Cancilla Cellars Pinot noir 06
Avalon's Wine Pick of the Week for 3-25-08
Steak and Pinot? Absolutely!
Cancilla Cellars Pinot noir 06
It was a classic debate at my house last Friday evening. He was having seared steak and I was having baked salmon. We couldn't even agree on a main course -- how were we going to agree a bottle of wine? It seemed ridiculous to open two separate bottles for just two people. To our benefit, the 2006 Cancilla Pinot noir $29.95/$26.95 came to the rescue. It is a prime Pinot with enough weight and substance to match a hearty steak and yet enough elegance to complement a beautiful piece of center cut salmon.
Many people would overlook Pinot when pairing wine with steak, thinking it would be too light in texture and body. However, 2006 was an extremely warm vintage in Oregon and garnered ripe lush fruit, integrated tannins and big juicy round texture that make it a great partner to heavier meats like steak.
The 2006 Cancilla Pinot is full of lively red fruit in a silky package. Sweet raspberry pie, red currant, wild strawberry and milk chocolate coats your palate. Juicy acidity balances the almost sappy fruit on the finish. The 06 Cancilla is flashy and seductive, yet retains some of the elegance and delightful earth characteristics of Cancilla Pinots.
Cancilla Cellars is an "indie" winery you want to get to know. It is a small estate winery where Ken Cancilla is owner, vineyard manager and winemaker. Small productions of Pinot noir, attention to detail, and a focus on quality have led Ken's Pinots to be a consistent favorite. You could definitely cellar this pinot for later but I would DRINK IT NOW!
Make it your Friday night solution to a tricky dinner pairing or just sit down and enjoy a glass.
Happy drinking and good eating,
Amy
