2008 Coombsville Cabernet, A True “Bottle Shock”
City of Napa, California
Wine Style: Cabernet, New world
Average Price: $$
Overall Rating: 93 points
Article Written: August 2013
Article Updated: September 2019
By Sean Overpeck (CFE)
**A full article and index glossary of restaurants, wines, recipes and travel for
Wine Dine and Play are in the pages section above, or by following these links:
Château or Vineyard Owner:
Gustavo Brambila
Before 2011, I had never heard of Gustavo Brambila or knew that he had his own-labeled wines. Like many people outside of wine country, I learned by watching the movie Bottle Shock starring Chris Pine (Captain Kirk, Star Trek), Freddie Rodriguez (Seal Team Six), and Bill Pullman (Independence Day 1 &2, and Spaceballs). The film concentrates on the story of Chateau Montelena, wining the best white wine category at the “Judgment of Paris” competition in 1976. Chris Pine’s character Bo Barret, now the owner of Chateau Montelena is friends with a worker, who has an extremely refined pallet for wines, and a true love for everything that is wine. This friend is Gustavo Brambila, who would go on to create his own labels and the Gustavo Winery. This review and ratings will cover the 2008 Coombsville Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as a minor focus on the other wines produced.
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| Gustavo Winery / Bottle Shock Movie |
Gustavo is the son of a migrant vineyard worker turned winery mechanic, who grew up surrounded by the culture, passion and the dedication of the individuals who helped to define this now-famous winemaking region. Gustavo immigrated to the Napa Valley from Jalisco, Mexico at the 3 with his family and settled in Rutherford. Gustavo went to the University of Oregon on a baseball scholarship, but his heart remained in wine country. He transferred to U.C. Davis and was one of the first Latino graduates from the enology program with a degree in fermentation sciences. He spent a year at Chateau Montelena and then joined Mike Grgich as he opened Grgich Hills Cellars in 1977, where Gustavo made wines for 23 years. In 1996, Gustavo produced the first wine under his own label and ventured out on his own in 1999. Today, Gustavo makes Napa Valley wines in a style inspired by old-world winemaking techniques, with a dedication to small vineyards and the highest quality fruit.
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| Gustavo Winery / Store Front in Napa |
Bottle Shock:
In 1976, Napa Valley looked a lot different from how it does today. California winemakers had yet to prove themselves on a global stage. When a Paris-based, British Parisian wine shop owner Steven Spurrier (played by Alan Rickman - Die Hard, Robin Hood, & The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy) traveled to the region to challenge Napa Valley winemakers to a blind tasting against their French counterparts, that all changed. Winemakers from Napa Valley scored a shocking victory at the “Judgment of Paris” – and put Napa and California wines on the map. Chateau Montelena’ s 1973 Chardonnay was among the winners, and that story became the inspiration for a 2008 film. “Bottle Shock” certainly took some creative license – but the essence of the story is true. And actor Freddy Rodriquez – who portrayed Gustavo Brambila – captured his passion and his dedication to the art of making fine wines.
Click here to view the Bottle Shock movie trailer.
On my trip to Napa Valley, I wanted to make sure that three vineyards were at the top of my list since I had first seen the movie Bottle Shock in 2011. Those vineyards were Chateau Montelena, Stag’s Leap Winery, and Gustavo Winery. I was already a member of Gustavo’s wine club under the older brand Gustavo-Thrace. Now Mr. Brambila has expanded forward and has his own label simply entitled Gustavo. Chateau Montelena and Stag’s Leap Cellars were the red and white wine winners for the 1976 Judgment of Paris, but before I went for a tasting with either of them, I hit Gustavo’s Tasting Room first.
