Table of Contents
The Dreaming Tree Pinot Noir 2020 is a collaboration between Dave Matthews (yeah, that Dave Matthews) and New Zealand winemaker Sean McKenzie. This is Pinot Noir sourced from multiple locations in France.
French wines are typically sourced from one appellation or a sub-appellation, such as Bordeaux or the Médoc. The vineyards used for a particular wine are often located in the hills around a single village. So, the Dreaming Tree Pinot Noir 2020 is unusual in its sourcing of French wine.
California wine is often made by blending grapes from different AVAs and wide-ranging locations. So this value-priced French Pinot Noir is made like California’s value-priced wine. Wine made and bottled in France is subject to French label laws, but the Dreaming Tree Pinot Noir 2020 was shipped in bulk and bottled in the US. This may explain why there is no French wine classification information on the label.
There is also a Dreaming Tree Pinot Noir sourced from grapes grown in California. I am not sure if they changed their Pinot Noir from California to France for the 2020 vintage or if there are two different Dreaming Tree Pinots.
The 2020 vintage in France was the warmest in 15 years and the growing season was shorter than usual. Overall conditions such as cool nights and rainfall at the right times did allow the grapes to be balanced and ripe. the alcohol content is 13%.
The Dreaming Tree Pinot Noir 2020 Tasting Note
The color is a see-thru garnet red with some black highlights. The nose is ripe cherry, a whiff of dried herbs, a splash of spice, raspberry, and black pepper. The Dreaming Tree Pinot Noir 2020 has a smooth mouthfeel and mostly rounded flavors with a hit of spice.
These Pinot Noir Tastes like black cherry, soft spice, black pepper, and plum. The mid-palate brings tart cranberry, dried strawberry, sharp spice, and a late slap of tart cherry. The tannins are soft and the acidity is well-balanced.
The Summary
- The Dreaming Tree Pinot Noir 2020 an easy-to-drink Pinot Noir that sips well and would pair well with comfort food, tacos, burritos, burgers, and pizza. It has enough flavor and body to be very versatile.
