I have to credit the passionate vintners/winemakers Marc Goldberg and Maggie D’Ambrosia for staying power; they have remained dedicated to Pinot Noir exclusively after all these years. This vintage was particularly cool, resulting in only 1.5 tons to an acre, but this pretty Pinot Noir is beautifully ripe and balanced. Exhibiting friendly notes of blackberries, plums, and black cherries, the ripe fruit flavors are nicely offset by bright strawberry and spice notes. There’s no doubt that this flavorful wine provides a sense of place from Paso Robles’ westside growing region. It’s a great choice for holiday meals, but I would pull this from my cellar any time of year to enhance a great steak, seared ahi, or a grilled filet of salmon. Available at the Paso tasting room just off Hwy. 46 West, it’s a very good buy at only $38 retail.
This article appears in Nov 29 – Dec 6, 2012.