Operatives, shiver me timbers this is outstanding! Yarrrrr, our favorite mateys at Kitfox have once again plundered a Pinot worth losing a limb over. If you are not the seafaring adventurer for such booty, how about 25 bucks, eh? So worth it… Become a carousing buccaneer, fill your nipperkin and splice the mainbrace with this clap of thunder!

The classiest shade of pale ruby, reminiscent of ripe cherries ready for picking. Pomegranate, raspberry, cranberry, all joined by nutmeg and milk chocolate on the delightful nose. Juicy and silky at the same time, seamless with sneaky mouth-coating tannins on the refined palate. The perfect balance of dry but seemingly sweet red fruits captivates on a long, tart finish. Just like the aromatics here, think earthy foods enhanced with fruity essences for a wide variety of pairings.

Let’s set the pirate-speak aside for some awesome (hi)story behind this label. Rabbi James Lee Kaufman’s first wine encounter was in 1980 with a bottle of Chateau Montelena 1978 Cabernet Sauvignon which inspired him to start collecting wine. In 1994 the Rabbi and his wife Sue, thinking they would like to someday retire in Northern California, purchased 6-acres in the prestigious Sonoma Mountain appellation. They originally planted the site to Merlot, then grafted over to Pinot Noir in 2007. Their first Pinot harvest of 3.5 tons was sold to winemaker Joe Otos to be used in a single vineyard designated wine, which he still makes. Rabbi Jim has been a part of the clergy since 1973, and says, “I drink wine because it interests me, I like the way it evolves in the glass.”

Kaufman-Sunnyslope Vineyard is located in the North section of Bennett Valley in the prized Sonoma Mountain AVA and is planted to two Pinot Noir clones. The influence of the marine layer coming through the Petaluma Gap keeps this section cooler allowing for a more exposed grape in the canopy without danger of sunburn. The fruit achieves fully developed varietal characteristics with ripe Brix, low pH, high malic acid, excellent skin color, and great aging potential.