BuzzzzOff

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• BuzzzzOff says:

  3/30/2024 8:23:00 PM - Wow!!! 51 years of marriage. Congrats. If you can find a bottle or three, try Malherbe blanc from Provence. Stunner and hard to imagine it is from Provence.

• bestdamncab says:

  3/29/2024 7:55:00 PM - You are still amazing after all these years. Thought of you while watching TV with a show starring 2 teams of antique pickers running around England-alas, no wine. Celebrating this month 51 years of marriage. We drink Gosset-been their twice, posted 40 Champagne TN last November from the 2023 K&L Champagne tasting. Enjoy Life my friend.

• BuzzzzOff says:

  9/28/2021 11:34:00 PM - Pleased as punch to make you laugh. These young guns just may be the death of me as I prepare for this Friday's Jacquesson "vertical" 739-743 tasting. It will be interesting to see which one is preferred by the gang. As you probably know, Jacquesson is a rare (odd?) champagne producer as the emphasis is on quality as opposed to a "house style". You know what they say..."youth is wasted on the young"! We try to mix-up selections of food and wine every day as it remains about the only change from our otherwise mundane existence. In Hong Kong, we had even more selections as our entire stash was in the house. Here, we have a more limited, albeit interesting, kaleidoscope of wine. We like "pests". C'mon over!!! Auctions make up a small percentage of our collection as we despite paying buyer's commission. Congrats on number 72!!! A most yummy selection to celebrate. We definitely would have pestered you on that occasion. Alas, we doubt a visit to the USA is in the near or ever future. Memento Mori Cabernet Sauvignon and their three other single vineyard drops should be nice. We are not buying much wine nowadays. We did pick up some stunning QPR Bellavista Alma Gran Cuvee Brut the other day. Cheap as chips (USD25) and very yummy. Lockdown overs opportunities as wine merchants and restaurants try to generate some revenue to cover cost of drops that have not been sold since early 2020. Excellent provenance, able to lay down drops at cost. Yippeee!!! Tonight will be a 2013 Robert Foley Pinot Noir with some Michelin Star Indian victuals delivered to our doorstep :-)

• vintage1949 says:

  9/28/2021 10:22:00 PM - Oh how I laughed and laughed at your last post. Example: Disgustingly young. Oh that is true. To think I was once that young and ignored those comments by people to appreciate that time in my life from those a lot older than me. Wow are you drinking the wine. If I lived by you I do not know if I would be a friend or a pest. Grin Seriously you are drinking a lot of good wine. What percentage is from auctions? You seem to have an incredible supply of different wines. Hmmm I also celebrated a birthday. 72 big ones. I opened a Cristal 2008 and a 2009 and 2012 M Etain. The Cristal did not have the earthy nuances that I like but wow was it elegant. Purchased a three pack of Memento Mori Cabernet Sauvignon and will be buying their three other single vineyard bottlings as the next year goes by. Keep on drinking your excellent wines and inform me about them. Love to look them up on the internet if I can find information about them, and love to read your tasting notes. Take Care-Dave

• BuzzzzOff says:

  9/27/2021 8:20:00 PM - Hi vintage1949. Ya gotta hate when technology turns evil!!!

• vintage1949 says:

  9/27/2021 4:40:00 AM - Hi Buzzzz, Just finished writing a long message. I clicked save and done. Message disappeared. Will write one again tomorrow. Dave

• BuzzzzOff says:

  8/15/2021 10:50:00 PM - Hi vintage1949. Good to read you are bearing up against all odds. Small, home parties are excellent. Sadly, with only 7% of the population here vaccinated and virtually no foreigners, we are limited to a few very good local friends. We are only allowed by law to have five people so there ya go. We will sally forth without trepidation and with great delivery food an even better wine. Be safe, happy and healthy!!!

• vintage1949 says:

  8/15/2021 9:17:00 AM - Hi Buzz, Things here are slowly going to get wild in my opinion. Cases are surging. We just opened everything up-now looks like everything will hit reality and close. We live in a small town with one great restaurant. Looks like we will be ordering out from them. Small parties where everyone is vaccinated still exist. We held a couple so far this summer. Plan on parties this fall where once again everyone is vaccinated. People are talking about a third shot very late this fall. Dave

• vintage1949 says:

  5/31/2021 3:53:00 PM - Hi BuzzzzOff, I looked in my mailbox and checked my e-mail for an invitation for that evening’s tasting. Bummer nothing-grin Well I won’t hold it against you for too long. Wow were those the wines to drink! Was this a group of friends getting together or a paid event? Oh and the champagnes. Just incredible! Happy for you you got to drink the wines you listed. (Oh and just a tiny bit jealous-grin) Dave

• vintage1949 says:

  4/12/2021 8:47:00 AM - Sure the damn halibut has been perfect the last—note=last twenty yeuars. Tonight I over cooked the fish by three minutes and my fish coating did not turn out. Never will mention again a yearly record with cooking. Grin. Selling the beach condo? Hope you are happy with that idea. A refrigerated truck is the only way to go! You have to nestle those babies in the perfect environment. No taking any chances with those bottles. This past week and the upcoming two weeks is stay at home-stay at home for wine deliveries. Receiving some Sauternes this week from 2015 including the big one. Also getting some Memento Mori. Next week getting VHR along with half a case from B Cellars. Because of the poor 2020 vintage I am going to s-t-r-e-t-c-h my monthly wine budget by eight months and buy into 2019 where appropriate. That means a case or two of B Cellars, what I can get from Memento Mori, two or three three packs of VHR, maybe some Carter Cellars and others I cannot recall off of the top of my head. I love getting wine in wooden boxes of nice three packs and six packs but that sure takes up the space in my cellar. (I am lucky last year I pulled the trigger on a six pack of Chateau Pontet-Canet. Reviews coming in are positive. I just thought of something-you need a large enough cellar to handle a quick influx of 300 bottles from the beach. At my other house that would have been easy but at my current address I would be packing them in. At current address-maybe 1,200 bottles. However because of my age I do not need a 1,200 bottle cellar. If I ever get it to 600 with the price average of $225 that will be more than enough for me. So tell me about the cellar you have at your house. How do you keep the temps where you want them? What about different bottle sizes-places for them? Stay safe my friend. Dave

• vintage1949 says:

  3/30/2021 9:47:00 AM - Picking up Halibut tonight. I ‘d bet my last dollar you would love it with the dill flavor. I have served this over 30 years and actually have had people get up and hug me. There are not any heavy flavors. The restaurant advertises this as halibut with red onion and dill. Thirty years ago when I first had this I also had the same reservations as you imply. Can you ever get halibut where you live? Sounds like you had great wine. Ah that is such a pleasure. I am currently in what I call receiving mode. Grin Organizing wine shipments to my home is not easy. I have to work around my schedule making sure I am home all day on the day the wine is to arrive. Coupled with that is the problem of shipping temperatures. It can be 80 degrees at the winery and 25 degrees at my home. Ahh—so I have to pick a time that will work out on both ends. Next comes savings mode. That runs from about the end of March to the beginning of February. Sorry for the blabbing on and on.

• vintage1949 says:

  3/15/2021 7:13:00 AM - Hi Buzzzof, Never read your note of 2/28 as I think you made the same mistake that I just made. I posted my response on my own board. You picked up some really nice wines. Frankly I am impressed. The Far Niente Chardonnay I think sells for about $60. About a rough half of the cost of their Cabs. With champagne and white wine I must admit I stick to the tradional pairings. Red wine is entirely a different matter. With halibut red onion and dill there is something about the texture of the coating along with the onions that for me goes perfectly with red wine. Of course a Chardonnay is perfect with this but I always hunger for a red wine so if I can fit in a red wine-I will. After two years of begging for the halibut recipe from a famous restaurant I got it. Incredibly simple. Fresh halibut cut into 2 by 3 inch rectangles. Mix 2/3 cup sour cream with 1/3 cup mayonnaise. Chop red onions and fresh dill. (I use a lot of fresh dill) Mix red onions and dill wth mayonnaise and sour cream mixture. While allowing fish to reach near room temperature put white bread. In oven and toast so you can crumble into small pieces. Preheat oven to 425. Place pieces of halibut onto cookie sheet. Spread sour cream mixture on top of halibut. (Halibut pieces should be close together. Coat top of fish with bread crumbs. Cook at 425 for 15 minutes. Do not over cook. That is it! In regards to Opus. Have not had that wine in a long, long time. Will have to try a bottle.

