Review: Oceano Zero 2024 Pinot Noir
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Oceano Zero recently released their latest vintage of chardonnay and pinot noir. I reviewed the Chardonnay a few weeks ago and found it to be a real masterclass in how to dealcoholize a California chardonnay. If the pinot noir was anything like the chardonnay, I just couldn’t wait to open it.
Rachel Martin, founder of Oceano, describes the new vintage as even more Oceano then the previous ones.
“It's a better representation of terroir, of a sense of place, of the origin of the wine that it began with. So when I smell my Oceano Zero Pinot Noir, I'm smelling the same character that was in the barrel before I dealcoholized it. It's the same wine identity.”
I completely agree and was really really impressed with how this wine delivered on terroir and character like no other California red has been able to do at this quality level.
To read the full interview with Rachel Martin, you can find it here.
**Note: For red wines at this level of quality, you CAN briefly aerate the wine before drinking. I opened the bottle and let it sit for about 15 minutes, and then let it sit in my glass for another few minutes before tasting. I highly recommend this for wines using Solos because it really brings out the secondary and tertiary notes in the wine. Also - swish first, and then evaluate on your second and third sip.
Aroma
Dark cherry, oak and a hint of leather - just perfect! Not overly perfumed or odorless.
Taste
Layers of elegantly combined flavours is the only way to describe this non-alcoholic red. There are notes of leather, smoke, a hint of oak - but not overwhelming (a real feat because it’s so easy to have a heavy hand with oak in n/a wines). It’s balanced just perfectly between light tannins and fruit. When I say light tannins, I mean it’s not so dry it’s puckering your mouth like Oddbird Addiction. It’s lightly dry just like a great California pinot should be.
Mouthfeel & Experience
It’s thin, but in a delicate pinot noir kind of way. It’s not the thin and watery style like early non-alcoholic pinots, which usually stripped out the body. I think it’s got a perfect weight, accurately imbuing the experience of a real coastal red.
What to pair with the Oceano Pinot Noir
This is a delicate red wine, without alcohol so if you’re thinking of pairing it with fish, you’re absolutely on the right track. I would love this with a grilled salmon. While a pinot with alcohol could be paired with fatty braised and grilled meats, I think this is a little bit too delicate for that. Lighter meats and fish, salads, and definitely soft cheeses and crostini.
Overall
I think the Oceano Pinot Noir is just divine and really aligns with my own taste preference for drier, lighter style reds. I’ve never been a fan of big boozy cab sauvs so this little pinot is just right for me. It’s delicate and layered and has nuance that doesn’t exist in any other California non-alcoholic red wine. Rachel Martin and team have done a fantastic job of delivering a red that should be in your fridge at all times!
Score: 98 points
Available at: OceanoWines.com
