What Kind of Wine Is Underwood Pinot Noir?
Underwood Pinot Noir is a dry red wine from Oregon. It highlights the juicy flavors of Oregon Pinot and celebrates American wine-making in every sip. Underwood Pinot Noir has intense red berry aromas and black fruit flavors mingled with chocolate. Hints of earthiness are also prevalent, adding complexity to the mouthfeel.
Pinot Noirs from Oregon are light-to-medium-bodied and more finely bonded than Californian ones. They display a wide aromatic range of flavors, including strawberry and raspberry, floral notes, and earthy hints of mushroom. As such, Oregon Pinot Noir can be as compelling as red Burgundy Crus.
Pinot Noir is a challenge to grow, as its small vine with tight clusters is susceptible to diseases like rot and mildew. It can be a headache for winemakers to manage, yet it is considered one of the most elegant grape varietals, understandably commanding high prices.
Underwood Pinot Noir Review
- Winery — Underwood
- Country/Region — United States, Oregon, Umpqua Valley
- Type — Red Wine from Oregon
- Aroma — Strawberry, Raspberry, Blueberry, Plum, Charcoal, Tree Bark, Soil
- Grapes — Pinot Noir
- Taste — Black Currant, Cherry, Watermelon, Chocolate, Leather, Forest Floor
- Alcohol Content — 13%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Roast Chicken, Lamb Rack, Lobster, Mushroom Risotto
Underwood is a quality Pinot Noir from Oregon and, therefore it is good value. The strawberry fruit carries the cherry and earthy flavors, yet everything is in proper proportion and balanced. It is enchanting, exciting, and American in every way. Warm and rich, Underwood represents Oregon wine-making flawlessly. Consequently, whether you are in a hot tub after a good workout or an exhausting day at the office. Underwood cellars Pinot Noir has you covered. Do not overthink it just buy it!
Tasting Notes
Underwood Pinot Noir wine opens with bright strawberry and raspberry fragrances. Next, flavors of black currant and cherry blend deliciously in the mouth. Later, notes of forest floor contribute an earthy nature, leading to a smooth finish. The vibrant acidity invigorates as wine fans keep sipping Underwood Pinot Noir. A gorgeous tasting profile equal to the best Oregon Pinots.
Appearance
As expected, Underwood Pinot Noir has a light ruby color. Despite its paleness, it is eye-catching, as, after some time in the glass, it starts developing into purple near the rim. The center is translucent, while the legs of the wine are long and watery. An elegant appearance that pleases wine fans and prepares them for the delightful wine-drinking journey ahead.
Aroma
Underwood Pinot Noir has a fragrant nose that shows a wealth of red berries with hints of earth. Like an eruption of aromas, strawberry, raspberry, and plum surface as the wine pours into the glass. Close by, notes of tree bark and soil add earthiness, while a touch of charcoal unearths too. That is a striking aromatic profile, fruit intense but complicated.
Taste
In the mouth, Underwood Oregon Pinot Noir is delicate with a medium body. Classic black fruit and cherry aromas combine with chocolate and leather to give a welcoming palate. A surprise also are the watermelon overtones appearing after vigorous swirling. They create a summer sensation, making Underwood feel velvety and enchanting. The fine-grained tannins are noticeable but pleasant, contributing balance and smoothness.
Finish
With a long and lingering finish, Underwood Pinot Noir closes the tasting profile as excitingly as it opened it. The wine retains its varietal nature as strawberry and cherry flavors remain on the tip of the tongue, combined with a touch of soil. The vibrant acidity is refreshing and provides that long-sought freshness.
Rating
Underwood Pinot Noir is sophisticated and easy-going. It is a proud representation of Oregon Pinots, but at the same time, it aims to be as accessible as possible. To achieve this, it showcases several fresh fruits in the nose and the mouth and blends them with chocolate and earthly hints. Because of these traits, I would definitely recommend this one! Underwood Pinot Noir is as complex and approachable as it needs to be. It is perfectly balanced!
Underwood Pinot Noir Food Pairing
Underwood Pinot Noir is versatile and pairs well with a variety of courses and cuisines. For instance, roast chicken makes a delightful combination with the fruity nature of this Pinot Noir. A lamb rack can join the black fruit and leather flavors for absolute perfection. For wine enthusiasts who are not fans of meat, Underwood matches grilled lobster and traditional Italian mushroom risotto. The earthiness of the wine goes incredibly with the mushroom, creating an immersive dining experience. What a fantastic Pinot Noir, right?
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Makes Underwood Pinot Noir?
Underwood Pinot Noir is a product of the Union Wine Company, located in Oregon. Founded in 2005 by Ryan Harms, the owner, Union Wine Co., creates accessible wines to be shared with friends and family.
