Left Coast Cellars is a new (and cute) name to me. They produce single-vineyard wines from Oregon’s Willamette Valley. The Cali’s Cuvee Pinot Noir speaks volumes about the caressing suppleness inherent in good Pinot, and this recent vintage has produced a wonderful, sensual, spot-on wine at an extremely fair cost.
2013 Left Coast Cellars Pinot Noir, Cali’s Cuvee $24 srp*
Dark ruby color. Warm, ripe totally seductive nose of spicy cherry, dark berry compote with tobacco, leather and that tell-tale Burgundian secret — beetroot! (Don’t worry, you’ll like it.) Flavors are airy and on the middleweight side. Not at all thin, tart or acidic, it’s actually lush and sexy with good depth, balance and a lovely lilt. Really needs to breathe 3-4 hours if opened now to show its stuff. Excellent value. Drink now-2019.
91/100 points
* The 2012 vintage is equally good — don’t hesitate — available at Whole Foods and Chapel Hill Wine Company.