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| Gustavo Winery / Chamber of Commerce award |
The tasting room is located in the center of downtown Napa City, across from some local restaurants and businesses. I was greeted and began to explore the tasting room for a few minutes until Gustavo came in. He brought over a few wines for me to taste and enjoyed several conversations about wine, and of course Bottle Shock, where he explained what was true and false about the film, and the overall relationships he had with the Barret family. Overall, it was a wonderful experience, and of all the wine tastings I have done in the past whether had been in California, France, or South Africa, Gustavo’s was one of the most personable, which made the experience even better.
Bottle Shock Fact and Fiction:
FACT: Jim Barrett was a tough leader and loved his family, but sometimes tussled with Bo, his laid back son.
FICTION: They didn't really box, or have a boxing ring on the Chateau Montelena property.
FACT: The Boxing ring was built by Craig Sterns, the Bottle Shock Production Designer, and it resides, still today, at KUNDE Estates Winery in Sonoma (a key filming location).
FACT: Bo was an avid surfer.
FACT: Chris Pine, with blond hair, looked a lot like the real-life Bo Barrett (who Chris played in the movie) in 1976
FICTION: We made Chris wear a (some would say pretty bad) wig. Chris actually has short dark hair.
FACT: Chris, like Bo, is very handsome!
FACT: Jim Barrett was a lawyer.
FICTION: Jim lived in Southern California much of the time; he wasn't always at the winery in Calistoga, in Napa Valley.
FACT: Jim did divorce his wife Laura.
FACT: Mike Grgich was the winemaker at Chateau Montelena at the time of the historic Judgment of Paris in 1976
FICTION: Mike didn't appear in a speaking role in the movie (he was in it as an extra) because the producers did not receive his life rights or full support.
FACT: Mike left Montelena soon after winning the Judgment of Paris competition and started his own wonderful winery, Grgich Hills. Gustavo Brambila (played by Freddy Rodriguez in the movie) actually went with Mike and worked for him for many, many years.
FACT: Gustavo did tinker around with winemaking on the side; he started his own winery, Gustavo Thrace in 1999 where it thrives in Napa today.
FACT: Rachael Taylor ("Sam" in the movie) is from Tasmania. She loves wine and was very knowledgeable. One of the kindest actresses out there.
FICTION: There were no female interns at wineries in Napa Valley until 1982. She was a fictionalized character, representative of the many talented female winemakers who was working under the radar at that time in the '70s.
FACT: There was a bar called Rays in Calistoga that the "cellar rats" and other workers used as a hang out spot.
FICTION: Producers used a bar in Glen Ellen (Sonoma Valley) and made up "Jo" (played by Eliza Dushku) to add a little more sex appeal to the movie.
FACT: Eliza was on set for only 3 days and had to go back to LA to shoot "Dollhouse." She needed a lot of massage therapy, due to her work on the TV show. She was extremely sweet and professional.
FACT: According to Jim and Bo Barrett, the chardonnay did turn a slight brownish color which completely spooked them, right before the Paris tasting.
FICTION: The "bad" wine was not purchased by a hot bartender (the before mentioned "Jo") who "saved" the wine when it turned back to golden color.
FACT: The brown-colored wine did turn back to a golden color before the wine was shipped off to the competition in Paris.
FACT: The 1976 Judgment of Paris tasting was held at the Intercontinental Hotel. Chateau Montelena took the top prize in the white wine competition; Stag's Leap Wine Cellars' Cabernet Sauvignon took the honors in the red wine category.
FICTION: The filmmakers chose to stage the tasting in an outdoor setting, in the KUNDE Estate Winery Ruins. Thus, the header, "Somewhere Outside of Paris."
FACT: Many of the grapes in the winning Chardonnay from Chateau Montelena in Calistoga, in Napa Valley, came from Sonoma County.
FACT: George Tabor was the only American, and the only journalist, to cover the 1976 Judgment of Paris event. He wrote the book Judgment of Paris which was released in 2006.
FACT: The original Bottle Shock screenplay was written by Ross Schwartz and registered with the WGA years before the book came out. Marc & Brenda Lhormer (Producers) received the script from J. Todd Harris (Producer) in late 2005. And thus began the project called Bottle Shock, the movie.
