Hesketh Unfinished Business Pinot Noir 2024

Unlike Shiraz or Cabernet Sauvignon, which carry significant tannin weight and require fatty or charred meat to balance, Unfinished Business Pinot Noir works across a wider range of food without requiring careful matching. Unlike warmer climate Australian Pinot Noir from the Riverland or McLaren Vale, the Limestone Coast cool climate origin preserves the aromatic lift and red fruit precision that defines the variety at its best. For buyers in Nairobi comparing this to other Hesketh labels on the shelf, this is the lightest bodied red in the range and the most versatile at the table. The whole-berry fermentation technique, uncommon at this price point, gives it an aromatic character that most entry-level Pinot Noir does not deliver.

Tasting Notes

Translucent ruby red with a bright, youthful pink rim. The nose is aromatic and immediately appealing. Fresh strawberry and Morello cherry lead, followed by a delicate floral note, that is the direct signature of the whole-berry fermentation. Behind that, a faint thread of dried herbs and a trace of forest undergrowth add a savoury dimension that keeps the nose from reading as purely fruity. The palate entry is light and bright. The tannins are fine grained and barely perceptible, dissolving within seconds into a mid-palate of ripe red cherry, raspberry and a faint tobacco leaf note. The older oak maturation adds body without introducing flavour: the texture is slightly creamy at the mid-palate, which gives the wine more presence than its 13.0% ABV would suggest. The acidity is the backbone here natural, vivid and clean, carrying the fruit forward and keeping the wine focused from entry to finish. The finish is medium in length. Red berry skin, a dried herb note and a faint mineral trace linger for 20 to 25 seconds. The 2024 vintage has a precision and freshness that warmer, higher-yield vintages of this label do not always achieve.

Food Pairing

Pinot Noir’s fine tannins and vivid acidity make it the most food-flexible red wine category available. Roast duck breast and salmon are the most precise structural matches for this wine. The acidity cuts through the fat of the duck cleanly. The light tannins do not overwhelm the delicate flavour of the fish. Roast chicken with herbs, mushroom risotto and charcuterie boards all work alongside a chilled glass. The wine also holds well beside mild spiced dishes where a heavier tannic red would clash. For a Nairobi dinner where the main course is poultry or a lighter protein, this is the red that bridges the gap between white wine drinkers and red wine drinkers at the same table. Serve slightly below room temperature at 14 to 16°C. Fifteen minutes in the fridge before opening is sufficient.

Everything You Need to Know

Is Pinot Noir dry, or does it taste sweet because of the fruit aromas?

Fully dry. The strawberry and cherry aromas are from the grape variety itself, not residual sugar. The palate is clean, fruit-forward and finishes with a herbal and mineral edge.

I usually drink white wine, would I enjoy this Pinot Noir?

Pinot Noir is consistently the red wine category that white wine drinkers find most approachable. The tannins are fine and barely perceptible, the body is light, and the fresh acidity is closer to a white wine than to a full bodied red.

How is this different from Cabernet Sauvignon or Shiraz?

Significantly lighter in body and much lower in tannin. Where Cabernet Sauvignon grips the palate and requires fatty meat to balance, Pinot Noir dissolves into the mid-palate quickly and works with a much wider range of food including fish and poultry.

Can I serve this slightly chilled?

Yes. Serve at 14 to 16°C — about 15 minutes in the fridge from room temperature. Pinot Noir served too warm loses its aromatic lift and the fruit reads flatter. Slightly chilled is the correct serve for this style.

What food works best with this bottle?

 Roast duck, grilled salmon, roast chicken and mushroom risotto are the strongest matches. The fine tannins and vivid acidity sit cleanly against lighter proteins without overpowering them.

What should I do if this bottle is out of stock?

Our customer service team can help you find a suitable alternative or source the product where possible. Reach out before your event.

Is Hesketh Unfinished Business Pinot Noir available for delivery in Nairobi?

Nairobi orders placed before 9 PM qualify for same-day delivery, typically completed within a 1-hour window. Free delivery applies to orders above KES 3,000 within Nairobi. Orders outside Nairobi are delivered nationwide across Kenya within 24–48 hours.