California

Carneros, California

With Valentine's Day in our sites we start to think about the heartbreak grape, Pinot Noir. Pinot can be a real heartbreaker to the grape grower for it's fickleness but if all the elements come together just right it will make you swoon. One of our favorite pairings for richer pinots, such as this week's feature, is with beef tenderloin or grilled steelhead trout or salmon.

Cuvaison Estate Winery was founded in 1969 and the current winemaker Steve Rogstad joined the winery in 2002 with an impressive pedigree of having worked with some of Napa’s greats included Saintsbury, Spring Mountain Vineyards, Clos Pegase, and Rombauer.

The grapes for the Pinot come from the Carneros region which is the southernmost corner of Napa Valley and Sonoma County. Carneros is characterized by fog and cool breezes from the San Pablo Bay, gently rolling hills and dense clay soils. The morning fog keeps the grapes from heating up too quickly, while the afternoon wind lowers leaf temperature and dries the dew left by the morning fog. Pinot Noir thrives in these conditions.

The 2009 Pinot is a rich full bodied pinot noir with damson plum, strawberry, black cherry and a touch of spice/clove. The wine has firm tannins but a juicy mouth feel which makes it a great food wine.

Cellar Door Price: $42.95

Napa, California

Thinking big in 2012 can means tasting some rich full bodied wines that are ideal for this time of the year. Enter the Saldo Zinfandel from Orin Swift. With grapes sourced from some of the finest growers in Northern California the 2009 Saldo is a deep ruby in color and has bright red fruit aromas with a bouquet of toasty oak and sweet vanilla. The wine is big and has a long finish. Drink now or enjoy over the next five years .

The word "saldo" has many different meanings in Spanish, Italian and Portuguese. In Spanish, it mainly refers to "balance on hand", and sometimes it can mean "from here and there." This wine represents the best of the best lots from vineyards all across Northern California.

Wine Maker's Notes: The 2009 Saldo bursts with aromas of ripe strawberry and black fruits with well integrated oak. The entry is mouth coating and leads into a mid palate with structure and good acidity. The finish is bright and long with soft tannins and subtle oak sweetness. Drink now and enjoy over the next five years.

Cellar Door Price: $45.95

Santa Cruz, California

The David Bruce Winery is located in the Santa Cruz Mountains just above the Silicon Valley. The winery was founded in 1964 by David Bruce and won notoriety at the "Judgement of Paris" in 1975 when the Chardonnay was selected for the famous tasting. The pinot noir grapes are sourced from Sonoma vineyards and the 2008 vintage shows ripe red raspberries, pepper, dark cherries and red currants. This pinot is a great wine to enjoy this holiday season or to gift as a special occasion wine.

Cellar Door Price: $34.95