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2009 Pinot Gris - Santa
Barbara County
Heading north along the 101, we veer to the west maybe 25 miles before King City, through rolling arid hills, dry oak scrub country, past the bar at Jolon where the old man lost his daughter in a game of cards, eventually climbing the back slopes of the Santa Lucia Range. At the top of the ridge it’s really hot, but the landscape changes dramatically; now we’re into deep steep canyons filled with shade, redwoods, bay, madrone; waterfalls splashing through ferns and granite boulders. It’s a three-thousand foot drop down to the ocean, all in about 3 miles. “Into the Mystic” is on the car stereo. In our descent we look down on the backs of whales grazing out beyond the kelp beds before we’re there, the cool grassy bluffs above Kirk Creek, a sweet salty sea breeze blowing. Like the journey just described, here’s the ’09 Pinot Gris: that contrast between dry and refreshing, that hint of cool ocean air, flowers and minerals, snappy and clean. Food-wise it’ll be happy with almost anything from the sea, equally with spicy flavors from the South Pacific, Asia, or the Mediterranean. I’m thinking seriously about nigiri sushi here, or a smoked trout salad up at Nepenthe. Our featured recipe pairing is Zucchini-Corn Fritters with Cilantro Pesto
Case Production: 1,312
SOLD OUT
Please
click here for tasting notes from Chris. |
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...Another slapping, snappy Pinot Gris from La Encantada, another journey along the shoreline, ensconced in fog that only now begins to burn away, unveiling miles of clear and pristine coast... Shining sun that slowly reveals revelations of fruity tropicality, oceanic minerality, scintillating acidity... The wine equals the journey, "life's a trip"... Almost any kind of global picnic fare is a perfect call here, any place from Todos Santos to Trinidad Head, and it's okay if it rains but even better in prismatic sunlight... Our featured recipe is International Picnic.
Case Production: 119
$28 per bottle, $302.40 per case. Wine Club Price: $22.40 per bottle, $268.80 per case
Please click here for tasting notes from Chris. |
