2005 Davis Bynum Pinot Noir, at 14.4% alcohol, came from the Russian River Valley in Sonoma County. At $24, (at the time) the ten year old wine was matched with Steelhead Trout and Sockeye Salmon coated (on top in photo) with unsweetened coconut, along with broccoli rabe, and a mashed-potato patty; of course a salad followed. Really nice for a simple Tuesday at home.
The wine hasn’t improved over the past four years. It scored a 14+ on the 20-point Dionysian scale, but I had given it 16 points five years ago as a sipping wine. Bynum makes great Pinot Noir and the Russian River area is one of the top areas for the grape in California; however, drink them young.
The fish dish was for Pre-Easter and it was superb, but high-alcohol California wines just do not age gracefully. In vino veritas.
Pinot Noir and Salmon is classic; matching the weight of the wine to the weight of the dish: the coconut made it unique.
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