This week on the podcast Gabe Templin joined me on my quest to find the perfect summer red. Is Line 39 Pinot Noir the holy grail we’ve been looking for? Yes and no (but mostly yes based on how much of it we drank).

Read my tasting notes below and subscribe to Chris Tries to Review Wine on Apple Podcasts to hear Gabe’s review and more (or stream the episode at christriestoreview.wine).

Wine Info:

• Winery: Line 39
• Style/Varietal: Pinot Noir Red Wine
• Vintage: 2016
• Region: Central California, USA

Label Notes:

Our Pinot Noir reveals rich flavors of raspberries, cherries and herbs on the palate complemented by soft, supple tannins. Fruity and smooth, this Pinot Noir pairs well with lamb, pork, and pasta dishes.

Chris’s Notes:

Nose: Cherries, but specifically the kind of booze-soaked cherries you’d find at the bottom of a $16 artisanal cocktail. Also some notes of cola. Basically this smells like a really expensive Cherry Coke.

Tasting Notes:

• Super smooth with a bit of a tingly mouthfeel, like when your dentist gets a little sloppy with the novocaine.
• Definite notes of raspberry, though it’s a stretch to call them “rich” flavors. It’s more like a “La Croix” level of fruitiness.
• It smells like cherries but tastes like raspberries. Sorcery, I say!
• I’m not sure which “herbs” I’m supposed to taste but maybe that’s part of this overall warm, flat cola vibe.
• None of the flavors are all that pronounced, which keeps things easy-going if somewhat unexciting. (Think of Line 39 like that super reliable friend who really never has anything interesting going on in their life but will always show up on time.)

Overall: From the limbo of middle California comes this completely inoffensive and thoroughly drinkable Pinot Noir perfect for serving in the hot summer months. Is this going to quench your thirst like a nice sparking rosé? Of course not, but it’s refreshing in its own right and unlike some reds it won’t make you feel like you’re brewing some hot mulled wine in your stomach when you drink it on a humid August night.

Rating: 3 out of 5