Woman on Wine

by Amy Reiley

With a nickname like “SLO,” its no wonder San Luis Obispo is one of California’s last great wine regions to take off. Just north of the Santa Barbara Pinot country immortalized in Sideways, SLO is also home to a lot of great Pinot country, not to mention little pockets perfect for growing everything from burly Zinfandels to delicate Rieslings.

Baileyana
2006 Estate Pinot Noir

Intense, yet complex, Baileyana’s Pinot is a beautiful expression of the grape’s potential in the San Luis region. Its color is dark, its finish long and its cherry flavors tart and delicious.

Claibourne and Churchill
2006 Dry Riesling

A somewhat sexy lady of a wine, this So Cal dry Riesling offers pretty peaches and a nice body. A slight acetone note on the nose may be its one flaw, but any negativity is quickly washed away as the wine dances across the tongue.

Claibourne and Churchill
2006 Syrah

A great expression of American Syrah, C & C’s rendition is packed with baking spice aromas, sweet vanilla finish and a fine kick of black pepper.

Edna Valley Vineyard
2006 Chardonnay Paragon Vineyard

Edna Valley’s Chardonnay has been and, hopefully, always will be a flagship of the region. A delicious, very adult Chard with the body brought on by a hint of oak, peaches and lemons on the palate and a hint of vanilla on the finish, this is one iconic wine.

Sextant
2006 Wheelhouse Zinfandel

Central Coast Zins are big bears - bold wines for the wanton. Sextant’s rendition almost bursts from the glass with blueberry, black cherries and a little kick of espresso right at the end.

Tangent
2006 Pinot Gris

A perfect wine for summer, Tangent’s P.G. is fresh and appley with a perfectly clean finish. Great acidity makes it a lively little number while tart fruit and green notes give it substance.