California was truly blessed with near perfect growing conditions in the 2012 vintage, especially with Pinot Noir. The top growers and wineries are flush with some of their best wines ever. One such wine that recently stopped us in our tracks is the 2012 Daniel Pinot Noir, made by Brack Mountain Wine Co., from the Soberanes Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands.

Soberanes is owned by the famous Garys (Pisoni and Franscioni) who single handedly put the Santa Lucia Highlands on the world map for Pinot Noir with their neighboring Garys’ Vineyard. Garys’ Vineyard wines do not sell for less than $50. Soberanes is now also considered one of the top 10 California Pinot Noir vineyards - grand cru status. Don’t miss this deal, it’s fabulous.