A few months ago, I was invited by my good buddy Gabe Sasso (among other outlets, he produces Gabe’s View) to be on the second episode of his new YouTube venture, One Bottle Each, where Gabe and the guest each bring a bottle to the virtual table and talk about wine. 

I was the guest for Episode Two, where I brought a bottle of white Châteauneuf-du-Pape from Chateau La Nerthe and Gabe provided a bottle of ZD Sauvignon Blanc. For whatever reason, for Episode Ten, Gabe, apparently desperate, invited me back (I would posit that maybe he only has nine friends, but I know that’s not true–he only has two).

All kidding aside, it is always great to talk to Gabe and in this episode we talk about two of our favorite producers: Bruno Paillard (Champagne) and ACORN Wines (Sonoma Syrah). You can click on the link below to check it out and let me know what you think.

NV Bruno Paillard Champagne Brut Premiere Cuvée, France: Retail $65. Disgorged October 2019. 45% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay, 22% Pinot Meunier, 20% of which was fermented in barrel. This is the third bottle of Premier Cuvée with a 2019 disgorgement and based on my notes, this just might be the best bottle of the three. While I have never met M. Paillard, I have met his daughter and CEO, Alice, on several occasions and she might be the single nicest person I have ever met. While that is a lot, I don’t know how much that has to do with the wine (although I choose to think it means just about everything), which is fantastic. Nutty, yeasty, and loaded with citrus on the nose, brilliant acidity, creaminess, and a walnut aspect on the palate. While I have tried a number of champagnes from Bruno Paillard, it seems as though each wine is better than the previous. Gangbusters. Outstanding. 93 Points.

2016 Acorn Syrah Axiom Alegría Vineyards, Russian River Valley, CA: Retail $48. A field blend of 985 Syrah and 2% Viognier. Bill and Betsy Nachbaur, who bought Allegría Vineyards in 1990 (and started ACORN Winery four years later) are two of the nicest people one could ever meet and they make some of the most balanced, food-friendly wines in Sonoma County. This Syrah is a great example. While there is certainly plenty of dark fruit (plum, blackberry, cassis) and spice, this wine, at least for me, is most characterized by the zingy acidity that balances all that fruit and screams for food. Sure, it is great on its own, but this wine is intended to be shared at the table, perhaps with some short ribs, roasted sprouts, and plenty of time to chat. Outstanding. 93 Points.