Intentus Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2018

This one’s personal. You probably all know Alan Viader from Viader here in Napa, the winery he runs with his mother, Delia. Alan is de facto winemaker and vineyard manager for the property, and of course you know how kickass his wines are! Alan is also one of the greatest humans on earth that I know, and after our 2020 spate of terrible fires here, he recently became a firefighter on top of everything else he does (search and rescue).

INTENTUS was born of his intention to give back to fire-affected communities after he nearly lost his own winery last year, including Napa Search and Rescue, Salvation Army (fed firefighters) and Folds of Honor. The new brand was also a way to play with new varietals in small quantities. Through a mutual friend, I tasted a bottle and begged Alan to offer a few cases. TODAY is the day, it will be gone in a flash, and trust your wine merchant, it is KILLER!

Alan’s notes: “The 2018 Intentus Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is exceptionally complex with bouquet of hibiscus flower, lilacs, rose-hips, wild strawberries and dried currant leading to layers of pink peppercorn spice, cinnamon, and sweet vanilla cream soda. This light-medium bodied wine dances on your palate with bright cherry, rustic red cranberry pie and offers a soft and pleasant mouthfeel with hints of black tea, dried porchini mushroom and an earthy, forest floor character that leads to a long, lingering finish that just doesn’t quit.”

SPOT ON! This is simply gorgeous, lush but terrifically balanced and satisfying. 25% stem inclusion and raised in 20% new French oak. SO RARE to have and utterly compelling at our price. We can’t rave enough, so please grab a few and know that you’re doing good for hundreds of families across the state as well! ULTRA LIMITED, we have about 8 cases only!

PAIRING IDEAS: Alan is from Argentina originally, so we have to say asado, or grilled meat over the fire, with a savory chimichurri on the side. Lamb chops, steaks, flank steak...Hard to go wrong at all!

MUSIC SUGGESTIONS: David Bowie’s Greatest Hits has been getting a lot of airplay at our dinner table this month. Perfect for a hearty, pound-the-table dinner!