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!! — 12 days ago

with Hank and Jim

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. — 2 years ago

Phil Kessling

9.0

New arrival in the shop but had to take a bottle home. Coravin the first night, it was closed and a little bitter on the finish. Pulled the cork the next night and it was a different wine. Tart fruit and great minerality, 14 ABV but didn’t drink hot. No RS. Gong to let the other bottles sit for a while. — 2 years 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. — 12 days 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. — 9 months ago

with Dan and Angelo

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

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. — 4 months ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.6

Ente and Coche are just simply in a league of their own in Meursault, and the 2017 vintage is killer tonight from the very first pour, wafting from the glass with deep layers of yellow orchard fruit, hazelnut, pastry cream and exotic spice. It is its texture that really stands out to me. Elegant and ever so satiny with racy acids and tremendous drive that carries all its flavors home with a mineral and saline laced finale. — a year ago

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. — 2 years ago