Did you miss the Raphet yesterday?

We can’t replace a world-class red Burgundy, but we can dish out this sublime Pinot from Meeker. It’s Pommard-styled, but from a single vineyard in the Petaluma Gap, the newest appellation in Sonoma County, loved by growers for the cool climate - perfect for growing Pinot Noirs of distinction.

This is NOT your full throttle, jammed-out, oaked-up, beefcake Pinot. It’s feminine, full of style, grace, and elegance. Definitely fits the bill if you lean more towards the IPOB (In Pursuit of Balance) spectrum. Acidity dialed in. Extracted ripeness dialed back. Brimming with bright Bing cherries, nutmeg, and other baking spices. A dream for many food pairings.

Meeker is the ultimate boutique address in the idyllic Sonoma countryside. They’ve been making wine since 1984 and today it’s a multi-generational family affair. Lucas Meeker grew up at the winery, and learned the ropes from his father, growing up with terroir in his blood. We enjoy buying wine from small family producers in our hood, and Meeker is certainly worthy of our love.

Surrounded by highly sought-after sites such as Sangiacomo Roberts Road, Gap’s Crown, and Sun Chase, the teeny ‘weensie Vineyard’ (not just ANY vineyard!) that this Pinot Noir is entirely sourced from happens to be owned by a prominent doctor, college professor, and research scientist. The attention to detail here is therefore impeccable, and the merits of the fruit show in the quality of the wine.

Wine Enthusiast has woken up to the riches of this young AVA: “While the Petaluma name gives it a sense of place, it’s the Gap that gives the new appellation meaning. A 15-mile-wide opening in the coastal mountain range brings cold air from the Pacific Ocean and pulls it east over land to the San Pablo Bay… Yields are low and grapes ripen slowly. The wines offer rich, textured intensity within a context of cool-climate aromatics and undeniable acidity.”

Continuing that “The area is defined more by vineyard sites than wineries, as grapes from the same established vineyards go into bottles from a wide assortment of producers like Kosta Browne, Rodney Strong, Ramey Wine Cellars, Patz & Hall and Walt Wines. More and more producers, both big and small, are noticing Petaluma Gap’s potential.”

Well, it’s hard not to take notice with a wine SO SCRUMPTIOUS.

Pinot people in the house, you need this one in your life.