Gallo, Santa Lucia Highlands (Monterey County, California) Pinot Noir 2011

In many ways, Gallo, a producer responsible for one out of every four bottles of wine sold in the US, has a high hurdle to jump because so many consumers associate it with low end jug wine.  Gina Gallo, founder Julio Gallo’s granddaughter and winemaker, is quietly and persistently changing that image.  To their credit they bottle their notable and excellent high-end wines — the Signature Series — under the Gallo name instead of hiding them behind an anonymous label.  This 2011 Pinot Noir, rich and focused on ripe dark fruit flavors, is beautifully textured.   Another year or so of bottle aging should allow a seamless marriage of the oak and fruit.