• vintage1949 says:

  3/15/2021 6:22:00 AM - Posted this under my name by mistake. Here it is. Wow you are way ahead of me in regards to knowing champagne. Most of my knowledge is encapsulated simply—in what I like in champagne. Give me a doughy, bread filled nose coupled with the same aspects on the palate but with enough acidity and I am in wine heaven. Just like in red wine I can smell a champagne I like for easily an hour. Which brings me to something I am jealous about. Grin I have never been to a serious champagne tasting. I would have loved to be there! My tasting champagne is limited due to where I live. To get a group of people together to spend a couple hundred bucks per person on the bubbly is almost impossible. Wow I am envious after giving your tasting more thought. If I may inquire about how much did it cost to attend the event? Dave

• BuzzzzOff says:

  2/28/2021 7:04:00 PM - Hey vintage1949. Alas, we have no children to leave our wine. Given I am the primary buyer/sipper and the oldest, I shudder at the thought my partner (nearly 7 years my junior) will be sipping my wine with a younger, better endowed person does not sit well with me. Thus, the decision. The Opus purchase was more about the vintage and price. I tend to like Opus as well. Equally, as the anniversary always takes place at a nice restaurant, the Sommelier will join in our happiness with a wine few would have. We bought 2018 Maybach, Kistler, Occidental and Blankiet. Done and dusted. We may acquire some other random bottles here and there as they come to Hong Kong or Thailand, but otherwise done. No, we have never tried B Cellars Star Cab. Must be stunning. We usually follow the Champagne, White and Red protocol as long as three or four people and when the food allows. Last night was sad as we opened a 2009 Chanson Corton-Chuckie to overwhelming notes of rotten cork. A most unfortunate way to follow NV Ruinart Blanc de Blancs and before a darling 2001 Chateau Gruaud Larose at Akira Back. Ugh... How 'bout the Far Niente Chardonnay? I would have thought USD30 in your 'hood. We had a bottle the other night at a blind tasting and all were impressed. Fisher also makes some nice Chards. Sandhi Sanford & Benedict also a winner. Good hunting!!! We had a 2008 Pera Manca Tinto the other night that was just short of heaven. Wow!!!

• vintage1949 says:

  2/27/2021 8:41:00 PM - HeyBuzz...., No more buying wines? What! Excuse me! That statement will not-repeat-not hold up in court. Must have read your post incorrectly. Hmmm-you bought the Opus. We call it Hocus Pocus Opus. Hope it really turns out great for you. Just went through another two grand so I really am not buying anymore of the 2018 cab. Saving up for 2019. Buying wine for me is getting kinda wild. All the wines I want seem to sell fast. Example—Buying B Cellars and VHR. Both had a day and time of the wines release. With one of the wineries I waited two days to check it out. When I went back to their site they were sold out. Speaking of B Cellars have you ever tried their Star Cab? It is a hundred a bottle (2018) and has great reviews. I am thinking that would be a great wine for company that is into wine but not nuts like some of my other friends. For my wine nuts friends I usually open a good champagne, followed by a medium priced cab, and then drinking the really good stuff. Very soon everybody will have both shots so it is then time to party. Hey do you have any ideas for a white wine, if possible some butter, in the $20-$50 prince range. It would also have to be easy to attain. They is it from Wisconsin. Dave

• vintage1949 says:

  2/22/2021 5:27:00 AM - Oh it is great fun trying to decide what you are drinking. Better yet even the age. I drank some reds and was proud that I identified them but the next party was embarrassed by my lack of skill. Grin At the next party a couple of my friends said if you taste with you eyes covered you cannot decide if it is a white or red wine you are drinking. I said bull! We just happened to have a couple really rich white wines open and of course reds. The whites were not citrusy or buttery. So I was blindfolded and I tasted two whites and two reds. The first glass I tasted I indicated was a white. Correct. The second wine that I tasted I bragged was a red. I was sure of it. Well the damn thing was a white. I was flabbergasted. The last two i correctly identified the wine. To this day I cannot believe I got the white wine mixed up. Of course we all had been drinking so I really got hassled by everyone. Hope you have a great week. Dave

• vintage1949 says:

  2/11/2021 5:59:00 AM - Not at all. Simply didn’t have much news to report. Grin

• vintage1949 says:

  1/23/2021 3:02:00 AM - Hey Buzzzz, I will rumble slightly. If people believe a candidate will cause trouble they should vote for a better candidate. Regarding the Donald I feel he is damn dangerous to our democracy. And that is putting it politely. California wines and aging. Their is a challenging game. In the 80’s and 90’s I would age a wine ten years past the vintage date. That brought rewards and big disappointments. Fifty percent of the bottles were food for the kitchen sink while the other half brought a big smile on my face. Maybach! Hmmm I think I had an off day tasting wine. However it did not go fast at the table in fact being last to be polished off. I have left to drink the 13, 14, 15, and 16 vintages. Somewhere I read they still need time with the exception of 2014. Maybe that should be the next one I crack open. I popped open an inexpensive Deutz Champagne in celebration of Biden’s win. The case has been sitting there for five years. I will be damned it showed really well. Oh one last story. When I was just getting into wine (at the same time I bought the Mouton) I went to a wine store in Milwaukee to purchase different wines to expand my experience. The owner of the store asked if I had ever tasted a wine called Sauternes. Of course my answer was no. He persuaded me to spend fifty bucks. A lot of money at the time. Five years later I opened the wine and it blew my socks off. The color was a deep caramel with a smell that simply captivated the hell out of you. The wine-1967 Château d'Yquem. The wine store manger really knew what to offer me in trying new wines. Grin Hope things slowly go better for you. We did do a toast to your mom with the Deutz. Hope that was ok. Dave

• vintage1949 says:

  1/16/2021 5:42:00 AM - Did not want to talk wine talk out of respect to one of your mothers in the same message about wine. Well I might as well tell you what side of the isle I sit on. It isn’t Donald’s. Normally I would never mention politics on CT but his behavior was/is so unforgivable it defies a persons imagination. I could go on and on but will leave it rest. Yup I am taking a big chance on the Mouton. Will I be sipping it or will somebody buy it at auction and enjoy it? I vote for the first option. Way back in 83 I pulled together some friends and bought five bottles of Bordeaux for a first time tasting of aged French wine. The wine was from the 1959 vintage! Not knowing that much about wine in 1983 it was pure luck I selected that round of ‘59s. (I was in charge and everybody chipped in $50) Most of the wines were so so until we cracked open the Mouton. People on the second floor not associated with the tasting thought we opened a bottle of perfume! And boy did that bottle sing. Best wine of my life. So I had to purchase some Mouton for some last times with this wine. And continuing for red wines the second best bottle I have had is-ta dah-1974 Heitz Martha’s Vineyard. Finish? When you talk finish with that wine you are not talking about seconds-but many minutes. I have in my cellar two bottles each of Maybach 13, 14, 15, and 16. Hope I like them as at a party I was served a Maybach and I did not like it. Something must have been wrong as everybody says how good it is. Do you know out of the vintages I have which to open first and when? Oh you are making me drool-Bernard Dugat-Py Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru. Have a good one. Dave

• vintage1949 says:

  1/16/2021 4:48:00 AM - Greetings, I am deeply saddened by the loss of one of your moms. To die alone is simply wrong, wrong, wrong. She deserved much more. Hope the two of you are doing the best that you can. Dave

• vintage1949 says:

  1/9/2021 6:12:00 PM - In regards to -What’s up? Excited to have this year finally present itself for many reasons especially the wine arena. This year I will be receiving some wines I have been waiting for over a period of time. First I ordered futures of 2018 Chateau Mouton Rothschild that are expected to arrive later this year. Then heading back to Napa. Will be trying a new winery for me. Memento Mori 2018 last two offerings of the 18 vintage. That includes their Las Piedras and Dr. Crane. If you know of a really good wine that I should investigate please advise. If I like the 2019 MM will pay special attention to it for purchase. The wines I discussed today will go into my wine vault so I keep my hands off of these. Don’t be impressed by the term wine vault. Simply a slightly hiddent area used to store up to 18 bottles. Has a small wire gauge around it hooked up to electricity. I’ll let people wonder if that is true. It is true however the house is alarmed. Perfect when we go on a vacation for a week or two. Any chance are you guys into Sauternes? Have some from 2000 and I believe from 2001. Wondering if these would be perfect for a good Packer game with warm Brie with (for me) pecans. By the fireplace a winner. So besides your big haul did you buy any small wine goodies? Oh-how are you keeping your wines at the correct temperatures? Dave

• vintage1949 says:

  1/1/2021 12:43:00 AM - Sorry Buzzz.....I meant Lands End in Florida. Dave

• BuzzzzOff says:

  12/28/2020 10:33:00 PM - Do you mean Land's End in South Africa?

