I had just opened a bottle of Sonnet Cellars Pinot Noir when my neighbor came over for a quick visit. I poured him a glass of this terrific wine and he lingered for another pour, eventually departing with a hefty glass!
We have Tony Craig to thank for making some really marvelous pinots—and the 2018 from Gali Vineyard is one of them.
This well-versed British man and former Shakespearean actor does not mince words. “The 2018 offering from the Gali Vineyard shines with its black cherry fruit, natural acidity and minerality as well as a subtle spicy oak that lingers the whole length of the palate,” says Craig.
Priced at $48, it also has style, complexity, and delectable touches of caramel, smoke and earth.
As well as making wines for his Sonnet Cellars label, Craig is the consulting winemaker for Silver Mountain Vineyards in Los Gatos. He is doing a pop-up tasting at Silver Mountain from 4-7pm on Friday, Nov. 7.
Contact Tony Craig for more information on his wines at in**@****************rs.com
Toasting Community Health
The popular Wine & Roses Fundraiser event celebrates Pajaro Valley’s finest wines, craft beers, hors d’oeuvres and locally grown roses. It comes with unique auction items such as double magnums from local wineries, and international getaways. The event, which helps raise vital funds for community health programs, is from 4-7pm on Saturday, Nov. 8 at Crosetti Hall in the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. For info and tickets go to pvhealthtrust.org/wine-roses
Three Wonderful Wines
I can highly recommend two pinot noirs: Oleandri Wines in Napa (oleandriwines.com) and EnRoute Winery in Sonoma (entroutewinery.com). Another fabulous wine by Jonata in Lompoc is a red wine blend (jonata.com). Each wine is about $50.
