2008 Aqua Pumpkin Pinot Noir (Kenneth Volk), Santa Barbara County

[wondersofwine]

Pretty color and a very cherry-like nose. The website descriptions of the previous vintage note red berries but I thought dark cherries was the main descriptor here. Semi-opaque in the glass. Some silkiness (or is it more velvety?) A faint spice note, possibly clove. A little on the dark and brooding side and yet fruity with dark cherries and plums. Weighty but not chunky. Leggy on the glass. I liked this. Had a glass of it at Il Palio in Chapel Hill with chicken breast with cheese polenta, cooked tomatoes and fried onion rings. The chicken was cooked in a white wine sauce but I wanted to order a red wine with the entree so thought a Pinot Noir might fill the bill. It wasn't a perfect match (not sure what wine would be with the tomato, etc.) but it did okay and was enjoyable on its own.

Runs about $20 a bottle retail which makes it good QPR for West Coast Pinot Noir.