Inspired Wines

Domaine Gourt de Mautens (Jérôme Bressy)

Rasteau Red Rhone Blend 2009

It's been a while since I've had a chance to taste the 2009 Gourt De Mautens, and i must say that I'm pretty impressed with it's evolution. Here I found a haunting bouquet of blackberry and marine-inspired minerality, along with moist earth, hints of animal musk, dusty florals and sweet dark spices. It was vibrant and finessed on the palate, yet deceptively so, as mineral-encrusted blackberry and cherry fruit gave way to sweet spice and herbal tones on a silky frame with sweet tannin. The finish was long and polished, showing black fruit and spice contrasted by a hint of sweet herbs and lingering tannin. What a beautiful wine, which I'm so happy to revisit and feel assured that there are many years of development ahead. #rasteau #jeromebressy #rhone — 9 years ago

James Forsyth
with James
James, Tom and 3 others liked this
Tom Casagrande

Tom Casagrande Influencer Badge

Dang! Gotta look for this producer!
James Forsyth

James Forsyth Influencer Badge

A great pleasure to catch up... and to discover such an interesting wine, which was like a walk in a forest in September: earthy with blackberries and a sense of mystery.
9.5

Kudos

Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2015

Touch of Orange blossoms on the nose and palate hint at slight sweetness of a Muscat addition perhaps. Perfect for grilled spicey light meats and veggies or asian-inspired dishes. — 9 years ago

Paul liked this

Domaine Le Colombier

Vieilles Vignes Vacqueyras Grenache Mourvédre Blend 2015

My #WOTY so far! The wine is classic Rhone goodness, but the provocative conversation that was inspired by this beauty really put it over the top for me. Bravo! — 9 years ago

Jonathan, Mike and 3 others liked this

Idlewild

Flora & Fauna Barbera Blend

Take those Italian varieties and werk y'all. Integrated, easy drinking but thoughtful & well crafted. Channels the Langhe Rosso its inspired by. Happy place. — 9 years ago

Matthews Cellars

Claret Red Bordeaux Blend 2013

This cab dominant Bordeaux inspired blend is everything you could want. It's got soft tannins giving you a smooth. Matthews' Claret dominates again! — 10 years ago

Fort Point Beer Co.

Westfalia Nuremberg Inspired Red Ale

Love local! A hint of sweetness. Just the right the hops. — 10 years ago

Cavallotto

Bricco Boschis Barolo Nebbiolo 2004

Jeremy Noye
9.2

04 bricco boschis just in a great spot! Juicy floral fresh lively and elegant. Couldn't ask for more. Inspired to open based on listening to @Levi Dalton latest interview with @Antonio Galloni — 11 years ago

Anthony and Alisa liked this

Long Shadows Vintners

Chester-Kidder Columbia Valley Red Blend 2009

a beautiful French-inspired Washington blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and other Bordeaux varietals. — 12 years ago

ERA

Salento IGT Primitivo

Delicious and organic! Inspired me to try other organic wines — 12 years ago

NC State University

125 Years Red Wine 2008

Limited-run Silver Oak inspired red blend. Reserved for Morgan's Graduation. — 13 years ago

Tenuta Gorghi Tondi

Kheirè Grillo 2016

100% Grillo. Another lovely luscious Grillo with good peachy mid palate fruit and lively acidity. Could never get tired of these with Sicilian seafood - on this occasion an Arab inspired dish with couscous to go with the Scampi and Amberjack. Appropriate seeing as the Moors from Morocco we’re on Sicily for spprox 200 years I believe. — 9 years ago

Martin, Jonathan and 1 other liked this

El Molíno Winery

Rutherford Chardonnay 2012

Inspired by @Jody Scharf - Still one of my favorite chards and love this vintage in particular. Not overly oaked and completely balanced, there is a great texture to this wine in addition to the amazing flavors - nutty, brioche, lemon curd with a clean finish. So good. — 9 years ago

Daniel, David and 17 others liked this
David L

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Great stuff
Jody Scharf

Jody Scharf Premium Badge

Ha. Fantastic. Thank you

Clos Pepe Estate

Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2014

The nose on this wine is ridiculous. Raspberries and hibiscus up front with a slight warm, woody background. The wine is a light ruby, bright and clean. We enjoyed this with some porch sun and black truffle potato chips. In a few years, it will be a great French-inspired dinner wine. — 9 years ago

Daniel Alfred
with Daniel

TY KU

Super Premium Junmai Ginjo Sake

Opened as part of an Asian-inspired dinner. Floral notes. Decided to serve room temp, not cold. Very good. — 9 years ago