FICTION: Bo Barrett did not attend the tasting event in Paris.
FICTION: Bo Barrett did not attend the tasting event in Paris.
FACT:: TIME Magazine published George Tabor's article about the event that changed the way the world perceived wines from American and put Napa Valley on the map. Chateau Montelena’ s Chardonnay was memorialized at the Smithsonian soon after the historic event.
FACT: Steven's Spurrier’ s business partner in London, Patricia Gallagher, made sure that the Napa Valley wines selected for the competition were well handled and carefully shipped overseas.
FICTION: Bo did not go to the airport to hand over his Chardonnay. Hate to admit that. As the "airport" scene was just so much fun.
FACT: The Bottle Shock cast loved the Napa and Sonoma wines. Favorites: Plump Jack, Cade, Viansa, Gundlach Bundschu, Chateau Montelena, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, Freemark Abbey, Heitz, and Buena Vista.
FICTION: All the drinking in the movie. No alcohol allowed on union sets. All the "wine" was cleverly crafted colored liquids by Propmaster Chris Ubick and tasted like absolutely nothing. The martinis were water and olives. Yuck.
FACT: The bar scenes were filmed in a heatwave in Sonoma, and the cigarettes were real. Not the most pleasant experience.
FACT: Most of the rolling vineyard hill shots, as well as "Sam's Cabin" scenes were filmed at Buena Vista Vineyards on Ramal Road in Carneros (Sonoma).
FICTION: Paris was not Paris. "Paris" was Sonoma.
FACT: The Chateau Montelena scenes were indeed filmed at Chateau Montelena.
Bouquet & Palette:
Wine and Grape:
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Nose (Bouquet):
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Palate Experience:
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Coombsville 2008
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Winemaker Notes:
Smooth pepper and layers of dark chocolate on the nose open to sweet current.
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Winemaker Notes:
Expresses layers of intense dark cherry fruit, chocolate, red currants, and sweet tobacco. Weeks of extended maceration and a mix of new and seasoned French oak produces a heavy-bodied red wine with velvety tannins and a lingering balance of intense flavors.
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Syrah 2008
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Winemaker Notes:
Producing a full-bodied, earthy wine
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Winemaker Notes:
It is dry and velvety with a short finish. It is reminiscent of black pepper, lavender, and black cherry.
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Merlot 2008
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Winemaker Notes:
This is an exquisite Merlot with plenty of mid-palate depth - featuring deep red dark cherry and licorice aromas.
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Winemaker Notes:
The tannins are soft with a touch of sweet tobacco. Blending fruit from Coombsville and Atlas Peak appellations yields a big rich wine with finesse and vibrancy.
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Barbara 2008
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Winemaker Notes:
This Barbera is sourced from the Sierra Foothills, off the road leading to Lake Tahoe. There are aromas of dark plum, spices, dry cocoa, and oak.
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Winemaker Notes:
2007 is a bit lighter than the 2006 but the fruit is very pronounced and attractive. This medium-bodied wine is well balanced and has a lingering mouth feel to it, making it ideal as an accompaniment to foods. 200 cases made.
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Cabernet 2009
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Winemaker Notes:
This multi-appellation blend of Rutherford, Coombsville and Atlas Peak fruit is dry and nobly structured, bringing firm tannins, acidity, and oak qualities together.
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Winemaker Notes:
Dark cherry, blackberry and currant flavors abound - dark red fruit, tobacco, and licorice form a strong structure. Enjoy now, or cellar for many years.
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Final notes, review basics, and observations:
*** NOTE TO THE READER ***
Most reviews are subjective, depending on the writer; but they should also be responsible, and respectfully written, upholding the truth, and accurately conveying the experience to the best of the writer's knowledge, even if it includes metaphors the restaurant may not like to read about.
