Pinot Noir

Country: France / Variety: Pinot Noir Alsace Winery: Clément Klur / Alsace Bright, ripe strawberry and cherry flavors are contrasted with the firm tannins of wood aging. This is a very young wine, with layers of acidity, spice and toast. Drink from 2016.

Country: US / Brut Rosé Variety: Pinot Noir New York Winery: Hosmer / Cayuga Lake Aromatic with notes of raspberry, cherry and sugar cookie, this is robust on the palate with a big, mouth-filling foam and penetrating wild cherry flavor.

Country: US / Variety: Pinot Noir Oregon Winery: Château Bianca / Willamette Valley Smoke and leather tack-room scents and flavors, making for a sharp, short, fruitless wine.

Country: US / Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: Schug / Carneros The producer sources from multiple sites across the appellation, including its own estate, in this value-driven red. Minty bay leaf provides an undeniable sense of earthiness, as medium weight and acidity pierce through. It’s silky in spice.

Country: US / Block 8 Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: Hirsch / Sonoma Coast Maybe the friendliest Hirsch bottling, this wine has wonderful complexity, medium body and a broad supple texture that make it a pleasure to taste. It has spicy lightly earthy aromas, plenty of raspberry, red cherry and rhubarb for fruit flavors, and […]

Country: US / Pinot de Ville Putnam Vineyard Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: Tongue Dancer / Sonoma Coast Winemaker James MacPhail continues to refine his solo project with this Annapolis-sourced effort, a smooth layered expression of baked strawberry and rose petal herbaceousness. Lingering fruitiness makes it lovely to enjoy, as the oak remains a background […]

Country: US / Manisa Jo Vineyard Variety: Pinot Noir Oregon Winery: Proteus / Willamette Valley Like the winery’s other Pinot Noir, this seems way underpriced for the quality. Its subtle layers of cherry and plum are enhanced with baking spice, toasted coconut and caramel highlights. It can easily stand beside wines costing twice as much. […]

Country: US / Calkins Lane Vineyard Variety: Pinot Noir Oregon Winery: Adelsheim / Chehalem Mountains Plum and cherry fruit notes combine here, feeling concentrated through the midpalate. Although aged in one quarter new oak, the barrel character has little impact on the flavor. It remains a bit tight and should continue to improve with bottle […]

Country: US / Westside Road Neighbors Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: Williams Selyem / Russian River Valley Showing just a touch of reduction, this wine is bright, crunchy and explosive on the palate. The palate shows a mix of raspberry, cherry and cranberry that’s full of flavor. Seductively smooth, it should continue to evolve and […]

Country: US / Fort Ross Vineyard Stagecoach Road Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: Fort Ross / Fort Ross-Seaview A brooding texture and fully layered concentration of intense flavor spark the palate and mind in this estate wine, which is showy in cola, bark, black cherry and black tea. Medium bodied and well-made, it finds balance […]

Country: US / Vineyard Designate Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: De Loach / Green Valley Although the wine is labeled a Vineyard Designate, it’s a blend of multiple vineyards. Dry, fairly full-bodied and tannic, it has complex cherry, currant, licorice and sandalwood flavors. Drinkable now, it will benefit by waiting until 2017 in the cellar.

Country: US / Effort Estate Rosé Variety: Pinot Noir California Winery: Center of Effort / Edna Valley Perhaps the palest Central Coast rosé of the year, this Pinot Noir-based wine almost looks like water, but the aromas of marcona almond and delicate lemonade assure that it’s perfect for a picnic on a hot day. The […]