Bearded Jim Clendenen is one of the great ambassadors of California wine, and is the pre-eminent maker of Pinot Noir in the lovely Santa Maria Valley, which is located in between Santa Barbara and California's Central Coast.
He founded his vineyard in order to produce traditional Burgundian varieties such as Aligote and Chardonnay, but it is with Pinot Noir that he has achieved his great success.
This wonderful example of the genre has a lovely, complex herbal nose and the persistent scent of cherries. It's long on the palate, a delightful wine altogether.
Available at Lee's Discount Liquors, $19.99.
-- Max Jacobson
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