DeLoach Pinot Noir 2008 California Family Collection

DeLoach Vineyards was named by Wine & Spirits Magazine a “Top 100 Winery of the Year” in its winter issue. In the same issue, DeLoach’s 2007 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir was recognized as one of the “100 Best Buys of the Year.” Those are some serious honors.

Since 1975 DeLoach Vineyards has been making terroir-driven wines in the Russian River Valley and in premium vineyard sites across Northern California. Its founders were not only part of the first group to plant Pinot Noir in the Russian River Valley in 1973, but they also played an important role in creating the Russian River Valley AVA in 1983.

This tasty bottle was opened for my wife’s “girls night in.” Luckily a glass was saved for me. This is the lower end of the DeLoach family of Pinot Noirs. The single vineyard Pinots go for about $45 and the 2006 Sonoma Stage Vineyard Pinot goes for $85.

The 2008 California Pinot expresses many of the classic traits of this fine varietal. It has aromas of cherry and mushroom and delectable flavors of strawberry and smoke. It has a smooth, long finish.

It is a great value for about $15 and whets the appetite for the more expensive DeLoach Pinot Noirs.

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