Hartley Ostini Cork Dancer 2005 Pinot Noir

Hartley Ostini* Hitching Post Wines were made famous in the 2004 wine/road film "Sideways". The Hitching Post Restaurant in the small Santa Barbara County town of Buellton served as a location for several scenes in the film, including this one (see trailer "Windmill").

Besides having been a movie location, the Hitching Post restaurant is the genuine article, centered around the grill and the wines.  The cozy bar really is the place to park yourself for dinner if you want to catch up on local news.

Cork Dancer refers to the action of salmon in the sea jumping over the "cork line" of partner and ex-fisherman Hartley.  5.1 is the 1st edition of the 2005 vintage, and was sourced from Santa Rita Hills (Fiddlestix & Rio Vista) and Bien Nacido in Santa Maria.

Tasting Notes: Color: Deep ruby translucent.  Aromas: Complex spicy with cassis liqueur and black cherry fruit, forest and bourbon.  This is a bold agrarian Pinot Noir with plenty of tart acidity, dark fruit, cedary spice, lean muscular tannins, very warm and dry on the finish.

Very nice value ($29).   Closure: Real cork.   Alcohol content: 14.5%.

Winewaves reviewed Cork Dancer 2004 Pinot Noir.

*Hartley Ostini is the winemaking partnership of Gary Hartley (former commercial fisherman) and Frank Ostini (restaurant proprietor).