2011 Kanzler Estate Reserve Pinot Noir, 1.5ltr

Kanzler Vineyards is in Sebastopol. It was founded in 1996 when Stephen and Lynda Kanzler planted their 20 acres in Pinot Noir. Their business plan was to source their grapes to artisanal California producers, which they did for several years. Then in 2004 the couple launched their own label and their first release earned 93 pts from Wine Spectator. The family-run business includes the Kanzler’s two adult children, and their son Alex is winemaker. Kanzler Vineyards makes Pinot Noir exclusively, and the wines routinely earn compliments and ratings in the low- to mid-90s from reviewers.

South Coast AVA is an appellation that includes vineyards in five counties in Southern California. Those counties are Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego. The designation was established in 1985. There are about 3,000 vineyard acres within the appellation.

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.