The Carneros region enjoys the cooling influence of the nearby San Francisco Bay and produces excellent Pinot Noir grapes.
This wine is marvellously smooth and seductively typical of the best Pinot Noirs – well worth trying.
United States
Carneros
Carneros
Robert Mondavi
Pinot Noir
14.5%
Cork
Drink now + 4 years
Decanter World Wine Awards 2010
Bronze (
2008)
The Carneros region of United States
It’s no coincidence that Carneros is also the Spanish word for sheep or lamb, because this region’s main source of income has been farming. However, it is the west of Carneros that is really left to agricultural grazing, and the east of Carneros where the wine magic begins.
Straddling the county lines between Napa and Sonoma, the cool winds that come off the San Pablo Bay take so long to burn off, sometimes as much as a whole morning, that the vineyard area is unquestionably one of the coolest in California, and as such makes it capable of producing crisp and cool wines from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, which together make up a good 85% of this AVA’s production.
It is because of these good conditions for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that Carneros has carved out a reputation for being a good location for Champagne-style sparkling wines too, as some champagne houses who have invested here have found.
Other grape varieties that are starting to sneak into action here are Syrah and Merlot, the latter of which only just just manages to ripen under these comparatively cool conditions, but then it gives the wines a nice crisp edge that its warmer Californian counterparts lack.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir has been planted in Burgundy since the 14th Century (with evidence suggesting it has been planted here since the 4th Century!). Following Burgundy would be Champagne as Pinot Noir’s 2nd home, and of course this grape is often used in Champagne. Unfortunately due to its thin grape skin Pinot Noir is difficult to grow and cultivate, hence it has taken a while for it establish itself outside France. Regions where it has been successful and where premium Pinot Noir are now being produced are California, New Zealand and Australia.
Pinot Noir has great affinity with Oak and young wines typically display a fruit perfume of raspberries, strawberries and red cherries. Due to the thin grape skin Pinot Noir usually has soft, light tannins and is seldom deep in colour. Pinot Noirs tend to age unpredictably, leading some to claim that they are at their best for a short period of time. But as many Pinot Noirs can be enjoyed in more than one style this is rather a limited point of view.
20.11.12
Pinot Noir food match: Roasted vegetables recipe
This great winter warmer recipe for roasted vegetables is easy, hassle-free and more pertinently a perfect food match with Pinot Noir wine. It’s a versatile dish delicious on its own or paired with anything from roast chicken to fish, or even toss it with pasta for a simple vegetarian alternative.
08.11.12
Pinot Noir Wine Guide
Wines made from Pinot Noir are amongst the most popular and widely championed by critics and consumers alike, yet this tantalisingly romantic grape is also one of the most temperamental varieties in the world. Here is a little bit of information to hopefully assist you in your efforts to buy Pinot Noir wine…
20.08.12
700 glasses of wine a day…is good for balance?
According to new research a compound found in red wine could help improve balance, but sadly for those looking for better levels of stability, the 700 glasses needed a day to achieve the effect would almost certainly lead to anything but a healthy equilibrium.
18.07.12
Merlot can rest easy as ‘no-brainer’ Sideways sequel is a ‘non-starter’
“Brilliantly observed characters with uniformly terrific performances; this is wonderful, original stuff." So said Empire Magazine in their five star review of Alexander Payne’s critically acclaimed film, Sideways, which grossed well over $100 million globally, earned five Academy Award nominations, winning one for Best Adapted Screenplay, and has since been regularly championed as one of the greatest independent movies ever made. Given Hollywood’s recent habit of superfluous cinematic repetitions and studio executives perennially pedalling of sequels, one could be forgiven for assuming there would be an unquenchable thirst to make Sideways 2, particularly when you consider the original was made for a meagre $12 million? Not so, says Sideways’ author Rex Pickett.
Salads & Vegetables
This wine works well with chargrilled and roasted vegetables as well as smoked and cured meats and mushrooms.
Fish & Seafood
A good meaty fish is best served with this wine. A lightly grilled tuna steak or a nice piece of salmon will go down a treat.
Pasta & Other Sauces
This wine works well with tomato based sauces such as bolognese. It will also go with wild mushroom risotto and truffle based sauces.
Meats
Flavourful meats such as beef, pheasant and duck are perfectly paired to this wine or try it with a good sausage casserole and cured meats such as Parma ham.
Herbs & Spices
A broad range of herbs and spices such as mint, nutmeg, garlic and chives can be used to draw out the flavours of this wine.
Spicy Foods
Spanish and Italian dishes work well with this wine - think tuscan beans and arrabbiata.
Cheeses
Tastes delicious served with goat's cheese, cambozola, and mature Cheddar.