Amuse Bouche Napa Valley Merlot, by Heidi Barrett
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Amuse Bouche Napa Valley Merlot with elegant label by renowned artist LeRoy Neiman

Noun - French; "Amusement for the mouth," tantalized by food or wine.

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.



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

92 points - 2006 Amuse Bouche Merlot
"Intense and well-focused, showing layered aromas of blackberry, espresso and toasty herbs, with complex flavors of briary plum, sage and hints of leather. The tannins are firm but ripe, with a hint of heat on the finish. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2013."

- Wine Spectator, August 2008

Merlot Masterpieces
Each vintage of Amuse Bouche is, quite literally, a work of art
"Silky, elegant, and smoky...showing more dark plum and earthy spice. Yet the wine's structure and style are pure Barrett, which is to say they are pure artistry."

- 2006 Vintage, Brett Anderson, Robb Repor (10/07)