To see more details of this rating list, read this article:
I refer to myself as an oenophile though, oenophilia is defined as “a disciplined devotion to wine, accompanying strict traditions of consumption and appreciation.” In a general sense, oenophilia also refers to the enjoyment of wine, often by a layman — which I am, and not qualified as a professional. I just enjoy drinking it, so my rating is based on enjoyment and the overall experience, not the science of an expert, and thus subjective, not objective. See the score factors outlined in the ‘about page’ on how I arrived at the rating percentage below:
Overall Star Rating For Gustavo:
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93/100:
An Extraordinary Tasting Experience
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Wines Produced by Gustavo:
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Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Barbera
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Grape Blends:
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Red:
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, & Cabernet Franc
White:
Sauvignon blanc, Sémillon or Muscadelle du Bordelais
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Barrel Types and Aging:
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3 years + 2 years bottle-aged
New American oak, French Oak
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Wine regulatory’s for the tastings in this article:
“In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is the strength, in the water there are bacteria.” - David Auerbach
United States:
California:
Sub-Napa AVA’s:
Other California wines, wineries (Château’s), or food articles on Wine Dine and Play:
Napa - A Sip and Taste in Wine County A 3-day tour of wineries and fine dining restaurants in Napa County, California
Blackbird Vineyards Wine Tasting An ultra-premium terroir in Napa, California
Castello di Amorosa Tuscan inspired castle with wine — friends of the Baron - Calistoga, Napa, California
Chateau Montelena The famed Bottle Shock “Judgement of Paris” winner in Calistoga, California
Crocker and Star Wine Tasting Capturing the essence of Cabernet in St Helena, California
Emmolo Wine Tasting A merlot comparable to no other in Rutherford, California
Flying Horse Wine Tasting A spirited winery with Arabian horses in Oakville, California
Hoopes Winery Tasting Cult cabernet winemaker with Liparita and Hoopes labels in Oakville, California
Jonata Winery Tasting Screaming Eagles sister winery, El Desafio cab, in Santa Barbara, California
Kamen Estates Low yield, high quality + film writing in Sonoma, California
Ma(i)sonry Wine Tasting An aesthetic portfolio of wines in Yountville, California
Mirror Wine Tasting A beautiful Cabernet from a family of entrepreneurs in St Helena, California
Ottimino Winery Exclusive red Zinfandel producer partnered with William Knuttel in Sonoma, California
Row 11 Santa Maria Pinot An Old World style Pinot from Santa Maria, California
Row 11 Tasting Pinot grapes using Dijon clones in Santa Maria, California
Silver Oak Cellars Near the Silverado Trail, known for high-end Cabernet in Oakville, California
Twomey Wine Tasting Napa and Sonoma wines owned by Silver Oak, Calistoga, Napa California
Volker Eisele Wine Tasting An elegant family estate in the Chiles Valley district of St Helena, California
California cuisine is a style of cuisine marked by an interest in fusion cuisine (integrating disparate cooking styles and ingredients) and in the use of freshly prepared local ingredients. The food is typically prepared with strong attention to presentation. Foods low in saturated fats and high in fresh vegetables and fruits with lean meats and seafood from the California coast often define the style.
5A5 Steak Lounge Modern Japanese steakhouse with chic design in San Francisco, California
Alioto’s Restaurant Historic restaurant serving Sicilian-infused seafood in San Francisco, California
Casita Taqueria a fast-casual taqueria serving homemade artisan Mexican food specializing especially in tacos and burritos in St. Petersburg, Florida
Ciccio Cali inspired cuisine from California using antibiotic-free meats, organic and Non-GMO vegetables in St. Petersburg, Florida
Cowgirl Creamery Artisan Cheese Shop “aka” Cowgirl Cantina in Point Reyes Station, California
FarmTable Cucina organic, sustainable, and local with a focus on Italian and New American themes in St. Petersburg, Florida
FarmTable Kitchen Casual Cal-Italian cuisine and chef tables in St. Petersburg, Florida
Fleur de Lys Lavish French-Californian by Hubert Keller in San Francisco, California
Gaia Restaurant Organic and sustainable concept in American Canyon, California (Renamed Table 29 Bistro and Bar)
Greystone CIA Restaurant CIA School restaurant formally called Wine Spectator now GateHouse in Calistoga, California
The French Laundry French-American fine dining restaurant in Yountville, California
Wipeout Bar and Grill Surf shack theme with California and Mexican cuisine in San Francisco, California
Wolfgang Puck Celebrity Chef’s California cuisine and fine dining chain; reviewed in Orlando, Florida
See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary”
A Few New World Favorites:
New World wines are those wines produced outside the traditional wine-growing areas of Europe and the Middle East, in particular from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, India, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, South Africa, United States (California, Florida, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington State,Virginia),Thailand, and Uruguay.
