PINOT OF THE YEAR

[Jerry D Mead]

In my year end column I give competition type awards (gold, silver etc) to various wines and entities:

GOLD to "Red Wine of the Year" for the phenomenal Napa Ridge 1996 Pinot Noir for winning more medals and awards than any other Pinot in America...again! It did it last year too and that wasn't the first time. And this $10 wonder beat out competitors selling for up to $50.

//I'm not saying it's the best Pinot in America...but it it sure is the best performer and the most consistent value...and you can find the thing everywhere. Don't know how winemaker Schlottman (sp?) manages to do it year after year.//