Wine of the Month -- 2009 Reserve Pinot Noir

I sip this wine and simply smile.  2009 was an amazing summer for me; full of warm nights on the patio and hot afternoons of softball in the park.  While I enjoyed the sun, the pinot grapes on our property were soaking it up and reaching their full ripeness in early October.  The color of the ’09 Reserve Pinot Noir is a dark ruby cedar.  The aroma reminds me of the glorious sunshine of that fall.  The silky fruit is full flavored on the tongue and surrounded by the subtle tannins of 95% French oak. The black raspberries, rhubarb and clove linger in the back of your palette for what seems like just long enough to savor a bite of a grilled portabella or herb rubbed steak. 

This is the best valued wine we have available right now.  Most of the fruit that goes into these bottles are from the Parson Ridge and Graham’s Block, our single block designates.  The Reserve Pinot Noir is made from the highest quality of grapes from our oldest vines that go into our finest French barrels for 13 months for under $30.  I see no reason not to fall in love with this pinot, even if it is 90 degrees outside.    

Some might say this wine is young.  They are right but that doesn’t matter to me.  What I love about this wine is that it signifies a journey.  Though it sees over a year in oak barrels, the aging process has barely begun in the bottle.  There will be changes in this wine over the next decade that I can’t wait to experience.  From the first BBQ of this season to the Christmas dinner in 2020, this wine is begging to be enjoyed, aged and enjoyed again.  I am excited to continue the relationship with this wine as years go on.  I encourage you to buy a case or two, keep it in the cellar, bust one out every couple of months or years and join me in the front row to a well-crafted pinot’s epic aging story.

Cheers! 

-- Meghan Letters