2013 Harbison Pinot Noir

Harbison Estate in Oakville was founded in 2005 by Joe and Pat Harbison. For Joe Harbison, establishing his own winery was a culmination of a lifetime of collecting wine, studying wine, and donating wine to philanthropic causes. Harbison grew up with parents who enjoyed fine wine and entertained, and he started collecting wine as a teenager. After a stint in the navy in Europe he became a lawyer in northern California, where he often made charitable donations from his renowned cellar. In 2005 he and his wife purchased a small vineyard parcel on Oakville’s east side and began growing Cabernet Sauvignon. Jim Barbour, a legendary Napa Valley viticulturist, manages the vineyard. Russell Bevan, also a Napa Valley luminary, is winemaker. The estate produces about 75 cases a year and has earned high compliments from reviewers. Robert M. Parker Jr. has written that “these incredible wines should be sought out by anyone looking for amazing, high-test. Full-throttle, pedal-to-the-metal Cabernet Sauvignons.”

Sonoma Coast AVA runs from San Pablo Bay in the south to Mendocino County in the north. It includes 7,000 vineyard acres and earned AVA status in 1987. Its proximity to the Pacific Ocean means it gets double the rainfall of nearby inland appellations and the ocean gives the appellation a relatively cool climate. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir can thrive in these conditions, and there are numerous producers making critically acclaimed Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.