2016 B Cellars Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

B Cellars was established in 2003 when Jim Borsack and Duffy Keys decided to step back from previous careers and produce wine. Winemaker Kirk Venge soon joined the team. The label and logo stand for the BRIX scale, which is a system used to measure the sugar content of grapes and wine. B Cellars sources grapes from many of Napa’s premier vineyards, producing a large portfolio of blends and single vineyards wines. Included are Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and proprietary blends.

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.