Winesday

Peter: Really smooth. Tastes like a basic table wine or house red that you would be served at a small restaurant in Europe. Not a lot of tannins, but high alcohol content makes it linger around for a while. Thinking the lamb loin from Bistro Daisy.

Rene: Woodsy and spicy, I dont get a lot of fruit. Mellow wine not syrupy as some pinots can be. Acidity is present which I like in Burgundies or Oregon Pinots. This begs for something with mushrooms or a dark stock. Recently had a seafood gumbo at 5 Fifty 5 in the Marriott which would satisfy the latter. For the former, the blue corn crepes with huitlacoche, wild mushrooms, and brandy from Green Goddess would do the trick.

Joe the Wine Guy: The wine is a 2008 Acacia Pinot Noir sourced from the Los Carneros American Viticultural Area. The 2008 vintage was not ideal, but the orientation of the Acacia vineyards protected the grapes from the frost. The wine opens with ripe plum, raspberry and blackberry aromas. On the palate, the fruitiness gives way to nuttiness from the oak aging. Fine tannins structure the wine, while bright acidity nicely balances the bright, raspberry finish. Drink it with grilled salmon or chicken, roasted pork, veal or lamb, and mushroom dishes. Available at Ruth's Chris, Bombay Club, K-Paul's, and Dorignacs. Retail price is $22.