I have an opportunity to buy a case of this wine at a very discounted
( employee ) price. However I am not a very experienced wine
connoisseur and I don't know if this is a good year or if it even
matters. Any suggestions?

On Apr 11, 6:21�pm, wrote:
> I have an opportunity to buy a case of this wine at a very discounted
> ( employee ) price. �However I am not a very experienced wine
> connoisseur and I don't know if this is a good year or if it even
> matters. �Any suggestions?

Can you return if corked? Because BV suffered from systemic TCA in the
winery from basically '97-'00. Lots of discounts, because high
percentage show TCA (and probably many others are "fruit scalped."
The BV GdlT has a very honorable history, but I personally would not
chance this unless the price is incredibly discounted (like under $20).

On Apr 11, 5:33 pm, DaleW > wrote:
> On Apr 11, 6:21�pm, wrote:
>
> > I have an opportunity to buy a case of this wine at a very discounted
> > ( employee ) price. �However I am not a very experienced wine
> > connoisseur and I don't know if this is a good year or if it even
> > matters. �Any suggestions?
>
> Can you return if corked? Because BV suffered from systemic TCA in the
> winery from basically '97-'00. Lots of discounts, because high
> percentage show TCA (and probably many others are "fruit scalped."
> The BV GdlT has a very honorable history, but I personally would not
> chance this unless the price is incredibly discounted (like under $20).

Thanks, I can't return and it's more closer to $40/bottle.

BV George de Latour is one of my favorite wines. I have not had the 2000
and passed on most Napa 2000's.

Can you try a bottle and see if its to your liking before taking the entire
case? BV is a favorite...one of the best wines I have had was a BV GdL from
1986, 1987 and the 1997 which I still have some in cellar.

Dale mentioned BV and cork contamination. All I can say is #1, BV would
likely stand behind if you had an issue. In fact when I saw the article I
had a full case in my cellar of 1997 and was concerned. I wrote them and
they assured me that they would stand behind if any issues. Then in the
mail a few days later I received a letter from the wine maker and a really
nice, leather bound book, on the history of the valley showing the
contributions of George De Latour.

Very Classy!!!



> wrote in message
...
>I have an opportunity to buy a case of this wine at a very discounted
> ( employee ) price. However I am not a very experienced wine
> connoisseur and I don't know if this is a good year or if it even
> matters. Any suggestions?

In article
>,
DaleW > wrote:

> On Apr 11, 6:21?pm, wrote:
> > I have an opportunity to buy a case of this wine at a very discounted
> > ( employee ) price. ?However I am not a very experienced wine
> > connoisseur and I don't know if this is a good year or if it even
> > matters. ?Any suggestions?
>
> Can you return if corked? Because BV suffered from systemic TCA in the
> winery from basically '97-'00. Lots of discounts, because high
> percentage show TCA (and probably many others are "fruit scalped."
> The BV GdlT has a very honorable history, but I personally would not
> chance this unless the price is incredibly discounted (like under $20).

I sent 3 bottles back to my local wine merchant for just this reason.

the gdlt was supposed to be made at a different site, and not
affected.

the tca in the cellar may have made the wine taste like a corked wine,
but the wine was not corked since the problem did not come from the
cork.

>> Can you return if corked? Because BV suffered from systemic TCA in the
>> winery from basically '97-'00. Lots of discounts, because high
>> percentage show TCA (and probably many others are "fruit scalped."
>> The BV GdlT has a very honorable history, but I personally would not
>> chance this unless the price is incredibly discounted (like under $20).

