2004 Oreana PN, Central Coast

[hotwine]

The poor sister of the Santa Barbara bottling of PN from Oreana, this dog can still hunt. Deep red in the glass with a shimmering rim, its nose is distinctively pinot, promising lush blueberries and raspberries... and it delivers. Delightful fruity entry with the right amount of oak well in the background, it sings on the palate and fades ever so gracefully on the finish. 13.8% alc/vol and all of $8.99 per. One box won't be near enough. Will have burgers tonight.

Oreana is made at the Cellar205 co-op in downtown Santa Barbara. Wish I owned a piece of that operation!

[hotwine]

Now well into my second box of this stuff. Tonight had another with cedar-plank wild salmon, oven fries, green beans and garlic bread. Wonderful juice. Will do the same tomorrow. Has become our go-to wine for pork, salmon and roasted chicken.