Today’s 2012 San Luis Obispo Pinot Noir hails from my newest hidden gem winery discovery, Windrun.

This soft, elegant, juicy Pinot Noir was made by Santa Barbara Pinot Noir legend, Ken Brown, who sold his Byron winery brand to Mondavi in 1990. He stayed on with Mondavi until 2005 and now makes wine under his new Ken Brown label. He also makes wines for numerous other wineries, from some of the best Pinot Noir grapes in the world, including Cargassachi, Rancho La Vina, Clos Pepe and Nielson.

Many a famous winemaker has mentored under Ken Brown including Jim Clendenen of Au Bon Climat — Bob Lindquist of Qupe Wine Cellars — Chuck Carlson of Curtis Winery — Lane Tanner of Lane Tanner Winery — Adam Tolmach of Ojai Vineyard — Clay Brock of Wild Horse Winery and Mike Sinor of Sinor-LaVallee…. to name a few.

Today’s wine is lovely, fresh and balanced on the nose, with aromas of black cherry, dried cranberry, soft brown spice, fresh forest floor, pomegranate and subtle tobacco.

Soft and supple on entry, with flavors of dried cherry, dried cranberry, blackberry reduction, dried leaves, subtle spice and a hint of dried tobacco.

Enjoy!

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What the wine press has to say:

93 Points - Beverage Testing Institute - “Bright medium garnet color. Bright aromas and flavors of cherry pie, praline, and raspberry preserves with a silky, vibrant, fruity medium-full body and a smooth, intricate, medium-long beets, orange, and nuts finish with well-integrated, fine tannins and light oak. A light and lively pinot that offers subtlety and refinement.”