SOMM TV wine & food Episode 266: The 9 greatest bottles of my life with Raj Parr
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Oct 8, 2025 Rajat Parr, a renowned sommelier and winemaker, shares the transformative bottles that shaped his journey in wine. He recounts his epiphany with Raveneau Chablis Le Clos 1986, which ignited his passion. A 1978 Chave Hermitage spurred him to become a sommelier, while encounters with notable Burgundies led to his wine bar vision. He reflects on learning winemaking from a Rochioli Pinot Noir and his serious winemaking roots inspired by Jacques Maillet's Otremont. Today, he enjoys simple, soulful wines with friends and highlights his Phelan Farm offerings.
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Midnight Epiphany With Chablis
- Raj tasted a few ounces of Raveneau Chablis Le Clos 1986 while closing at Rubicon and was stunned by its complexity.
- That single late-night taste convinced him that wine could be a life-defining pursuit.
First Great Syrah Changed Everything
- Raj recalls tasting his first Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage (1978) at Rubicon and being floored by Syrah's depth and age-worthiness.
- That bottle pushed him to study wine seriously and shift from a temporary visa plan to a lifelong pursuit.
Wine's Riches Aren't Always Monetary
- Raj notes that opening a wine bar centered on Burgundy gave him wealth in friendships, knowledge, and experiences rather than money.
- He emphasizes wine's social value over financial return from hospitality ventures.