Bruce Boylan, a "Palate Unmatched"
Fate is always a factor in one’s life.
That is a fact!
If I hadn’t met Bruce Boylan, earlier in my wine career,
this article probably would not have existed. But, as fate has it, I met Bruce
Boylan (no relation to Boylan sodas) at a wine tasting in Manhattan, in the early 2000’s.
I was new to the industry and was just getting my feet wet, when we had a conversation—one that would alter my life. Bruce and I talked about wine and what his career in his later life was. He said he was a ‘Wine Consultant’ at Sparrow Wine of Hoboken, NJ. I explained that I lived ten minutes from Hoboken. Bruce said, ‘ I will gladly introduce you to the owners, Armando and Mike. I know they are looking for help
Are you interested?’
I was new to the industry and was just getting my feet wet, when we had a conversation—one that would alter my life. Bruce and I talked about wine and what his career in his later life was. He said he was a ‘Wine Consultant’ at Sparrow Wine of Hoboken, NJ. I explained that I lived ten minutes from Hoboken. Bruce said, ‘ I will gladly introduce you to the owners, Armando and Mike. I know they are looking for help
Are you interested?’
Well, the next day I met Armando and Mike and was hired on
the spot.
Months turned into years at Sparrow. I gave my loyal customers my wine picks and advice, hopefully creating a positive lifelong wine experience for them.
Months turned into years at Sparrow. I gave my loyal customers my wine picks and advice, hopefully creating a positive lifelong wine experience for them.
Time passed and, as fate would have it, both Bruce and I
left Sparrow and moved separate directions.
Since those early days in my career, Bruce has been one of
my inspirations. I am not sure if he is a chemist or just has an exceptional
palate, but, his wine choices have always been on par with the experts.
Fast forward to 2014.
Bruce is a wine consultant and I am writing about wine.
To ring in the New Year, Bruce invites a few selected guests
to sample some of his wine picks.
Bruce likes wines that are good values and drink like wines
that should retail for two or three times the price they sell for. His choices have
always astounded me in such a way that I think his palate has the ‘Sixth
Sense’, one that most of us read about, but, rarely witness.
The list below are the wines we sampled.
Do you agree with Bruce’s palate?
La Verger 2012
Tortise Creek
Languedoc, France
Viognier
$11
Mont Gravet 2012
Gascogne, France
Colombard
$9
Pinot Noir 2012
Brassfield
Lake Co., California
$18
Lake Co., California
$18
Venta Morales 2012
La Mancha, Spain
Tempranillo (organic)
$12
Cune Crianza 2009
Rioja, Spain
Tempranillo
$12
"My life focuses on wine, bicycling, downhill skiing and my two daughters"
A #WINELOVERS Carpet is always full of red wine stains
"All of my selections for the tasting retail for $18 and under"
Laurent Miguel 2012
Languedoc, France
Syrah/Grenache
$9
Saint Chinian 2009
Chateau Casal Viel
Languedoc, France
Syrah
$12
$12
Mathilda 2010
M. Charpotier
Victoria, Australia
Victoria, Australia
Shiraz
$16
Philip S. Kampe
Philip.Kampe@TheWineHub.com
3 comments:
Looks like we will buy all of the wines and follow what Bruce did.
How come Shannon and I come AFTER wine, skiing and biking....? Love ya, Dad.
Bruce has a great palate and lots of wines from all over the world. I frequently see him at wine tastings searching for the best deals.
We all need to help Bruce keep his collection current, by searching his wine racks for old wines that need to be consumed… any old Dolcetto's?? Those are perfect for an after-party aperitif…
All the best and see you at future tastings!
Ted
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