Fermented on native yeasts and racked only once before bottling, this wine shows its Santa Lucia Highlands origin with black cherry, damp earth, menthol and a complex mix of spice on the nose and in the mouth, with a feel that’s plush without going flabby. One of the more elegant versions of a 777 that I’ve tasted. I’d go for a spicy salmon preparation as a pairing.
Idle Hour Winery, Santa Lucia Highlands (California) Pinot Noir 2010
By Rich Cook