Quick impressions from the 2013 Pasadena PinotFest

Happening annually in February, the Pasadena PinotFest is surely a highlight on the Los Angeles-area wine lover's calendar. Benefiting local charity, the events run for several weeks before culminating with a Grand Tasting held at the Altadena Town & Country Club overlooking the beautiful San Gabriel Mountains - a beautiful setting in which to showcase new and top producers of California Pinot Noir. Like last year's tasting the producers in attendance were mostly Central Coast, although there were a few North Coast producers represented. I worked the event for Arcadian Winery, but a few moments in the crowd provided highlights and exciting new discoveries.

A trio of 2011 Sonoma Coast beauties from Sojourn Cellars. Impressive for their opulent balance- rich and pretty. The Sangiacomo vineyard bottling was my favorite.

Gypsy Canyon's estate vineyard is located in the northwest corner of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. The 2011 Trois was filled with intensity of fruit, florals, and earth. The amazing packaging is a lightweight hand-blown glass and is capped with beeswax.

Randy Rozak's wines come also come from the western edge of the Sta. Rita Hills. Deep and brooding with tons of earthy complexity, wines such as the Rozack 2006 C Block from the Rozak Ranch are notable for their youthfulness as well as value.

Other highlights included 2009 Zotovich Estate, 2010 Alma Rosa La Encantada, and 2008 Hartley-Ostini Hitching Post Julia's Vineyard. Click here for tasting notes on all of the above wines.