Pinot Noir

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

Wondering what to drink on the 25^th? Make your Christmas and Holiday dinner seamless with our assortment of wines that pair perfectly with your holiday feast. Start with festive Bubbles, then enjoy fantastic Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with your turkey or ham then finish with some sweet Muscat.

The Cellar Door Christmas basket includes:

• 1 x Evans & Tate Zamphire Sparkling, Australia

The palate is fresh and crisp. Crunchy green apple, white peach and melon flavours dominate with time on yeast lees adding a delicate creamy note and texture.

• 2 x 2009 Joel Gott Chardonnay, California

A refreshing and crisp un-oaked chardonnay from Monterey. Aromas of nectarine, tree fruits and zingy lime.

• 2 x 2009 Waitiri Creek “Drummer” Pinot Noir, New Zealand

Rich on the nose, the wine displays classical raspberry and cherry notes.  The palate displays bramble characters, and some sweet dark fruits supported by oak and an integrated tannin structure.

• 1x Chambers Rutherglen Muscat, Australia

Smoke, roasted nuts, coffee, brown sugar, maple syrup, prunes, honey, fruitcake, overripe orange/apricots, and remarkable spicy characters. Yummy.

• One Cellar Door Gift Bag

Total Price including tax = $161.39

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