My first true Winecast in 5 years to celebrate the 10th anniversary of this podcast and wine blog. And there is no better theme than the celebrated, often imitated, but never duplicated sparkling wine region where the modern wine industry was born: Champagne.

Winecast, a podcast by Tim Elliott

Winecast 77 - Champagne

Five years and one day after I started this blog and podcast I get back behind the mic and restart regular podcasting. This episode features an interview with Rudy McClain, the filmmaker of the documentary Merlove. I also pick three Merlot wines from my tasting log for review. Show Notes: 00:30 – Welcome and show theme 02:22 – Interview with Merlove filmmaker Rudy McClain 15:25 – My review of the documentary Merlove (Buy DVD at Amazon: http://bit.ly/8BCTau) 17:35 – Review of Bodegas Osborne, “Solaz”, Merlot-Tempranillo 2006 18:43 – Review of Blackstone, Merlot, Sonoma Reserve 2007 19:18 – Review of Raphael, Merlot 2001 21:37 – Feedback & call for new theme music 22:13 – Next show theme Tasting Notes: Bodegas Osborne, “Solaz”, Merlot (65%) Tempranillo (35%), 2006 ($9) – Garnet in color with aromas of black cherry, white pepper, licorice and vanilla. Bold plum and black cherry fruit with black pepper finishing with just a hint of bell pepper and moderate tannins. A very nice table wine for under $10. 13.5% ABV Synthetic cork closure Rating: ★★★☆☆ Buy this wine online: http://bit.ly/57N3Bo Blackstone, Merlot, Sonoma Reserve 2007 ($20/sample) – Dark purple with aromas of black cherry, dark current and sage. Rich plum and dark cherry fruit with some mint finishing with supple tannins. 14.5% ABV Natural cork closure Rating: ★★★½☆ Buy this wine online: http://bit.ly/5kjSFZ Raphael, Merlot, North Fork of Long Island 2001 ($25/750 ml/won in Menu for Hope raffle; tasted from 3L) – Deep garnet in color with aromas of black cherry, currant and mint. Rich black current and black cherry fruit with white pepper, bell pepper flavors finishing with moderate but well integrated tannins. Has structure for another 10 years in the cellar in this format. Outstanding Long Island Merlot that I would guess was from Bordeaux in a blind tasting. 12.5% ABV Natural cork closure Rating: ★★★★☆ Buy this wine online: http://bit.ly/6EXF5w Feedback: winecast@gmail.com Voicemail: +1-646-495-9244 x 60514 http://drop.io/winecast Copyright 2009 Acan Media, Inc. Licensed under Creative Commons.

Winecast 76 – Merlove

Jeff Lefevere and I are back with another edition of the Unfiltered podcast after nearly a year in hiatus. We are joined by Tina Caputo, the Editor-in-Chief of Vineyard & Winery Management magazine, Joel Vincent, Executive Director of the OpenWine Consortium and co-founder of VinTank, and Tom Wark from Wark Communications and FERMENTATION. Show Notes: 00:26 - Welcome & Introductions 01:18 - Wine Bloggers Conference 07:31 - American Wine Blog Awards 15:55 - Social Media & Wine 23:27 - “Robert Parker’s Bitch” video 48:58 - Tina’s Blog, The Wine Broad’s Board 49:35 - Tom’s Blog, FERMENTATION 49:51 - Jeff’s Blog, Good Grape Production note: My recording levels were not set correctly and attempts at adjusting this in post-production introduced a lot of noise. This has been corrected for the next episode. These things happen when you don’t podcast for several months ;-) Feedback: winecast@gmail.com Voicemail: +1-646-495-9203 ext. 19765 http://drop.io/winecast Copyright 2009 Acan Media, Inc. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/us/

Unfiltered 9: The Return

Another Quick Picks sharing a wine I enjoyed over the Holidays, an aged Bordeaux blend from Pomerol. Château Clos René 2000 ($30-60) - Deep crimson-purple in color with aromas of black cherry, dark currant, pencil lead, fennel and mint. Rich black cherry fruit with black pepper and dark chocolate finishing with moderate, but plush, tannins. A delicious Bordeaux blend that has more years ahead of it. 13% ABV Natural cork Rating: ★★★★☆ Buy this wine online Feedback: winecast@gmail.com Voicemail: +1-646-495-9203 ext. 19765 http://drop.io/winecast Copyright 2008 Acan Media, Inc. Licensed to the public under Creative Commons.

