2004 El Molino Rutherford Pinot Noir

El Molino Winery in St. Helena dates to the mid-19th century when an English physician bought a ranch and set up a water-powered mill, which inspired the name “El Molino” and the distinctive bottle label. The label is the original design introduced in 1871 when the estate first started making wine. In 1976 the property, by now in disuse, was purchased by Reginald and Marie Oliver who renovated it and turned into an artisanal producer. Today the estate is run by the couple’s daughter and son-in-law. The 58-acre estate’s vineyards are mostly in Rutherford, with a half-acre in St. Helena. El Molino makes Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. California wine writer James Laube notes that El Molino’s wines “have moved to the forefront of the California scene, despite the fact that the winery keeps a low profile and that its wines are difficult to obtain…"

Rutherford AVA is just north of the Oakville AVA in the heart of Napa Valley, and it is equally distinguished. It is home to Beaulieu Vineyard and inglenook, arguably Napa Valley’s most historically influential wineries. Inglenook started making in wine in the late 19th century, and Beaulieu Vineyards was producing by the first years of the 20th century. BV founder Georges de Latour is particularly esteemed for having recruited Andre Tchelistcheff, a renowned research oenologist, to move from France to Napa Valley in 1938 and run BV’s winemaking. The legendary Tchelistcheff brought European winemaking techniques to Napa Valley and vastly improved wine quality. Other Rutherford winemakers followed his lead. Today there are 5,000 vineyard acres in Rutherford and many acclaimed producers. The famous Silverado Trail with its exclusive, limited production wineries, runs partly through Rutherford AVA. Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignons are characterized by supple tannins, richness, notes of cherry and plum, depth and the ability to age for several decades. Besides Cabernet Sauvignon the AVA also grows Chardonnay, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel. It received its AVA designation in 1994.

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.