Synopsis, Our Opinion: We called it a MEMORABLE Pinot Noir that doesn’t empty your wallet.
Producer/Winery: Drew Family Cellars; Elk, California.
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir.
Geographic Appellation: Fruit for this wine cames from four vineyards (Valenti, Fashauer, Perli and the Drew Estate) in Mendocino Ridge and one in Anderson Valley (Wendling); all of which are planted at “mid-elevation” between 1200-1400 feet; North Coast, California.
Vintage: 2016
Price: $29.95
Purchased From: Woodland Hills Wine Company; Woodland Hills, California.
Paired With: San Francisco pork chops with Emiril’s seasoning braised in chicken broth enhanced with soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic and roasted red pepper flakes; baked sweet potatoes with gravy and roasted cauliflower.
Tasting:
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Opened and decanted 30-minutes before drinking. Clear, fairly dark garnet color with the same color rim. Earthy plum, pomegranate, raspberry and mushroom aromas. Velvety and lush, medium body and lots of 400-grit texture. An intense core of beautifully ripened flavors of plum, cranberry and pomegranate with subtle leathery tannins that keep going through and beyond the long slightly tart spicy finish. WOW, WOW from the first taste it was easy to tell this was a special California Pinot Noir. Prominent, but subtle tastes, identifiable, but complex flavors, a remarkable freshness that was both captivating and easy drinking beyond comparison. Possibly it didn’t have all the delicate nuances of French Burgundy, but in a blind tasting it probably wouldn’t get many votes as a California New World Pinot Noir. Did we like it? No, WE LOVED IT!!! This really opened the door for the “New California wines” and were charging through. Absolutely OUTSTANDING Pinot Noir with all the charm of French Burgundy (and we’re really bias toward Old World wines), with it’s smooth complexity of flavors it’s simply intoxicating. Vicky said this was a good buy and we could drink it every night…which really says a lot!!! We called it a MEMORABLE Pinot Noir that doesn’t empty your wallet.
Photo from Drew Family Cellars.
See also, Jon Bonné’s book, The New California Wine: A Guide to the Producers and Wines behind a Revolution in Taste.
Alcohol Content: 13.4%
Closure: Natural cork.
UPC Code: NA
Imported by: NA