Quick Picks 11 - Chateau Clos Rene 2000

I’m back in action on the 4th anniversary of my first podcast with a high-end Carmenere-led blend from Chile. Vina Santa Ema, “Rivalta” 2003 - ($68/sample) Dark purple in color with aromas of black currant, plum, blueberry, fennel, mint and vanilla. Rich and concentrated dark currant and blackberry fruit with black pepper and dark chocolate finishing with firm tannins. A delicious Carmenere-led blend that will age at least 4-6 more years. Feedback: winecast@gmail.com Voicemail: +1-646-495-9203 ext. 19765 http://drop.io/winecast Copyright 2008 Acan Media, Inc. Licensed to the public under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/

Quick Picks 10: Santa Ema Rivalta 2003

I'm back with an interview with Etienne Hugel of Hugel & Fils. This family winery has been passed from father to son for 12 generations and makes some of the best wines from France’s Alsace region. We also talk about a virtual tasting over Twitter organized by Bin Ends Wines later this month. Show Notes: 00:25 - Introduction and background on Hugel & Fils 01:49 - Interview with Etienne Hugel 31:31 - Details of Bin Ends Wines Twitter Tasting 38:57 - Contact Details 39:08 - Next Show Theme Feedback: winecast@gmail.com Voicemail: +1-646-495-9203 ext. 19765 http://drop.io/winecast Copyright 2008 Acan Media, Inc. Licensed to the public under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/

Winecast 75 - Etienne Hugel

The first of several shows recorded last year, this podcast focuses on the wines of Israel with an interview with blogger & retailer Richard Shaffer from Israeli Wine Direct and winemaker Zeev Smilansky from Meishar Winery. Show Notes: 00:27 - Welcome & Background on Israeli Wine 02:10 - Israeli Wines Today 32:10 - Get Your Free Audible Book 35:44 - Feedback and Next Show Theme Feedback: winecast@gmail.com Voicemail: +1-646-495-9203 ext. 19765 http://drop.io/winecast Copyright 2008 Acan Media, Inc. Licensed to the public under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/ Sponsor: Audible: Get a 14-Day FREE Trial of AudibleListener® Gold And 1 Free Download by clicking here: http://www.audiblepodcast.com/winecast/

Winecast 74 - The Wines of Israel

Jeff Lefevere and I start our second season of Unfiltered with a panel of wine bloggers, podcasters, winery owners and retailers. We welcome Ryan from Catavino, Jeff Stai a.k.a. El Jefe from Twisted Oak, Craig Camp from Anne Amie Vineyards, Kaz & Randy from Wine Biz Radio and Jill from domaine547.com Show Notes: 00:25 - Welcome & Introductions 01:28 - American Wine Blog Awards 15:50 - Twitter: Waste of time or valuable tool? 23:14 - Amazon enters wine biz? 33:10 - Are high alcohol wines not such a bad thing? 39:17 - Who writes Wine-ing 2.0? 42:39 - Blog URL’s and Feedback Feedback: winecast@gmail.com Voicemail: +1-646-495-9203 ext. 19765 http://drop.io/winecast Copyright 2008 Acan Media, Inc. Licensed to the public under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/

Unfiltered 8 - AWBA, Twitter, Amazon & more

I am back behind the mic for another podcast and this time I'm reading a post from last week and reflecting about the comments. Feedback: winecast@gmail.com Copyright 2008 Acan Media, Inc. Licensed to the public under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/

Repost 1: Amazon Enters Wine Retailing

As I begin my 4th year of podcasting I present the final Unfiltered show of it's first season. Jeff and I welcome a panel of some of the top wine bloggers today: Alder Yarrow, Dr. Debs and Gabriella & Ryan Opaz. We talk about the state of wine blogging, where it is going and share some wine picks. Show Notes: 00:25 - Introduction 01:40 - Question for Alder 04:21 - Question for Dr. Debs 05:46 - Question for Gabriella & Ryan 08:10 - Question for Jeff 09:19 - Are Wine Bloggers Having An Impact? 15:04 - Where Is Wine Blogging Going? 36:53 - Will Wine Bloggers Adopt A Common Rating Scale? 55:13 - Gabriella & Ryan's Wine Pick 57:17 - Dr. Debs' Wine Pick 59:13 - Alder's Wine Pick 60:00 - Tim's Wine Pick 62:30 - Everyone Plugs Their Blogs 64:00 - Jeff's Wine Pick 67:00 - Feedback Feedback: winecast@gmail.com Copyright 2007 Acan Media, Inc. Licensed to the public under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/

