BevX readers were first introduced to the great work from Gryphon wines through their negociant brand, Marie Johnston, a couple of weeks ago. I was greatly impressed with their wines as they exhibited a purity and balance that is sadly often missing in many wines today. I strongly urge fans of wines with personality, natural acidity, and tremendous food compatibility to seek out this label (with the ease of ordering on the net, these wines are accessible to most).

The Gryphon 2005 Pinot Noir is a classic example of the house style show casing brilliant blending talent. This wine carries the broad – and some would suggest generic – California appellation that is most often seen on the labels of bargain basement wines. Clearly this is not the case with the Gryphon 2005 Pinot Noir which carries the California moniker while being a clever blend of two appellations with great cachet: Anderson Valley & Santa Lucia Highlands. By blending wines from these two prestigious zones Gryphon’s proprietor and winemaker Jonathan O’Bergin demonstrates the axiom that often the sum is greater than its individual parts. Anyone who enjoys cooking or pairing wine with food appreciates this principle.

This wine is fruity while dry, appropriately tart and accented with complimenting notes of spice and earth. It is amazingly versatile at the table pairing well with a wide array of dishes from grilled beef to roasted chicken. To top it off, literally, it is finished with a screw-cap closure to ensure that the wine reaches your table in pristine condition. SAY YES TO SCREW CAPS!