Today’s wine is a multi-family, multi-generational marvel. Winemaker, John Bambury, is the third generation grandson of French winemakers and farmers. The Sangiacomo family, from whose vineyard today’s wine has sprung, is a third generation winegrowing family. John literally grew up with the Sangiacomo family. Their enduring relationship has yielded remarkable wines.

The list of wineries that make their wines from grapes grown by the Sangiacomo family is enormous, but here are a few of the most notable: The Prisoner Wine, Rombauer Vineyards, Black Stallion Winery, Domaine Chandon, Orin Swift Cellars, Francis Coppola Winery, Meiomi Wines, Flowers Winery, Simi, Bernardus Winery, Sojourn Cellars, St. Francis, Story, Ten Acre Winery, Brack Mountain, Schug Winery, Saintsbury and many many more.

Today’s 2013 Opal Moon Sangiacomo Vineyards Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir hails from Bonneau Wines, a Wine Spies favorite since we first featured them a decade ago. Today’s Pinot is a complex, balanced wine that our tasting panel spent a great deal of time with, slowly unpacking all that it has to offer. We think you’ll love it.

This Pinot Noir has nice clarity, with a crimson heart spreading out to an auburn lip. The nose on this wine is fragrant and blossoms with notes of cherry, rhubarb, walnut, green almond, and subtle cardamom. On the palate, you’ll find a wine balanced between tart fruit and savory meatiness. Dominant flavors include plum compote, black cherry, pomegranate, currant, hickory, and tobacco. The overall body is nicely balanced with very soft tannin, excellent weight that supports a lush mid-palate profile and bright acidity to give it lift. It would be particularly nice with pork loin medallions in an au jus prepared with red wine, scallions, and shallots.

The Sonoma Coast AVA, established in 1987, is the area directly adjacent to the Pacific coastline of Sonoma County. The ocean’s influence causing a cooler, higher rainfall and foggy climate most influences the vineyards of this region, many of which have exceptional views of the mighty Pacific. These factors cause grapes to mature and ripen more slowly which is ideal for Pinot Noir. The region is approximately 750 square miles with about 7,000 acres under vine.

Enjoy!