The Hitching Post Hometown Pinot Noir 2008 is 100% Pinot Noir sourced from three sub-regions (Los Alamos, Santa Maria and Santa Rita Hills) of the Santa Barbara, California, wine growing AVA. The Hitching Post is the restaurant where Miles and Jack meet Virginia and Maya in the movie, Sideways. The Hometown is their entry level blend of three vineyards and the alcohol content is 14.1%.
The color is rusty autumn maple leaves. The nose is black cherry, mushroom, forest floor and tea. It taste of a combination of tart cherry and herbal tea, along with licorice and sweet strawberry. The mid palate brings raspberry and a touch of cedar plank. The tannins are soft and smooth, but the acidity is strong enough to add an astringent quality to the wine, which is a plus, not a negative. The finish is tart cherry and herbal tea and just lasts and lasts.
The Hitching Post Hometown Pinot Noir is an all around performer, nice fruit flavor, challenging complexity, length and depth, all at a value price (somewhere between 15 and 20 bucks). Hit RedBox, pick up the movie and watch Sideways the proper way, with a Pinot Noir in your glass. Or better yet, serve it at Thanksgiving dinner, even your non wine drinking relatives will dig the movie reference and it will do your turkey dinner proud.