Ryan Harms has worked as a winemaker for many Oregon wineries throughout his career. At Union Wine Co., he creates the marriage of craft and small-scale manufacturing. Union Wine Company belongs to Constellation Brands, one of the largest wine wholesalers in the United States.
How Is Underwood Pinot Noir Made?
After harvest, the Pinot Noir grapes are crushed and pressed to release their juice. Then, this juice is placed inside stainless steel vessels to undergo alcoholic fermentation. At this point, the tank temperature steadily increases to ensure the extraction of color, flavor, and tannins. Specialized wine-making techniques also take place to shape the wine’s character. Afterward, the final wine is filtered from yeasts and bottled.
Where Is Underwood Pinot Noir Made?
Underwood is made with Pinot Noir grapes cultivated in Umpqua Valley in Southern Oregon. After California, Oregon is the most important wine region in the United States. Umpqua Valley lies to the south of the prestigious Willamette Valley and has the warmest growing conditions in the Oregon state. However, there are also cooler areas within its hillsides and valleys that enable Southern Oregon to grow both cool and warm climate varieties such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir ( like Underwood), Chardonnay, and Syrah successfully.
How to Serve Underwood Pinot Noir?
Underwood Pinot Noir is served best at room temperature, approximately fifty to sixty degrees Fahrenheit (ten to fifteen degrees Celsius), and into larger-sized wine glasses. However, since it is a fundamentally fruit-forward Pinot Noir, I recommend lightly chilling it at fifty-five degrees Fahrenheit (13 degrees Celsius). That would cause both its elegant berry and structured secondary aromas and flavors to elevate, leaving consumers very satisfied. Underwood is available in cans too, so placing it in the fridge and chilling it is very easy!
That said, decanting it is a good option as it benefits the wine with the necessary aeration. As the air comes into contact with the wine surface, the aromatic and flavor intensity of Underwood Pinot Noir elevates, granting an exceptional wine-drinking experience.
How Much Does Underwood Pinot Noir Cost?
Underwood Pinot Noir has an average price point set at $12 to $20 per 750ml bottle, depending on vintage and merchant. On top of that, it is also available as wine in a can. Its price is about $7 per 375ml can. Consequently, consumers wishing for a quality Pinot Noir from Oregon have to pay a bit higher than the average American red. Nevertheless, at this Underwood Pinot Noir price point, Underwood is still a first-class opportunity for an elegant Pinot Noir!
How Long Does Underwood Pinot Noir Last?
Usually, Pinot Noirs do not benefit from long-term storage because they are fruit-forward and elegant. They do not have the needed complexity to withstand maturation. Keep in mind that Pinot Noirs that undergo aging are blended with Cabernet Sauvignon for structure and body. Underwood Pinot Noir is not a blend, and therefore, it would seem risky to put it for bottle maturation. By aging it, its freshness and crispiness might evaporate and leave behind an uninspiring wine. Regardless, perhaps it could age for a short time under certain circumstances. That would allow it to develop an extra secondary and tertiary personality.
Underwood Pinot Noir should be sealed with a cork and stored in a stable environment with room temperatures of fifty to sixty degrees Fahrenheit (ten to fifteen degrees Celsius) and a degree of humidity. Direct sunlight or artificial light is not beneficial as it will damage the wine by messing around with its yeasts, responsible for maturation. Furthermore, the environment should be odor-free as odors find their way inside the bottle, imparting unpleasant flavors. I would recommend a maximum of one to two years of maturation, as more time could harm the berry nature.
How Many Calories Does Underwood Pinot Noir Have?
Underwood is a safe Pinot Noir choice for consumers monitoring their calorie intake. Underwood Pinot Noir calories count approximately 25 calories per 1 fluid ounce of beverage, equating to a total of 145 calories per serving. The calorie breakdown is 0 grams of fats, 0 grams of sodium, 0 grams of total carbohydrates, 0 grams protein, and 0 grams total sugars. As a consequence, Underwood Pinot Noir is a fantastic dietary choice. That makes it great for everyday wine. For those interested in Underwood Pinot Noir alcohol content, it is 13% per 750ml bottle, a standard alcoholic concentration for an Oregon Pinot.
Conclusion
Underwood is a quality Pinot Noir from Oregon and, therefore it is good value. The strawberry fruit carries the cherry and earthy flavors, yet everything is in proper proportion and balanced. It is enchanting, exciting, and American in every way. Warm and rich, Underwood represents Oregon wine-making flawlessly. Consequently, whether you are in a hot tub after a good workout or an exhausting day at the office. Underwood cellars Pinot Noir has you covered. Do not overthink it just buy it!
