Majestic Wine has expanded its Definition range with a new wine made exclusively for them by the well-known Californian producer, Schug Winery. This Pinot Noir comes from Sonoma’s cool-climate region, an area greatly influenced by marine fog and the winds of the Petaluma Gap, lending a unique character to the wine.
The winery’s founder, Walter Schug, brought his European winemaking skills to Sonoma. Born in Germany in 1935, Schug was raised on the grounds of the Staatsweingut Assmanshausen, one of Germany’s premier Pinot Noir estates. His career in America began in 1966 with Gallo, and by 1972, he was the chief winemaker at Joseph Phelps Vineyards. He played a pivotal role in establishing the reputation of Cabernet Sauvignon and introduced the first varietally labelled Syrah.
This wine, made in an oxidative style, is light brown in colour and has a savoury aroma complemented by subtle hints of violets. It features slight flavours of strawberry, cherry but lots of savoury, umami-ness. It’s medium-bodied with a rounder mouthfeel than is typical for Pinot Noir, that enhances its length and finishes with a lively, spicy note. This profile is the result of local winds that not only cool the region but also result in smaller grape berries with thicker skins, which contribute to the wine’s distinctive savoury and spicy qualities.
Priced at £16.99 when you mix any six, this wine is a cost-effective alternative to the much pricier Schug-branded bottles and pairs wonderfully with more earthy, savoury dishes such as mushroom-based recipes.
