Hirsch Vineyards makes seductive, high-toned Pinot Noir from the cool-climate Sonoma Coast. The 2011 “San Andreas Fault” is a fascinating tangle of Santa Rosa plum, sweet cherries, herbs and earthy notes. And that’s just to start. Spend an evening with a bottle and you’ll discover even more flavor passages.

It’s a perfect bottle for butterflied grilled leg of lamb, a spring lamb stew or braised lamb shanks.

Region: Sonoma Coast

Price: About $54 to $56

Style: Ample and nuanced

What it goes with: Lamb, lamb and more lamb

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Jo'wan Bellamy taught in the GNETS program for 17 years and recently transferred to Atlanta’s new behavioral program at Crawford Long Middle School. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com