Asked what sort of Pinot Noir I prefer, I said “big” and, almost immediately, was pointed to this wine. It’s solid, and it fits the bill of being a big Pinot.

The 2012 Lander-Jenkins Pinot Noir is indeed big, with body and structure, yet the aromatic Pinot musk is present on the nose, while huge dark cherries and notes of cola and mild baking spice linger on the palate. I took a gamble and paired it with burgers tonight. It worked.

Reasonably priced at around $18, it earns 89 points on my scale. Recommended.