Smoking Loon California Pinot Noir 2004

Don and Sons' mass produced Pinot Noir by Smoking Loon is a very likeable, available, and affordable light dry red. Richard Bruno* is a very busy Winemaker, so one figures he isn't overthinking or overworking his wines. 90,000 cases of 2004 Pinot Noir were bottled under the Smoking Loon label.

There is a podcast on Don and Sons' website, which says, "we get most of our grapes from coastal areas like Monterey and Mendocino." Tasting Notes:  Color: Light strawberry/cherry red, transparent. Aromas: Cherry, strawberry, raspberry, plus hints of clove spice, smoky oak, gravelly earth and cedar. On the tongue, this is a lightweight Pinot Noir. Jammy cherry and raspberry, plus pie spice flavors resolve quickly in the easy dry finish. Closure: Composite artificial "neocork". Very nice value ($8.50).

*Bruno is taking responsibility for a sizeable array of wines, including Don and Sons' Smoking Loon and Pepperwood Grove, and his nearly ten-year-old partnership venture, Vinum Cellars.