R. Stuart & Co. Pinot Noir Vignette

Loaded with Christmas spices, but bright berry fruit keeps it from being cloying.

This was a compromise selection at a restaurant to accompany entrees for a group of four (salmon, tuna, pheasant, and pasta with light red sauce). Immediate impression... lifeless. It had no soul (much less recognizable varietal character) but not flawed so there was no valid reason to refuse it. Priced on the wine list at $60 and no better than a grocery store box wine. What a mistake.

To the distributor at Fresh Foods in Cannonball Beach who talked me into this, fie on you! I said I loved traditional wines, and this isn't one. It's modern, simple and polished, closer to Hawaiian Punch than Burgundy with a malted finish. Yuck.

Loved it. Strong rich and masculine Pinot.