Ira Schwartz

10

Wine stimulates our sense of smell and taste but in this case it also created a tidal wave of emotion. Through a tremendous act of generosity a dear friend shared this special bottle when he heard me lament I was not able to secure a bottle of wine to celebrate my mother’s 100 birthday. My friend stood the bottle up for several days. We decided it made sense to PnP. As you can see the cork was intact and the color of the wine defied its age. The excitement to take that first sniff was overwhelming for me. Old but alive scents wowed me. Lots of tobacco, leaves, leather and dried fruit. In the mouth those same scents were transferred to my palate thanks to a tsunami of acid. At about the one hour mark the wine quickly entered a death spiral. I cannot imagine another bottle of wine that will ever conjure up that amount of emotion and happiness. When I described my experience to my mom, a very broad smile came over her face. A blessing to share this experience with my mom and a privilege to taste a wine like this. — 2 months ago

with Richard

Steve Rura

8.9

This is a throwback bottle for me. Right after our first kid was born, I cooked a lot of mussels for a quick and affordable (yet luxurious) meal at home. I often used Muscadet or Txakolina, and this was a go-to producer. So this went with red curried mussels and rice. Not as delicious as I remember from those moments, but still easygoing, crisp, a bit fizzy and great with shellfish. — 2 years ago

John Gallo

8.9

I purchased this 2018 at the vineyard in Italy and had it shipped home. we like it. Paid €35 for the bottle - shipped to me. Pricey but great memory. — 3 years ago

Fin Jams

9.3

A big boy Burgundy. jammy yet very well made at 16% abv. Velvety and full. Had to have this young cos they didn't let me take this home. Rouget's already a superstar and soon to be a legend.
-L'Arche de Vins in Beune — 4 months ago

Gage Orion

9.5

Cracked into a bottle from last visit to Napa. I am such a fan off all the Gamble family wines. Such a smooth bottle with a fantastic oaky finish. Tastes even better once it’s breathed a little. Serve me a bottle of this before I die and I’ll die with a smile on my face. — 4 months ago

Tom Casagrande

9.5

This magnum was a gift from co-workers at my old job when I left to take a new one. Nice coworkers! So rich and resolved. This wine reminds me of Neil Young’s Vampire Blues. “I’m a vampire babe. Suckin’ blood from the earth.” Grenache pulled from God’s earth. Incredible intensity and length, but still entirely in balance. Length for days. Iodine, stones, blood. — a year ago

with Dan and Angelo

Adriana Fabbro

9.3

Another year, a new RM producer! An gorgeous, exuberant and lively Blanc de Blanc for José Dhondt (375ml). Preserved lemon, golden apple — fresh and baked — hazelnut and toasty brioche in abundance. That elusive balance of brightness and depth/richness….

En route home from the airport, I realized that I had no champagne awaiting me at home and risked a birthday passing without a glass (😱). Managed to swing by Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant on my way back to the East Bay 15 minutes before closing for this little gem. Well worth the 30 minute detour. — 3 years ago

Doug Powers

9.4

Terrific red wine from the La Clarine Estate vineyard, reminds me a little of Domaine de Trevallon (Cab and Syrah, though here other grapes as well), big and rich still, showing just a tad of mature notes, long, persistent finish, hides its 14.5% ABV well, kudos to Hank!! — 4 months ago

with Hank and Jim

Tom Casagrande

9.2

PNP way too young I know. But holy cow what a funky nose right out of the gate. All sorts of green and brown vegetation, very weedy, but tons of dark fruit underneath. So soft in the mouth — which surprised me since I was expecting it to be way too tannic. Deep savory flavors. Great balance. So much character packed and stuffed into this one. Will update as it gains air.

UPDATE: As this gains air, the initial vegetative, weedy notes are being replaced with very pure blackberry liqueur scents and whiffs of smoky sandalwood.

Several wineries take fruit from the old, sandy vineyards in Contra Costa. Some make wines over 15% and the jammy fruit overshadows the other complex earthy notes. Others try to pick artificially early to get dry cranberry juice cocktail. This wine nails the sweet spot. Balance, complexity, and drinkability. — 8 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Presented double-blind. The wine pours a deep, ruby color with a near opaque core. Medium+ viscosity with significant signs of sediment. Moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, dark fruits are predominant with some purple flowers, tobacco, subtle pyrazines and a touch of earth and baking spice. On the palate, the fruit set is confirmed. The wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. The finish is very long and savory. I believe a significant amount of new French oak is being used. Based on the aforementioned, possible varieties are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc or some combination of Bordeaux varieties from either France or California. While the fruit is no-doubt abundant, there is hefty structure and a complexity that makes me lean towards the Old World. And now that my head is there, it’s very hard for me to get outside of Pomerol and I think the fruit is more of a result of the vintage. So I went with it, calling it 2009 Pomerol from a great producer. Welp…I was close and probably a huge compliment to Amuse Bouche since I think this wine is supposed to be their take on Pomerol. A very sexy wine that is drinking very well right now without a decant. — 2 years ago