Wine growers working on the south central coast of California have produced some truly delicious pinot noir in recent years. Look no further than Talley, Byron, Sanford or Au Bon Climat for prize examples. Another standout example is the 2001 Artesa Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir. The grapes came from three Santa Barbara vineyards in the Santa Maria appellation. The wine was made–and aged for more than a year in French oak–at Artesa’s winery in the Carneros region of Napa Valley. The wine is firm, well balanced and fresh-tasting with hints of strawberry and cherry. Pair it with roast pork, lasagna or another pasta with mushrooms, or salmon, baked or grilled. The price? $22. (If you cannot find the Santa Barbara Pinot, consider Artesa’s Carneros Pinot Noir at the same price.)
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