The Belcreme de Lys Pinot Noir 2013 is Pinot Noir, with a little bit of Syrah added in, sourced from vineyards in more than one California grape growing AVA. Belcreme de Lys is one of Diageo Chateau & Estate Wine many wine brands. Their portfolio runs from Moet & Chandon to Blossom Hill White Zinfandel. As a brand wine, there is no great story to be told here, they purchased grapes from several AVA’s and produced the wine in one of their wineries. There is some mention of French oak being used, but this Pinot is not about the fancy details. This is a wine about “bang for the buck“, a satisfying drink for a solid price. The alcohol content is 13.5%.
The color is a crystal clear, see-thru cherry red, with a translucent halo around the rim. The nose is pretty good, sweet ripe cherry, herbs, spice and a whiff of smoke. This is a medium to light bodied Pinot Noir, with fresh fruit flavors upfront and a nice touch of complexity in the middle. It starts with strawberry, black cherry, pepper, herbs and plum. The mid-palate adds some cream and soft spice. The tannins are soft and the acidity is well-balanced by the body of the wine. The finish starts off strong, fades quickly, but does manage to hang around for a decent time.
The Belcreme de Lys Pinot Noir 2013 is a sipping wine. I’m not saying you can’t use it with the meal, it is just that it is perfectly suited for enjoying on the deck while watching the sun go down. Smooth, fruit forward, with just enough complexity to keep your interest, this is a wine that goes down easy.