• vintage1949 says:

  12/28/2020 1:55:00 AM - I forget-Do you know where Land End is located? Hope we get

• vintage1949 says:

  12/3/2020 11:41:00 AM - 1959 La Tache —excuse me 1959 La Tache. Ok by any chance did it have forest floor and autumn leaves on the nose or palate? Love that aspect with some Burgundies. Talking about backing up the truck at an auction! Ah looking for a word-let’s see-self control. Ah-heck I guess that is over rated. That reminds me of when I would set up a trip with some of my buddies to go to Chicago to hit some wine stores using a limo. We drank champagne on the way down and cigars and port on the way back. Ahh the life! But we had a problem-fitting all the cases of wine we bought. We ended up stopping at a hardware store and buying bungee cords to try and keep the wine in the open trunk. Regarding the 2017 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron. I talked to a buyer who was over there. He said yup the vintage was not one of the best but at Château Pichon-Longueville Baron they eliminated up to 50% of their grapes. Another source indicated much of the same. So saving money I bought some. I can really see your point regarding “What good is having it if you cannot spend on great wine and share with great friends!!!??? After all, we are not getting any younger ;-)” Take care-stay safe. Dave

• vintage1949 says:

  11/22/2020 6:12:00 AM - Hey Buzz, Have not heard from you in a while. Update-Ok this is not going to sound lik e much to you but it is for me. I can sit in a wheelchair forever. I do not have one at home. I can stand 30 seconds-not much of an improvement there however I can sit in a car hours on end and sit on the sofa for about five hours. So when you look at it, it is only standing that is a problem. I have tried pushing myself past thirty seconds standing-no go. Now-how are you doing? On to wine. First what have you been buying? For me reading other people’s wine interests is a good read for me. And it may provide a list of wines I want to buy. Earlier this year I bought my yearly provision of Carter wines, Cayuse wines (Bionic Frog), Bordeaux wines, and Memento Mori. I plan on drinking wine for 15 more years so the Bordeaux wines will work for me. I bought an off vintage of Château Pichon-Longueville Baron—-2017. The reviews have been great plus wine writers have been bringing down the date for the front end of the drinking window to 2021. Hope that makes sense. Also picked up half a case of 2016 Pontet-Canet. That will need some more time in the cellar. Since very few people on CT know who I really am I can share a (laughing here) wine related problem. Starting this past summer my really good wines have aged and are ready with my so-so wines being drunk up. I started serving-to be honest here-wines in the $200 price range. I only have about 200+ bottles in my cellar but all are in that price range. I rarely drink wine alone so I love serving really good wine to my friends AND to me. At first all of my friends were thrilled. Then slowly some, not all of my friends, stopped bringing wine over saying they could not compete with what I serve. That leaves me on the hook for all the wine that evening. I guess I could buy what we would call inexpensive wine but there would go the fun of drinking my good wine with the food we serve. This problem is only with about half of my friends. If I had deeper pockets $1,200 of wine at a lunch or dinner would be no problem- but that is not the case. Do I just give up serving good wine to the group that feels uneasy bringing their own wine? If I do that I miss out on the enjoyment of them (and myself) going nuts over a bottle. Oh gee what do I do?

• robertgoulet says:

  8/9/2020 1:06:00 AM - Buzz I saw your 2 notes for the 2006 Jessiaume Clos de Vougeot..did u actually consume the Domaine version or the Maison? It looks like there are 2 versions On CT but not sure if that is correct...Thanx Goooulet!

• vintage1949 says:

  8/15/2019 7:06:00 AM - Hmmmm-regarding “advanced in the lifecycle as you, but we equally do not like this futures thingy any longer. In some ways, we think simply wait and buy when they are ready to sip” love the comment advanced in the lifecycle for getting older. Regarding buying futures I hear ya all the way. I am a little skiddish buying older wine. Have not always had the best of luck. Any ideas in the USA where to buy older bottles? Darn—recently read on one site that they guarantee the wine for six months after delivery. Will try to hunt it down. Way back in time, but after the dinosaurs died out, I did order an older bottle which turned out to be the best wine of my life. It was 1983 and a Chicago company offered something called Chateau Mouton Rothschild 1959. It was beyond surreal! The only bottle that came close was Heitz Martha’s Vineyard 1974. Then the wine gods must have said that is enough. Twice bought older wines. They were simply ok-nothing special. However I am just realizing as I write this I could buy Bordeaux that is about ten to twenty years old. Less chance of a blah bottle. Well that is enough of me carrying on. Time to go to the cellar and pick out something. Grin Dave

• vintage1949 says:

  8/15/2019 - Wow-“One bottle was taken by Customs as a "sample". I guess that should not surprise me—but that is something. Yes the wine really does cure almost everything. However the problem is this cure needs to be taken almost everyday day if possible. Well I guess if one must take the cure that is what one must do. Grin Some of my friends are shaking their heads that I still buy Bordeaux at my age. (Buying futures for the 2018 vintage.) Heck if I live the expected lifespan of 85 I have 15 more years to age and drink wine. To the contrary some of my other friends are urging me to carry on. I don’t know if that is the case because they are considering my well being or they are considering where fine wine comes from:) Take care-Dave

• vintage1949 says:

  8/14/2019 11:10:00 AM - Greetings, Regarding “Definitely improved our new wine room that can easily handle 1000 bottles on the shelves.” great for you. Sounds like everything is going well. Back on CT after being off for a period of time. Broke my back in seven places so hard to get around. Still buying wine however-no way am I going to stop that. Grin Dave

• vintage1949 says:

  8/11/2019 5:48:00 AM - Greetings BuzzzzOff, How are things going as I have not heard from you for awhile? What new wine have you added to your cellar? On this end saving up to buy some first growth and ‘18 Cabernet. Also what wine that you considered, if any, a WOW wine have you had recently. Take care-Dave

• Insane Diego says:

  7/24/2019 4:58:00 PM - Greetings Buzzz, love your reviews. Thinking of opening the first bottle of my case of 2011 Sassicaia soon. Any tips to get the most of it? (besides sending it to you)

• Genghis88 says:

  2/28/2019 7:35:00 PM - Great comments JF. I will be back in Asia sometime later this year for an extended period. Would be good to drink some great wine with you. Maybe invite Gregg R as well....lol

• BuzzzzOff says:

  9/27/2017 7:24:00 PM - Great to hear from you, vintage1949. Yes, toes in the sand, glass in the hand. You can see what we are sipping on Instagram. Happy to hear with a little rest you can have some wine sipping fun. Keep up the good, albeit, hard work. Many bottles are wishing you good luck and anticipating your purchase ;-)

• vintage1949 says:

  9/27/2017 7:20:00 AM - Greetings, Sounds like you are having a great time. Good for you! I can just picture you in a super relaxed state on the beach! Slowly improving from Lyme disease. Now I am to the point where I can go to a party and drink. Yeah! I need to rest the day before but then have great fun the next evening. Hard work ahead-grin. Planning for wine purchases in 2018. Dave

• BuzzzzOff says:

  7/25/2017 1:25:00 AM - Ouch, ouch, ouch!!! Very, very sorry to read. Fortunately, we know that anything involving our hands, beyond opening bottles and swirling glasses, is a non-starter. We think the old saying "every man has got to know his limitations" is not wasted in this setting. Sorry, not meaning to lecture. Just hoping you get better and wishing you happy sipping going forward...suitably situated on the couch watching young, reasonably well-paid people do the heaving lifting ;-)

• vintage1949 says:

  7/23/2017 10:58:00 AM - Hi Buzzzz, Just wanted to say hi. I have been in the hospital again due to my own stupidity. I finally felt good even with Lyme disease. So I thought-sure I can put that window air conditione in. Wrong! Felt the muscles spasm in my back but I could not let go. Three steps and down I went. They wouldn't let go until I could prove I could walk. Now from Lyme's every day I am weak. Get this taken care of and back to posting wine notes.