On Apr 13, 8:53�am, gerald > wrote:
> the gdlt was supposed to be made at a different site, and not
> affected.
>
> the tca in the cellar may have made the wine taste like a corked wine,
> but the wine �was not corked since the problem did not come from the
> cork.
>
>
>
> >> Can you return if corked? Because BV suffered from systemic TCA in the
> >> winery from basically '97-'00. Lots of discounts, because high
> >> percentage show TCA (and probably many others are "fruit scalped."
> >> The BV GdlT has a very honorable history, but I personally would not
> >> chance this unless the price is incredibly discounted (like under $20).- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Do you have a source for the idea the GdlT was not in the infected
cellar? Because the reports I read at the time said that BV had found
contamination in the cellar where the GdlT, Tapestry, Clone 6 etc were
produced. The wines that weren't effected were the low level reds and
the whites.

http://www.winebusiness.com/Referenc...m?dataId=18679

I've been batting about 40% noticable TCA on BVs from that period.
Some of the others were muted and probably had "fruit scalping." I
have one '98 GdlT left (plus some older ones '60, '88, '94). The '98
will not be a centerpiece of a dinner.

Most of us use the term "corked" for any TCA contamination, although
in cases like BV its likely the problem was the winery (although of
course there's still the 5%!).

Diageo said they would "stand behind" the wines. But the hassle of
returning bottles bought years before limits how much they will have
to. I doubt seriously if that '98 is infected I go to trouble to try
and recoup my losses (I only paid $35).

I had a full case of 1997 and NO PROBLEM. Truely outstanding wine.

When I contacted the winery when I heard the news they were great...if there
was a problem they would take back and return for another bottle or refund.

If I did not have a receipt they would work on that also with exchange for a
differeing vintage.

In short, they were GREAT!
"DaleW" > wrote in message
...
On Apr 13, 8:53?am, gerald > wrote:
> the gdlt was supposed to be made at a different site, and not
> affected.
>
> the tca in the cellar may have made the wine taste like a corked wine,
> but the wine ?was not corked since the problem did not come from the
> cork.
>
>
>
> >> Can you return if corked? Because BV suffered from systemic TCA in the
> >> winery from basically '97-'00. Lots of discounts, because high
> >> percentage show TCA (and probably many others are "fruit scalped."
> >> The BV GdlT has a very honorable history, but I personally would not
> >> chance this unless the price is incredibly discounted (like under
> >> $20).- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Do you have a source for the idea the GdlT was not in the infected
cellar? Because the reports I read at the time said that BV had found
contamination in the cellar where the GdlT, Tapestry, Clone 6 etc were
produced. The wines that weren't effected were the low level reds and
the whites.

http://www.winebusiness.com/Referenc...m?dataId=18679

I've been batting about 40% noticable TCA on BVs from that period.
Some of the others were muted and probably had "fruit scalping." I
have one '98 GdlT left (plus some older ones '60, '88, '94). The '98
will not be a centerpiece of a dinner.

Most of us use the term "corked" for any TCA contamination, although
in cases like BV its likely the problem was the winery (although of
course there's still the 5%!).

Diageo said they would "stand behind" the wines. But the hassle of
returning bottles bought years before limits how much they will have
to. I doubt seriously if that '98 is infected I go to trouble to try
and recoup my losses (I only paid $35).

On Apr 13, 10:12�am, "Richard Neidich" > wrote:
> I had a full case of 1997 and NO PROBLEM. �Truely outstanding wine..
>
> When I contacted the winery when I heard the news they were great...if there
> was a problem they would take back and return for another bottle or refund..
>
> If I did not have a receipt they would work on that also with exchange for a
> differeing vintage.
>
> In short, they were GREAT!"DaleW" > wrote in message
>
> ...
> On Apr 13, 8:53?am, gerald > wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > the gdlt was supposed to be made at a different site, and not
> > affected.
>
> > the tca in the cellar may have made the wine taste like a corked wine,
> > but the wine ?was not corked since the problem did not come from the
> > cork.
>
> > >> Can you return if corked? Because BV suffered from systemic TCA in the
> > >> winery from basically '97-'00. Lots of discounts, because high
> > >> percentage show TCA (and probably many others are "fruit scalped."
> > >> The BV GdlT has a very honorable history, but I personally would not
> > >> chance this unless the price is incredibly discounted (like under
> > >> $20).- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> Do you have a source for the idea the GdlT was not in the infected
> cellar? Because the reports I read at the time said that BV had found
> contamination in the cellar where the GdlT, Tapestry, Clone 6 etc were
> produced. The wines that weren't effected were the low level reds and
> the whites.
>
> http://www.winebusiness.com/Referenc...m?dataId=18679
>
> I've been batting about 40% noticable TCA on BVs from that period.
> Some of the others were muted and probably had "fruit scalping." �I
> have one '98 GdlT left (plus some older ones '60, '88, '94). The '98
> will not be a centerpiece of a dinner.
>
> Most of us use the term "corked" for any TCA contamination, although
> in cases like BV its likely the problem was the winery (although of
> course there's still the 5%!).
>
> Diageo said they would "stand behind" the wines. But the hassle of
> returning bottles bought years before limits how much they will have
> to. I doubt seriously if that '98 is infected I go to trouble to try
> and recoup my losses (I only paid $35).- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

