How a 2022 CHEV Pinot Noir Got Slobberknockered by Pistachio Pesto Orecchiette Pasta Dish
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The Wine – “Wine is bottled Poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Recently purchased this exquisite wine at a VINUM55 tasting due to its uplifting taste and pedigree. CHEV is a luxury wine from renown winemaker Michael Browne. The label was launched by Michael & Karen Browne, founders of Kosta Browne Winery. Their stated mission is to “craft the finest wines that invite you to slow down and savor life’s simple pleasures”. This wine met and exceeded those expectations.
First on the eyes a little darker and less semi-transparent Pinot Noir than “normally seen”. That said upon opening, bright aromas of blackberries and jasmine wafted merrily into the senses. Upon the first sip, that was served a bit too cold coming out of the cellar, with strawberries being the dominant flavor in the palate. As it warmed up, raspberries, slight minerality and wet forest meadow came to light. At the finish, sparse smooth and silky tannins concluded each sip. Layers of delicate structure were noticed with remarkable acidity. Normally having Pinot Noir a bit cool, this one was significantly more enjoyable around 70 degrees allowing all nuances to shine.
The wine was fermented in 81% stainless steel, 10% concrete and 9% in wood with all being open tops. The wine then spent 15 months in 39% new French oak and 20% in once used French oak, 38% in several times used French oak and 3% in wood tank. A variety of Pinot Noir clones were used for this year. This wine sells for between $65 to $100 at various retailers. Wine searcher average price shows $88/bottle. Both Jeb Dunnuck and James Suckling have given this wine 94 points.
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Did a little research on which wine to pair with this new recipe tonight. The general thought was either Sauvignon Blanc, Vermentino, Pinto Grigio for white wines and Pinot Noir, Sangiovese or Barbera. Being in transition with my wine cellar, only had in “the house cellar” Sauvignon Blanc, which my wife does not particularly enjoy and Pinot Noir. I was a bit hesitate to try Pinot Noir with Pesto dish but went with it.
This was my wife’s first time making this recipe. It is a pistachio pesto with Orecchiette pasta. To have a protein in the meal she added cut up rotisserie chicken. Other ingredients for the pistachio pesto sauce included shelled toasted pistachios, garlic cloves, fresh basil leaves, fresh lemon zest and juice, grated parmesan cheese, EVOO, kosher salt and black pepper. This was all prepared in a food processor. This was then added to the drained pasta and chicken. Served topped off with additional fresh parmesan cheese and more pistachios. This was a delicious dish and extremely rich in texture and filling. Accompanied by lightly sauteed broccoli with butter.
Now for the pairing with this incredible wine and delicious meal was just off. The refined and delicate Pinot Noir was overtaken by the garlic and pesto sauce. Next time a Sauvignon Blanc would be a much better food and wine pairing. Our normal pairing for Pinot Noir is with a steak or dry rubbed pork tenderloin which will be our next pairing with this fine wine.
The Winery
Photo from Browne Family Wines
Michael Browne has selected various west coast sites for his grapes those being Willamette Valley, Russian River Valley, Santa Lucia Highlands and Santa Rita Hills. His two concentrated and limited production wines are Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Photo from Browne Family Wines
Michael founded Kosta Browne, in 1997 with the winery quickly being known for producing exceptional Pinot Noirs and was awarded Wine Spectator’s #1 Wine of the Year in 2011. In 2018 he and his wife wanting to own their vineyards, founded Browne Family Wines. His first label for Browne Family Wines was CIRQ and more recently CHEV being the second label.
I look forward to tasting their Chardonnay wine and CIRQ wines soon.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
https://californiawinesandwineries.com