The Underwood Oregon Pinot Noir Can is sourced from multiple vineyards, 60% from the Umpqua Valley and 40% the Willamette Valley in Oregon. The can looks to be a regulation soft drink can, the lip on top is a little steeper than on a can of Coca-Cola, but otherwise seems to be identical. The Pinot Noir inside is the same as the regular bottling of the 2013 Underwood Pinot Noir. There is no vintage designation on the can, because they purchased the cans in bulk and changing the vintage date on a pre-printed can is more problematic than changing the date on a label. The can holds 375 ml of Pinot Noir, a bottle holds 750 ml, so the can is the equivalent of 2 glasses of wine. You should be able to find it in the $6 to $7 range. That’s $3 to $3.50 for a glass of Oregon Pinot, try getting that deal at your local wine bar. Underwood is a label produced by the Union Wine Company, who produce several labels of very solid, value-driven Oregon wines. The Pinot Noir in this can was aged for 6 months on French oak, 15% new oak and the rest previously used and the alcohol content is 13%.
The color is a see-thru cherry red. The nose is cherries, mushroom, autumn leaves and fresh herbs, very pretty and inviting. I poured some into a wine glass and I also drank from the can to see if there is difference, I think the Pinot in the glass opened up more fully than the Pinot in the can. The glass offered better aerated wine, but other than that the flavors were the same. The Underwood Pinot Noir Can is a light to medium bodied wine, showing solid acidity and good balance. It tastes of cherry, raspberry jam (though not jam sweet) and Thanksgiving herbs. The mid-palate brings a little tart cranberry a touch of vanilla cream and dark chocolate. The tannins don’t get in the way and the acidity gives this Pinot some good length. The finish while subtle and light, does last awhile.
Man, I know wine geeks who freak out over screw-tops, a can of wine, and a can of Oregon Pinot Noir to boot should get them flopping around like a fish out of water. But me, I am now a fan, I will buy the Underwood Pinot Noir Can again. Not only do I do I think it is a terrific value Pinot Noir, but there are times when a bottle and a couple of wine glasses just are not convenient. And say your watching the big game with your Neanderthal buddies who are throwing back a few cans of Bud Light, you pop the top on a can of Underwood Oregon Pinot Noir and you fit right in, only you are much happier than they are.
