Sanctuary, Santa Maria Valley (Santa Barbara County, California) Pinot Noir 2014

 I had the pleasure of judging with the late Dennis Martin a few years ago.  He was a great taster and a prince of a guy, and he had a way of letting you know if he liked a particular wine.  This wine, made by Dennis, gets my "mmm" factor — bright cherry fruit, sweet oak spice, moderate oak toast and a touch of dry earth are well knit together, and linger long on the palate.  A nice value at this price, and one that’ll go with anything you’d serve a pinot noir with.  Thanks, Dennis!