• BuzzzzOff says:

  3/22/2017 10:04:00 PM - Hey vintage1949. Eh, quacks...their thinking is over-rated!!! Tell them to keep the Lyme...you prefer lemons :-). Total Wine rocks. Where are you in Florida? We visit family in Broward County and raid Total Wine once every year or so. Prices not too bad.

• vintage1949 says:

  3/22/2017 6:06:00 AM - Greetings-Yes I have had a few good wines-grin. The docs think I have Lyme disease-thus the headaches and other symptoms. In Florida for a period of time. Hitting the Total Wine store foe "supplies" down here. --The second I get home doctors-so having fun now:)

• BuzzzzOff says:

  3/2/2017 12:41:00 AM - Hey cmiller! Our noses and tummies tell us you will enjoy the Ramey Chardonnay Platt Vineyard. Yes, Ramey does get its pound of flesh, but generally delivers. We look forward to reading your thoughts and were are thinking all good things for you ;-)

• cmiller says:

  2/22/2017 7:05:00 AM - Hey BuzzzzOff: was debating a purchase of the Ramey Chard from Platt Vineyard last night. A little steep for my wallet but then I read your review and Pow!, deal was done. Hope it lives up to the hype.

• BuzzzzOff says:

  1/26/2017 8:03:00 PM - Great to hear you are a Kistler fan. We have been for many years! We sipped a 2006 Kistler Chardonnay McCrea Vineyard yesterday. Butter, vanilla and brioche...luvly

• SouthernStateofMind says:

  1/25/2017 6:50:00 AM - Howdy BuzzzOff, Thanks for the observation on my recent note regarding Kistler "Trenton Roads" Chardonnay. Although my experience this time was uneven; my interest in this producer remains undimmed. My sense is this wine will show better with some additional bottle aging. Cheers!

• BuzzzzOff says:

  1/24/2017 11:03:00 PM - Yes, we have been enjoying Maybach for quite some time. We like their style to wine-making and life in general. The only other one we have tried in your list is Schrader. Tres yummy. Sadly, we do not see a lot of the Cali Cabs in our part of the world where the Frogs dominate. All the ones we get are allocation...which is expensive due to shipping. Alas, such is life...

• Badmonkey says:

  1/24/2017 3:22:00 AM - BuzzzzOff, I really enjoy Mike Smith's cabs - Myriad, Quivet, Carter, Becklyn, etc.. They represent a good portion of my cellar. In addition, I enjoy Thomas Rivers Brown's cabs - Maybach, Schrader, Outpost, Mending Wall, etc.. However, I've only been picking-up Thomas Rivers Brown's cabs over the past couple years. I noticed you've been drinking Maybach for a while. Good stuff. Take care.

• BuzzzzOff says:

  1/17/2017 10:04:00 PM - Thanks, scott w. Sassicaia rocks!!! Appreciate the comment regarding the website...we try...

• scott w says:

  1/17/2017 9:42:00 AM - Buzzz also dig your dream wine and your website!

• WineKnurd says:

  1/7/2017 9:31:00 AM - Buzzzz i want in on youy NYE 2017 party! :)

• BuzzzzOff says:

  12/31/2016 7:40:00 PM - 24 soldiers went to Wine Heaven yesterday for New Years Eve. Best part was our good wino friend's 11 year old kid who opened EVERY SINGLE BOTTLE. He popped, pulled, poured and explained to our guests most of the bottles. He smells each bottle to enhance his understanding of wine. He sips a bit, but well-controlled. Every time he opened a bottle, everyone in the room applauded. The kid is a rockstar in our book.

• vintage1949 says:

  12/31/2016 3:22:00 AM - After our parties the next morning we collect all the bottles and put them on a table to put in blue bags for garbage collection. Yikes-13 people-13 bottles:)

• vintage1949 says:

  12/31/2016 3:18:00 AM - Could not find the note. Copied and pasted.

• vintage1949 says:

  12/31/2016 3:07:00 AM - Shall do!

• BuzzzzOff says:

  12/30/2016 7:05:00 PM - Migraines sound yucky-pooh. We are confident free flowing wine will help to relieve the pain ;-). Great to have you back, Vintage1949!

• vintage1949 says:

  12/30/2016 11:28:00 AM - I have just one last problem-migraines. But we are working on that. Thanks for your concern. Yes-wine flows freely:)

• William Kelley says:

  12/10/2016 6:42:00 AM - Thanks for your note! Having seen your notes and bottle shots on wineberserkers and here, I'm pretty sure the envy is mostly flowing in the opposite direction!

• retired_and_roving says:

  12/8/2016 2:59:00 PM - Hi BuzzzzOff - Thanks for your comment on my tasting note on the Pierre Peters. The Fried Chicken and Champagne dinner was an awesome experience - 29 grower champagnes and some first rate fried chicken! A perfect way to kick off the holiday season!

• BuzzzzOff says:

  11/29/2016 4:57:00 PM - Occasionally would be the correct term ;-). Checking now...

• Kronos(er) says:

  11/29/2016 9:27:00 AM - Hi J.A.M. Do you check your admin@buzzzzoff.com occasionally?

• BuzzzzOff says:

  11/20/2016 8:45:00 PM - Hey vintage1949! Great to hear you are fighting the good fight. 3/4 of the month feeling great ain't too bad. The Imitrex and botox do not sound tres yummy, but we always say "let's continue to live and live life better courtesy of Big Pharma" ;-). Chin up, tongue out and savour every moment... The upcoming events, especially the men's football party sound marvie. We look forward to reading about them!!! We have been celebrating one of our "birthday months". Our tradition is to do something related to sipping 'n snacking like rockstars everyday. This even includes at home where we can really knock off some serious bottles. We had a 1962 Barolo the other day that made us see God :-). It is very hard work - we may change to "birthday year" in 2017 and allocate the 30 events over 365 days...getting old sucks but requires recognition. In the gym everyday trying to compensate...losing the battle of the bulge. Champagne has been interesting lately as we bought (1) a bunch of party-bubble-Delamotte for a song and (2) a broad range of non-big-brand bottles from two local merchants. The list follows: 1 Champagne Agrapart & Fils, Avize, France Brut les 7 Crus 2 Champagne Francis Boulard, Cauroy lès Hermonville, France Les Murgiers 3 Champagne Francis Boulard, Cauroy lès Hermonville, France Grand Cru Grande Montagne 4 Champagne de Sousa, Avize, France. Estate Brut Tradition 5 Champagne de Sousa, Avize, France, Brut réserve Grand Cru 6 Champagne Zoémie de Sousa, Avize, France. Merveille 7 Champagne Zoémie de Sousa, Avize, France Précieuse Blanc de blancs Grand Cru 8 Champagne Diebolt-Vallois, Cramant, France Brut blanc de blancs (EXCELLENT!!!) 9 Champagne Diebolt-Vallois, Cramant, France Brut Rose (OK FOR A ROSE) 10 Champagne Diebolt-Vallois, Cramant, France Brut Prestige Grand Cru 11 Champagne Morel Père & Fils, Les Riceys, France, Rosé des Riceys, 2006 12 Champagne Pierre Peters, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, France Brut cuvée réserve Grand Cru (OUTSTANDING!!!) 13 Champagne Pierre Peters, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, France Perle du Mesnil 14 Champagne Vilmart & Cie, Rilly-la-Montagne, France. Ampelos charter Brut Grande Réserve 1er Cru (VERY GOOD) 15 Champagne Vilmart & Cie, Rilly-la-Montagne, France. Ampelos charter Brut Grand Cellier 1er Cru 16 Champagne Vouette & Sorbée, Buxières-sur-Arce, France. Fidèle nv (INTERESTING) We received a small allocation (3 bottles) of Jacques Selosse Substance the other day. Oh My Ears and Whiskers, we cannot wait to sip those bad boys!!! A real happy purchase the other day was several vintages of Chateau Batailley...one of our favourite Bordeaux. Prices dropping every day, it seems, which is good for us :-)

• vintage1949 says:

  11/20/2016 1:03:00 AM - Hi BuzzzzOff, Steadily getting better. The Imitrex works well for my migraines but you can only take 12 a month. Botox shots reduce migraine intensity when they do hit. When I went for a doctor's visit I overheard the nurses indicating they could not believe all the stuff that happened to me in six months But all is so much better. About 3/4 of the month I feel great. Tonight having a big sit down dinner party. The Creme de la creme of the evening is my flourless port cake. Serving it with port. Also having a small men's football party in December. That is when I am going to crack open some really good wine! How are things going with you? What have you had lately that you really liked? Any new red wine or champagne suggestions? Thanks for taking the time to send me a note. Almost out of the woods Dave.