I had the the same experience Dick. A full case of GdlT showed no TCA
and I have 7 bottles left of a second case and so far no TCA. In
fact, the first "corked" wine I've had in months I just had last night
and it was an Usseglio CdP Deux Freres 2005 and it was whoppingly
corked. I just received the wine from Zachys so I'll see what kind of
response I get to my email.

no, i do not, as the conversation was the better part of 10 years ago,
and since i don't drink the stuff(i have thought it overpriced) i
forgot most of the conversation.

i do recall that my interpetation of the conversation was that gdlt
was made by a different wine maker at a different site and using
highly selected grapes.

is gdlt estate bottled?

On Sun, 13 Apr 2008 06:28:45 -0700 (PDT), DaleW >
wrote:

>Do you have a source for the idea the GdlT was not in the infected
>cellar? Because the reports I read at the time said that BV had found
>contamination in the cellar where the GdlT, Tapestry, Clone 6 etc were
>produced. The wines that weren't effected were the low level reds and
>the whites.

Gerald, I cannot speak for the 2000, but the 1997 that was supposed to be
affected was one of the best wines I have ever had...and still have a few
bottles remaining from the case.

Those I have had did NOT have any issues that I could notice.


"gerald" > wrote in message
...
>
> no, i do not, as the conversation was the better part of 10 years ago,
> and since i don't drink the stuff(i have thought it overpriced) i
> forgot most of the conversation.
>
> i do recall that my interpetation of the conversation was that gdlt
> was made by a different wine maker at a different site and using
> highly selected grapes.
>
> is gdlt estate bottled?
>
> On Sun, 13 Apr 2008 06:28:45 -0700 (PDT), DaleW >
> wrote:
>
>>Do you have a source for the idea the GdlT was not in the infected
>>cellar? Because the reports I read at the time said that BV had found
>>contamination in the cellar where the GdlT, Tapestry, Clone 6 etc were
>>produced. The wines that weren't effected were the low level reds and
>>the whites.

On Apr 14, 8:02�am, gerald > wrote:
> no, i do not, as the conversation was the better part of 10 years ago,
> and since i don't drink the stuff(i have thought it overpriced) i
> forgot most of the conversation.
>
> i do recall that my interpetation of the conversation was that gdlt
> was made by a different wine maker at a different site and using
> highly selected grapes. �
>
> is gdlt estate bottled?
>
> On Sun, 13 Apr 2008 06:28:45 -0700 (PDT), DaleW >
> wrote:
>
>
>
> >Do you have a source for the idea the GdlT was not in the infected
> >cellar? Because the reports I read at the time said that BV had found
> >contamination in the cellar where the GdlT, Tapestry, Clone 6 etc were
> >produced. The wines that weren't effected were the low level reds and
> >the whites.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Gerald,
The GdlT is an estate wine, selected grapes from their Rutherford
vineyards,. Definitely supposed to be produced at same facility as the
Tapestry, etc. The low -level reds (Signet) I think are mostly non-
Napa and may be produced elsewhere.

