It’s Monday again, which means it’s time to start another week of the CorkPopper Project. There are only a few weeks left, and this, I’m pretty sure, is going to be one of my favorites. California Pinot Noir (that from Santa Barbara’s Santa Rita Hills, in particular), after all, was quite possibly my first (wine) love and is what I go back to most often. Like a comfort blanket or a favorite song that, with one snuggle or note, transports you back to a particular time and place, California Pinot Noir takes me back to the infancy of my serious wine drinking days, when every sniff and sip opened up new horizons of aroma and flavor that I didn’t know could exist in a glass….. ah, nostalgia….
This week’s three wines come from three different California regions – Santa Barbara’s Santa Rita Hills (of course), Carneros and Sonoma Coast – all areas with excellent climates for the notoriously fickle grape. Let’s see who the contenders are, shall we?
First, I'll be tasting a 2008 Sean Minor "Four Bears" Pinot Noir from Carneros. This wine earned 91 points from Wine Enthusiast and is available for an amazing $13.99/bottle at K&L Wine Merchants.
Second, we have a 2008 Chad Pinot Noir from the Santa Lucia Highlands, one of California's up-and-coming wine regions. I've heard nothing but great things about this wine, which I got for a song at just $18.99/bottle through Wine Access.
Finally, I'll be putting one of my favorites to the test. The 2008 Babcock Rita's Earth Cuvee Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara's Santa Rita Hills. As a Babcock wine club member, I get this wine for $16.25/bottle. Non-club members can still find it within the CorkPopper budget at $25/bottle, though!
Cheers!
