Every once in a while, I like to pull something from the cellar. Last night I shared a lovely bottle of wine with friends - Ian Barry's Barry Family Cellars Pet Gnat Leon Millot 2021. Not particularly old. But sometimes Pet Nats don't age well, sometimes they do. But I have had a soft spot for this wine every since Ian introduced it many years back. I first met Ian in person back in 2012, when he was working at Villa Bellangelo. That was some time ago. And I started drinking his Pet Gnats since about 2017.
This was one of those cases where the Pet Gnat (his play on the technique driven wine called Pet Nat) came through beautifully. Love that he chose the grape, Leon Millot, which is a thoroughly underrated grape. The nose was a combination of yeast and bright cherries and bramble. Followed by bright berries, some strawberry an bramble on the palate. Bone dry, but filled with fresh fruit, there was solid acidity and terrific mouthfeel. Lovely, long finish. I had it was some aged cheddar. A lovely surprise. This is what a terrific Pet Nat tastes like. Great job Ian!