Acacia Pinot Noir California a By Acacia 2011

The notably cool 2011 vintage gave our Pinot Noir exceptionally bright notes of red cherry, raspberry, Santa Rosa plum and red rose. Toasty spice nuances from French oak add complexity, while supple tannins frame the flavors and carry them through the long, fruit-imbued finish. The wine's elegance and vibrant acidity complement grilled salmon, while its rich flavors stand up to grilled beef, lamb or pork and other hearty entrées. - WineryBarrel Aging -6 months90% French oak10% American oak30% new oakMedium-plus toast Alcohol - 13.2%Acidity - 6.0 g/LpH - 3.6

Acacia winemaking starts in the vineyards well before harvest, with meticulous pruning, careful canopy and cluster management, cover crops between the vine rows, and constant monitoring of both soil moisture and grape development. Harvest begins only when Matthew and his staff are satisfied the grapes have reached maturity, with the proper balance of flavor and acidity.

Our 2010 Pinot Noir displays seductive aromas and flavors of red cherry, raspberry and plum. Nuances of rose petal and new leather-with a racy hint of smokiness from oak aging-entice you to take another sip. Supple tannins frame the lush flavors and carry them through the long, fruit-imbued finish. The wine's elegance and bright acidity complement grilled salmon, while its rich flavors stand up to grilled or roasted beef, lamb, pork, turkey or duck. An aromatic spice rub on the meat brings out the spiciness of our Pinot Noir. - WineryVarietal Composition: Pinot NoirHarvest Date: Mid-SeptemberOak Regime: 6 months90% French oak10% American oak30% new oakMedium-plus toastAppellation - CaliforniaAlcohol - 13.5%Acidity - 6.03 g/LpH - 3.64Ageablity - 2011 to 2015

Tasting Notes - This wine offers aromas of violets, spice and black cherry with hints of vanilla. The medium-bodied palate includes rich flavors of dark fruits plum, black cherry. The mid-palate presents dark fruit flavors and fine tannins leading to a finish of dark fruit and spice with a hint of oak. A by Acacia Pinot Noir is the perfect choice for casual dinners with friends. Enjoy it with cedar-planked salmon, roasted chicken or wild mushroom risotto.

Rating: 85/100 - As reviewed by Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine (www.cgcw.com) in the October 2010 issue. On the positive side of its tally sheet, this very ripe wine counts a full measure of fruit and plenty of sweet oak, but it also shows a distinctly fumey edge in the nose, and its flavors are slowly overtaken by souring sharpness that in the end leaves it short of the mark.Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine aging recommendation: Drinkable now. Unlikely to improve with further aging.

"Rating: 85/100 - As reviewed by Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine (www.cgcw.com) in the October 2010 issue. On the positive side of its tally sheet

At Acacia, we have an intimate relationship with Pinot Noir. Even after more than 25 years of experience, we remain intrigued and enticed by this ethereal grape. A by Acacia brings to life Pinot Noir's subtleties by blending grapes from California's finest Pinot Noir growing regions. The result is an elegant wine with strong black cherry flavors and an unexpected hint of violet and spice that we believe conveys the essence of California Pinot Noir.