Bill,
since the admitted vintages with problems are '97-'00 (not sure re
'01), my guess is that the level of contamination grew with each year,
so '97 likely to be least affected. Maybe Mark could correct me, but I
think that in most cases the issue is chlorine based cleaners on wood
in a humid enviroment. It would make sense to me that initial levels
would be low, and the latter years more heavily affected. I also think
it was one of the rooms used, so you might have gotten a case that
didn't pass through that room, I'd still pass on the 2000 at close to
$40 (and if anyone wants the '98 at the $34 I paid I'll happily sell
or trade!).

Billl

On Apr 14, 10:47Â*am, DaleW > wrote:
> On Apr 14, 8:02�am, gerald > wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > no, i do not, as the conversation was the better part of 10 years ago,
> > and since i don't drink the stuff(i have thought it overpriced) i
> > forgot most of the conversation.
>
> > i do recall that my interpetation of the conversation was that gdlt
> > was made by a different wine maker at a different site and using
> > highly selected grapes. �
>
> > is gdlt estate bottled?
>
> > On Sun, 13 Apr 2008 06:28:45 -0700 (PDT), DaleW >
> > wrote:
>
> > >Do you have a source for the idea the GdlT was not in the infected
> > >cellar? Because the reports I read at the time said that BV had found
> > >contamination in the cellar where the GdlT, Tapestry, Clone 6 etc were
> > >produced. The wines that weren't effected were the low level reds and
> > >the whites.- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> Gerald,
> The GdlT is an estate wine, selected grapes from their Rutherford
> vineyards,. Definitely supposed to be produced at same facility as the
> Tapestry, etc. The low -level reds (Signet) I think are mostly non-
> Napa and may be produced elsewhere.
>
> Bill,
> since the admitted vintages with problems are '97-'00 (not sure re
> '01), my guess is that the level of contamination grew with each year,
> so '97 likely to be least affected. Maybe Mark could correct me, but I
> think that in most cases the issue is chlorine based cleaners on wood
> in a humid enviroment. It would make sense to me that initial levels
> would be low, and the latter years more heavily affected. I also think
> it was one of the rooms used, so you might have gotten a case that
> didn't pass through that room, I'd still pass on the 2000 at close to
> $40 (and if anyone wants the '98 at the $34 I paid I'll happily sell
> or trade!).
>
> Billl- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

I was aware of the problem...after I had purchased the wine and was
lucky to have avoided the TCA problem so far. My recollection of the
problem was similar to your the chlorine bleach cleaning issue.
FWIW, so far I haven't found a bottle of Chateau Montelena that's been
corked in recent years dispite Jim Laube's assertions. I think that I
have normal perception levels of TCA and certainly can pick out a wine
that suffering from fruit scalping.

Ditto here. I think as usual the press on this situation was overblown.


"Bi!!" > wrote in message
...
On Apr 14, 10:47 am, DaleW > wrote:
> On Apr 14, 8:02?am, gerald > wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > no, i do not, as the conversation was the better part of 10 years ago,
> > and since i don't drink the stuff(i have thought it overpriced) i
> > forgot most of the conversation.
>
> > i do recall that my interpetation of the conversation was that gdlt
> > was made by a different wine maker at a different site and using
> > highly selected grapes. ?
>
> > is gdlt estate bottled?
>
> > On Sun, 13 Apr 2008 06:28:45 -0700 (PDT), DaleW >
> > wrote:
>
> > >Do you have a source for the idea the GdlT was not in the infected
> > >cellar? Because the reports I read at the time said that BV had found
> > >contamination in the cellar where the GdlT, Tapestry, Clone 6 etc were
> > >produced. The wines that weren't effected were the low level reds and
> > >the whites.- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> Gerald,
> The GdlT is an estate wine, selected grapes from their Rutherford
> vineyards,. Definitely supposed to be produced at same facility as the
> Tapestry, etc. The low -level reds (Signet) I think are mostly non-
> Napa and may be produced elsewhere.
>
> Bill,
> since the admitted vintages with problems are '97-'00 (not sure re
> '01), my guess is that the level of contamination grew with each year,
> so '97 likely to be least affected. Maybe Mark could correct me, but I
> think that in most cases the issue is chlorine based cleaners on wood
> in a humid enviroment. It would make sense to me that initial levels
> would be low, and the latter years more heavily affected. I also think
> it was one of the rooms used, so you might have gotten a case that
> didn't pass through that room, I'd still pass on the 2000 at close to
> $40 (and if anyone wants the '98 at the $34 I paid I'll happily sell
> or trade!).
>
> Billl- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

