Sommelier’s pick
Who: Ryan Ng, chef and wine buyer for Ruggles Black, 3963 Kirby. Ng was managing a restaurant in San Antonio when he was still in high school but went on to get degrees in biology and chemistry from Texas A&M University before deciding that he didn’t want to spend the rest of his life in a lab. He earned a Certificate of Completion in Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry in May 2010 from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. After chef jobs with Aramark, serving HISD, and 55 Restaurant in Rice Village, he joined forces with chef Bruce Molzan at the Corner Table and the Ruggles Green restaurants, then followed Molzan to Ruggles Black. Ng has his Level I certification with the Court of Master Sommeliers.
What: 2012 Champ de Reves Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
Why: Ng is a huge fan of the Anderson Valley terroir, famous for imparting Old World nuance and style to New World pinot noir and syrah. He explains winemaker Eric Johannsen’s Champ de Reves — it’s named for the vineyard high above Boonville and 18 miles from the Pacific coast, where the grapes grow — offers “a perfect balance of blue and red fruits. It’s supple, yet juicy, with a very silky elegance but also earthy characteristics.” From the nose, he gets “amazing aromas of cranberry, coriander, rose, juniper, brown sugar, raspberries and cherries.” The wine spent nine months in French oak barrels, 33 percent new.
Buy it: $15 for a glass or $55 for a bottle at Ruggles Black