summer fare like seafood, shellfish and salads or relaxing by the pool. Also, speaking of warmer weather, where is everyone headed this Summer? Do tell!

Cheers,