I was aware of the problem...after I had purchased the wine and was
lucky to have avoided the TCA problem so far. My recollection of the
problem was similar to your the chlorine bleach cleaning issue.
FWIW, so far I haven't found a bottle of Chateau Montelena that's been
corked in recent years dispite Jim Laube's assertions. I think that I
have normal perception levels of TCA and certainly can pick out a wine
that suffering from fruit scalping.

On Apr 14, 11:47Â*am, DaleW > wrote:
> On Apr 14, 8:02�am, gerald > wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > no, i do not, as the conversation was the better part of 10 years ago,
> > and since i don't drink the stuff(i have thought it overpriced) i
> > forgot most of the conversation.
>
> > i do recall that my interpetation of the conversation was that gdlt
> > was made by a different wine maker at a different site and using
> > highly selected grapes. �
>
> > is gdlt estate bottled?
>
> > On Sun, 13 Apr 2008 06:28:45 -0700 (PDT), DaleW >
> > wrote:
>
> > >Do you have a source for the idea the GdlT was not in the infected
> > >cellar? Because the reports I read at the time said that BV had found
> > >contamination in the cellar where the GdlT, Tapestry, Clone 6 etc were
> > >produced. The wines that weren't effected were the low level reds and
> > >the whites.- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> Gerald,
> The GdlT is an estate wine, selected grapes from their Rutherford
> vineyards,. Definitely supposed to be produced at same facility as the
> Tapestry, etc. The low -level reds (Signet) I think are mostly non-
> Napa and may be produced elsewhere.
>
> Bill,
> since the admitted vintages with problems are '97-'00 (not sure re
> '01), my guess is that the level of contamination grew with each year,
> so '97 likely to be least affected. Maybe Mark could correct me, but I
> think that in most cases the issue is chlorine based cleaners on wood
> in a humid enviroment. It would make sense to me that initial levels
> would be low, and the latter years more heavily affected. I also think
> it was one of the rooms used, so you might have gotten a case that
> didn't pass through that room, I'd still pass on the 2000 at close to
> $40 (and if anyone wants the '98 at the $34 I paid I'll happily sell
> or trade!).
>
> Billl- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

So I opened the '98 BV GdL last night. Definitely corked. I've written
winery, we shall see.

