Good friends are like a fine glass of wine and I have to give a big shoutout to my wonderful friend, Stephanie, who knows how to pick a fine bottle of wine. She gifted me this week’s Friday Cheers wine pick…Belle Glos Pinot Noir.
We paired this wonderful 2018 vintage with our thanksgiving dinner and it was the perfect pairing. Our thanksgiving feast was layered with so many different flavors – from the white and dark meat of the turkey to the dressing, to the tartness of the cranberry sauce and the sweetness of the applesauce to the many vegetable sides we served made this wine an excellent choice.
Belle Glos Pinot Noir is produced by the Las Alturas Vineyard which is in the southern region of the Santa Lucia Highlands of Monterey County, California. This wine is grown in a cool coastal region with warm afternoon temperatures and tame winds. And according to the vineyard, the combination of the climate with “site-specific farming” gives this wine great texture, depth, and balance. Several reviewers said, it was like “pure velvet in the mouth”.
I tend to smell a bottle of wine the minute it is opened, and immediately after opening, I could tell this was going to be a special bottle. The aromas of chocolate to covered cherries, plums, vanilla, and oak were overflowing. This beautiful dark ruby red colored wine was smooth on the palate with vibrant acidity (structure) on the finish. To me it had a lovely buttery aftertaste, making it a nice wine to pair with a feast or just sip.
In addition to the roast turkey, this Pinot Noir will pair well with grilled lamb chops, chicken, pork, and beef. Belle Glos would make for a lovely addition to any get together.
This wine was awarded 94 points by Wine Enthusiast and is available through totalwine.com for $52 a bottle. Other beautiful Belle Glos Pinot Noirs are available through the Belle Glos website.
Hope you enjoy…cheers!