A Case of Cuvee

Last weekend was the quarterly club members wine pick-up at Windy Oaks Estate Winery. This is always a great event to sample new releases at my favorite Pinot Noir maker, as well as catch up with owners Judy and Jim Schultze. Judy was recently profiled in the “Women and Wine” article in the recent Metro Santa Cruz weekly magazine. They accurately describe her as “vivacious, articulate, world-traveled,” all important ingredients to making and selling top quality Pinot Noir.

This most recent release included their new 2007 Windy Oaks Estate Wood Tank Fermented Limited Release Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir. Lots of words – just think yummy. Medium bodied pinot with complex cherry, pine, earth and spice flavors. 14.2% alcohol, 47 cases, $55 (20% discount available through their wine club). Certainly not inexpensive, but will deliver on those occasions where you need more than Plonk.

While picking up my order, one of their helpers had to climb a ladder to get my shipment – which prompted my alter ego Dr. Plonkenstein to say: “It looks like you’ve come down with a case of Cuvee…”

Best, Joe Plonk

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