Pale ruby color; cherry, strawberry, cranberry, raspberry, red plum, cinnamon, vanilla, sagebrush spice, forest floor on the nose and palate.
Dry; smooth tannins; balancing acidity (3.7 pH; 6.0 g/L TA). Light-medium body, velvety mouthfeel. Grapes from the recently created San Luis Obispo Coast AVA located between Santa Barbara County and Monterey County. Fermented in open-top fermenters 10-15 days, aged in 20% new French oak barrels. The 2022 vintage saw drought challenges resulting in a long growing season and lowered yields. A heat wave around Labor Day temporarily harmed acidity, but the vines largely recovered by harvest. 14.5% ABV
Jack and Catherine Niven arrived in San Luis Obispo County in the early 1970s with visions of wine. He planted the historic Paragon Vineyard in the Edna Valley—a vineyard location previously known primarily for dairy farms and barbanzo beans. It would lead to putting the Edna Valley as an ideal place for premier grape growing. Beyond grape farming, Niven led the effort to make the Edna Valley become an official AVA status in 1982, particularly for Burgundian grape varietals such as pinot noir. In addition, Catherine Niven became the first woman in the county to plant her own vineyard and produce wine under her own label.
Today, True Myth is the project of three generations of the Niven family. James Niven (CEO) and John R. Niven (CO and CFO) are highly involved. The third generation, cousins John H. Niven (VP of sales and marketing) and Michael Blaney (VP operations) lead day-to-day operations.
In 2020, the Niven family sold their portfolio brands to WX Brands, majority owned by Argentina’s Terold/Bemberg Family Group, but the Nivens continue to own and farm the vineyards that supply the brands. Wines are crafted by Rob Takigawa, who has been associated the with Nivens since 1999.
True Myth was launched in 2013 as the newest Niven brand. The winery explains: “Since our inception, True Myth has set out to celebrate the patience and wonder of Mother Nature and the natural beauty and excellence of the world around us. We are grounded in the art of storytelling and the power of belief—belief in nature, belief in possibility, belief in the beauty of our wines.”
The brand’s butterfly labels celebrate the annual migration of millions of monarch butterflies through the Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove, which occurs adjacent to the winery’s vineyards. The Niven vineyards were among the first vineyard in California to earn SIP (Sustainability in Practice) certification. The third-party certification addresses biodiversity, social equity, energy efficiency, pest management, water quality and conservation, and employee welfare.
True Myth Pinot Noir San Luis Obispo Coast 2022 offers quality, affordable wine for everyday drinking. Grapes are estate-grown in sustainably-farmed vineyards. This is a responsibly grown and produced wine that does not soar to the heights pinot noir can achieve, but it exceptionally enjoyable as a wine you can enjoy, and enjoy without dread when your credit card bill arrives. Very nice. Very QPR (quality-price ratio) wine you should not hesitate to enjoy. $18-28
Pairing—Poultry will shine; roasted chicken, turkey, duck with fruit-based sauces. Grilled pork tenderloin, pork chops. Leaner cuts of lamb, lamb chops, braised lamb shanks. Meaty fish; salmon, cedar-planked salmon, tuna, swordfish paired with herbs and mushrooms. Barbecue-style preparations; chicken with cherry-chipotle glaze, grilled pork tenderloin. Fire-roasted and grilled mushrooms, grilled beet skewers; butternut squash, zucchini. Asian cuisine with sweet-salt flavor combinations; Peking duck, Hoisin-glazed pork. Avoid overly-rich sauces, dishes with heavy cream, butter, or mayonnaise; fiery, spicy dishes. Cheese—Soft, creamy; brie, camembert, aged French camembert, havarti; cantal, Vermont Moses Sleeper, TomaRashi; gruyère, comté, aged gouda; goat cheeses, chèvre, Époisses de Bourgogne; ReNero Pecorino Stagionato; Point Reyes Cheese Co. Bay Blue; truffle-infused cheeses. Avoid strong-flavored cheese like roquefort or funky washed-rind; fresh, sharp goat cheeses.
