Wine Berserkers - international wine social media, online community, and forums

Todd F r e n c h

I like my vinguard valise. Same. A full case of 750ml non-champagne bottles comes to about 47-48 lbs with the VGV. I've never gotten more than 10 bottles in a VGV, ever, which is why we stopped distributing them at The Wine Check. A case of wine is typically 40-44lb, and the VGV is 13-14lb. Vino Vo...

Todd F r e n c h

Anybody else headed that way? If so, come find me.

Todd F r e n c h

I tried to bring this wine to an event with C Fu but he said the wine was 'lame' - will have to enjoy it sometime based on the OVERWHELMING love it is getting

Todd F r e n c h

I think it's very possible, though it will take some time. I've had great cabs from South Africa, and they are a huge value. Once it gets popular, though, there goes the value

Todd F r e n c h

You're on the email grouping, Brent, but thanks for letting me know. Todd--there *will* be lots more people contacted via email who will be coming ;) 105 wines at the moment, if I fill out all the slots. I don't *plan* to add any more, but one never knows :) So with, let's say 40 people, should be ...

Todd F r e n c h

FYI, as has been discussed in other threads, argon does not form a protective layer because it's heavier than oxygen. At any temperature where the wine is liquid, the gas molecules are moving at pretty high velocities and colliding with each other. These processes keep the different gases in a bott...

Todd F r e n c h

Bro, with that many wines in your 'depressurization' event, you will need MANY dozens more attendees!

Todd F r e n c h

I still have one of those as well, but haven't found it to be terribly reliable/effective FWIW, and you may already do this, I have found that wetting the stopper opening a bit (then shaking it off) before pumping seems to produce a more reliable longer lasting vacuum seal. When I forget to do this...

Todd F r e n c h

I've sent them a message that they may want to participate in BerserkerDay

Todd F r e n c h

What I can't find anywhere is - is Repour re-usable? Meaning, can I keep using the cork, or is it a one shot deal? Maybe I'm not understanding the technology. Adam, from the Q&A section on Amazon: If you can use it multiple times for the same bottle of wine then why can't you reuse it for another b...

Todd F r e n c h

I’ll throw out a Repour data point from tonight. I had about half a bottle left of a 1994 Mondavi Reserve CS from a tasting on July 20 so I stuck a Repour in it and threw it in the fridge. I poured it tonight with a Flannery ribeye and it hadn’t faded at all. If anything, the wine showed better ton...

Todd F r e n c h

Sadly it was my last bottle...so I just purchased 6 bottles of the 2018 en primeur to do this again in 10-15 years

Todd F r e n c h

No time for detailed notes at the moment, but I’m shocked at what a tremendous wine this is. It’s in a perfect space right now for the Bordeaux lover who appreciates classical traits, but also can handle a few of the modern, juicy aspects of the vintage and the region

Todd F r e n c h

I was fortunate to get on IMMEDIATELY before they started a waiting list, and mine has no requirement for buying Estate wines, though I often get a couple cases of mixed Estate wines (Geyserville, Lytton Springs, Estate Cab all multiple times each order).

Todd F r e n c h

Where WBers used to be their core market, it is no longer, as they found the much larger, less picky market in the well-to-do wine hobbyists, who buy based on label status. MUCH bigger market, no fuss. The wine is made for that market - big, bold, unabashed, and gobs of profit.

Todd F r e n c h

Piggybacking on Zee's great thread on VDP and other 'affordable' (harkening back to when MOST of Northern Rhone was affordable BUT Hermitage, sigh...) areas of Northern Rhone, I found a Languedoc wine I really, really enjoyed. I was in Madison, WI last weekend and stopped at a local wine shop (AWESO...

Todd F r e n c h

Hank Victor wrote: ↑
August 1st, 2019, 11:38 am
Every black friday weekend Coravin does a 50% off sale. You can snag a coravin and 4 capsules for about $199. If you're in no rush and have the option to wait until November.

Thanks - might be worth the wait...

Todd F r e n c h

Jim Stewart wrote: ↑
August 1st, 2019, 9:06 am
For a bottle to be drunk over a couple to several days, I have always used the Vacu Vin (pump til it clicks ) wine saver. Is it not thought of as reliable?

I still have one of those as well, but haven't found it to be terribly reliable/effective

Todd F r e n c h

(last night) 2009 Jérôme Chezeaux Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Aux Boudots - Could definitely see and smell/taste the ripeness of the vintage (color was slightly bricking, fruit was ripe) but it wasn't excessive, by any means. Cranberry, baking spice, iron, really gains weight and complexity after an h...

Todd F r e n c h

I've been really impressed with the efficacy of Repour, but they're single bottle use and a bit of an environmental waste. Cheers, Warren I have had very good results with Repour as well. I recall getting an email from them fairly recently about recycling . . . I believe they are made from 100% rec...

Todd F r e n c h

Mini-Vertical last night: ‘82 Meyney - I’ve probably opened over a case of this wine in the last few years. It has been consistently excellent, but is also usually representive of typical Cordier bottles of the era, with a lot of “funk”— read: brett. While I’m okay with that in most cases, once in ...

Todd F r e n c h

jhans wrote: ↑
July 30th, 2019, 8:36 pm
I use Private Preserve however the results are generally not that great. Am wondering how WineSave Pro differs, looks like a similar product, both use Argon

Yeah, I saw those on Amazon - about half the price of WineSave Pro, didn't know if it was similar/same or not

Todd F r e n c h

Tough timeline with family vacations but I'm a definite 'will try' or 'very maybe' on this

Todd F r e n c h

Obviously if you want to go big, Coravin is the answer, but I'm not interested in that kind of spend right at the moment. I've been using Winesave Pro (from BerserkerDay VIII and IX) quite a lot, and really like it. Might just buy more, rather than invest in more of the ZOS cartridges as those seem ...

