Wonderwall, Field Recordings Pinot Noir, Edna Valley, Central Coast, California, USA 2018

A light, ethereal Pinot that while perhaps not showing the complexity or longevity of some, delivers uplifting drinking at a very impressive price. In his day job as vineyard advisor, Andrew Johns is able to source small parcels of grapes from a variety of vineyards from the producers he works with. Back in his own winery, he turns these 'diamonds in the rough' into small-batch, terroir-driven wines under the Wonderwall label. From four parcels in the Edna Valley, this pretty, minimal-intervention Pinot with refreshingly light alcohol shows gingerbread spices, black cherries, root beer, wild strawberries and plum skin tannins from eight months in oak barrels, 15% new. Very quaffable.