Savvy wine buys: Castle Rock ‘01 Pinot Noir

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Wednesday, July 9, 2003 | 8:14 a.m.

Don't be confused by the fact that this wine is bottled in Napa. This is a prime example of a Sonoma County Pinot Noir, at a nice price, made from grapes grown in quantity in the two best regions for Pinot in that county, Carneros and Russian River Valley. The wine gets its body from having been aged 14 months in French oak barrels, and the lightness and elegance comes from the fruit. There are layers of cherry, vanilla and spice, and the nose is floral, like a good Pinot should be. For collectors, the wine should improve nicely for several years to come.

Available at Lee's Discount Liquors, $10.50.

-- Max Jacobson