Accolades: 93 Points – Editors’ Choice, Wine Enthusiast magazine.

A powerful wine, the Alma Rosa 2006 Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir showcases the darker, more covert aspects of the alluring varietal. Rich fruit flavors and aromas of black cherries and currants are bolstered by a smoky spiciness with essences of spicy mu shu plum sauce, herb and sage. Wrapped into thick but finely ground tannins, this Pinot is brightened by a crisp coastal acidity that lifts it into sheer deliciousness. Try pairing this beautiful Pinot Noir with classic grilled preparations, roasts, stews, and even hearty fish dishes, such as halibut filets done Osso-Buco style.

Cases Produced: 1704

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 medium onion, chopped
3/4 cup chopped celery
3/4 cup chopped peeled carrot
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 cup white wine
4 cups chicken stock or canned low-salt chicken broth
115-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained and chopped fine
1/2 cup orange juice
1/3 cup chopped lemongrass
1/4 cup soy sauce
4 fresh thyme sprigs
1 bay leaf
6 5-ounce halibut fillets
Cayenne pepper
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 lemon
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped

Preparations:
Heat 1 olive oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, celery, carrot and garlic; saute until brown, about 10 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook 2 minutes. Add white wine and simmer until liquid is reduced by half, scraping up browned bits, about 5 minutes. Add next 7 ingredients; simmer until mixture is reduced to 3 cups, about 50 minutes. Discard bay leaf. Season sauce with salt and pepper.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Sprinkle halibut with salt, pepper and cayenne pepper. Heat olive oil in large skillet over high heat. Add fish to skillet and cook until brown, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer fish to plate. Pour off oil from skillet. Reduce heat to low. Add balsamic vinegar to skillet; simmer 1 minute. Add sauce. Whisk in butter. Season with salt and pepper. Pour sauce into 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Place fish atop sauce in dish. Bake until fish is opaque in center, about 10 minutes.
To make the Gremolata topping, remove peel in long strips from lemon. Mince lemon peel. Transfer to small bowl. Mix in parsley and garlic. Sprinkle over the halibut and sauce and serve with whipped potatoes.

Ingredients:
1 Tbs. cornstarch
1 1/2 cups cranberry juice
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
1 (1 1/2 pound) pork tenderloin, thinly sliced
2 tsp. lemon-pepper seasoning
3 Tbs. butter
1 cup dried cherries
3 Tbs. cherry preserves

Preparations:
In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch, cranberry juice and mustard until smooth; set aside. Sprinkle pork with lemon-pepper. In a large skillet, cook pork in butter for 3-4 minutes on each side or until just slightly still pink. Remove pork and keep warm. Stir cornstarch mixture and add to the skillet. Bring to a boil. Add cherries and preserves; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Return pork to the pan; cook for 2 minutes or until heated through. Serve with roasted potatoes and grilled vegetables. Enjoy!