AMUSE BOUCHE NAPA VALLEY RED BLEND 2016, USA

2016 AMUSE BOUCHE NAPA VALLEY RED BLEND

Twenty years ago, Jim Laube of the Wine Spectator asked Heidi where our vineyard holdings for Amuse Bouche Winery were located. Heidi replied, “I would have to kill you if I told you!” A long silence ensued at our lunch table. This slightly awkward, tongue-in-cheek moment from our wine history is the inspiration for our Vintage 2016 artwork. Heidi Barrett herself painted “A Secret Vineyard,” a lovely image that perhaps may give further guidance to Mr. Laube. Heidi has been painting as long as she has been making wine, and we are thrilled to showcase both of her amazing talents in and on the bottle with our Amuse Bouche 2016. The lithographs are gorgeous, expertly produced on Rives paper by our Paris atelier using a 19th- century press. Each one is hand signed and numbered by Heidi herself.

THE WINE

Amuse Bouche 2016, made in the Pomerol style, is a blend of 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc from our vineyards on Rutherford’s eastern hillside in Napa Valley (hint, hint). We managed to produce 750 cases; and we believe this vintage will be remembered as one of Napa’s best.

95+ POINTS

THE WINE ADVOCATE

2016 VINTAGE

The medium garnet-purple colored 2016 Proprietary Red Blend Amuse Bouche sings of crushed red and black plums, black cherry compote, Ceylon tea, licorice and Indian spices with a waft of potpourri. The palate is medium to full-bodied, exquisitely elegant with firm yet satiny tannins, refreshing, perfumed, spicy and very long with savory notions coming through.” – The Wine Advocate/Robert Parker, October 2018