• MyWine2009 says:

  10/28/2016 2:26:00 PM - Hey Buzzzz thanks for accepting me into the fold. Look forward to exchanging tips and favs!

• BuzzzzOff says:

  9/30/2016 10:13:00 PM - No problem, Soteriologist! Keep on sipping!!!

• Soteriologist says:

  9/30/2016 7:12:00 AM - Hey, BuzzzzOff, thanks for fan-ing me ! I would like to fan you back, but the reason I cannot do that is the same why I had to un-fan our common friend Zweder: because both of you are extraordinarily prolific ! It would be too much work ploughing through to find the few notes written by others. The only very prolific commentator I will definitely keep so far is Xavier Auerbach. I hope you don't un-fan me in revenge :D And thanks again for your kind words. Cheers !

• BuzzzzOff says:

  9/3/2016 7:09:00 PM - Hey vintage1949! Great to hear from you. Better to hear the Imitrex is working its magic. Sorry about the hospital visits. Hospitals make us feel sick! We feel ya as osteoarthritis has decided to make a visit and the left hip joint over here may have to be replaced. Ugh... Good thing is our elbows, hands and arms are working well so wine still flowing ;-). Keep on keepin' on!!!

• vintage1949 says:

  9/3/2016 4:50:00 PM - Hi BuzzzzOff, The Imitrex is working well. Have been in the hospital three times for other things. Geez what a year. I think I am really at the end of all this. My immune system must be at an all time low. Now I have a systematic yeast infection. At least a hospital stay is not needed. No need to go into detail over the last three stays except to say went into the ER three times and they indicated-because they have seen me so often-you are not going home-back to your motel room. I do think after I take care of the last problem I will be all set. Dave

• BuzzzzOff says:

  8/26/2016 8:26:00 PM - Yes, Sinegal Estate, same here regarding Vintage1949. Thanks. Hmmm...

• Sinegal Estate says:

  8/26/2016 10:19:00 AM - We heard from vintage1949 a few months ago. Thanks for checking in with us - and for adding us as friends and fans. Have a great day!

• BuzzzzOff says:

  7/25/2016 6:01:00 PM - Hey vintage1949, great to hear you can sip again. Looking forward to hearing about your sips! We had a Mad Monday with a chef/sommelier from Italy. A bottle or two too many...and so it goes...hard workout Tuesday morning! We guess some people do not always see the questions. We think we have missed a few in our day. Smile...the Sun will rise again :-)

• vintage1949 says:

  7/25/2016 4:57:00 PM - Hi BužzżźzzzzzzOff, Just writing to you about a frustration: Don't you love it when you make a comment containing a question under a review and they never respond! Well won't do that again with this person-just realized I posted it about a month ago��

• vintage1949 says:

  7/25/2016 12:21:00 PM - Yep-the only drug that works. Will soon be trying to find a preventative drug instead of one that is used when they start winding up. Hey-I can drink again. Yeah:)

• sastewart says:

  7/17/2016 2:18:00 PM - BuzzzzOff, I think 2020 would be fine. This was the first of 4 2005's for us. It was more ready to drink than I expected and ours may not improve a lot from here so I think we will finish them in the next 5-7 years. The only concern I have is the bretty/dirty socks nose we got on opening but it blew off completely. Cheers!

• stschutz says:

  7/16/2016 8:40:00 PM - BuzzzzOff- thanks for alerting me to my latest posts confusion. The latest post should have been for a 2011 Beaux Freres, Williamette. The Sea Smoke, Ten was ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS.

• BuzzzzOff says:

  6/14/2016 8:39:00 PM - Xie xie, wineheadGA! Time to choose today's victims to pair with all day home snacking...call it a Tapas Day.

• wineheadGA says:

  6/14/2016 12:59:00 PM - Likewise, Buzzzzz! Enjoy your reviews.

• BuzzzzOff says:

  6/12/2016 9:20:00 PM - Excellent to read, vintage1949! Mayo Clinic, from my perspective, is THE rockstar medical facility on the planet. Good luck!!! We will be awaiting the good news!

• vintage1949 says:

  6/12/2016 7:02:00 PM - Have some good news. Mayo Clinic just excepted me. They should be able to pin this down. Dave

• BuzzzzOff says:

  6/11/2016 6:57:00 PM - bestdamncab rocking the house!

• bestdamncab says:

  6/11/2016 9:16:00 AM - I still have 2 magnums of the 1979-Randy's first wine in the cellar.

• BuzzzzOff says:

  6/8/2016 9:00:00 PM - Thanks, ilee...may the zzzz's sally forth with confidence! Happy Dragon Boat Day!

• BuzzzzOff says:

  6/8/2016 8:59:00 PM - Thanks, vintage1949. Your thoughts are well-received and appreciated. At least he can sip a glass...

• vintage1949 says:

  6/8/2016 12:33:00 PM - BuzzzzzzzOff, I am so sorry for the person you visited and equally sorry that it is so traumatic for you. Sorry-wish I had a great comment here-at a loss-just wishing the best. Dave

• ilee says:

  6/8/2016 2:34:00 AM - Like your website, very cool. But I note some CTers below had trouble getting onto it, probably because they did not type enough z's!

• BuzzzzOff says:

  5/18/2016 7:13:00 PM - Cool. Please let us know. Back in the day, we spent a fair amount of time in Lugano, and we sipped many a Ticino red...very happily!

• ChristopherB says:

  5/18/2016 3:33:00 AM - Hi BuzzzzOff, I've only started to get into Swiss red wines in the last couple of years, and so far the Ticino reds I've tasted (all Merlot) were very good to excellent in quality.

• BuzzzzOff says:

  5/14/2016 7:41:00 PM - OkeyDokey, thanks, gsquireh! Great to know.

• gsquireh says:

  5/14/2016 7:45:00 AM - Thanks for you comment. Of course you are correct, decanting will only enhance. I was surprised how wonderful this wine was after opening and the characteristics it revealed immediately.

• Eclipse1 says:

  5/4/2016 2:20:00 AM - I did visit d`yquem, more really to take photos and see exactly how close it was to Suduiraut. However, they invited me to have a look arounfd the grounds, but sadly not to try any wines. The wines that have impressed me more than anything else would be d`yquem, Sassicaia , Beaucastel, Salon, Calera Jensen , Vega Sicilia, and Rauzan segla. Where are you based, as I cannot seem to get to your Buzzoff.com site. Regarding the Sassicaia, I just wanted to be left alone with my glass and enjoy it. few wines have done that to me, it was quite a strange experience. I was simply mesmerised by it and if I could afford it, I would drink at least monthly. The pricing here in the UK is hideous, but, when you consider the wine, the expense is justifiable.

