This is a rather nice pinot–WELL worth the 10 bucks I spent on it. Those in the back rows will need no introduction to Pedrigal Vineyard–and no, NOT the one in Oakville–in the postage-stamp AVA of Paicines in the original SBC: San Benito County. This is the first time I’ve seen something sourced from there outside a few close families with popular last names in the whole MontCo/SLH community. Ipersonally don’t think Pedrigal is stellar Pinot-provinance, but a girl’s gotta dream. Nice and light in appearance, crystal clear and barely garnet. A bit of an off-putting nose of mustiness: dank wet newsprint and moldy leaves, but nothing outside the realm of great Pinot nuances. It doesn’t open up much past that, either. Somewhat the antithesis of common California examples, though I would stop short of calling it “Burgundian”.
Tasting it elevates things considerably beyond the boring nose. Bright and decadently fruited, a little heat churns acid into the mix, turning easily to gorgeous tannin along the finish-lines. Throughout, it is calm and dark-fruited, the cherry concentrated and black, blueberry and plum lightening things up slightly. Even at 14-5, #winebro gonna hate this stuff, as it fails to reflect the mass exuberance *most* Central Coast Pinots offer at this proof. For that–of course–I give it many points. It’s not particularly curvy, or super-model gorgeous, but it packs in the kind of dull, thudding glory and piquant delicacies true pinot-lovers demand. If you see it on a shelf, don’t hesitate to swoop one up for *consideration*, though packing one’s cellar with them would be a fool’s errand.
2016 REATA Pinot Noir Pedrigal Vineyard Paicines AVA San Benito Co. 14.4
Stephen McConnell 