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Sequana 2008 Sundawg Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir - Review

Green Valley, California

Our Selection for Wine of the Week April 30, 2012


A bottle of Sequana 2008 Sundawg Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir, our wine of the week

Sequana
2008 Sundawg Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir

Green Valley, CA

Although it is considered a boutique producer, Sequana is actually a part of Hess Family Estates. Hess is an international, family-owned wine company now in its fourth generation. They established Sequana as their very first venture into Pinot Noir with a focus on New World-style wines from California's Russian River Valley (Sonoma County) and Santa Lucia Highlands (Monterey County). The 2008 Sundawg Ridge is surprisingly big for a Russian River Pinot at 14.5 per cent alcohol. Its ripeness is due in part to the vineyard's elevation, high above much of the region's famous fog bank. The wine's nose is full of fruit aromas, including ripe cherry, prune and cooked raspberries with an underlying earthy note of sandalwood. A voluptuous wine, it offers tasty strawberry and raspberry pie flavors along with bright acidity and an attractive floral note on the lingering finish. Although it is by no means a traditional Pinot Noir (not even close), the wine makes for a complex and compelling drink. Rather than serve it with classic Pinot pairings, try the wine with bolder dishes like slow-cooked short ribs, grilled tri-tip or herb-crusted, grilled tuna steaks. For vegetarians, the wine would be a nice match for herb-marinated or goat cheese-stuffed, grilled Portabella mushrooms.

Rating: 14.5/20
Price:
$50


Other Pinot Noirs we have tasted
Check out our Napa/Sonoma Travel Guide

For more information, visit www.sequanavineyards.com


See also:
Sequana 2009 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

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