2010 Tuck Beckstoffer Ex Orbis Terrarum Ellenbach Vineyard Semper Pinot Noir

Tuck Beckstoffer Wines has a familiar ring to anyone who spends much time with California wines. Tuck Beckstoffer is part of the famous Beckstoffer Vineyards family. His father Andy Beckstoffer moved to Napa Valley in the 1960s and established some of the most prestigious vineyards in the region. Beckstoffer Vineyards owns vineyards and manages other people’s vineyards. Tuck grew up farming and working in the family business. But since the late 1990s he also has made wine. Today Tuck Beckstoffer Wines, in St. Helena, makes several labels. The Seventy-Five label is an homage to the year 1975, which was an important year for Tuck. The label is devoted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and a Bordeaux blend. Tuck Beckstoffer also makes the humorously named “Hogwash” Rosé; Melée, a Grenache; Mockingbird Cabernet Sauvignon; and Semper Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

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.