Sebastiani is not really known for pinot noir, and this spin-off label (3 Loose Screws) is quirky (The "M" in Mia's is a 3 turned sideways) and built for the retail shelf. I bought this bottle at a Safeway in SOMA. The packaging is smart -- the pull-off plastic top is interesting and the pull off top is memorable -- presumably this is Mia (on the bottle top), nice branding:
I am impressed with the way the winemaker, Richard Bruno, handled this -- the fruit is likely from harvests north of three tons per acre and sometimes that higher tonnage can work in favor of pinots made in a more austere style. I am not a fan of the over-extracted pinots that are all over Sonoma these days...
This Russian River bottling is rich with a nice mix of black and red fruit, good spice, high acids, and balance. The fruit is not as vibrant, or smooth, as the top-dollar pinot noirs -- but this wine is a good value for money. $22; 88 points
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