Sierra Madre Vineyard, 2009 Pinot Noir

Steve Rasmussen was the winemaker for 2009 vintage of this wine, though he has recently passed the reins over to the famed Lane Tanner. I selected Lane's wines for my wine club members some years ago, and was saddened when she gave up her own label a short time ago. Since then she's become a consulting winemaker, including firms like this one, where I know she'll continue in Steve's primary style - elegant food wines from this marvelous vineyard. I hear the transition from Steve to Lane was very friendly, as he needed a replacement to allow him more time for his other endeavors, and the two are old friends with similar styles. All this suggests lovers of this wine will be able to find more of it for years to come, and without disappointment.

Reflecting Steve's signature style, this wine is deeply colored with a crimson hue and rich aromas of wild lingonberry and cool forest floor undertones to its high notes of ripe black cherries. Its full, dark berry mouthfeel finishes round and expansive with a pleasantly long and lingering finish. The wine's earthiness also tells of an old world aesthetic - just one of the reasons this wine rose to the surface in the Pinot sea of sameness at the 2012 Pinot Festival.

This wine is ideal for bridging an array of flavors from grilled meats and seafood, to wild game, or sausage and mushroom pizza. For a real treat, try it with this recipe from their website - Porcini Dusted Rib-Eye Steaks

Cheers,
Dave "the Wine Merchant" Chambers