The brand name Cadre infers an impassioned group that banded together to further a cause: promoting the extraordinary Pinot Noir grown in California’s South Central Coast wine appellations. It’s comprised of four pioneering vineyards in the cool climate of Arroyo Grande, Edna, and Santa Maria valleys, and Santa Rita Hills: Laetitia, Firepeak, Bien Nacido, and La Encantada, respectively. Winemaker Christian Roguenant at Niven Family Wine Estates has made Pinot Noir on three continents and combined Pinot Noirs from four historic vineyards into one unforgettable wine. An impressive blend of red and black fruit, it has elegant aromas and flavors of black cherry, raspberry, blackberry, and plum, highlighted with exotic spices and earthy notes and a hint of vanilla. It’s ideal for the upcoming holiday dinner season and as gifts for wine connoisseurs. This wine will reward those willing to age it up to a decade. It’s priced $50 retail, available at the Baileyana/Tangent tasting room in Edna Valley and at DePalo & Sons in Shell Beach.
This article appears in Nov 11-18, 2010.