Every holiday should include a bottle of Pinot Noir. It is the perfect crowd pleaser because not only does it pair well with many different dishes it can appease many different wine drinkers. So, whether you keep it all for yourself or share with others this wine will be an easy choice. 

Pinot Noir

Of all the classic wine grapes Pinot Noir is the most difficult to grow. It mutates easily in the vineyard, is sensitive to the slightest climate variations, and it can be unstable during winemaking. This tendency to mutate means that Pinot has spawned hundreds of different clones and even different varietals. Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris or Grigio and Pinot Meunier are just some of the varietals descendent from Pinot Noir.

That Pinot Noir is a cool climate grape makes it unlike any of the other classic red varietals. And it is able to ripen relatively quickly in cooler climes because of its thin skins. It is those thin skins that lead to lighter wines with minimal pigmentation and lighter tannins. While tannins normally provide the structure for most red wines for Pinot Noir acid serves this purpose instead.

Carmel Road Winery

Carmel Road Winery is located just inland of the Monterey Coast in California, which ideal for growing cool climate grapes. Their estate vineyards are 100% certified sustainable through both SIP (Sustainability in Practice) and CCSW (Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing). Part of the larger Jackson Family Wines, Carmel Road’s estate is a prime example of small specialized wine production in a specific region. They combine the classic Burgundian winemaking techniques with new technology and a commitment to barrel aged wines with the goal of bringing artisan style wines to the market. 

2020 Carmel Road Pinot Noir

Our 2020 Monterey Pinot Noir has bright cherry aromas that are layered with notes of  strawberries and black tea. On the pallete, you get juicy black cherry flavors and notes of cola with hints of vanilla, toasted oak and well balanced tannins. A silky texture leads to a long finish.

Pinot Noir goes well with so many things, from a cheese plate to a piece of grilled meat, from chicken to fish. They are especially lovely with mushrooms, other vegetables and anything else with a little earthy note. But the beauty of Pinot is that there are so many different styles and they are endlessly adaptable.