Wine By Nine

Red Wine by La Crema from Sonoma County, California. Like the Burgundy wine region of France, the vineyards of Sonoma Coast offer an unusually long, cool and even growing season. Lingering fog and wind from the nearby Pacific Ocean (or, in Los Carneros' case, the San Pablo Bay) moderate temperatures throughout the growing season and slow the ripening process. With an extended hang time on the vines, the results at harvest are small berries with firm acidity and highly concentrated varietal aromas and flavors. The 2006 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir opens with engaging aromas of ripe, round cherry, floral notes, spicy clove and licorice. Cherry continues in the mouth, melding with rich plum, orange peel and tea leaves over a mouth-watering jamminess. Balanced acidity and firm tannins round out a long, lingering finish. -Melissa Stackhouse, Winemaker