2009 Meiomi California Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., $18, screw cap. 47% Sonoma County, 19% Monterey County, 34% Santa Barbara County. “May-OH-mee.” Winemaker Joseph J. Wagner of Belle Glos Wines. · Dark reddish-purple hue in the glass. Demure blueberry and plum sauce aromas with distracting oak char. Teeth-staining core of vivid black raspberry, strawberry, plum and cassis flavors with an underpinning of oak toast and vanillin. Blessed with pillowy tannins. This fruit-driven wine will find fans but the oak influence becomes more prominent over time in the glass leading to a jam-on-toast taste. I preferred the 2008 version of this wine, both of which are widely distributed and found on many restaurant wine lists. Decent (+). Reviewed March 2, 2011

Winery: Meiomi
From article: Mining for Good Under-$30 Pinot: Inflation Tamers