Lyric Pinot Noir

Lyric Pinot Noir is a Massachusetts-appellation Pinot Noir from Esplanda, bottled in the standard 750ml size. Pinot from a cool New England climate tends to sit at the lighter, brighter end of the grape's range. Expect a pale to medium ruby color, red-fruit aromas such as cranberry, red cherry and raspberry, and perhaps a little earthy or dried-leaf character. The details provided don't list a vintage, oak regime or tasting notes, so treat these as typical expectations for the style and not a measured profile. On the palate, wines like this usually come across as light to medium in body, with lively acidity and soft, fine-grained tannins. Pinot Noir has thin skins and little tannic grip, so it tends to feel supple and fresh, not heavy. If any oak was used, it is typically restrained in this style, adding a touch of spice or a gentle toasty edge. The finish is usually moderate, carried mostly by fruit and acidity. Serve it lightly cooled, at roughly 55 to 60°F (13 to 16°C). About 20 minutes in the refrigerator before opening is usually enough. Too warm, and the lighter fruit can turn flat and the alcohol more noticeable. Decanting isn't generally needed for a Pinot at this level, though a few minutes in the glass will open up the aromatics. A Burgundy-style glass with a wide bowl and tapered rim suits it well, since it concentrates the delicate red-fruit and earth aromas. A standard all-purpose red glass also works. The acidity and moderate tannin make this a flexible food wine. Roast chicken, seared duck breast, salmon or other oily fish, mushroom risotto, and roasted root vegetables are all natural matches. It also handles charcuterie, soft cheeses like brie and Camembert, and herb-forward dishes such as thyme-roasted pork. Heavily spiced or very rich red-meat dishes would overpower it. Most Pinot Noir at this style level is made for drinking in the near term, so plan to open it within a year or two of purchase and keep it somewhere cool and dark until then.