2024 Meiomi - Pinot Noir California (750ml)

Meiomi began in 2006 as a project from fifth-generation Napa winemaker Joe Wagner, an offshoot of his family's Belle Glos Pinot Noir line, itself named for his grandmother Lorna Belle Glos Wagner, one of the founders of Caymus Vineyards. Wagner built Meiomi to bring an approachable, more widely priced Pinot Noir to the table, and the name itself reflects that coastal focus, drawn from a Wappo and Yuki word meaning "coast." The brand grew quickly through the 2010s, and Wagner sold it to Constellation Brands in 2015, though the wine has kept its original blending philosophy since.

This Pinot Noir is a blend of fruit from three of California's most notable coastal growing regions: Monterey, Sonoma, and Santa Barbara, each contributing its own character to the final wine. After fermentation the wine spends about six months aging in French oak barrels, a step designed to soften the fruit and build the wine's signature texture. The result draws structure and depth that stands out among Pinot Noirs at this price point.

The glass shows a rich garnet color with a ruby edge, opening to lifted aromas of bramble berry, black plum, and warm baking spice. The palate turns juicy and rich, layered with chocolate-covered cherry, vanilla, and raspberry jam, finishing soft with fine, integrated tannins. Pair it with grilled lamb, roast turkey, or a tomato-based pasta.