Tensley Fundamental Pinot Noir 2021

Enjoy it now, or cellar for a few years more. Decanting is optional, up to 30 minutes before serving. This is a fruity, medium-bodied Pinot Noir, with a bright ruby colour. It begins with a bouquet of cranberry, raspberry and orange peel, with savoury undertones of liquorice and medicinal herbs. The grapes were harvested from the Central Coast AVA, largely within the smaller regions of St Rita and Santa Maria. Tensley Wines is a family-run winery in the town of Los Olivos, Santa Barbara County. It was founded in 1998 by the husband and wife duo Joey and Jennifer Tensley. They place a strong emphasis on terroir, allowing the grape and the land to tell its own story through their range of affordable yet extremely high-quality “Fundamental” wines. On the palate, this Pinot Noir shows an easy-drinking yet rewarding character. Notes of blackberry, raspberry and cranberry sauce intermingle, backed up by vivacious acidity. Despite being classically Californian in style, it also carries more traditional notes of forest floor, mushrooms and herbs. It’s filling, familiar, and complex, all at once. It carries enough weight to pair with a bold steak, but it can also be matched with poultry or a variety of cheeses.

Price: £20.15 from 8wines UK