Center of Effort Estate Pinot Noir

Tasting notes & discussion 21

91+ Pts (Vinous, Wine Enthusiast)

Typically $55/bottle from Center of Effort
Vintage 2017 from Edna Valley
Available for AZ; CA; CO; CT; DC; FL; IA; IL; KS; MA; MD; ME; MI; MN; MO; MT; NC; NH; NV; NY; OH; OK; OR; PA; TX; VA; WA; WV; WY
Sold by participating winery or licensee, fulfilled by Wine Country Connect

About Center of Effort: “Today the vision of owners Bill and Cheryl Swanson is an established artisan winery that will maximize the estate’s potential and be unique within the beautiful Edna Valley. The name Center of Effort references a sailing term which is the point on the sail where the forces come together and act as a whole. Through skillful cultivation, artistic winemaking, and a passion for excellence, these forces join to create a wine that is classic, timeless and exudes a sense of place and purpose.”

Front and Center

TASTING NOTES:
“Deep, dense red. Aromas of ripe red plum, espresso, loamy earth, dried cherry. Flavors echo ripe plum, with new leather orange zest and rose hips. Lush, smooth palate feel, and quite concentrated.” (AbV 14.1%, pH 3.38, TA 6.7 g/L)

BARRELS: 19 months in French oak.

TANGENTIALLY RELATED FACT to help you make conversation over this wine:
Atten-TION! At ease, everyone. Except for you. Yeah, I’m talking about you. I want you front and center, now!

Front and center means literally position yourself in front of everybody else and central to my position. People associate it with military talk, and it probably does have roots in the military. You have people lined up and want someone in particular, this is a pretty clear direction. Might also apply to someone on stage. Like they’re standing front of the set and center stage. Anyway, Merriam-Webster appears to have found its first documented usage in 1951. By 1963, it was common enough that a Canadian musical variety program was broadcast named Front and Centre. It was sponsored by Kraft and Pepsi. It lasted 12 episodes. And then since 2012, there’s been a new music-focused program called Front and Center with no relation to the Canadian one.

It’s funny. In the military context, being called front and center likely has a negative outcome for the person called out. But in a stage context, it’s positive. Guess it’s a matter of being in a place where you want to stand out versus somewhere you don’t.

PAIRS WITH (winery recommended): N/A

OR (really-going-with-the-theme-option): Whatever’s front and center in your fridge right now.

Center of Effort Estate Pinot Noir

91+ Pts (Vinous, Wine Enthusiast)

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