Row 11 Pinot Noir I
Last week I was introduced to the Row 11 label; makers of two California Pinot Noirs: One from Santa Barbara's Santa Maria Valley and the other a blend of grapes from San Luis Obispo and Mendocino.
Row 11 is the creation of winemaker Ricardo D (no relation to Chuck). Wading through R11's hype-laden website is entertaining. I do find the concept of searching for the best vines throughout California intriguing. Let's taste the results...
The Skinny
Row 11 Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley, '02 ($29)
- From select 'rows' in California's Santa Maria Valley
- This wine possesses one of the most unique colors I've seen in a Cali Pinot: Black cherry-red fading to a wide dusty pink rim
- Complex, inviting scents of cola, berries, cherry, caramel, and earth
- Initial flavors of tart cherry and tomato are followed by rounded tannins, and a long rich finish. I did however notice that as this Pinot warmed and breathed in the glass, the finish became ever-so-slightly vegetal. Overall this a nice California Pinot Noir
*** (3 stars out of 5)
Row 11's Santa Maria Pinot is more delicate than other California Pinot Noirs that I've tasted lately. Thus, I believe, it is quite food friendly. After tasting the wine, I tried it with grilled chicken marinated in tangy-sweet barbecue sauce. Bingo! A fine match. It will also do well with roasted pork loin, meaty portabellos, or even salmon filets.
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No relation to Chuck D? Don't believe the hype...I guess you Can't Truss It.
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