• BuzzzzOff says:

  4/30/2016 5:29:00 PM - Hey vintage1949. Good to hear from you. Focus on getting better. We will be eagerly and happily awaiting your return!!! Remember, a bottle a day keeps the doctor away ;-)

• vintage1949 says:

  4/30/2016 1:35:00 PM - Been in the hospital a lot. It will work out but have a ways to go. I will definitely live through this:) Thanks for asking. Dave

• BuzzzzOff says:

  4/16/2016 7:01:00 PM - Hey cmiller! Great to read about Greece. A new type of wine in your arsenal always is cool bananas!!! We have a very good friend in Piedmonte who does wine tours. She knows EVERYONE! If you are interested, we could make an introduction. Not trying to sell you. She is just a very nice lady, who really knows her stuff. Also, check out http://www.gastronaughties.com/category/country/italy-country/ and http://buzzzzoff.com/category/winery-visits/italy/

• cmiller says:

  4/16/2016 1:04:00 PM - Hey Buzzzzoff: Made the trip to Greece in the fall; excellent time with much Assyrtiko drunk! Next up is an October trip to Asti in the Piedmont. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Be well.

• BuzzzzOff says:

  3/14/2016 12:33:00 PM - Hi WineKnurd. Thanks for the heads up. We just checked http://buzzzzoff.com. It appears to be working. Yes, we are traveling so the updates, other than Twitter, are lagging. Otherwise, we think OkeyDokey. Please try again and let us know. Many thanks for reaching out!

• WineKnurd says:

  3/13/2016 6:25:00 AM - Thanks for the note on my board BuzzzzOff!I went to check out your site but got a server error, I figured you probably knew already but I just thought I would let you know in case you were off traveling or something!

• BuzzzzOff says:

  3/6/2016 3:48:00 AM - Oh my, sorry to read about the cerebrospinal leak. We just read about it. Ouch! We are thinking and sending good thoughts at ya and your family. A bottle a day keeps the doctor away...we are confident you will be back in good form in no time. We will be thinking of you!

• vintage1949 says:

  3/5/2016 7:50:00 PM - Greetings-Have a cerebrospinal leak. Been in and out of doctors offices and test after test. Missed our Arizona party-should be in Florida now. Hope they can patch me up soon so we can go. Dave

• BuzzzzOff says:

  1/27/2016 6:50:00 AM - Hey Zweder! Nothing special, just saying howdy. We recently have tried some good English bubbles...getting better and better. Also, we were pleasantly surprised with the QPR of some of Berry Bros & Rudd "White Label" wines. Living 'n learning.

• Zweder says:

  1/24/2016 4:23:00 PM - Thank you for your message. Any special reason for it? I’m just fine. Busy with (not wine related) work, attending tastings and writing notes as usual. How are you doing?

• BuzzzzOff says:

  1/17/2016 6:49:00 AM - Cool bananas! We loved stumbling around Downtown Paso Robles as well as visiting 8 wineries in one day...with a driver ;-)

• Grillgod says:

  1/17/2016 6:30:00 AM - Hey BuzzzzOff! Look forward to your notes and if you come to the Santa Cruz area I'll be glad to point you in the right direction!

• BuzzzzOff says:

  12/29/2015 11:21:00 PM - To all our "Fans" and "Friends", we want to wish you a happy, fun and safe New Years with great sipping 'n snacking!!!

• BuzzzzOff says:

  12/17/2015 11:08:00 PM - OkeyDokey, BigJ

• BigJ says:

  12/17/2015 4:35:00 PM - Thank you, Buzzzzoff, will be checking them out! Cheers

• BuzzzzOff says:

  12/15/2015 10:04:00 PM - Fair comment, Taureau. Very definitely a strong negative seems tough for a generally well-received wine. Ah, the joys of wine...we have a friend who despises Chardonnay...he phew-phews the best Burgundies...go figure!

• Taureau says:

  12/15/2015 10:00:00 PM - I agree Buzzzzoff, storage is important. to me it just seems that "DO NOT BUY" is a very harsh statement to make towards a wine that has 48 other tasting notes with an average community score of ~92

• BuzzzzOff says:

  12/15/2015 7:58:00 PM - Yes, it was...we tried our best to sip all, but failed...we shall return!!! We rarely buy "retail". Most wine merchants in Hong Kong now treat "retail" in a similar fashion to "wholesale" as long as you spend, say, HKD2,000 (free delivery). We like the following: Kerry Wines Links Concept EMW Wines Ginsberg + Chan If you want an intro, just let us know.

• BigJ says:

  12/15/2015 6:20:00 PM - Hey Buzzzzoff, looks like the kerry tasting was interesting, shame you didn't get around them all! Have you a good retailer in HK you can recommend?

• BuzzzzOff says:

  12/7/2015 3:37:00 AM - Checkout: http://buzzzzoff.com/rendezvous-wine-tasting-by-kerry-wines/ Gogtach!

• vintage1949 says:

  12/6/2015 10:48:00 AM - Hi Buzzzzoff- Lost the address for "Hey Vintage1949, please check out our tasting notes and comments regarding t" Could I please have it again. Dave

• BuzzzzOff says:

  12/3/2015 10:06:00 PM - Ouch, 1er Cru sounds problematic as you have to pray the bottles wait somewhere proper while they consolidate the shipment. Yucky pooh!!! Sorry to hear about the 2004 Tattinger, which should be in your cellar by now!!! Vintage1949: Yup, always venturing out. Here are some new ones we recently sipped. 1998 Bodegas y Viñedos Alión Ribera del Duero: Trying tonight…watch this space! 2013 Quintas de Melgaco Alvarinho Vinho Verde QM: Stunning structure for an Alvarinho. 2000 Charles Ellner Champagne Brut: Outstanding shampoo with even better QPR...and a Michelin Three Star resto only marked up 2x!! 2012 Foradori Nosiola Fontanasanta Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT: “Ancient” varietal from Italy…interesting! 2013 Henri Germain et Fils Meursault: “Village” wine that did not bust the bank in a Michelin Two Star restaurant…and was as good as any 1er Cru. 1962 Giacomo Borgogno & Figli Barolo Riserva Antichi Vignetti Propri: INCREDIBLE!!! We let it breath for 30 minutes or so and then had to decant as she was soo tight!

• vintage1949 says:

  12/3/2015 7:14:00 PM - Hi Buzzzzoff-Any new wines that you have tasted in the last couple days. Dave

• Vinophiliac559 says:

  12/3/2015 6:48:00 PM - Vintage 1949: I highly recommend avoiding Premier Cru (Bay area shop?). I purchased 04' Tattinger from them 2 yrs ago and still do not have it. The reason they get lower$$ is because they ship in bulk and so your wine waits until they have a full shipment. Check them out on yelp, 2 stars, and many, many stories like mine.

• BuzzzzOff says:

  12/2/2015 10:51:00 PM - Sorry to read about the flu. Wine helps ;-). We do not know Premier Cru, but that is a very inexpensive price for 2004 Dom Magnum. We are not sure about the logistics explanation as the price is dramatically lower than what we see in the market. Tread carefully...

• BuzzzzOff says:

  12/2/2015 10:49:00 PM - Checkout: http://buzzzzoff.com/rendezvous-wine-tasting-by-kerry-wines/

• vintage1949 says:

  12/2/2015 7:02:00 PM - How do I get to this posting-Dave Hey Vintage1949, please check out our tasting notes and comments regarding the Kerry Wines Rendezvous event. We had a lot of fun!

• vintage1949 says:

  12/2/2015 6:58:00 PM - Hi Buzzzzoff-Things going great. Had the flu over Thanksgiving but our party the week before went great. Question-Premier Cru for the second time in a couple months was offering on futures 2004 Dom Perignon mags for $209. I questioned them about that-they stated their orders go through the Panama Canal which saves money. I e-mailed another wine store and they indicated that price was impossible. They were offering 24 at a crack. I almost bought two mags. Just had 2010 Hobbs Dr. Crane-Wow that is going to be great in about three years. Dave

• BuzzzzOff says:

  11/25/2015 5:15:00 PM - 1962 birthday year Barolo yesterday...along with quite a few other luvlies...1998 Krug, 1999 Dom, 2007 Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet Pucelles, 2007 Beaucastel, 1978 Ch de Pommard and 1978 Ygay (Tempranillo). Oh my...

