I know it’s rather early for this vintage of Pinot Noir to be released, and I recently recommended the 2009. Since you may find two vintages on the shelf at Trader Joe’s, I bought the 2010 to make sure I liked it, too. It’s decidedly less fruit-forward than the 2009, with plum and briary wild blackberries, earth, and mushrooms, ending on a dry spicy finish. Pair it with roast beef, a simple steak, or Santa Maria tri-tip and beans. Some will find this more to their liking, but if you seek something fruity, stick with the 2009 while it’s still out there and stock up while you can find it, $12.99 at Trader Joe’s, and slightly higher in grocery stores.
This article appears in Oct 13-20, 2011.