Todd F r e n c h

Woo hoo! I have a bottle of this sitting happily in the cellar since I purchased it! Thanks for the notes1

Todd F r e n c h

DEFINITELY have to reference this thread next BerserkerDay, as there are quite a few producers represented here who sell that day! People always want notes...this is a perfect opportunity, given it's a bit of a comparative with so many options

Todd F r e n c h

What area of Chicago are you proposing to do this? Downtown? Burbs?

Todd F r e n c h

Steven - I want to come to this next year. I'll likely not see the posting, so if you remember, PLEASE reach out!

Todd F r e n c h

Wow. 1) I had no idea this was an annual thing - how freakin' cool! 2) I also didn't know that the original 'another shitty' phrase came from none other than one of the best Pinots from the US, Belle Pente Murto. Amazing.

Todd F r e n c h

Jay, nice job on the beard! Sporting the stay-cool-in-summer trim!

Thanks for labeling the photos with names - super helpful. In fact, I wish I would remember anyone's names as then I could do the same when I post photos!

Todd F r e n c h

brigcampbell wrote: ↑
July 28th, 2019, 4:15 pm
Chris and I are in. Jen has a partner in crime now. We'll bring a side dish, she'll text Jen.

And I'll take the grill for you. Remind me to bring a change of clothing so I don't smell like eau'd Flannery all day.

Reminder: bring a change of clothing.

There.

Todd F r e n c h

This thread is grossly lacking in photos...

Todd F r e n c h

FYI, a reliable source has told me that Michelin, which bought a minority interest in WA a couple of years ago, recently bought the controlling interest from the original Chinese investors who bought out Parker, and has a new plan for the future of WA. Here's what I found out - copy/pasted from the...

Todd F r e n c h

I'm moving the thread to Wine Talk

Todd F r e n c h

If there could be a comparison, I followed the Parker palate. I drank all the Shiraz and smoked the best cigars. I lost my palate for old world wine and found myself in need of extreme wines. The end result, I don't/can't travel much and drink fruit forward Pinot, lots of it, followed by bigger win...

Todd F r e n c h

I would suggest that MS laid the founding stone in Wineberserkers. neener I wonder when Todd is gonna sell us out. The bastard. PS. Todd, I have an ace team of corporate transactions lawyers when you are ready to sell. I come along free. I'll dial you up if that happens. Thus far I've had 3 offers ...

Todd F r e n c h

All true, what Eric said. We got to stay there thanks to Starwood (at the time) points, and it was off-season, so it was WAY cheap (in points). I'm sure those days are long gone, thanks to the merger with Marriott. I'm happy I had the chance to stay there when I did - as Eric said, it's just about p...

Todd F r e n c h

FYI, a reliable source has told me that Michelin, which bought a minority interest in WA a couple of years ago, recently bought the controlling interest from the original Chinese investors who bought out Parker, and has a new plan for the future of WA. Here's what I found out - copy/pasted from the ...

Todd F r e n c h

Robert.A.Jr. wrote: ↑
July 12th, 2019, 10:15 am

Todd F r e n c h wrote: ↑
July 12th, 2019, 7:41 am

Robert.A.Jr. wrote: ↑
July 12th, 2019, 5:49 am
Petrichor
This is mine, as well, and I can never remember it when I want to freakin' use it.
I have claimed ownership. Back off.

Board ownership trumps all other 'claims' - bow to me

Todd F r e n c h

Robert.A.Jr. wrote: ↑
July 12th, 2019, 5:49 am
Petrichor

This is mine, as well, and I can never remember it when I want to freakin' use it.

Todd F r e n c h

YES on Halcon - so often mistaken for a good French Syrah, and I'm victim to its allure as well. That's why I bought some on BerserkerDay, and while I'm trying to let it sit and age, now I want to crack a bottle tonight with pasta!

Todd F r e n c h

Where'd you get those old Hanzells?? What a treat

Todd F r e n c h

c fu wrote: ↑
July 10th, 2019, 10:12 pm

K John Joseph wrote: ↑
July 10th, 2019, 12:53 pm
Imagine how kickass this offline would be if TWO K@NES showed up! Just sayin...
if you went i'd break my rule of never going that far south without a police escort.

I see how it is...

Todd F r e n c h

Enough, Gray - you already have an argument with Eric in the Squires thread - no need for this as well, it's bordering on abuse

Todd F r e n c h

K John Joseph wrote: ↑
July 10th, 2019, 12:53 pm
Imagine how kickass this offline would be if TWO K@NES showed up! Just sayin...

Only way to make that happen.

Just sayin...

Todd F r e n c h

Robert.A.Jr. wrote: ↑
July 10th, 2019, 11:31 am
Well of course I would go for the full-body spread, notwithstanding how nice the close-up of my face is. One must use all of one's ass'ets.

All set!

Todd F r e n c h

Robert.A.Jr. wrote: ↑
July 10th, 2019, 11:18 am
EA57EA27-521A-439B-B5D4-828EEA6814EB.jpeg

Fu created it:

Two options for you - one that is the original format, scaled to fit, the other larger, with the 200X200 requirement

: alfertavatar.jpg (18.14 KiB) Viewed 304 times

: alfertavatarsquare.jpg (16.2 KiB) Viewed 304 times

Todd F r e n c h

Updated...

Todd F r e n c h

Robert.A.Jr. wrote: ↑
July 10th, 2019, 9:30 am
So confusing. I asked the help and was told, “sorry, do it yourself”. So I’ll stay naked.

Send it to me! It's much easier that way...I've done plenty o' avatars on here as it's super easy for me to pound it out and post it

Todd F r e n c h

I blame Frank Murray

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