2013 Nicholson Ranch Cactus Hill Estate Pinot Noir

Nicholson Ranch is a 40-acre estate nestled between Sonoma and Napa Valleys. It is owned by Deepak Gulrajani, a high-tech entrepreneur. The vineyards were planted in the late 1990s and a state-of-the-art winery was completed in 2003. Nicholson’s debut vintage was the 2000. The estate makes Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Merlot and Syrah.

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.