• vintage1949 says:

  11/25/2015 6:21:00 AM - Shall do:)

• BuzzzzOff says:

  11/3/2015 4:55:00 AM - They might. The family Guinaudeau of LaFleur produced first vintage a few years ago. Worthy to sip. Pretty much Pomerol

• vintage1949 says:

  11/3/2015 3:36:00 AM - Greetings again- Regarding-"It is called Guinaudeau "G" Acte. Pretty darn good wine at a fraction of the cost of LaFleur :-)" I have never heard of that. That sounds most interesting. Do you think they might have that at a Total Wine Store in Florida? Heading down there this spring.

• BuzzzzOff says:

  10/28/2015 5:24:00 PM - Hi Michigan Dogs, Very interesting. Yes, breathing is essential. We usually open and let Mother Nature do her business with the wine in the bottle eschewing decanters...unless necessary when in restaurants. We might try the two day experiment someday. We usually relegate bottles we do not like to a corner of the kitchen for cooking purposes ;-). Life, indeed, is too short to drink cheap wine, but even shorter to sip bad wine :-). We have had plenty "cheap" wines that were "good".

• michigan dogs says:

  10/28/2015 9:43:00 AM - buzzzzOff, in response to your comment on my note, I almost always find that wine drinks better on the 2nd day. The biggest mistake I make with wine is not giving them enough air before drinking. All I do is put the cork back in and drink the next day. If you open a wine and are not impressed, try keeping it for a day or two longer. Life is too short to drink cheap wine.

• BuzzzzOff says:

  10/17/2015 8:10:00 PM - Thanks Purslane!

• BuzzzzOff says:

  10/13/2015 1:11:00 AM - Yes, a very pleasant venue particularly for dinner. Still trying to get our noses and palates around Greek wines...will continue to try whenever the opportunity arises!

• capacious says:

  10/12/2015 7:39:00 PM - Noticed your visit to GB. We had the good fortune to enjoy dinner there in 2008, right after the financial crisis. there are memorable venues, but that is in the top five.

• BuzzzzOff says:

  10/1/2015 3:07:00 AM - Eggactly!!! Have fun...we look forward to reading about your Assyrtiko experiences :-). We do think GB Roof Garden, despite the hype, is worthy of an evening of sipping.

• cmiller says:

  9/30/2015 1:33:00 PM - Good starting point; many thanks! My reading says Assyrtiko is the best bet of the Greek varietals and it sounds like it pairs well with fish. I'll save my red wine drinking for the next Italy trip. Thanks again!

• BuzzzzOff says:

  9/30/2015 2:01:00 AM - GB Roof Garden Restaurant, Hotel Grande Bretagne: Excellent wine list, good food (cannot get hurt with grilled fish and seafood) and stunning views of the acropolis et al. We visited at night time...truly breathtaking. Assyrtiko: This is the varietal you must sip when in Greece. We tried as many as we could before falling over. Sadly, we did not take notes...could not? Many producers...go for it!!! Red wine?: We tried, we survived, we would never risk again...unless someone really brought forward convincing evidence!

• BuzzzzOff says:

  9/30/2015 1:37:00 AM - Howdy, Cmiller! Hmm...we will check some of our older records from when we last visited Athens. Frankly, we were not over-impressed with the food or wine...but the place and people were divine. One of us got cornered by and almost chewed up for breakfast while on a morning jog. Whew...the owner intervened, apologised and, with some sort of crystal ball knowledge, offered to buy us a glass of wine. We declined, politely, as our nerves were a bit out of whack. Love dogs...but when they are nasty and hungry...Oh My Ears and Whiskers!

• cmiller says:

  9/29/2015 7:00:00 PM - Hey Buzzzzoff: Got a request; if you or any of your many fans have any thoughts about dining (and wine, of course!) in Athens, Greece, I'd be appreciative. Trip planned in 3 weeks and am at a total loss. Thanks in advance!

• BuzzzzOff says:

  9/24/2015 6:26:00 PM - Thanks Rickv2wine. Right back at ya!!

• Rick 4 Wine says:

  9/24/2015 11:32:00 AM - I enjoyed your comment on my Puzzle note. I look forward to following your tasting notes as well.

• BuzzzzOff says:

  9/22/2015 5:06:00 AM - Thanks, Norsktorsk...watch this space. We will try soon. Appreciate the feedback!

• norsktorsk says:

  9/21/2015 7:39:00 PM - Regarding the 2000 Beau Sejour. Another day of air and no change. This bottle will go down the drain. This is not corked (TCA) but thin, vile and a sharp finish. Hopefully a sporadic case. I have a couple more and hope that you experience it different. good luck.

• BuzzzzOff says:

  9/18/2015 7:01:00 PM - Chapel Down's, Nyetimber's, Gusbourne's and Ridgeview Estate's best bubble very nice. The real shocker is Gusbourne's Chardonnay, which runs about USD22 and really is excellent.

• Baron Slick says:

  9/18/2015 9:51:00 AM - I dig your notes. They are informative and indicative of what I look for in my search for like-minded wines. We are equally as fortunate as you and yours in our quest to discover bottles that are as much a find as they are off the beaten path. I wish we had more access to English bubbly. I read Decanter often and I enjoy the extolling reviews of these sparklers. I'll pick one up first chance I get.

• BuzzzzOff says:

  9/8/2015 6:45:00 PM - We hear ya, SouthernStateofMind. We took 1/2 our allocation...will remedy next time!

• SouthernStateofMind says:

  9/8/2015 9:41:00 AM - I did see your note on 2012 Occidental Pinot Noir SWK! We are as you say in agreement. My only lament is not purchasing more of this when the opportunity presented. Will not make the same mistake next time around. Cheers!

• BuzzzzOff says:

  9/7/2015 5:20:00 PM - Hi vino_per_tutti! Thanks for your comment. Yes, 2006 was an interesting vintage. When we visited Bordeaux, many of the staff at the Chateaux, particularly in St. Julien, were of the opinion, that this vintage would be better than 2005. We scratched our heads, given the experts' comments regarding the vintages, but sallied forth and over-bought...a seemingly often occurring problem :-). Thanks regarding Clos Fortet. We rarely decant, preferring to stand upright the bottle at least 24 hours before opening and then letting the wine breath peacefully in the bottle...for as many hours as it might require...we have the time. Yes, the QPR is outstanding, particularly given the P ;-)

• vino_per_tutti says:

  9/7/2015 5:08:00 PM - Hey Buzzzzoff - thanks for your note. These 2006 (as you probably know) are a little tricky. Good not great year. The Clos Fourtet is definitely drinkable now, but make sure and give it a good decant. Good QPR for St. Emillion.

• BuzzzzOff says:

  9/6/2015 10:01:00 PM - Hey Vintage1949. All OkeyDokey here. Today we are celebrating our nephew's graduation from university (yes, we are old). We will introduce him to 1999 Dom, 2002 D'yquem and 2011 Kistler Trenton Roadhouse Chardonnay. These kids live like rockstars. When I graduated from university, I got a Miller beer and a quick kick in the butt to start working. Ah, the good ole days...

• BuzzzzOff says:

  9/6/2015 9:58:00 PM - Driving is uncivilised!!!

• Zweder says:

  9/6/2015 5:07:00 PM - Hi BuzzzzOff, Nice to read you think my notes of Sept 2nd were interesting. In fact there were two more wines and in the meantime I entered those notes as well. All notes were blind. This week I have three tastings, one at home, so I can swallow a bit ;-) and two after which I have to drive. So I have to spit it all :-(. So more notes to come. I am quite busy with work, so I don’t know yet when I will find the time to put these notes in CT. Cheers, Zweder.

• vintage1949 says:

  9/6/2015 2:01:00 PM - Hey BuzzzzOff-Never used this format to send a message. Just wondering how the heck you are doing and if everything is alright.---Dave

• BuzzzzOff says:

  9/4/2015 4:09:00 AM - Thanks Rigelrebe. We enjoyed the Grace Vineyard Kushu several times. Easy sipping wine with Japanese food. Well-made. Mercian, so far, has been OK-lah...we will have to try the Unwooded. We only have had the Ensemble. Always cool to try new wines!

• The years of the grape says:

  9/4/2015 4:02:00 AM - My pleasure! Well I have not tried many japanese wines myself, the climate is not good for wine grape growing (much humidity in summer, typhoons etc). The only wine that I really liked so far has been a Chateau Mercian Unwooded Nagano Chardonnay 2013 (no note). A bit tropical and honey-like (some botrytized berries maybe?), it somehow reminded me of the Macon-village of Domaine de la Bongran.

