Golden Eye Pinot Noir

Golden Eye Pinot Noir is a Massachusetts-grown red, which puts it in a cool-climate New England tradition rather than the warmer Pacific Coast style most shoppers know. Pinot Noir from cooler regions usually shows a lighter ruby color and a more savory, restrained profile than its California counterparts. Expect red cherry, cranberry and raspberry on the nose, possibly with earthy undertones such as forest floor, dried herbs or a touch of mushroom. The details provided don't specify oak treatment, so treat any vanilla or spice as a possibility rather than a given. The structure that typically defines this grape is the main reason to choose it. Pinot Noir tends to be light to medium in body, with soft, fine-grained tannins and bright acidity, and that acidity is often more pronounced in New England fruit. The finish is usually moderate in length and more tart-fruited than sweet. This is a wine that gets along with food rather than overpowering it. At the table, the acidity and low tannin suit roasted chicken, duck breast, pan-seared salmon and grilled tuna. It also works with mushroom dishes, lentils, and charcuterie, and with traditional New England fare such as roast turkey with cranberry, or pork loin with apples. Soft-rinded cheeses like brie or camembert are a good match. Very spicy or heavily sauced dishes will flatten the delicate fruit. Serve it slightly cool, around 55 to 60°F. A short stay of about 15 minutes in the refrigerator before opening gets a room-temperature bottle to that range, and a bottle served too warm tends to taste flabby and alcoholic. Decanting isn't necessary for a wine in this style, though a few minutes in the glass helps the aromatics open up. A large-bowled Burgundy-style glass concentrates the red-fruit and earthy aromas best, but a standard all-purpose red glass will do the job. Most Pinot Noir at this level is made for drinking in the near term rather than long cellaring, and nothing in the product details suggests otherwise. Plan to enjoy it within a few years of purchase, and store it on its side in a cool, dark place until you open it.