Amuse Bouche Napa Valley Merlot, by Heidi Barrett



Noun - French; "Amusement for the mouth," tantalized by food or wine.
Heidi Barrett - winemaker for many Napa Valley cult wines

Amuse Bouche Napa Valley Merlot

Collectible wine and collectible art come together to create Amuse Bouche Napa Valley Merlot, a joint wine venture with Heidi Barrett and John Schwartz. This Pomerol-style Merlot/Cabernet Franc blend is made from some of the best grape sources in the Napa Valley. Amuse Bouche wine aspires to rival its greatest cross-Atlantic counterparts, such as Chateau Petrus and Chateau Le Pin.

As winemaker for several of the hottest cult wines in California, and referred to by TIME magazine as "The Wine Diva of Napa", Heidi Barrett is always looking for new challenges. Heidi explains, "We have created Amuse Bouche wine, a limited edition, superb Pomerol style wine with the added value of limited edition art that is available to consumers through a variety of channels."

Merging art with our wines was something of a philosophical decision. The former can be enjoyed indefinitely, enduring for many lifetimes. Wine collectors may revel in the subtleties of a vertical collection; but in the end, 'fine wine is the only true art that must be destroyed in order to be fully appreciated.' We strive to offer you the pleasures of both art forms.



95 points - 2008 Amuse Bouche Merlot
"One sip is all it takes to understand that this is a vital, impressive and possibly profound wine. A blend of 96% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, it displays the voluptuous richness of a Heidi Barrett wine, but also shows a firmness of character and a structural dryness that elevate it. Exceptionally flavorful in blackberries and cherries, it has tantalizing hints of herbs, olive tapenade and, of course, intensely fine oak. Drink now - 2016."
- Wine Enthusiast, March 2011

92 points - 2008 Amuse Bouche Merlot
"The 2008 Merlot (95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc) reveals a fragrant bouquet of sweet black cherries and black currants, a creamy, opulent texture, and good purity, palate presence and personality. With sweet tannins as well as a velvety, somewhat flamboyant style, it should be enjoyed over the next decade."
- Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #192, December 2010

93 points - 2007 Amuse Bouche Merlot
"Dominated by Merlot, but with a small amount of Cabernet Franc included in the blend, this limited production, boutique offering hits all the right spots on the palate and olfactory receptors. Its dark ruby/purple color is accompanied by sweet aromas of plums, black cherries, soy, and oak and the wine is fleshy, textured, flamboyant, lush, and delicious. Amuse Bouche’s finest effort to date, it can be enjoyed over the next 12-15 years."
- Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, Issue #186, December 2009