• panteraguy says:

  8/25/2015 10:19:00 AM - Hi BuzzzzOff My big out of body experience though this year was the 1968 Taurasi Mastroberadino Reserva......quite possibly the best old bottle of wine that I have had......if you ever run across!

• panteraguy says:

  8/25/2015 10:16:00 AM - Hi BuzzzzOff In followup to the 05, Val Buena being good......the 2009 Alion is excellent as well (I bet you have tried)....the Spanish rating agencies gave it crazy numbers and very, very approachable compared to the Val Buena and the Unico for a lot less money!

• BuzzzzOff says:

  8/17/2015 8:16:00 PM - Thanks, BigJ. Jiabeilan has gotten a lot of good press. We will be on the lookout. We also will seek out Fromm and Stonecroft. We have been a bit disappointed with Te Mata Estate, particularly from a price perspective. Living and learning...

• BigJ says:

  8/17/2015 9:24:00 AM - Hi BuzzzzOff, Nice to be connected. Jiabeilan is a wine worth finding from China. Not big production, but very classy. New Zealand has a lot going in the right direction, I highly recommend the Fromm winery, Stonecroft and also Te Mata Estate. happy to share anything if you have some questions.

• BuzzzzOff says:

  8/12/2015 4:10:00 AM - Hey RickyT12! We did a Corton-Chuckie and Vina Tondonia white today in the jacuzzi and Volnay 1er Cru and Ramey Pinot Noirs today via Coravin. Small sips. Now sipping a bottle of 2007 Blankiet Estate Rive Droite...breathing now for 3 hours in the bottle and just hitting its stride. OMYG!

• RickyT12 says:

  8/12/2015 2:04:00 AM - Hi BuzzzzOff I have not cracked the Latour yet, but I did just have a 1982 Las Cases. It was unbelievable. So young tasting. As for the D'yquem. I would hold them. I think there is huge potential for the future. Although having said that it is very difficult for me to stay away completely. Have you cracked anything interesting lately???

• BuzzzzOff says:

  8/5/2015 12:45:00 AM - Robrats...understood! Having said that, it was a stunner!!!

• Wineson says:

  8/4/2015 8:01:00 PM - BuzzzzOff. I have not tried CT wine. I'm still working on understanding the more usual wine growing areas :)

• BuzzzzOff says:

  8/3/2015 5:25:00 PM - Thanks Soche. Always hard to tell especially since the Left Bank started thinking more about making money rather than producing wines that last for many decades. We will crack-open a bottle and, of course, write a note. Thanks!!!

• Soche says:

  8/3/2015 5:22:00 AM - Hi Buzzzzoff. My experience with Bordeaux and St. Juliens is limited to vintages 2004-2008 as that is when I began experiencing them. The 2008 Beychevelle may have a more years left but, in my opinion, was drinking well now with soft, muted tannins. My wine spectator also shows a short drinking window to about 2019. Good luck and I'll look for your posts.

• BuzzzzOff says:

  8/2/2015 6:09:00 PM - Hi Gianni Gee! Many thanks for the advice. We are not very well-versed in the Wines of Oz so this is helpful.

• Gianni Gee says:

  8/2/2015 6:02:00 PM - Hi BuzzzzOff You asked about the Lakes Folley cab sav I recently drank. The wine is in excellent condition and can definitely go longer but is ready to drink now if you have a special occasion. One tipmisnto give it plenty of time to open up. I would uncork and leave for a couple of hours. Enjoy!

• BuzzzzOff says:

  7/26/2015 9:23:00 PM - Ah, well, we say that about the toilet every morning ;-)

• Zweder says:

  7/26/2015 7:14:00 PM - Don't underestimate yourself :-) You found it without any help!

• BuzzzzOff says:

  7/24/2015 8:28:00 AM - Sorry, Zweder, we are not that savvy. What is the CT forum? The mentally less than able request assistance :-(

• Zweder says:

  7/23/2015 7:30:00 PM - Check the CT forum :-)

• Andrew67 says:

  7/9/2015 5:55:00 AM - Hi BuzzzzOff, re the Goulee 2007, I quite liked the tannins as they provided some structure. Without them I think the wine would be a bit simple. I think the tannins will soften with a bit more time, and there is plenty of acidity, but I am not convinced the wine has a long life in front of it - maybe 3 to 5 years. Having said that this is the first time I have drunk the Goulee so I might be completely wrong.

• cephomer says:

  7/3/2015 5:15:00 AM - Hey, thanks for the comment re the 1999 Sass. So long as the wine is stored properly, I see no issues letting it sit another year, though the wine is drinking terrifically right now. As elegant as any wine I've had in some tim

• BuzzzzOff says:

  6/30/2015 5:30:00 PM - Hi Zweder! Wow, we have not yet touched that many Portugal, South Africa , Chile or Argentina wines. Sadly, our first 10 out of 15 years were almost exclusively French, Yank and Italian. We have busted out and can say have tasted (not TNs) 200+ Portugal, 100+ Argentina (50 in one week in Buenos Aries), and about 50 each of South Africa and Chile. Working hard ;-)

• Zweder says:

  6/30/2015 9:27:00 AM - Hi BuzzzzOff, Read your note about the Bahans HB; nice! Have one bottle 2001 waiting… Well in my profile story I “missed” Portugal, but in fact the picture is made in Portugal. And I don’t miss Portugal when tasting wines: 541 TN’s up to now. And fwiw South-Africa 325, Chile 236 and Argentina 178…. ;-)

• BuzzzzOff says:

  6/22/2015 5:33:00 PM - Hey Harley1199. Yes, we heard 1976 not stellar, but the Bodega disagrees regarding their Prado Enea. They think it is special. We shall see ;-)

• Harley1199 says:

  6/22/2015 2:51:00 PM - In spite 1976 wasn't a good year, my best wishes for that bottle. Cheers!

• BuzzzzOff says:

  6/17/2015 10:14:00 PM - Thanks Harley1199. Prado Enea awesome!!! We have a bottle of the 1976 we are waiting to sip!

• Harley1199 says:

  6/17/2015 6:42:00 AM - Hi there Buzzzzoff, So good you are keen on spanish wines. You're welcome! :-) In my view, Muga represents that a good trademark doesn't need to be a centenary winery. I'm a big fan of Prado Enea mainly 'cause I've had very good experiences in the past. Cheers!

• BuzzzzOff says:

  6/14/2015 6:51:00 PM - Good point Patrik H. We like them both, but generally would opt for Initiale...

• Patrik H says:

  6/14/2015 10:07:00 AM - I would say the Substance is a must have once at least. I really like both of them and I see no reason why Initial would be as good as Substance in tenish years time. So the easy answer would be if you fancy "old" champagnes it is worth it. If you like younger or if you have the patient, Initial is as good.

• BuzzzzOff says:

  5/16/2015 12:34:00 AM - Hey Floridawinedrkr, We cannot claim to be well-versed in the best vintages as we only discovered Paso Robles' wines in 2013. However, we really liked the following: Denner: The Dirt Worshipper, Mother of Exiles, Viognier and Theresa SummerWood: Sentio, Private Reserve, Syrah Alta Colina Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve and Grenache Blanc

• floridawinedrkr says:

  5/15/2015 3:57:00 AM - DO YOU HAVE ANY RECOMENDATIONS FOR DENNER AND SUMERWOOD AS FAR AND VINTAGE AND WINES???

• floridawinedrkr says:

  5/15/2015 3:38:00 AM - Hey Buzzzzoff thanks for the message. Recommend some Paso Robles wines that you think are really good. I love trying new wines from everywhere and anywhere. I really like Saxum James Berry from paso Robles.

• BuzzzzOff says:

  4/22/2015 7:44:00 PM - Yes, we had a great visit there as well. We had lunch with Laurent, who also is a very interesting and knowledgable fella. Good stuff!!!

• Martin Redmond says:

  4/22/2015 8:14:00 AM - Thanks for your comment on the Jacquesson. I had the pleasure of visiting Jacquesson last year and after a tour and tasting having dinner with Jen-Hervé Chiquet. Truly an amazing experience!