WHY: If you're looking for a bottle of California red wine that tastes like it should cost $50, but only costs $25, the 50 by 50 Sonoma Coast pinot noir is going to make you very happy. With a pureness of fruit that sits lush on the palate with soft cherries and spice, and balanced acidity that makes the wine such a great food pairing, there are few wines in the store this good for this price.
HOW: The 50 by 50 wines are made in conjunction with a handful of small growers in the Sonoma Coast region, using 50/50 Dijon and Pommard pinot noir clones. The cool weather allows the grapes to ripen slowly and gradually, sealing in the complex flavors that make the wine so special.
WHAT: The 50 by 50 label is the brainchild of musician and wine lover Gerald Casale, the co-frontman of the rock band Devo. Spending his time between Los Angeles and Napa, Gerald has had a life-long love affair with California pinot noir and California cuisine, having spent his formative years eating and drinking around the world while on tour.
