Please do not think that this is an article about mathematical theory or escaped political leftists, as it is only my intention to address the benefits of polyphenol antioxidants found in grape skins.

Oxidative stress, caused by free radicals, can be involved in heart failure, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, chronic fatigue and so much more.

The substance of interest is called resveratrol and it is only fair to tell you that it is in many other foods such as blueberries, peanuts and even onions.

Pinot noir thrives best in cool areas that make the vines and fruit subject to attack by pathogens such as bacteria and fungi, and for this reason higher levels of resveratrol are found in pinot noir than any other grape variety.

Of course, just as one should not consume a jar of peanut butter, one should not go beyond moderation with wine. The risk is a big dose of 3,5,4 — trihydroxy-trans-stilbene (resveratrol).

Pinot noir certainly has become very popular and we have added quite a few to our portfolio recently.

Ten years ago Tim Perr and Scott Knight pooled their resources and their passions to found a winery dedicated to making small lots of artisanal pinot noir. They called their venture Pali, after their home town on the coast of southern California.

The Pali 2013 “Huntington” pinot noir is from Santa Barbara county and it scored a very credible 91/100 in Wine Spectator. It is medium-bodied with a bright garnet colour and the nose is full of strawberries, raspberries, black liquorice, grilled mushrooms and a hint of pine. On the palate, flavours of cherry, nutmeg, clove, dried lavender and mushrooms are followed by a creamy finish from rich and silky tannins. It is a perfect partner with salmon, tuna, poultry and pork. $27.50.

Pali Rancho la Vina Vineyard 2012 pinot noir, also from Santa Barbara, rates very highly with Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate.

It describes it as: “A rock star that excels in the vintage. Rich, layered and seamless, it boasts knockout aromas and flavours of autumn leaves, toasted spice, liquorice and sweet pinot noir fruit in its elegant, textured and balanced profile.” Parker, as well as Wine Enthusiast, rated it 93/100. $64.40.

Although I would never use such vernacular, one reviewer says of our Higher Ground 2013 pinot noir from Monterey: “Good pinot for dirt cheap; a no-brainer buy with good cola flavour found in high-end pinot.” The fruit is sourced from high elevations in Monterey country, along the Santa Lucia wine growing region and it has layered aromas of ripe blackberries, cherries and hints of vanilla toffee and toasted oak. The finish is accented with a touch of sweet tobacco and smoky earth. $20.30.

Laely Heron is the daughter of a mining engineer and adventurer. By the age of 12 she had already lived in 12 states; now her travels have taken her to all 50 as well as six continents. Her passion for wine caused her to enrol at the Institute of Enology in Bordeaux and now she has her own wine company based in San Francisco.

We have recently bought in her pinot noir that combines fruit from the Santa Lucia Highlands, an American viticultural area that is rapidly becoming a legend in the wine world, and the tiny Arroyo Seco that is blasted with driving winds and saturated fog from the hyper-cold waters of Monterey Bay — perfect for pinot noir.

Heron 2013 Monterey pinot noir is ripe with inviting aromas of black cherry, plum and violets that are accented by gentle, sweet oak. It has plush tannins that frame flavours of baked cherry, strawberry and spice cake with a touch of anise. $24.35.

• This column is a paid for advertorial for Burrows Lightbourn Ltd. Michael Robinson is Director of Wine at Burrows Lightbourn Ltd. He can be contacted at mrobinson@bll.bm or 295-0176. Burrows Lightbourn have stores in Hamilton (Front Street East, 295-1554), Paget (Harbour Road, 236-0355) and St George’s (York Street, 297-0409). A selection of their wines, beers and spirits is available online at www.wineonline.bm.