Back in June, Tracy and I headed over to see our friends Tom Gamble and Elsbeth Sarao in Napa Valley. Tom owns Gamble Family Vineyards, a relatively small producer of mostly Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet / Bordeaux varietals (with some old vine Syrah also produced).
On our most recent visit to Gamble Family, we were invited to have dinner with some fellow Atlantans, Gina and Linton Hopkins- Wonderful people and an amazing restaurant team. Not a fancy, multi-course feast, but a simple meal with a bunch of friends. Perfect. Eggplant, stuffed dates, and some serious steaks, potatoes, and a tomato salad. CA Caviar on potato chips as an appetizer-- (DANG!)
For a quick recap: Gamble Family was a love at first sight with me. At this year's HIGH Museum / Atlanta Wine Auction, my friend Bob grabbed me by the arm and took me to the Gamble Family to taste their Sauvignon Blanc... It instantly became my favorite domestic Sauvignon Blanc-- Bright, pure, lean Savvy-B. I'm not a frequent Cabernet drinker (Domestic or Non), and it wasn't until our trip back in June that I really hunkered down with Tom's reds-- Balanced with enough power to make you sit up and be alert, made with enough restraint that you feel you don't need to wear your pads on the sideline, and with enough flinty funk that you can taste that these wines came from a specific place. They are my style.
(Click Here for a Gallery June's trip)
Wine Highlight from the recent visit:
2005 Gamble Family Vineyards "Family Home" Cabernet
Stoney! Rock! More than fruit and spice. I dig digging it. This was singing to me with our meal. Enough acidity, enough tannin, enough fruit- Balanced, thoughtful juice, that alters my perception of "Napa Cab".
