My favorite thing about great wine is that I can clearly remember the time, the place, the meal, and the friends I shared it with... and this wine is no exception.

I first tasted this Pinot Noir at my old haunt, Acme Fine Wines, when the man himself, Matt Taylor, took time from his day job at Araujo Estate to pour us a taste of his inaugural 2006 vintage. Immediately after being opened we understood why this young winemaker was one to watch; his wine was stunning and unlike any other California Pinot Noir I had tasted.  Matt's wine had none of that cherry-cola, overly fruity, thin quality that many Pinots have around these parts, and was more in line with the style he'd worked with at Domaine Dujac in Burgundy.

Needless to say, it quickly became part of the line up both at Acme and in my wine fridge.

What I love most about this wine is its balance. It effortlessly toes the line between boldness and elegance boasting just the right amount of deep fruit, acidity and earth notes. While it has potential to age easily for five to 10 years, I have yet to find the patience to hold onto it!

Enjoy the 2009 Matthew D. Taylor Pinot Noir with prosciutto wrapped asparagus and balsamic reduction, rustic pizza or even a cedar-smoked salmon.