This delicious, irresistible Pinot was grown in Sierra Madre, a Santa Maria Valley vineyard with a legacy. The Cheval Sauvage proprietary name is only given to the reserve wines, and this one earned it. Aged 14 months in French oak barrels, the aromatics are well integrated into this nicely maturing Pinot Noir. I loved its ripe blackberry flavors that meld quite harmoniously with tangy cranberry and pomegranate notes, and nuances of minerals and spice. It’s quite delicious on its own, and a superb wine for the table with grilled steak with or without a mushroom sauce, or seared, pepper-crusted ahi. It’s also suitable as a holiday gift for anyone who loves fine wine. You can get it for $58.99 on Amazon.com or at the Templeton tasting room where it’s $65 retail and will soon be sold out.
This article appears in Nov 22-29, 2012.