1996 Cakebread Pinot Noir

Cakebread Cellars in Rutherford, Napa Valley, was founded in 1973 by Jack Cakebread, a professional photographer who came to Napa Valley on an assignment and fell in love with the place. He and his wife Dolores bought a 22-acre vineyard and had their first vintage in 1973. It was a Chardonnay sold out of a small shop in Yountville. Today the winery is still owned by the Cakebread family, though it has increased to 77 acres. The estate is still known for excellent Chardonnays, though they now also produce Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Pinot Noir. The winemaker at Cakebread is Julianne Laks. Signature Cabs include Vine Hill Ranch and Dancing Bear Cabernet Sauvignons.

Carneros AVA, also known as Los Carneros, is at the southern end of the Napa and Sonoma Valleys at the top of the San Francisco Bay. The 8,000 vineyard acres are mostly planted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, both of which thrive in the district’s cool, marine climate. Carneros became an AVA in 1983 and it has attracted foreign wine companies along with local producers. It has been especially appealing to European producers of sparkling wines including the giant Spanish cava producers Codorniu and Frexinet, and the French Champagne house Taittinger. Codorniu in Carneros is called Artesa, and Frexinet’s Carneros brand is Gloria Ferrer. Taittinger calls its Carneros winery Domaine Carneros. The European producers also make still wines in Carneros.

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.