Cambria Pinot Noir Julia’s Vineyard 2009, $25: This deep-colored beauty from the Santa Maria Valley in Santa Barbara County is grown off the estate vineyard named for Barbara Banke and Jess Jackson’s youngest daughter, Julia. This is prize Pinot territory with the vineyard’s many clones, the age of the vines, the cool climate and the passion of Barbara Banke, who bought this property in 1986. The 2009 vintage — fairly priced at $25, and only released in mid-summer – is widely available. It sings with dark cherry, strawberry and pomegranate aromas and flavors. Texture is silken, tannins supple, and acidity gives nice structure. It has striking herbal/minerality tones on the finish. The winery is 17 miles inland from the Pacific ocean and a three-hour drive north of Los Angeles. Take a tour at the Web site.
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