Fun fact: Owen Wilson has said “wow” 81 Times in 27 Movies.

And we said “WOW” about that many times during the hour-long tasting two weeks ago. One taste sent a mad rush of dopamine coursing through the brain. Pupils widened. Jaws dropped. And a collective consciousness united everyone at the table around one thought:

“THIS IS GOOD STUFF”.

Yes, this floored us. And if you like big, lush, rock ‘em, sock ‘em, cultsy style Pinots such as Rochioli or Kistler or Marcassin, you’ll feel the same way. This is definitely a Pinot for the Cab lovers. And anyone who loves paying WAY less than the $85 winery release price. Did you see our price?

By now you might know Furthermore. We’ve offered a few of their wines in the past, but this one takes things to all-new levels.

Alchemy is their bottling where they push the limits of Pinot to uncharted territory. As they explain on their own website, “With a little more new French oak than we might normally put on a Pinot Noir, we barrel age ALCHEMY for 2 years and then bottle age for an additional 2 years before release.”

While most of their releases focus on vineyard-designates, this one combines the best barrels from various sites. And it’s only made in top vintages where they can find the right blend to make the magic happen.

Winemaker Erica Stancliff learned from the best - Paul Hobbs. He was a fixture in her childhood. Later he became a mentor, taking her under his wing as she became more interested in wine. From there she spent time at Crossbarn, Rudd Estate, and her own label Trombetta before making her way to Furthermore…

We aren’t the only ones who took notice. San Francisco Chronicle reported “In early 2016, Zeches and Richard finally opened a winery home of their own… not far from the wineries of Paul Hobbs, Merry Edwards, Dutton-Goldfield and Red Car. This is the best place to sample this stellar line-up of Pinot Noir from across the state.” Furthermore is committed to quality. Just a couple of years ago Ross Cobb (of Williams Selyem, Flowers, and his own Cobb) joined the team as consulting winemaker.

This wine is all about decadence. As a pastWine Enthusiast review notes, it shows “sizzling acidity… a wealth of succulent strawberry, cherry”. It’s hyper-rich, high octane (15%), and not for the shy. Expect massive loads of sweet red licorice, cola, raspberry tea leaf, forest floor, mushrooms. It’s all carried along in a robe of rich, expensive new French oak, and it has the staying power to coast through ten more years without slowing down a bit. Probably much longer.

Do not hesitate to pull the trigger on this one. But fair warning - it’s one you need to experience sitting down, or at least holding onto a sturdy support railing…