The Paring Pinot Noir / 2023 / 750mL

The Paring Pinot Noir 2023 is a cool-climate Californian red from the Sta. Rita Hills, built on perfume and line rather than sheer power. Medium-bodied and bright, it leans towards red fruit and savoury spice, with the coastal freshness the region is known for.

Raspberry, sour cherry and a little pomegranate lead the aromatics, with rose petal, cola and a dusting of dried thyme sitting behind. The palate follows the same path, red-fruited and clear, with a hint of blood orange lifting the mid-palate and a touch of forest floor giving it some shade.

Tannins are fine and gently grippy, more silk than structure, and the acidity runs straight through the middle of the wine to keep everything taut. The finish is long and savoury, closing on cherry skin and a light peppery note rather than sweetness.

Serve it slightly cool with duck breast, mushroom risotto, roast pork with fennel, or a plate of charcuterie and hard cheese. It also handles grilled salmon and tuna well, which not every red can manage.

Drink now through to around 2030, with a short decant or an hour in the glass helping the aromatics open early in its life.