Block Nine Pinot Noir

Block Nine Pinot Noir is a Massachusetts Pinot Noir from Esplanda, a cool-climate American red made from a grape that is thin-skinned and light in pigment. The provided details don't include a vintage, ABV or official tasting notes, so what follows is the profile you can typically expect from Pinot Noir grown in a cooler northeastern region. Expect a translucent ruby to garnet colour, and aromas of red cherry, cranberry and raspberry, possibly with earthy notes of forest floor, dried leaf or mushroom. Cooler growing seasons usually give this style bright, mouth-watering acidity, a light to medium body and fine, soft tannins. Oak, if used, is generally restrained in Pinot Noir and shows as a little spice or vanilla rather than heavy toast. The finish tends to be clean and moderately long, with the fruit fading into a savoury edge. The acidity and low tannin make this a flexible table wine. It suits roast chicken, duck breast and pork tenderloin, and it handles salmon and seared tuna better than most reds. Mushroom dishes such as risotto or a mushroom tart echo the earthy side of the grape. New England staples also work: roasted turkey with cranberry, butternut squash, and soft cheeses like Brie, Camembert or a young goat cheese. Avoid very spicy or heavily charred dishes, which can overwhelm the fruit. Serve it slightly cool, at about 55 to 60°F (13 to 16°C). Thirty minutes in the refrigerator before opening usually gets a room-temperature bottle to that range. Decanting is rarely needed for a wine like this. Opening the bottle 15 to 20 minutes ahead, or pouring it into a decanter briefly, is enough to loosen the aromas. Use a Burgundy-style glass with a wide bowl and a tapered rim, which collects the delicate red-fruit and earthy aromas and directs them to the nose. Most Pinot Noir at this level is made to drink within a few years of release, while the fruit is still lively. Treat this bottle as a drink-now wine unless the vintage or the producer's notes say otherwise. If you have the bottle, check the label for the vintage to judge freshness. Store it on its side in a cool, dark place away from heat until you open it.