90+ Cellars Pinot Noir 179

This 90+ Cellars Pinot Noir carries a broad California appellation and lists 13.9% alcohol. That figure sits in the middle of the range for the state. Cooler-site Pinots tend to land closer to 12.5%, while ripe, dark-fruited bottlings from warm pockets such as Russian River can reach 15%. The label gives no sub-region, so expect a style between the two. That usually means red cherry and raspberry as the lead fruit, with some darker plum or black cherry in the background, and a medium body that stays well short of heavy. Wines like this typically have soft, fine-grained tannins, since Pinot Noir has thin skins and little grip. They also have moderate, fresh acidity and light oak influence that adds a little spice or vanilla without dominating. The finish is usually medium in length and smooth. Treat these as category expectations, because the details provided for this bottle don't include a tasting profile. On the table, a medium-bodied California Pinot suits foods that are rich but not aggressively flavored. Roast chicken, pan-seared duck breast, salmon (especially with a mushroom or cherry-based sauce), mushroom risotto and pork tenderloin are all good matches. Soft cheeses like Brie or Gruyère also work. Heavily spiced dishes or very lean white fish would be outmatched or overwhelmed by the fruit. Serve it lightly cooled, at roughly 55 to 60°F (13 to 16°C). About 20 minutes in the refrigerator before opening gets a room-temperature bottle into that range. Decanting is not necessary for a wine of this weight. Pouring it into the glass and giving it ten minutes is enough to open the aromas. A Burgundy-style glass with a wide bowl and a tapered rim concentrates Pinot's delicate red fruit and floral notes better than a narrow, straight-sided glass. This is a drink-now bottle, best enjoyed within a few years of purchase while the fruit is fresh. Its structure and alcohol level aren't suited to long cellaring.