Day 4 of 14 of the Next Gen Launch Party Extravaganza!

Time to shake things up a bit with an extreme value bargain Pinot after all those heavyweight reds. An alluring, 91-point Pinot made by a winemaker described as a “mad genius” - for this price?!

Dining out is back by the way if you haven’t noticed! And did we miss it!!! But \we did not miss being reminded how expensive it can get. So, eating in and well, at a fraction of eating out is back to being in too, whatever that means. It makes no sense that $17 get you a Sonoma Coast Pinot of this caliber. That’s like the price of an appetizer, but this delivers main course value!

What’s not to like, especially for the money? We’re talking TRUE Sonoma Coast terroir from prime Fort Ross-Seaview vineyards. An extraordinary winemaker, Jason Moore who earned big praise and big scores from the press. Some of their high scoring Cabs go for $150-250 and sell out with crazy demand. Their Pinots are equally good but lesser-known.

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate sums it up nicely in a most recent issue; “In a word: WOW. This somewhat cryptic, out-of-the-box winemaking concept by gifted winemaker Jason Moore has, for me, been outstanding and yet a little ‘edgy’ in previous iterations… I have truly seen the method to his madness. He’s clearly a mad genius…”

That he is. Self-trained, he started Modus Operandi in his 20s and dropped out of UC Davis as he was adamant in his own ways and against the tide with his unconventional approach. How he was able to fit SO MUCH into a bottle that originally cost $35 is a small miracle, indeed. After we massaged the price down to $17 - well, you know utter madness is about to ensue. In other words, a sell out is likely.

In the glass it’s all deep bright ruby in the heart, with crimson accents that glow as you swirl it. And that nose! Ahh, simply redolent with juicy red raspberries, wildflowers, cotton candy, and a touch of…is that Thai basil?? Silky on the palate, voluptuous, star anise, and subtle earthiness giving it an attractive exoticism. Sweet floral notes add lift to the medium-bodied, impressively bodacious finish. The ideal pairing would start with a freshly smoked or roasted cut of wild-caught salmon with a balsamic drizzle and build up from there.

Did we say seventeen bucks for a well-reviewed true Sonoma Coast Pinot by a brave trailblazer???

What are you waiting for, cases are flying out already, LOAD UP!

91 Points – Tastings.com

“Dark garnet color. Aromas and flavors of cinnamon-cardamom bun, spiced plum, candied cherry, chocolate ganache, rose petal, anise, and clove with a velvety, lively, fruity light-to-medium body and an even, appealing, medium-long finish with moderate oak flavor. A spicy and alluring Pinot Noir with velvety texture and bold acidity; drink now or cellar.”