Sometimes I like to don a cowboy hat and order a glass of pinot noir at a restaurant using the pronunciation “peanut nee-or.” Why? It’s fun; it makes my friends laugh. Wine should be fun. With flavors of ripe cherry, bright raspberry, and rich spice, this true Edna Valley “peanut” was born to be the party. Yeehaw!
• Baileyana Tierraslo 2014 Pinot Noir—About $20; 5828 Orcutt Road, Edna Valley.
Although I don’t recommend getting toasted to the point of insanity (remember what happened last St. Fratty’s Day?), I do recommend overindulging in this slyly “toasted” Paso Robles blend of cabernet franc, malbec, carmenere, petit verdot, and cabernet sauvignon. Created by local winemaker Ryan Horn with the credo: “work hard, play hard,” this dark, black cherry-tinged beast is not for polite sipping. You should, and will, get toasty. Just like the premium wine barrels it was aged in.
• Wasted Youth’s 2012 Toasted—Price upon request; for more info check out wastedyouthwinery.com.
Hayley Thomas is listening to ’80s punk band Wasted Youth and wondering where the time went. Send her drink suggestions at hthomas@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Feb 25 – Mar 3, 2016.
