A brilliant joint Napa Valley project between Heidi Barrett and John Schwartz, Amuse Bouche has created a gorgeous new set of release wines. Famed winemaker Heidi Barrett grew up in the Napa Valley in a winemaking family and was destined to become one of the region’s great winemakers. Many note that winemaking is a blend of science and art. With a scientist-winemaker father and an artist mother it is no big surprise that Heidi crafts such beautiful wines.
In 2002, Heidi partnered with longtime friend John Schwartz to create Amuse Bouche, a Pomerol-inspired Merlot from Napa Valley. Recognizing that the cult wine phenomenon has created an almost aspirational class structure among collectors, the partners decided to make this limited edition wine available to a much broader consumer base. Each label includes limited edition art which really gives this bottle some curb appeal. They also have a tasting room in downtown Napa that is open by appointment.
I was blown away with the new wines by Amuse Bouche. Check out the pillowy 2018 Amuse Bouche Red Wine (OB, 96) which is dense and chewy with fantastic texture and finesse. This beautiful wine will cellar well for another twenty years to come. Learn more about this famed Napa project at http://www.amusebouchewine.com/index.php and here are the brilliant new wines by Amuse Bouche.
2019 Amuse Bouche ‘LeRoy Neiman’ Red Wine- The 2019 Amuse Bouche ‘LeRoy Neiman’ is named after LeRoy Neiman (1921-2012) who was one of America's best known artists and utilized an impressionistic style. A blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Syrah, and 10% Petite Sirah with small parts Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, this reveals alluring aromas of sandalwood and granite with exotic spices alongside a core of bright dark fruits. The palate is fresh and refined with layers of cocoa powder, wet stone, wild blackberry and black cherry syrup. Beautifully balanced, this medium-bodied effort will sure have another fifteen years ahead of it. Drink 2021-2036- 94
2019 Au Sommet Red Wine- Crafted by famed winemaker Heidi Barrett, the 2018 Au Sommet Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from their estate vineyard on Atlas Peak and this edition has 3% Petit Verdot blended in. Ripe dark currants collide with pencil lead, loamy soils and suggestions of baking spices with red rose water and green bell pepper tones on the palate. Medium to full-bodied, showing serious length and finesse, this complex and beautiful wine is already nicely evolved and will provide drinking enjoyment over the next fifteen to twenty years. Drink 2021-2036- 95
2018 Amuse Bouche Red Wine- The stunning 2018 Amuse Bouche is a blend of 92% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc, showing the beautiful art of James Michalopoulos on the label. Gorgeous violet florals combine with red bell pepper, anise and creme de cassis on the nose. The palate shows beautiful depth and range, as this medium-bodied effort is an exceedingly pretty example of Napa Merlot, finishing long with red fruits and minerals. Sensational even at the three year mark, be sure to give this two hours of air in the decanter if consuming in its vibrant youth. Drink 2021-2038- 96