Review: Mavrique 2025 Sonoma Coast Non-Alcoholic Pinot Noir
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When I pulled this bottle of Mavrique 2025 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir out of its shipping box, I was immediately blown away by the cool design. The bottle is slim and elegant in the neck, with a beautiful blue and gold label, and a glass cork - something I’ve only ever seen once in the n/a space. I was so intrigued!
California is doing really great things in the non-alcoholic space, and Mavrique has just emerged as another contender in the growing list of truly astonishing pinot noirs from the west coast of the U.S. (read my reviews of the Oceano pinot noir and Varnum pinot noir).
Founders Rita Valois and Maggie Huffman partnered with Nova Cadamatre, the first female Master of Wine in the United States, which enabled them to build on traditional winemaking techniques and bridge the gap between the process of removing wine and the taste and experience of the finished product.
The three women also spent years researching and evaluating dealcoholization technologies before choosing to partner with Porifera Inc., a California-based company also led by women. Porifera uses a system called forward osmosis process which gently removes alcohol without heat.
Appearance
In the glass, this Pinot Noir is a beautiful deep garnet with rich, dark cherry hues.
Aroma
I absolutely love the nose on this wine! There's an inviting combination of dark cherry, leather and a slightly funky, earthy quality that adds some real complexity. I even picked up a hint of Amarone, with those rich, concentrated fruit aromas that you typically associate with a more mature, full-bodied Italian red.
Taste
This is a very dry, fruit-forward pinot noir with noticeable tannins, subtle oak notes and plenty of ripe California fruit character. Really reflects the warmer coastal climate of the Sonoma Valley!
Baked red cherries and dark plums dominate the palate, accompanied by some lovely warming spice notes of cinnamon and nutmeg. There was a slightly medicinal, cough-syrup-like note on the first few sips that I didn't particularly enjoy but thankfully it dissipated as the wine opened up (always give non-alcoholic wine a few minutes to breath!).
What really impressed me was the complexity. There are distinct savoury characteristics that give this wine some genuine depth. It's not just a straightforward, fruit-driven red and that makes it have a personality.
Mouthfeel
One of the most impressive things about this dealcoholized wine is how beautifully balanced it feels on the palate. There's a lovely harmony between the fruit, tannins and acidity.
The acidity is particularly well integrated, lifting the subtle sweetness from the fruit and preventing the wine from feeling overly heavy or jammy.
I'd describe this as medium-plus in body, approaching full-bodied territory. It has a plush, generous texture with substantial weight on the tongue giving it the kind of presence and structure I typically associate with a well-made traditional red wine.
What to pair with Mavrique
I enjoyed this red with roast bruschetta chicken and it was a perfect match. You could pair this with grilled pork chops, but I also think this is going to be a star for your Thanksgiving or Christmas roast turkey and sides!
Overall
This is a pinot noir with a real personality and presence, and I love that about it. It doesn't try to be a delicate light-bodied red. Instead, it leans into the riper, richer side of California pinot noir.
It's certainly a bigger, bolder expression than many of the non-alcoholic pinot noirs I've tasted, but that's precisely what makes it stand out. There's a confidence to this wine that I don't often encounter in the alcohol-removed category. It has a distinct character and doesn't shy away from it.
Honestly, the more I drink it, the more I want another glass. It's genuinely enjoyable, with enough complexity to keep me coming back for a second and third glass!
Well done Mavrique!
Score: 97 points
How I rank wines (based on IWSC standards):
95 to 100 - An excellent drink with a great personality. An example that stands out among its peers
90 to 94 - An accomplished drink with considerable personality, character and complexity. A classic example of its style or variety.
85 to 89 - A perfectly well-made drink which provides an enjoyable drinking experience.
80 to 84 - An acceptable but simple drink, lacking distinction.
Overall: Mavrique is a sensational non-alcoholic wine with great personality! An example that stands out among its peers.
