by Andrew Chalk
Banshee Wines was unknown to me up to now, but I have just had a chance to sample this wine from their lineup. According to their web site pinot noir remains the pole star of winemaker Alica Sylvester’s efforts "We started Banshee Wines in 2009 at a bar in the Dogpatch neighborhood of San Francisco. With money borrowed from our friends and family, Banshee Wines was launched with eight barrels of coveted Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. Our initial intent was to make wines that tasted like the best California had to offer, but were priced so that everyone could enjoy them."
They have remained true to that promise. The $28 for this wine is money well spent on Sonoma Pinot Noir, and if you want something more exclusive, Banshee has a line of single vineyard offerings that go up to almost three times this price.
TASTING NOTES
Made from a selection of vineyards, this wine is aa loosely-structured, herbatious, fruit forward example of the grape. Look for the raspberry fruit in the nose, herbs (thyme), forest floor, and vanilla. In the mouth this is an easy-drinking earthy pinot that worked well with the pork patties I paired it with but would likely pair with a wide range of subtle dishes.
Sample.