Unfiltered 7 - Wine Blogging Today

I’m back with another pick that I thought I hadn’t yet blogged but I wrote about the 2003 vintage for WBW 35. Bodegas Castano, "Hecula", Monastrell, Yecla 2004 ($14) - Very dark purple-black with aromas of blackberry, bacon, licorice and vanilla. Ripe black cherry and blackberry fruit flavors with medium firm tannins, good acidity and a nice minerality on the finish. 14.5% ABV Synthetic cork closure Score: 89

Quick Picks 9 - Bodegas Castano, "Hecula" 2004

Another Quick Picks just in time for the Thanksgiving table featuring two Roussanne-based wines from Tablas Creek Vineyard. Tablas Creek Vineyard, Roussanne 2005 ($27) - Light straw in color with aromas of pear, pineapple and orange blossom. Crisp pear and pineapple flavors with nice minerality on the finish. Wow. Score: 91 Rating: 4/5 stars Tablas Creek Vineyard, Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc, Roussanne/Grenache Blanc/Picpoul Blanc blend 2005 ($35) - Light yellow in color with aromas of pear, honey and spice. Pear, citrus and pineapple flavors finish long with refreshing acidity. A delicious Rhone blend that shows what can be done with these grapes in California. I will cellar a few bottles to see what happens with 5, 10 and 15 years of bottle age. Score: 92 Rating: 4/5 stars Join my Crushpad Group! http://tinyurl.com/27y8df Feedback: winecast@gmail.com Copyright 2007 Acan Media, Inc. Licensed to the public under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/

Quick Picks 8 - Tablas Creek Roussanne

The first of several podcasts from the archives, this one recorded in late May and mid-June but not edited and released until now. I spent about an hour with Cameron Hughes in his San Francisco offices and captured an interesting portrait of what makes this New World négociant tick. Unfortunately most of these tasting notes are for wines now sold out but Lot 25 is still available and now on sale, along with Lots 42 and 26. All of which are recommended. Show Notes: 00:23 - Introduction 01:53 - Interview with Cameron Hughes 26:53 - Tasting notes 27:04 - Lot 25, Carneros Sparking Wine NV ($19) 27:32 - Lot 26, Sauvignon Blanc 2006 ($12) 28:00 - Lot 29, Lake County Meritage 2005 ($11) 28:28 - Lot 30, Chardonnay 2005 ($12) 28:57 - Lot 31, Syrah 2005 ($12) 29:23 - Lot 38, Shiraz 2005 ($20) 30:10 - Lot 42, Shiraz 2005 ($18) 30:42 - Best of Tasting: Lot 38, Shiraz 2005 ($20) 31:03 - Best Value: Lot 26, Sauvignon Blanc 2006 ($12) 31:21 - Feedback 31:36 - Next Show Theme Feedback: winecast@gmail.com Copyright 2007 Acan Media, Inc. Licensed to the public under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/

Winecast 73 - Cameron Hughes

Another Wine Blogging Wednesday and this time I’m podcasting for the first time since WBW 23. Neil from Brooklynguy’s Wine and Food Blog came up with a great theme this month: ‘Silver’ Burgundy. Instead of investing in a Côte d’Or (’gold coast’) wine, we are drinking affordable Burgundy from the Côte Chalonnaise and the Mâconnais. Since I favor red wines this time of year, I selected a village wine from Mercurey made by the well known Faiveley family. Listen to the podcast for more details but here are my tasting notes: J. Faiveley, Domaine de la Croix Jacquelet, Mercurey 2003 ($20) - Deep ruby color with aromas of dark cherry, fennel and sage. Rich black cherry and raspberry fruit with a touch of earth finishing with firm tannins and good acidity. The bold fruit balances the tannins so I expect this wine to improve with a year or two more in the cellar. Alternatively, you could give it a couple hours in the decanter to open up before enjoying. A very good value in Pinot Noir. 13% ABV Natural cork closure Score: 88 Rating: 3.5/5 stars Feedback: winecast@gmail.com Copyright 2007 Acan Media, Inc. Licensed to the public under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/

Quick Picks 7: Faiveley Mercurey 2003

Jeff Lefevere and I return for another podcast after a hiatus of 6 months. We welcome Alyssa Rapp, founder and CEO of Bottlenotes and Mary Baker, owner of Dover Canyon Winery. 00:25 - Welcome and Introductions 01:09 - Background of Bottlenotes 16:28 - Dover Canyon overview 17:44 - Harvest 2007 discussion 25:06 - Is Bigger Better? 46:45 - To Cork or Not to Cork? 53:38 - Links and show conclusion Feedback: winecast@gmail.com Copyright 2007 Acan Media, Inc. Licensed to the public under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/

Unfiltered 6 - Bottlenotes & Dover Canyon

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