August West Pinot Noir

Can one Pinot Noir be everyone's Pinot? What if you sourced the grapes from various locales to provide the earthiness of the rough terrain of one region, paired with the cool climate long maturation of another? Left in the hands of a seasoned farmer who knows when and how to prune this so vigorous vine. Crafted with care by the finest winemaker. Perhaps you could create a Pinot Noir that would appeal to everyone?

The folks at August West are pretty damn close. They have created a Pinot Noir that excites my olfactory senses as well as my palate. The 2008 August West Pinot Noir from the Santa Lucia Highlands is something special.

The nose of cherry, strawberry, flint, and delicate rustic earthy quality makes this Pinot Noir stand head and shoulders above others. Muted but ripe berry flavors awaken the palate and compliment a variety of dishes from braised pork, flank steak with a chipotle sauce, grilled salmon, or even a dried cranberry enhanced green salad. The light earthy quality of this wine will help to bring out the seasonings, the peppers, the spices in any dish. Just thinking about this makes my mouth water.

August West makes three Pinots (Santa Lucia Highlands, Graham Family Vineyard, and Rosella's Vineyard) the Santa Lucia is the least expensive at around $30. I have a bottle of the Grahams Family Vineyard ($45) waiting for me when I recover from this winter cold. I know it will be worth the wait.

Check out the Wine Lab Newport for August West wines.