2022 Truchard Vineyards Pinot Noir and Italian Chicken Rollatini
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Background
Admittedly I don’t stock a lot of Pinot Noir wines in the cellar. It is not because I don’t like the varietal, but contrary, I am enthralled with its allure of fragrance, coloring and taste. Unfortunately, Pinot in my opinion is one of the most difficult grapes to produce with its finicky development cycle, thin skins, tight clusters and extreme sensitivity to weather conditions. Add to this low crop yields and as my good friend states “Pinot Noir is either very good or skunky!”. Over the years I have tasted, both in wine competitions and with friends, more skunky ones than exceptional ones. That said, I asked a waiter for a recommendation at a restaurant for a good Pinot Noir, and this was his recommendation. It was a solid everyday Pinot Noir without breaking the bank. After that evening, I went to the wine store and picked up a couple of bottles as we enjoyed Pinot Noir with selected dinner dishes.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled Poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
First on the eyes, this wine held a majestic semi-translucent maroon coloring. No Omega Purple dye here! On the nose both red and black cherries along with ripe plums. In the palate, smooth, refreshing juice flowing gently in the mouth with balance acidity and caressing tannins. On the finish just a hint of cranberries and strawberries rounded out with a gentle vanilla conclusion.
2022 vintage came in with 14.1% of alcohol. The current vintage is 2023 on their website and showing a price of $38/bottle.
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
Paired this evening with a new recipe called Baked Italian Chicken Rollatini that came out spectacular! It is baked chicken that is rolled, breaded and filled with prosciutto and smoked provolone cheese. The ingredients are chicken breasts filleted and pounded, kosher salt, black pepper, EVOO, Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, smoked Provolone cheese, butter and prosciutto. Accompanied by sauteed gnocchi and a fresh garden salad with bacon.
A very good wine pairing with the Pinot Noir complementing the chicken and a counterbalance to the prosciutto.
While not making my Best Wines Tasted in 2026, this is one to keep in the cellar for your everyday enjoyment.
The Winery
Not having visited the winery, only picked up a few key points on their website and reading:
- Tony & Jo Ann Truchard began buying up land in Carneros region from 1974 (20 acres) and today they have 400 acres with 280 acres planted. They opened the winery officially in 1989.
- They are a Sustainable & Certified Winery.
- It is a family run business with son Anthony Truchard II serving as General Manager. His background is diverse with degrees in philosophy and biology. He further went on to get his law degree in New York City and practiced intellectual property law before being asked to return to run the winery.
- The winemaker is Sal De Ianni also with an interesting background in Chemistry and later completing his MS in Enology at Cal Davis.
- They are located at 3234 Old Sonoma Road in Napa.
Look forward to obtaining a better understanding of the winery and their offerings on my next visit to Napa Valley.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
https://californiawinesandwineries.com