Dense and rich, the Aubaine Vineyard in Arroyo Grande is just south of Laetitia Vineyards and a consistently good producer used by several notable winemakers, including Mike Sinor. Sinor has bought grapes since 2004. I enjoyed this wine’s dark fruit flavors of blackberry, black cherry, and plum, nicely nuanced with notes of spice and earth. While I prefer the Sinor’s elegant Talley Rincon pinot noir from this vintage, the Aubaine is a good choice for those who prefer a riper California style. Bolder foods such as steak, lamb chops, or peppered, seared ahi are the best choices for this rich wine. A good buy for only $40 retail, it’s at Tastes of the Valleys Pismo.
This article appears in May 30 – Jun 6, 2013.