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Yearly tasting event at Hyde Park
Sydney, Australia
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Wine and food tour
Cape Town, South Africa
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A tour of food and wine from a 2015 tour in Oregon wine country
Dundee, Willamette, Oregon
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Some Old World Favorites:
Old World wine refers primarily to wine made in Europe but can also include other regions of the Mediterranean basin with long histories of winemaking such as North Africa and the Near East. These countries include Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Cyprus, England, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Macedonia, Moldova, Morocco Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Sicily, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, and Turkey.
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Wine tours and restaurants
Bordeaux, France
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A tasting of the Vougeot AOC, caves, and the Hospices de Beaune
Burgundy, France
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Sancerre wines
Loire Valley, France
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See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary by country”
Bottle Prices
(excluding taxes)
$£€¥ - Under 50.00 (inexpensive)
$£€¥ x 2 - 51.00- 99.00 (moderate)
$£€¥ x 3 - Over 100.00 (pricey)
$£€¥ x 4 - Over 200.00 (expensive)
$£€¥ x 5 - Over 400.00 (very expensive)
**Currencies reflect the world’s major wine countries and connoisseur’s**
Currency rates in the top wine-producing & wine purchasing countries:
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Price Chart :
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Coombsville 2008 (750 ml)
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United States Dollar (USD)
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$$
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Australian Dollar (AUS)
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$$
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Great Britain Pound Sterling (GBP)
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££
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Canadian Dollar (CAN)
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$$
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Chinese Yuan (CNY)
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¥¥¥¥
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European Union (EUR)
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€€
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New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
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$$
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South African Rand (ZAR)
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RRRR
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Syrah 2008 (750 ml)
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United States Dollar (USD)
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$
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Great Britain Pound Sterling (GBP)
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£
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European Union (EUR)
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€
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Gustavo Winery:
1021 McKinstry St.
Napa, California
94559
Tasting Room Information:
Website:
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Tasting room:
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+01(707) 257-6796
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Email:
Website contact:
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Tasting Room Hours:
Pacific Standard Time (GMT, Zulu, or UTC-8:00)
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Monday - Saturday
12:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sunday:
12:00 am - 5:00 pm
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Social Media
And
Accolades for Gustavo:
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****
The worlds best restaurants is a subjective list of who is writing it and changes on a regular basis. The Wine Dine and Play best experiences are based on my highest rated stared restaurants, meaning that the visit was an outstanding or extraordinary experience. From cafés, chains, mom + pops, hole in the walls, to fine dining including a few Michelin spots. Visit the Top 100 page to see the entire list.
A few to tease you with…
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Taste of tribal Zimbabwe cuisine
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
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Vibrant Pan-Indian Cuisine
Colnbrook, Slough, Berkshire, England, UK
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Stylish modern Spanish and global cuisine
Dubai Creek, Dubai, UAE
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Other Gustavo Winery Pictures:
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| Gustavo Winery / Gustavo Brambila |
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| Gustavo Winery / Coombsville Cabernet |
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| Gustavo Winery / JoAnn and Gustavo Brambila |
“In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is the strength, in the water there are bacteria.”
- David Auerbach
Who is John Galt?
TTFN