Joe Simone
with Joe

Château du Levant

Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 2011

Meg
9.1

Each week, my 2.5yr old twins have "homework" which requires picking household items that start with a given letter. This week is "I" (there's no "I" in team, or kicking off many household items that would fit in a paper bag and don't melt!). Anywho, It Inspired me to pop this reasonably priced late harvest (Icewine), which Is sweet, refreshing, and even elegant for a very reasonable price. I also included a DVD of Ice Castles - who doesn't love that movie?!?! That and Splendor in the Grass - they get me every. single. time. — 10 years ago

David, Sean and 1 other liked this
David L

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My better half love that movie. Enjoy that bottle of wine
David L

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Loves
Meg

Meg

I'm hoping it elicits a hearty chuckle from their teachers.... 😉

Dirty & Rowdy

Skin and Concrete Egg Fermented Yountville Sémillon 2014

Inspired by @Mark Morgan and @Hardy Wallace. The herbal tea of white wines. — 11 years ago

Anthony, Bill and 7 others liked this
Bill Bender

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Skin and concrete egg fermented. Sounds like a serial killer wine.
Hardy Wallace

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Ron! Love the description!!! Thank you!
Steve Anderson

Steve Anderson

Romo - was trying to keep these a secret, but now that you have been initiated, I can share 2012 and 2013 some time. Great wines. Mourvedres are awesome as well.

Dirty & Rowdy

Santa Barbara Highlands Vineyard Mourvedre 2012

Beau Carufel
9.5

Fantastic purity, so fresh, a wine with love. Hardy makes inspired wines. — 12 years ago

Brian, Sherri and 5 others liked this
Hardy Wallace

Hardy Wallace Influencer Badge

Thanks a ton Beau! This is starting to open up!

Mogor-Badan

Chasselas del Mogor 2012

The wine that inspired my trip to Valle de Guadalupe — 12 years ago

Rockford

Basket Press Barossa Valley Shiraz 1998

Inspired by @Fraser McKinley , I had to open this. Unfortunately I could not find the 1996 ( it is hiding somewhere). Shiraz while no longer my go to choice had always been well represented in my cellar. We all know Shiraz went through a period of polarization , thank you RP, however I have always enjoyed producers who got "it" right. The reality is Shiraz will never drink like Burgundy.
Rockford for me is a producer who gets "it". When you pour this into the decanter the color despite its age shimmers a beautiful shade of purple.
On the nose and the palate all the characteristics one comes to expect from a Rockford BP are there: tar, plums, a hint of VA, earth and most importantly well concealed alcohol and structure. It might be in its last year as a teenager but it will remain forever young.
— 9 years ago

Samvel, Marc and 24 others liked this
Hugh O'Riordan

Hugh O'Riordan

Nice review
Ira Schwartz

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@Hugh O'Riordan @Fraser McKinley Thank you , much appreciated.

Arbe Garbe

Sonoma County White Blend 2014

This Friulian inspired blend is more than just a fancy label. A very conscious and clever winemaking that includes both an extended skin contact, partial new barrels, and to judge by the taste probably som battonage as well. Generous indeed; floral and ripe fruit, pronounced oak influences, a scrumptious viscosity but with enough freshness to carry the wine all the way to the finish line. A very interesting encounter I must say. — 9 years ago

Château Hortevie

St. Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2012

Nice 2004, that was very pleasant to zip on but also worked well with a nice fillet steak on the bbq and lime inspired fresh summer salad... Still hang nicely in the back of your mouth..
— 10 years ago

La Petite Ferme

Barrel Fermented Chardonnay

Ray S
9.8

Perfect for a 5 year anniversary meal inspired by our travels abroad. So thankful we saved this and didn't drink it immediately. — 10 years ago

Dirty & Rowdy

Shake Ridge Ranch Mourvedre 2012

Inspired Mourvèdre. @Hardy Wallace you make good things. — 11 years ago

Ryan, Carla and 30 others liked this
Hardy Wallace

Hardy Wallace Influencer Badge

Thanks, Anthony!!!

Paul Lato

Atticus John Sebastiano Vineyard Pinot Noir 2011

Apologetically I have forgotten all the lovely details about this wine, but I remember it being fantastic and worth the higher price and allocation tactics. Happily am hanging on to many Latos from this vintage and am so excited about it 👍🏼 obviously inspired by good burgundy...and manages to be very natural, not much dress up is being played here that's for sure. Happily puzzled and surprised. 👊🏼 — 11 years ago

Lauren, Marc and 3 others liked this

Domaine Machard de Gramont

"Les Houillières" Puligny-Montrachet Chardonnay 2011

This wine has inspired me to make some sort of dessert with roasted yellow apples and pears, sweetened with honey, and topped with whipped cream, and I need to figure out the savory-but-oh-so-good smokey element. Or I could just drink it... — 11 years ago

Matthiasson

Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc Blend 2010

Was great with various seafood and Spanish inspired tapas. Delicious — 13 years ago

Birk liked this