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2008 W.H. Smith Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir Duo
Pinot Noir • Sonoma Coast • Red Wine
2 x 2008 W.H. Smith Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
W.H. Smith is famous among aficionados of California wine for its Pinot Noirs from the coolest parts of Sonoma County, where this grape shows its true class. But the winery also makes Pinots that aren't quite so intellectual – the sorts of sippers that, in lieu of a cocktail, are great to open while you're preparing dinner or entertaining company. This is one of those reds. It's read more...
2 x 2008 W.H. Smith Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
W.H. Smith is famous among aficionados of California wine for its Pinot Noirs from the coolest parts of Sonoma County, where this grape shows its true class. But the winery also makes Pinots that aren't quite so intellectual – theRead more...
2 x 2008 W.H. Smith Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
W.H. Smith is famous among aficionados of California wine forRead more...
2 x 2008 W.H. Smith Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
W.H. Smith is famous among aficionados of California wine for its Pinot Noirs from the coolest parts of Sonoma County, where this grape shows its true class. But the winery also makes Pinots that aren't quite so intellectual – the sorts of sippers that, in lieu of a cocktail, are great to open while you're preparing dinner or entertaining company. This is one of those reds. It's graceful and nuanced, yet incredibly easy drinking.
Bill and Joan Smith were the founding owners of La Jota Vineyards, one of Napa Valley's legendary Howell Mountain wineries. It was their friend, famed California winemaker Helen Turley, who inspired Bill to try his hand at Pinot Noir. And Bill has been making Pinot since 1992. Fruit from cool, low-yielding vineyards, primarily from the Petaluma Wind Gap, is Bill's secret for making great Pinot Noirs that focus on the purity and intensity of the variety.
The wine has little to no distribution outside the state of California, so unless you're planning to relocate, you probably won't get a second chance at this pleasing Pinot.
Tasting Note
This is dynamite wine – mostly because it's exactly what it should be: bright, happy and delicious, with aromas and flavors of red raspberry, Bing cherry and white flowers, supported by just enough earthiness and spice. The palate also presents notes of cranberry and, after four or five sips, more hints of black fruit, juicy cherry, cedar, black tea, orange peel and roasted strawberry. There are no coarse edges here. Just good acidity and faint tannins to keep it real – and a great finish that's juicy and delicious. Pair this with pretty much anything, such as margherita pizza, prosciutto-wrapped melon and grilled fish. Or just pour it at a picnic with friends. (ABV 14.4%)
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
More About W.H. Smith
Luck and timing led Bill and Joan Smith into the wine business: enthusiasm, perseverance, and good advice from a few talented friends facilitated their success as world-class producers. A wrong turn while trying to visit Chappellet Vineyard led Bill Smith to discover and purchase the historic ghost winery, La Jota Vineyard Co., including 40 acres on top of Howell Mountain in the Napa Valley. Two years later, in 1976, Bill and his new wife, Joan, spent their honeymoon planting the first 2 acres of vines, which would grow to 28 acres by 1978. After a few classes in home winemaking at UC Davis for Bill, a lot of experimenting, and some priceless mentoring from friend and Howell Mountain neighbor Randy Dunn, the Smiths produced La Jota Vineyard’s first Cabernet Sauvignon vintage in 1982. The couple went on to garner much attention and received many accolades – including being listed as #2 on Robert Parker’s roster of “heroes” in the December 1994 issue of The Wine Advocate. The ultimate compliment – Markham Vineyards purchased the highly successful La Jota Vineyard Co. in 2001.
Curious by nature and eager to embrace new adventures, it didn’t take much for friend and winemaker Helen Turley to inspire in Bill the desire to try his hand at Pinot Noir. In 1992, under a new W.H. Smith Wines label, the Smiths released their first vintage of Sonoma County Pinot Noir.
—From the W.H. Smith Website
Availability
This product ships to the following states:
Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
