When wineries are in the hands of top notch growers and winemakers, glorious things can ensue. Such is the case with Pharoahmoans, one of the great producers of Paso Robles wine. This boutique winery is founded by Amuse Bouche founder John Schwartz and Chef Bryan Ogden, recipient of the James Beard Award for best restaurant 2003. They have 35 years in the wine and food industry, and have teamed up with winemaker Guillaume Fabre.
I have admired Guillaume’s wines for many years at Clos Solene and now Benom. His family has been making wine for two generations in the South of France and Bordeaux where he worked on the family property since he was old enough to help.
Guillaume graduated with a Technical major in Winemaking, Oenology and Vineyard Management from the Lycée Charlemagne, Carcassonne, France. After graduating in 2001, he was selected to manage the Estate Domaine Sicard (125 acres), AOC Minervois, France, where he focused on improving the quality of wines during his two years there. He moved back to Bordeaux in 2003 to work on his parent's new property, Château Guionne (60 acres), Bourg, France. He then moved to Paso Robles in 2006 and the rest has been history. The new Pharoahmoans wines are some of the finest I have ever taste from this region. His 2018 Pharoahmoans Grenache (OB, 96) is silky, pillowy wine with nothing short of insane flavor and aromatic range. Quite quite pretty this wine exudes the strength and spirit of this region beautifully. Learn more about this famed project at http://www.pharaohmoanswine.com/ and here are the beautiful new wines by Pharoahmoans.
2018 Pharoahmoans Grenache- The 2018 Pharoahmoans Grenache is a beautiful, perfumed new wine that is captivating to consume even in its youth. This underweight 30% whole cluster fermentation and exudes class with pretty red rose petal aromas that combine with shades of strawberry-rhubarb pie, guava and stony minerals. Wait for the exceedingly long finish that won’t quit. Silky, elegant and highly refined, with loads of mouth-watering acidity, this stunning Grenache is drinking beautifully now and will continue to evolve well over the next decade. Drink 2021-2031- 96
2018 Pharoahmoans Syrah- Decadent and intnese, the 2018 Pharoahmoans Syrah is a gorgeous, full-throttle effortthathas a long way to go in the cellar. Once on the nose this takes on cigar ash with black cherry comptoe, anise, creme de cassis , black pepper, and tar tones that all take shape in the glass. The palate is silky and refined with gobs of texture and finesse. Rich, layered with chocolate cake undertones, this downright delicious Syrah is drinking beautifully now and will evolve well foremother fifteen years. Drink 2021-2035- 96
