Ojai Vineyard - Ojai Red NV

Ok, I'm giving up one of my secret wines. Don't tell anyone, ok? Adam and Helen Tolmach are an undiscovered California treasure. Working from their winery in Oak View, California, they currently produce about 6000 cases of Pinot Noir and Syrah in 15 different bottlings. They range in price from (currently) $13.00 to $56.00.

But here is the secret; the non-vintage (NV) Ojai Red (a local region) is the gem of the Tolmach's. Thirteen dollars gets you a yearly wonder comprised of primarily Pinot Noir and Syrah, ostensibly from barrels that don't make the vineyard cut. But this wine, if you can get past the unknown vintage (a melange of several) and the unknown grapes, (easy for me!) then at a price that is less than a quarter of their premium wines you get a bottle of juice that is head and shoulders above anything (yes, anything) in the range. Viscous, glass coating, and with more on the nose and palate than most wines sold today, the Ojai Red is simply, amazing! You do have to be "on the list" to get access this wine as well as the rest of their product, but it is worth it. Once a year, do yourself a favor and get a case. At $13.00 you would be foolish not to.