2011 Kutch Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

Kutch Wines is in Sonoma. It was founded by Jamie Kutch and its debut vintage was its 2005 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. Since then Kutch has continued to make Pinot Noir from vineyards on the Sonoma Coast, in the Russian River Valley and Anderson Valley. The wines are made in very small quantities and are available generally only by mailing list. Wine reviewers have been complimentary and Wine Advocate rated the 2011 McDougall Ranch Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir at 95 pts, calling it “clearly one of the most impressive wines of the vintage.”

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.