| My first introduction to the world of wine was | | | | subtle textures and nuances of the Pinot Noir varietal. |
| through a bottle of 1981 Ridge Montebello. Ever since | | | | We are not typically fans of big, dark, rich Pinots |
| then, I have been a huge fan of Santa Cruz Mountain | | | | because they tend to be fruit forward and too |
| wines. Recently, I tried another delicious wine from | | | | extracted without being balanced. However, this wine |
| that very same coastal mountain range, Thomas | | | | is the exception. It has great finesse with gorgeous |
| Fogarty's 2004 Santa Cruz Pinot Noir. Though a | | | | aromas of rose and cherry along with subtle smells |
| substantially different wine than the Ridge that | | | | of black pepper and spice. These intriguing aromatics |
| started me on my oenophile journey, this wine gave | | | | lead to a well structured but elegant mouth-feel. Fine |
| me that same visceral experience. | | | | tannins and bright acidity are framed by flavors of |
| Located just south of San Francisco, the Santa Cruz | | | | dark cherry and rhubarb with just the right amount |
| Mountains are flanked by the San Francisco Bay to | | | | of earth and mushroom. |
| the east and the cold Pacific Ocean to the west. | | | | Only 240 cases of this special wine were made and it |
| These bodies of water create extreme microclimates | | | | was a featured wine in Saveur Magazine in the April |
| which intensify with altitude. This altitude produces full | | | | 2007 edition. Enjoy it with salmon, chicken, lamb or |
| bodied wines with deep, rich color and highlights the | | | | duck. This wine is a pure delight. |