You know the way some things just feel absolutely right? The perfect white shirt. The chair that hugs your body the minute you sink into it. The particular heft of a well made chef’s knife against your palm. Carpe Noctum (“Seize the Night”) is like that. Its regal pallor in the glass is encouraging: No flashy purple, just the appeal of pale Pinot. The comforting way the wine flows into the mouth, enveloping the taste buds in a surprisingly silken embrace. There’s a cool frisson of energy, and after a moment of reflection it’s time to start all over again. Perfect.
Aberrant Cellars, Willamette Valley (Oregon) Pinot Noir 2009
By Marguerite Thomas