On May 4, 9:36Â*am, DaleW > wrote:
> On Apr 14, 11:47Â*am, DaleW > wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Apr 14, 8:02�am, gerald > wrote:
>
> > > no, i do not, as the conversation was the better part of 10 years ago,
> > > and since i don't drink the stuff(i have thought it overpriced) i
> > > forgot most of the conversation.
>
> > > i do recall that my interpetation of the conversation was that gdlt
> > > was made by a different wine maker at a different site and using
> > > highly selected grapes. �
>
> > > is gdlt estate bottled?
>
> > > On Sun, 13 Apr 2008 06:28:45 -0700 (PDT), DaleW >
> > > wrote:
>
> > > >Do you have a source for the idea the GdlT was not in the infected
> > > >cellar? Because the reports I read at the time said thatBVhad found
> > > >contamination in the cellar where the GdlT, Tapestry, Clone 6 etc were
> > > >produced. The wines that weren't effected were the low level reds and
> > > >the whites.- Hide quoted text -
>
> > > - Show quoted text -
>
> > Gerald,
> > The GdlT is an estate wine, selected grapes from their Rutherford
> > vineyards,. Definitely supposed to be produced at same facility as the
> > Tapestry, etc. The low -level reds (Signet) I think are mostly non-
> > Napa and may be produced elsewhere.
>
> > Bill,
> > since the admitted vintages with problems are '97-'00 (not sure re
> > '01), my guess is that the level of contamination grew with each year,
> > so '97 likely to be least affected. Maybe Mark could correct me, but I
> > think that in most cases the issue is chlorine based cleaners on wood
> > in a humid enviroment. It would make sense to me that initial levels
> > would be low, and the latter years more heavily affected. I also think
> > it was one of the rooms used, so you might have gotten a case that
> > didn't pass through that room, I'd still pass on the 2000 at close to
> > $40 (and if anyone wants the '98 at the $34 I paid I'll happily sell
> > or trade!).
>
> > Billl- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> So I opened the '98BVGdL last night. Definitelycorked. I've written
> winery, we shall see.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

(posted this on another thread, but wanted BV's response on record
here, too)
Credit where credit is due: talked to David Chu from Diageo, he
assured me they stand by every bottle, and sent me a '04 BV GdL as a
replacement- and a bottle of Tapestry (I did promise to let them know
how the '60 has held up when I try in 2 years). Excellent response!

Did you have to return the bottle to them?

How did that work?
"DaleW" > wrote in message
...
On May 4, 9:36 am, DaleW > wrote:
> On Apr 14, 11:47 am, DaleW > wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Apr 14, 8:02?am, gerald > wrote:
>
> > > no, i do not, as the conversation was the better part of 10 years ago,
> > > and since i don't drink the stuff(i have thought it overpriced) i
> > > forgot most of the conversation.
>
> > > i do recall that my interpetation of the conversation was that gdlt
> > > was made by a different wine maker at a different site and using
> > > highly selected grapes. ?
>
> > > is gdlt estate bottled?
>
> > > On Sun, 13 Apr 2008 06:28:45 -0700 (PDT), DaleW >
> > > wrote:
>
> > > >Do you have a source for the idea the GdlT was not in the infected
> > > >cellar? Because the reports I read at the time said thatBVhad found
> > > >contamination in the cellar where the GdlT, Tapestry, Clone 6 etc
> > > >were
> > > >produced. The wines that weren't effected were the low level reds and
> > > >the whites.- Hide quoted text -
>
> > > - Show quoted text -
>
> > Gerald,
> > The GdlT is an estate wine, selected grapes from their Rutherford
> > vineyards,. Definitely supposed to be produced at same facility as the
> > Tapestry, etc. The low -level reds (Signet) I think are mostly non-
> > Napa and may be produced elsewhere.
>
> > Bill,
> > since the admitted vintages with problems are '97-'00 (not sure re
> > '01), my guess is that the level of contamination grew with each year,
> > so '97 likely to be least affected. Maybe Mark could correct me, but I
> > think that in most cases the issue is chlorine based cleaners on wood
> > in a humid enviroment. It would make sense to me that initial levels
> > would be low, and the latter years more heavily affected. I also think
> > it was one of the rooms used, so you might have gotten a case that
> > didn't pass through that room, I'd still pass on the 2000 at close to
> > $40 (and if anyone wants the '98 at the $34 I paid I'll happily sell
> > or trade!).
>
> > Billl- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> So I opened the '98BVGdL last night. Definitelycorked. I've written
> winery, we shall see.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

(posted this on another thread, but wanted BV's response on record
here, too)
Credit where credit is due: talked to David Chu from Diageo, he
assured me they stand by every bottle, and sent me a '04 BV GdL as a
replacement- and a bottle of Tapestry (I did promise to let them know
how the '60 has held up when I try in 2 years). Excellent response!