However, we did find a gem of a pinot noir, a 1998 Costa de Oro, Santa Maria Valley Gold Coast Vineyard, only 700 cases made. At first sip you get an explosion of fruit - strawberry, black rasberry and cherry. The fruit last from the begining to the end. The acidity is well balanced throughout. You do not get that sour cherry taste.
Tannins are light and thin.
This wine is not built for the long haul but will keep and develop for the next 2-3 years, if you can wait that long. This is a bargin for the juice in the bottle. I tasted it against a 1996 David Bruce Chalone Vineyard Pinot Noir, which Wine Spectator gave a 91 rating, and the Costa de Oro was my pick for immediate and near term consumption. Turning to the more exotic wines, we are getting a six year vertical of Harlan Estate wines. We have not decided if we are going to break-up the set nor have we determined the price or method of sale.