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2007 Miller Wine Works Kendric Vyd Marin Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir • California • Marin County • Red Wine
Tastes like: Red plum, cherry, new leather, porcini mushroom
Pairs with: Bone-in pork chops, morel mushrooms and sweet peas
Good for: Dinner parties
Drink this: Now through 2017
Alcohol: 14.1%
Marin County? You mean, just north of San Francisco?
Yes, that's the place. The vineyard is only 30 miles from the Golden Gate Bridge and only half that far from the true Sonoma Coast. God only knows why it's taken so long to learn that Pinot Noir grows well in Marin, but this is the up-and-coming spot in California wine. There are only 200 acres of Pinot planted in Marin – compared with hundreds of thousands in the rest of California. But if you want a Pinot that delivers unapologetic power, like the Sonoma Pinots the critics seem to love these days (think Kosta Browne, Gap's Crown and Flowers), yet you don't want to pay a triple-digit price, this is the bottle for you. In fact, Miller Wine Works and Flowers share this very same vineyard source.
OK, but how does it taste?
Let's put it this way: Gary Miller is the former executive sous chef at The Little Nell in Aspen, Colo., which is one of the best restaurants in the world for wine lovers, with an amazing collection of rare bottles. Each vintage, Gary posts new recipes on his website that pair with each of his newly released wines. If you love pairing wine and food, this is the Pinot for you.
If he was a chef, how'd he get so good at winemaking?
Gary was mentored by Pinot Noir legend Bill Smith, of the famed W.H. Smith winery, after he left the kitchen at The Little Nell. Bill is truly one of the kindest and most down-to-earth guys in the wine world – and his wines are exceptional. Since 2000 Gary has been producing small lots of food-friendly wines that, until now, have been available only on the locavore scene in the Bay Area.
Punky Mahle has more than 15 years of experience in the wine and food industries, most recently with luxury resorts. Before joining Lot18 as a Napa/Sonoma Wine Specialist, Punky was a sommelier with The Phoenician in Scottsdale, Ariz., and the wine director for the Ritz Carlton in Phoenix. Punky currently lives, works and plays in Napa Valley. She’s thrilled to share her backyard with Lot18 members and be able to bring the region’s most exciting wines to the community. Learn more about Punky here, or follow her on Twitter: @punkytime
2007 Miller Wine Works Kendric Vineyard Marin County Pinot Noir
Tasting Note
This has more ballast than many Sonoma County Pinots, yet true to its Marin roots, it remains balanced and seductive. The nose is open, with engaging aromas of red plum, cherry, a citrus note and brown sugar. The palate is clean and focused, with medium weight. A Marin-signature note of dried porcini is supported by lush cherry, new leather and cinnamon-stick accents. Young and exuberant, this is a very versatile and sexy Pinot Noir. I served this at cellar temperature with bone-in pork chops, morel mushrooms and sweet peas. The wine will age wonderfully, but don't wait to pop the cork. Pour and enjoy this beautiful wine.
Availability
This product ships to the following states:
Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin
