Joel Gott, Santa Barbara Pinot Noir, 2016 (California)

“Smooth Operator”

Price at Purchase: $14.99

Location: Safeway

Happy Splurge Saturday! We know this is slightly out of the “Pour Choices” budget (spending double digits on wine?!)-- but will we still attempt a review, anyway? You bet, because we’re bored during quarantine and we already binge-watched all of Tiger King. And Ozark. And How to Get Away with Murder. Lord help us.

To be honest, I cheated on this one. As I was tasting it, there was always juuuust something I couldn’t identify. There’s something to be said about a winery that’s FINALLY able to explain a wine better than I could have, so I give them some mad R-E-S-P-E-C-T for that one. In my initial sip, I got great flavors of cherry, blackberry, and another fruit that was on the tip of my tongue but couldn’t place (spoiler: it was pomegranate!). While it was fruit forward, there’s also a great acidity to it and lots of great spices—I was able to deduce some pepper and again, another spice that was just out of reach (spoiler: it was clove!). This mix of flavors created a great, smooth wine that was easy to drink…I admit, a little too easy. It’s is one of those bottles where “just one glass” quickly turns into “Ah shucks, I drank the whole bottle. Again.”

Overall, this is a fantastic, reliable pinot. It’s nice and light, and pairs nicely with hummus and celery. The winery claims that it has a “velvety” texture with a “long, elegant finish”, which is 100% accurate, but that description also reminds me of the final scene from Sunset Boulevard. So by purchasing this wine, may you have the same confidence as Norma Desmond walking down that staircase (murderous tendencies sold separately). Enjoy!