I have tasted James’ 2005 all county Pinot Noir and I will admit it’s good, very good … but at the time of this review it had yet to be bottled – and the price point was going to be too rich for my blood (~ $45 a bottle) – worth it, but not within my budget. On the other hand, this little beauty is well in my wheel house (at $16) and delicious to boot. It too is all county fruit, but not from the same year, which is what makes it non-vintage. A blend of 80% Gamay Noir and 20% Pinot Noir, it comes off as just a few shades darker than your usual blush wine, and it’s made in a light Beaujolais-style – and yet the influence of both grapes shows through. First, because the colour and body are so light the wine should, by all rights, be chilled, so don’t be afraid to do so. Then there’s the delicious nose of strawberries, raspberries and earth. Finally, there’s the taste. Very much a fruit driven wine with slight undertones of earthiness and a hint of white pepper at the forefront. Mid-palate is where you’ll find it’s fruitiness, and the finish is dry and earthy. All-in-all, a great little pizza or pasta night wine with a lot of vibrance in the glass. I’m looking forward to more wines like this from Long Dog Winery – where the fun on the label matches the fun in the bottle. Cheers!