Pavette 23 Pinot Noir

Pavette 23 Pinot Noir is a Massachusetts red from Esplanda, made from Pinot Noir, a grape that suits New England's cool, shorter growing season. Styles from this part of the country usually come in lighter and brighter than their West Coast counterparts. Expect a translucent ruby color and aromas of red cherry, cranberry and raspberry, with some earthy, forest-floor or dried-herb notes in the background. The listing doesn't give oak treatment, alcohol level or a tasting-lab profile, so treat the notes here as the typical profile of cool-climate Pinot Noir and not as measured figures for this bottle. On the palate, wines in this style tend toward light to medium body, with firm acidity and fine, low tannin. That acidity keeps the red fruit lively and makes the wine feel fresh instead of heavy. If any oak is used, it is usually restrained in Pinot Noir. At most you would pick up a faint trace of spice or toast, with the fruit still leading. The finish is typically moderate in length, with tart red berry and a slightly savory edge. At the table, this kind of Pinot Noir works best with foods that won't overpower it. Roast chicken, duck breast, pan-seared salmon and mushroom dishes are the classic matches. The earthiness of mushrooms echoes the wine's savory side, and the acidity cuts through the richness of duck or salmon skin. Charcuterie, soft cheeses such as brie or camembert, and roasted root vegetables also suit it. Heavily spiced or very rich red-meat dishes tend to flatten the fruit. Serve it lightly cooled, around 55 to 60°F (13 to 16°C). Thirty minutes in the refrigerator before opening usually gets a room-temperature bottle there. Pinot Noir at this level rarely needs decanting, though pouring it into a decanter or simply letting the glass sit for ten to fifteen minutes can open up the aromas. A wide-bowled glass, such as a Burgundy-style stemware piece, gives the delicate aromatics room to develop. As a lighter-bodied, higher-acidity red without a stated aging profile, it is best treated as a drink-now bottle and enjoyed within a few years of purchase.