Wine Enthusiast:  Rated as Excellent, extremely well made and highly recommended.  "The “architects” name refers to the four vineyards that constitute the blend: Laetitia, La Encantada, Firepeak and Bien Nacido. The wine’s purity is proof that a great Pinot does not have to come from a single vineyard. It’s bone dry and full-bodied in tannins, with complex flavors of black cherries, red currants, Dr. Pepper cola and exotic Asian spices. It was raised in one-year old oak, which gives smoky vanilla and caramel notes, in just the right proportion, to the fruit." Apr 2010

Winery:   CA · DRE - [kah-drey] – noun: an impassioned group that has banded together to further the cause of a movement. Cadre Vineyards embodies the pioneering spirit of the visionaries, or “Architects,” who had the foresight to plant Pinot Noir on the South Central Coast. The appellations of the Edna Valley, Arroyo Grande Valley, Santa
Maria Valley, and Santa Rita Hills have each brought international acclaim to the greater area, helping it rise to the top as one of the premier New World Pinot Noir producing regions. Within each of these AVAs are four vineyards that have proven to be incredible sites for producing top-quality Pinot Noir. An innovative New World Pinot Noir, Cadre is made by blending exemplary fruit from four legendary cool climate vineyards into a single wine that personifies the excellence of South Central Coast Pinot Noir.

Wired For Wine:  There's nothing better than contemplating a delicious, full-bodied Pinot Noir as you start your Wednesday, we say...  The Cadre The Architects Pinot Noir is a beautiful example of what happens when red and black berry fruit, firm tannins, exotic spices, and a little smoke come together in perfect harmony.  Distribute your first bottle and munch on a platter of crispy duck spring rolls.  The delectable qualities of this California Pinot make it a great partner for duck, salmon, beef, chicken, pork loin and more.  We love the hit of Asian spices in the wine paired with chicken braised with dates and Moroccan spices.  If it's jeans and casual fare, we have a hard time imagining anything better with the tannins of The Architects than grilled steak sandwiches with marinated watercress, onion and tomato salad on a baguette.  Of course, there is the classic salmon/Pinot pairing, and we love this Cadre with sauteed salmon with lentils and mustard-herb butter.  The smoky vanilla in this California red will be perfect next to a nutty, aged Gruyere cheese with some toasted slices of walnut bread.  Put these Architects to work, winelovers!!

Size:  750ml, cork
Varietal:  100% Pinot Noir
Alcohol:  14.5%
Ageing:   10 months in 100% 1-year-old oak
Region:   San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties, California
Limited Production: 1,231 dozen