Labrune Pinot Noir / 2025 / 750mL

The Labrune Pinot Noir 2025 is a light to medium-bodied French red made in an easy, fruit-forward style rather than a brooding one. Bright red-fruited and softly structured, it is the sort of Pinot Noir that works just as happily on its own as it does at the table.

Aromatically it leans on fresh strawberry and red cherry, with a touch of rose petal and a faint earthy note underneath that keeps it from being simply sweet-smelling. Give it a few minutes in the glass and a savoury, almost tea-leaf character comes through.

The palate follows the nose closely: red berries, a squeeze of cranberry acidity and fine, powdery tannins that sit well back. Texture is supple and unforced, the mid-palate gently juicy, and the finish is clean and moderate in length rather than drawn out. A light chill of fifteen minutes in the fridge sharpens it nicely.

Pour it with roast chicken, mushroom risotto, charcuterie or a simple plate of ham and cornichons. It also handles grilled salmon and duck breast without overwhelming either, and it is one of the few reds that will sit comfortably beside a soft washed-rind cheese.

Drink the Labrune Pinot Noir 2025 now and over the next two to three years, while the fruit is at its most vivid.