Sean Minor Signature Series Nicole Marie Red Blend North Coast

Sean Minor Signature Series Nicole Marie Red Blend North Coast is a statement bottle from this family-owned California producer, a wine created in honor of Sean’s wife, Nicole, and crafted to be the kind of generous, crowd-pleasing red she loves to drink. Sourced from select vineyards across the North Coast AVA, it showcases the region’s ability to deliver ripe fruit, depth, and freshness in one polished package.

The blend is anchored by Merlot, which brings supple texture and dark plum and cherry notes. Zinfandel adds brambly berry, spice, and energy, while Petite Sirah contributes color, backbone, and a touch of dark chocolate and mocha. Together, the three varieties create a full-bodied red with real dimension, lush on the attack, structured through the mid-palate, and silky as it finishes. 

In the glass, expect expressive aromas of dark cherry, blackberry, blueberry, and cassis, backed by vanilla, cocoa, and subtle baking spice from barrel aging. On the palate, juicy black and blue fruits are layered with hints of mocha, cracked pepper, and oak spice. The tannins are smooth and rounded, giving the wine a velvety feel without losing grip or freshness, and the finish carries lingering notes of ripe berries and sweet spice. 

Winemaking is deliberately hands-on but not flashy. Grapes are harvested at optimal ripeness, de-stemmed and gently crushed, then fermented in stainless steel at warm temperatures to fully extract color and flavor. The wine is then aged in a mix of French and American oak, roughly one-fifth of it new, to add texture and complexity while keeping the fruit front and center. 

At the table, Nicole Marie is versatile and reliable. It’s a natural match for grilled steaks, burgers, lamb chops, braised short ribs, baked pasta, pizza, and hearty stews, any dish that calls for a generous, fruit-driven red with enough structure to stand up to rich flavors. Whether you’re stocking a home cellar or choosing a go-to red for entertaining, this Signature Series blend delivers the kind of quality and character that keeps people coming back for another glass.