Holiday Reds in a Festive Space
Where to celebrate with good friends interested in tasting some wines and enjoying a cozy atmosphere on a cold December night? How about somewhere 1) decorated for the holidays; 2) bustling with customers; 3) offering warm, friendly service; and 4) operated by multiple generations of the same family. Did you guess the spot? Well, it also has a leprechaun door. Of course, it’s Coleman’s, tucked in the center of the Tipp Hill neighborhood on the far west side of the City of Syracuse.
On a Wednesday night in December, Colemans delivered its trademark authentic, lively, and welcoming environment. We sat at a high-top in the busy bar area and selected a Pinot Noir and a Red Blend, both from the Highlands 41 Vineyard. Like Coleman’s, Highlands 41 Vineyard is a family-owned business. Opened in 1917 by the Riboli Family, this vineyard sits in the hills of Paso Robles, California in an area known as Creston Highlands.
Pinot Noir
To provide some background on Pinot Noir, the grape is related to Pinot Gris (Pinot Grigio in Italy) and is a white mutation of the same variety. Interestingly, we have noticed among our friends, that those who enjoy Pinot Noir tend to like Pinot Grigio and vice versa.
Wine expert, Collin Dreizen explains that “Pinot Noir vines prefer cooler climates with long growing seasons. Pinot Noir is considered a delicate, “finicky” grape, requiring more careful attention in the vineyard. With its thin skins, it doesn’t stand up as well to high heat, too much sun, hail or too much rain as hardier, thicker-skinned grapes.” Collin Dreizen, A Comprehensive Guide to Everything Pinot Noir, Wine Spectator, September 6, 2024. Although the variety is a bit risky to cultivate, “[w]hen the gamble of growing Pinot Noir pays off, the vines produce grapes with great potential to create wines with complex, concentrated and layered flavors.”
Pinot Noirs tend to take on the flavors of the place they are grown so bottles from a warmer climate tend to provide a full bodied, rich, fruity flavor while those from a cooler climate offer lighter bodied, earthy flavors with a bit of acidity.
Red Blend
While a Pinot Noir depends on one specific and delicate grape, a red blend is much more versatile. A red blend is a wine made from more than one type of grape, allowing the winemaker to balance the flavors.
According to Ray Isle, of Food & Wine, “[w]inemakers blend grapes because it allows them, in a sense, to design a wine. A little Merlot can help soften Cabernet’s tannins; a touch of Syrah can give some oomph to watery, cheap Pinot. In many regions, blending is traditional: Rioja, for example, historically blends Tempranillo, Graciano and Garnacha. On the other hand, many new, affordable red blends are simply concocted for mass appeal – lots of super ripe, dark fruit and not very much acidity – using whatever varieties will do the trick.” Ray Isle, “What are Red Blends, Really” Food & Wine, October, 2023.
According to Wine Enthusiast newsletter, red blends are growing in popularity. The periodical encourages readers to try one of the full-bodied California red blends which combine Merlot, Zinfandel and Syrah. According to the research, “this family of Red Blends feel smooth and broad in texture, are typically sweet, have rich dark fruit flavors and low tannins.” “What Are Red Blends” Wine Enthusiast, April 7, 2023. While the Highlands 41 Red Blend was a bit different in composition, we’d like to taste one of these Merlot blends in the future.
Tasting
Now that we’ve reviewed a bit about Pinot Noirs and Red Blends, let’s turn to the tastes. To recap our novice approach to tasting: none of us is a wine expert but we know what we like and are happy to share our unbiased opinion with you. To keep things consistent, we developed our own unique rating system: pass, glass, bottle, case; you can interpret it as 1, 2, 3, and 4 stars.
Highlands 41 Pinot Noir 2022
(Monterey, California)
Tasters: We all liked this bottle. Kate generally prefers white wine but enjoyed the earthy tones and floral hints in this flavorful Pinot Noir. Eileen said that Colemans is usually her go-to for a delicious Guiness but the Pinot Noir worked well: very smooth and tasty. Carolyn described the flavor as a light fruity taste with a hint of acidity. Kathy mentioned the earthy tones and described the wine as full of flavor with a strong but pleasant after taste. Pam also liked this bottle, saying it wasn’t too heavy or too light with a very simple and enjoyable taste. Clearly it was a hit all around.
Winemaker: From cooler coastal-influenced areas of Paso Robles, our Pinot Noir reflects the elegance and restraint that this grape deserves. Bright cherry, soft earth, and subtle vanilla mingle in a wine that’s both refined and adventurous – a reminder that even the gentlest landscapes hold stories of strength and resilience.
Cost: $16 per bottle
Rating: Buy a CASE
Highlands 41, Red Blend 2022
(Paso Robles, California)
Tasters: The Red Blend came in second place for all of the tasters. Pam, Eileen, and Kate strongly preferred the Pinot Noir. Kathy and Carolyn liked, but didn’t love, the Red Blend. Kathy described the wine as full bodied and earthy with flavors and of grape and cherry. Carolyn enjoyed the dry bold flavor but found it just a bit too bitter.
Winemaker: This wine captures the spirit of collaboration – a blend of varieties that thrive together, just like the communities along Highway 41. With notes of blackberry, cocoa, and spice, the Red Blend is layered and versatile, the perfect companion for everything from campfire conversations to backyard dinners. It’s approachable, full of character, and built for sharing.
Cost: $15 per bottle
Rating: Buy a BOTTLE
Cheers and Happy New Year to all from Kathy, Kate, Pam, Eileen, and Carolyn!
