CorkRules - Episodes | The Morris The Morris

Available on

About this Episode

Grant Wood, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at The Morris, a modest bistro that serves exceptional meals and offers a unique collection of wines and spirits from around the globe. The many reviews of this restaurant are testimony to the quality, and Grant ensures you make the most of the innovative cuisine by offering tasting notes on a wide variety of wines.

Wines reviewed include:

2001 Kalin Semillon from Livermore
2021 Sigalas Assyrtiko, Greece
2011 Allemand Syrah from Cornas, Northern Rhone

Transcript: The Morris

The Morris

RT: Hello and Welcome to CorkRules!

A podcast where, in each episode, we will review a wine list from your favorite restaurants. I’m your host Robert Tas along with Grant Wood, wine educator and certified sommelier.

Hello Grant, it’s great to be back together for another episode.

GW: Hi Robert!

RT: Before we jump in, let’s talk about CorkRules.

We created CorkRules to demystify wine lists because we know from experience, that sometimes when we get that list handed to us, well… it can be intimidating, and even a little daunting.

Our aim is to help prepare you to navigate that list, find those hidden gems, or value wines or that special bottle that will take your dining experience over the top.

RT: So, sit back and listen as we review your favorite wine list.

The Morris SF

The Morris is located in Patrero Flats and is a food, wine, and Chartreuse lover’s dream. It was founded by Paul Einbund to be an unpretentious bistro where you can eat and drink at a world-class level. With help from Chef Gavin Schmidt, they’ve truly created the perfect, laid-back playground for wine nurds like me. I got to dine here recently and their level of focus, attention to detail, and precise service and hospitality was inspiring. I can’t wait to go back, order the skewered duck hearts, and dig deep into their wine list.

First, I love to start with cocktails and they’re making magic with theirs so don’t hesitate to start you evening with a fun and thoughtful libation to start off your dining experience. One popular drink that is a must get is the Chartreuse Slushy, which is bright and fun, but I personally love a good Hanky Panky which is gin, Antica Torino, and Amaro and is stellar.

Moving on to the wine, I always love ordering bubbles to go with apps, cheese, and charcuterie so I would go for the Bereche & Fils Brut Reserve from Rilly-la-Montagne in Champagne. It’s coming from old vines and represents all three classic Champagne varieties, CH, PN, and PM. It’s got just the right balance of tension, fruit, and toastiness. Alternatively, though, I love the 2016 Under the Wire Sparkling Chardonnay Sangiacomo Vineyard from the Sonoma side of Carneros but I do have a bias for Under the Wire  It is one of my favorites though and for a California sparkler, it does an amazing job of showing a sense of place and feels like a Carneros tête de Cuvée.

On to whites, I love the 2018 Gonon Chasselas from the Northern Rhone. It has a brightness and a roundness to it that is very approachable and is a very unique wine for the region. Another fun wine white to look out for is the 2021 Sigalas Assyrtiko from Greece which is a wine I like a lot and would be a great wine to match with food. If you want to get a little out there and explore something with some history behind it, then the 2001 Kalin Semillon from Livermore is a truly unique wine that barely exists. It come from Semillon vines supposably from Ch. Y’quem, planted in the 1880’s. 2001 was the last year Kalin produced this wine since the vines have sadly been ripped out. I had this wine last year and thought it was quite magical. There is also a ton of great Burgundy on here, unsurprisingly, but I would go for the 2010 Ganevat ‘Chamois du Paradis’ which is Chardonnay from the Jura and will be sure to blow your mind.

Moving to reds, right off the bat, I would go for the 2021 Les Aricoques ‘Pan! Le Rouze’ which is Gamay from Savoie and is just so bright and easy going so you can’t go wrong. A great domestic Pinot Noir to look out for is the 2017 Dom de la Cote ‘La Cote’ from the Sta. Rita Hills which is from all-star Raj Parr who is making some of the most exciting PN in the central coast. I’ve been to this vineyard and what they’re doing and how they’re farming is super interesting and is worth checking out.

For something a bit bigger, I would ball out with the 2011 Allemand Syrah from Cornas in the Northern Rhone. Allemand is one of the leading producers of Cornas for a reason and the wines are truly special. A domestic alternative that is killer as well is the 2019 Pax ‘Sonoma Hillsides’ which is coming from great vineyards and his Syrah always has beautiful freshness, finesse, and balance.

If you want something Italian, I would go for the 2018 Nervi Nebbiolo from Gattinara which is always incredible quality and a very reasonable price point. If you want to expand your horizon’s a bit, however, then try the 2011 Paolo Bea ‘Vigneto Correte’ from Montefalco which is Sagrantino from one of my favorite producers in all of Italy.

For you Robert, since I know you love wine with age, and you loved the old Ravenswood that I got you. I would order the 1997 Ravenswood ‘Salina’ Cabernet from Moon Mountain in Sonoma which I’m sure would blow your mind. Joel’s wines from the 90’s are some of my favorites.

To finish things off, why not try a bottle of the 1875 D’Olivera Moscatel from Madeira for under $200?

One last thing to mention is that they have an extensive selection of Chartreuse that they’ve collected from Paul’s travels. This not my area of expertise so I would ask for dealers’ choice and let the amazing team at the Morris take you on a journey.

The Morris has a new special place in my heart and I can’t wait to go back and go on an adventure of taste and intrigue.

Cheers!

RT: Grant Thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate The Morris’ wine list. I can’t wait to go try them myself.

To our audience, thank you all for joining us here on CorkRules.

If you would like Grant to review one of your favorite restaurants, please send us email to: Info@CorkRules.Com or visit our web website where we have a request form available and we will do our best to get it in the queue as quickly as possible.

We are looking forward to being with you on another CorkRules episode soon. In the meantime, please check out our website all our episodes of your favorite restaurant wine lists and of course please download the CorkRules app to help you navigate all your favorite restaurants.

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

Thank you.

End