This terrific Pinot Noir, from one of our notable SLO County family wineries, is an excellent choice in affordable Pinot Noir. It offers pretty red and black fruit characters, from cherry, raspberry, strawberry, and plums to hints of herbs, earth, and dried cranberry. The grapes are grown in Santa Barbara County’s outstanding new appellation. It’s the most versatile of red wines when it comes to food; I love it with steaks, prime rib, lamb chops, salmon or ahi. It’s $30 retail at Ortman’s Paso Robles tasting room.
This article appears in Oct 1-8, 2009.