Heather McNeil – amusements for your mouth

Have you ever met someone one time and weren't able to get them off your mind?  Days later your still thinking about their smile, their eyes, maybe the way they smelled  and you just can't wait to see them again? Then a few years later your paths cross again and you remember how amazing they were, but something is a little different?

This is exactly what has happened to me since meeting Robert Foley.

Just to clarify, I am talking about the wine, not the winemaker.

The first time I had the pleasure of Mr Foley, it was the Charbono. "Truly unique, sometimes gamey, sometimes overtly fruity, Charbono is like the winemaker’s 'box of chocolates'."

If THAT doesn't sum it up!

What a spectacular grape!  Found in California, though very infrequently, it is the second most commonly grown varietal in Argentina. [You know they're going to have some great wines to go with all that meat!] Oh, and this one is exceptionally wonderful with it's almost inky quality and slight barnyardy aroma coupled with very deep fruit flavors. Can you say, yum? Seriously, my mouth is watering in this moment, just thinking about it.

I haven't had that wine in over a year and I swear, I can still remember how it tasted. So when I saw a Robert Foley Pinot Blanc on a wine list recently, I jumped at the opportunity to try another slightly obscure grape from this man. Well, it did not disappoint! In fact, it blew my mind and now I cannot stop thinking about it. [What is with this guy?]

Pinot Blanc is a mutated Pinot Noir grape which is pretty prevalent in France.  For years people have mistaked it, on the vine, for Chardonnay as the similarites are plentiful. But this tastes nothing like Chardonnay. Firstly, from Robert Foley, this grape never sees a barrel.  It is aged purely in stainless steel tanks and the result is stunning.  It has weight like Chardonnay, but with a silky, almost oily mouthfeel, with fruit that lasts forEVER.  I mean, a good few minutes between sips and the flavors are still lingering! I could still taste it!

This wine is stunning to me. It is such a welcome change to the line-up of whites that I generally drink,[which aren't bad at all] ,but this is different.  It is like meeting someone new...and your excited... and overwelmed with possibilities... and just dying to re-visit!

All I can say is, "Robert Foley, it's sooooo nice to see you again!" May we not wait so long next time!