Tonight I took the in-laws to the Chateau for some “Italian Family Dining” in Andover Mass, we ordered a bottle of Mirassou Pinot Noir (2006) for the table, although only my mother-in-law and I touch red wine (or any wine for that matter.) The bottle cost USD $23.00, a fair price considering the restaurants standard markup; you can buy this in the store for around USD $12.00 to save some cash.
The Mirassou has a nice taste, smooth velvety texture on the tongue and a light berry finish. Like most Pinot Noir wines you’ll find this California vineyard doesn’t have a dry taste to it, which is great for new wine drinkers. We weren’t new to wine but the options on the wine menu weren’t all that exciting (and I wanted something other than Ravenswood which I have stocked at home.) We both enjoy a good Cabernet or Merlot but we were looking for something a bit different than the usual so Pinot Noir seemed like a fair choice.
The old Pinot Noir grape doesn’t let you down in this lower costing red. It’s complex enough for the price with a bit of floral flavors with a hint of berry which went well with our Italian dinner. Granted, many of the reds on the menu would have fit fine, perhaps even better, but some days you just want to try something a bit different, right? Perhaps it’s time to order something different on the menu from your local restaurants and while you’re at it, get a different bottle of red than normal.
“To protect the flavors of the fruit, the grapes were harvested in the cool of the morning and cold soaked for five to seven days prior to fermentation. Fermentation occurred at about 80 degrees Fahrenheit, with special attention given to the balance between fruit, weight, and texture. During the latter stages of fermentation, the tannin and flavor profile were closely guided to avoid harsh tannins from the seeds and skins.” (mirassou.com)
Some folks aren’t really big fans of a bitter wine with harsh tannic burn and this Mirassou fits perfect for those wanting to avoid the undesirables without sacrificing taste. Sure, I’m a big fan of a dry wine with heavy tannins on occasion–tonight just wasn’t one of them. The berry tastes and hints of pomegranates, strawberries and cherries make a fine addition to a great meal. Not too sweet and not too strong the profile fit the bill even if the restaurant price was a bit steep on this bottle.
The only complaint I had, the waiter brought me the bottle to see but opened it in the kitchen rather than in front of me, that’s unusual for most restaurants that put in the effort to display the bottle to you and have you taste it before serving it to others. Oh well, we can’t all be perfect.
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