Mission Codename On the contrary
Here’s a story about a Single Vineyard Pinot released at $60. Some folks have it for $49. Others for $39.
Us? Dropping it like it’s hot, right here today to $26. That’s a whopping 57% OFF.
Is there a better breeding ground for Pinot than Carneros?
We emphatically say, NOT REALLY!
And the Taub family has deep roots in the area, farming prime-time vineyards such as Lawler and Dutton Ranch. In fact, the Lawler Vineyard is part of the Donum Estate where their wines fetch upwards of $100 per bottle. Donum makes the only other Lawler Vineyard designate Pinot Noir, under their Robert Stemmler label.
David Taub founded Taub Family Vineyards and Palm Bay International, and imported many wines over the years, including some big names you probably know from supermarket shelves. Au Contraire is one of their California projects, focused on a small collection from top Sonoma Chardonnay and Pinot sources. Winemaker Tom Hinde is at the helm, with three decades of experience, at Yao Family, Cardinale, Vérité, Lokoya, and Stonestreet, to name a few of his past appearances.
Lively and bright, this medium-bodied deliciousness showcases the benefits of a few years in the library, flowing like the Napa creek right now, with red cherry, raspberry tea leaf, cinnamon stick, and cola nuts. The backdrop of just tilled earth, clove, and nutmeg brings complexity that you can’t find at this price in other Pinots. With ‘this price’ we mean our deep undercover rock bottom one of course. This ought to be in your weekday Pinot rotation, order your favorite woodfired pizza in your zip code, pour a big glass, grab the remote, and hit that couch hard.
We couldn’t find any ratings or reviews for this one but quoting Antonio Galloni’s Vinous on this highly rated vintage should suffice: “Two thousand fourteen has turned out to be a fabulous vintage for Sonoma County Pinot Noir. The wines are deep, intense and beautifully textured.”
We couldn’t have said that better – load up – who knows when we’ll see another Carneros single vineyard in the mid-$20s again!
What the Winery Says
2014 Lawler Vineyard Carneros Pinot Noir
- Winemaker
- Tom Hinde
- Varietal
- 100% Pinot Noir
- Vintage
- 2014
- Alcohol
- 14.1%
- Appellation
- Los Carneros, Sonoma County
- Vineyard
- Lawler Vineyard
- Soils
- Gravel, clay and gold ridge loam
- Average Vine age
- 10+ years
- Fermentation
- Stainless steel with native yeasts
- Aging
- 12 months
- Barrels
- 100% French oak (50% new)