Brad Widelock
Brad Widelock
Had the pleasure of tasting with Saul Mutchnick of Championship Bottle. Saul is a great host. He tasted my wife and me through six wines. From the first wine, it was clear to us that Saul is interested in taking risks and giving Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris a starring role in his winemaking.
In a place where there is no shortage of talented winemakers making delicious wines, Vincent being my favorite, Saul’s wines stand out. He is making wines that are Disorderly friendly.
2022 Lusty Little Crushes Pinot Noir/Gris 12.4%
This drank like Chermette’s Les Griottes. Bright, relaxed and very quaffable. The grapes are co-fermented.
2021 David + Veronica 70% Pinot Blanc and 30% Chardonnay 12.4%
Well balanced and showing a great arc of Pinot Blanc acidity into the gentler qualities of Chardonnay.
2022 You + Me + The Moon 17% Pinot Blanc 33% Chardonnay 50% Pinot Gris 12.4%
This wine really showed off Saul’s blending skills. It is high toned, well structured and looking for a nice date with a meal.
2022 Hard Promises 100% Pinot Blanc 12.3%
I could easily have mistaken this as an Austrian wine or one from the Alto Adige. If you appreciate and celebrate wine with good acidity that is not made from underripe grapes, this is for you. I am looking forward to cellaring this for a few years to see how it develops.
2022 History Ablaze Pinot Noir Rosato 100% Pinot Noir 12.7%
The last rosé that I was this excited about was the Gris de Gris that Idlewild made. This is very different from that wine. This wine was aged for 18 months and is a proud peacock with good reason to show off its plumage. The finish on this just kept on going. It is well spoken with a lot to say.
2021 Lost Coastlines 100% Pinot Noir 12.9%
Hello! The tannin from the use of whole-cluster fermentation was nicely evident. I think Saul described this perfectly on his website, “it’s a wine of real personality and vibrancy that is built for the cellar.” Patience will be rewarded.
In a place where there is no shortage of talented winemakers making delicious wines, Vincent being my favorite, Saul’s wines stand out. He is making wines that are Disorderly friendly.
2022 Lusty Little Crushes Pinot Noir/Gris 12.4%
This drank like Chermette’s Les Griottes. Bright, relaxed and very quaffable. The grapes are co-fermented.
2021 David + Veronica 70% Pinot Blanc and 30% Chardonnay 12.4%
Well balanced and showing a great arc of Pinot Blanc acidity into the gentler qualities of Chardonnay.
2022 You + Me + The Moon 17% Pinot Blanc 33% Chardonnay 50% Pinot Gris 12.4%
This wine really showed off Saul’s blending skills. It is high toned, well structured and looking for a nice date with a meal.
2022 Hard Promises 100% Pinot Blanc 12.3%
I could easily have mistaken this as an Austrian wine or one from the Alto Adige. If you appreciate and celebrate wine with good acidity that is not made from underripe grapes, this is for you. I am looking forward to cellaring this for a few years to see how it develops.
2022 History Ablaze Pinot Noir Rosato 100% Pinot Noir 12.7%
The last rosé that I was this excited about was the Gris de Gris that Idlewild made. This is very different from that wine. This wine was aged for 18 months and is a proud peacock with good reason to show off its plumage. The finish on this just kept on going. It is well spoken with a lot to say.
2021 Lost Coastlines 100% Pinot Noir 12.9%
Hello! The tannin from the use of whole-cluster fermentation was nicely evident. I think Saul described this perfectly on his website, “it’s a wine of real personality and vibrancy that is built for the cellar.” Patience will be rewarded.
