Negociant Pinot Noir Anderson Valley 2011

Release Price $56

Buy six pay $24.99 – save 55%
Buy three pay $27.99 – save 50%
All Else Sale $29.99 – save 46%

“Ok… so what’s the story here? And why the discount? And…” you

The wine is made by longtime California winemaker and consultant, Bob Pepi. After he sold his eponymous winery in the 1990s, he embarked on a career consulting with wineries around the world. But he was drawn back a few times to craft his own wine. Mostly sold to old customers, friends and colleagues, the wines garnered some pretty excellent reviews under the Eponymous label.

For whatever reason, Bob has decided to sell off his remaining stock. The supplier sent me three vintages to taste 2011, 12 and 13. This was the winner!

At nine years of age, this is a rare chance to drink Pinot Noir that has entered the second phase of its life.

“Um… Todd… what the heck does that mean?”

Ah… ok. So, when a wine is young, pretty much all you get are flavors of fruit, fruit and a bit more fruit. The hints of earth and spice are in the background, playing a supporting role. With age, those background notes come forward, and the fruit takes on a more subtle role. Age too long and the fruit disappears…

This is in the perfect wheelhouse… the fruit is still vibrant and pure: cherries, strawberries and raspberries among them. But, as famed writer Oz Clarke explains, “Labelling a mature Pinot with a particular type of fruit is usually quite impossible; every time you think you’ve caught the precise flavour, it’s moved onto something else.”

And that is exactly how this gem behaves. Along with the fruit, there are equally hard to pin down flavors of “earth” – mushrooms, smoke, some say leather… I really don’t try and nail it down. It is just an unusually attractive scent and flavor that you only get from aged Pinot Noir. Not Cabernet, not Merlot, not anything else I have ever tasted. And I, along with many others, feel this is why we spend innumerable hours tracking down great Pinot. It’s unique… and irreplaceable… and indescribable!

So, you’ll just have to try it!


Or reply. The wine is available now in Chapel Hill. Friday, as ordered, in Hillsborough.