Professor Bainbridge...on law, politics, religion, culture & food

Sanford Pinot Noir Sanford & Benedict Vineyard (Santa Rita Hills) 2001

This is a very fine Pinot, but its firm acidity and potent - albeit well-integrated - tannic backbone mandate some additional cellar time for it to fully develop. This is already a sophisticated and harmonious wine but it should improve as it continues to soften with age. Black cherries and green tea, plus a stemmy note on the nose. Perhaps a tad pricey at $50, but I still recommend it. I've got one bottle left and I think I'll give it 18 months or so in the cellar to see what happens. Grade: A--