A dry-to-off-dry Pinot Noir, with plenty of fruit and spice…
This Pinot Noir from Francis Ford Coppola Winery left an impression through its vibrant red fruit, mostly raspberries and plums, and plentiful spice, largely allspice and cloves. Made in a new world style, this wine might not appeal to Pinot Noir purists. Saying that, we found it nicely balanced, with an appealing mouth-feel and a long fruity and spicy finish.
Unfortunately, we didn’t have the chance to pair this offering with food, but we could see it combining well with grilled meats, including pork chops and filet mignon, as well as turkey. We’d shy away from pairing it with savoury sauces, mind you. The bottle presentation, in classic Francis Ford Coppola style, stands out on the shelf, a function of the bold font and iconic name.
At under $16 USD per bottle, it offers good value for the money. We have long been fans of Coppola wines and this one, although a little on the sweet side for our liking, did not disappoint.
Rating (from 70 to 100): 88/100
Value: 4/5
The Bottle Details…
Name: Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2015
Producer: Francis Ford Coppola Winery
Region/Country: Monterey County, California, United States
Grape Varietal(s): Pinot Noir
Alcohol content: 13.5%
Consumed: On a trip to Washington, D.C.
Recommended By: Picked it off the shelf at a shop
Cost: $15.99 USD
Bottle Presentation: A combination of bold, black font and a pastel blue, carrying the distinctive Francis Ford Coppola look.
The Tasting Details…
Appearance: Pale ruby.
Nose: A medium nose of red berries (raspberries and red currants) and forest floor, with a hint of sweetness in the form of vanilla and allspice.
Taste: A dry to off-dry, light-bodied wine, with medium, yet grippy tannins, and medium acidity. In the mouth, we had red berries in the mouth, including raspberries and plums, as well as cloves and allspice.
Finish: A long finish of raspberries, red plums, and spice.