Ministry of the Vinterior Pinot Noir

On the name alone, this wine would be a conversation starter. But then the taste takes that experience to a whole new level! Ministry of the Vinterior is a brand from negociant-turned-winemakers Elijah Pfister and Chris Nickolopoulos. Having worked in the industry for decades, they were gifted some surplus premium juice in 2009, during the recession. MOV was born, and their 2008 Cabernet was a huge success. Their bold claim of this Pinot is that “it’s the only wine the populace ever needs.” Layered and complex, it hits you with bright cherries, orange peel, and apricot along with aromas of violets and fig leaf rounded out by vanilla and caramel.