Pinot Noirs from around the World

Burgundy (France) has reigned supreme for hundreds of years when it comes to the best wines made from the Pinot Noir grape, which is not to say that there aren’t a quite a few reputable competitors in both the Old and New World, especially with regard to moderately priced, affordable wines for everyday consumption.  In recent tasting classes we sampled pinot noir wines from a number of countries and regions, comparing and contrasting styles and profiles of this noble varietal made famous in the movie “Sideways”.  From light, fruity and delicate to robust, dense and complex, the myriad expressions of pinot noir are unmatched among single varietals.  Discover for yourself the delicious delights of one of the most popular (and perhaps, misunderstood) wines on the market these days.  (All wines are available at Total Wine except the Domaine Arnoux, which was a Chairman's Select at the Penna. State Store.)

The overall favorite of the first class was the Meiomi, whereas in the second class, the Domaine Arnoux received the highest marks.  To be fair, the first class was not offered a Burgundy - they were all New World pinots -, however, the contrast in styles is so distinct between the two that the first class may not have been persuaded by the original Burgundy.  In the end, of course, it's a matter of personal taste, and as this sampling shows, there is plenty of pinots on the market to cater to each and every palate.  If I were to choose a favorite from the two classes, I would go for the Kudos Reserve which lies somewhere between the Chorey-lès-Beaune and the Meiomi. A votre santé!

Chilcas Pinot Noir Reserva 2013 ($16)


                          









Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir

Region: Denominacion de San Rafael, Valle del Maule, Chile

Production/Tasting Notes: Aromas of fresh cherries and white strawberries; gentle floral notes (roses), and earthy notes compliment fruity palate; spice notes of rosemary, oregano; fresh persistent finish.

13.5 % Alcohol

A to Z Pinot Noir 2013 ($18)

                      

Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir

Region: Newberg, Oregon

Production/Tasting Notes: aromas of cherries, raspberries, and blackberries, developing to iris, blueberries, strawberries and minerals; vibrant red fruit flavors and floral notes, then deepens with hints of blood orange and blueberry jam. Ripe tannins are balanced by perfect acidity and the mid-palate reveals spice, tobacco and earth notes adding richness and complexity; long finish.

Food pairings: Salmon, halibut, or trout; all manner of pork; grilled meats and vegetables from chicken to venison; braised meats and stews; root vegetables and mushrooms, especially mushrooms; duck with cherry gastrique

13.0 % alcohol

Domaine Arnoux Père et Fils, Chorey-lès-Beaunes, Les Beaumonts 2013 ($22; reg. $35)


                           

Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir

Classification: Appellation Chorey-lès-Beaune Contrôlée, Burgundy, France
 

Production/Tasting Notes: 100% hand harvested; aged in oak barrels for 12 months; vine age 20-25 years; alluvial soil of marl limestone; black cherry and black currant flavors; lively acidity, moderately tannic; long finish; 87 points, Wine Spectator

Food Pairings: roast poultry, grilled meat, game birds; soft cheese

14 % Alcohol
 
Meiomi Pinot Noir 2014 ($18)
 
                 

 Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir

Region: Monterey (48%), Sonoma (27%) & Santa Barbara (25%) counties

Production/Tasting Notes: Aged in 100% French oak barrels, 60% new; spicy aromas (Santa Barbara); bright berry flavors (Sonoma); dark fruit, rich texture (Monterey);aromas of bright strawberry and jammy fruit, mocha, and vanilla, along with toasty oak notes.
“Expressive boysenberry, blackberry, dark cherry, juicy strawberry, and toasty mocha flavors lend complexity and depth on the palate. The well-integrated oak provides structure and depth seldom seen in Pinot Noir” -Winemaker's notes);
“Rich yet medium-weight, offering and exciting interplay of berry, oak, earth and spice notes, with subtle edges to the blueberry, raspberry, mocha and fresh-turned earth flavors; aftertaste of melted black licorice” - Wine Spectator; #20 in 2015 Top Wines, 92 points.

Food pairing: tomato-based pasta dishes, thin-crust pizza, grilled lamb, and turkey.

13.7% Alcohol

   Framingham Pinot Noir 2013 ($24)

                                   
                                    

Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir

Region: Walrau Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand

Production/Tasting Notes: Blended from 13 base wines, harvested from 7 different sites; plunging 3 times daily during fermentation with both spontaneous and inoculated yeasts; malolactic fermentation 10 months maturation in both new (20%) and seasoned French barriques; after maturation base wines blended and bottled unfined and unfiltered; nose of dark cherry fruit, smoky bacon, savoury notes; spicy complexity arising from the oak; meaty nuances; palate is ripe, juicy with fine-grained tannins. 92 points, Jame Suckling.

Food pairings: lamb, duck, or even salmon dishes.
13.5 % alcohol   

Kudos Reserve Pinot Noir 2014 ($22)

                             

Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir

Region: Yamhill-Carlton AVA, Willamette Valley, Oregon

Production/Tasting Notes: Cold soaked 4-5 days before fermentation; daily pumpover and punch-down; 10 months aging in French oak barrels (15% new); malolactic fermentation. Concentrated wine with luscious dark fruit flavor profiles; layers of blackberry, black cherry, wild herbs, spice (white pepper) and savory minerality; intense, vibrant
Food pairings: roasted duck; swordfish
14.1% alcohol

    Fire Road Pinto Noir 2014 ($15)

                         

 Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir

Region: Marlborough, New Zealand

Production/Tasting Notes: Frequent plunging throughout primary fermentation, followed by malolactic fermentation; easy drinking style, fruit driven; aromas of red cherries with dark berries with toasty oak; on the palate ripe red raspberries, black cherry followed by toasty oak and spice. Drink within  2-3 years.

Food pairings: red meat, pasta, Thai beef salad

13.5% alcohol

Sierra Batuco Pinot Noir Reserva 2013 $14)


                         

Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir

Region: Valle del Maule (coastal mountain region), Chile

Production/Tasting Notes: Pre-fermentation grapes undergo cold maceration of 5-7 days; open tank fermentation for 10 days; aged in French oak barrels for 8 months;  nose of plum and vanilla, followed on the palate with notes of cherry, toffee and licorice fresh acidity, soft pungent oak notes; medium bodied

Food pairings: magret de canard (duck); pastas with rich sauce

13.5 % Alcohol

 Coelho Atracao Pinot Noir 2013 ($18)


                     

Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir

Classification: Willamette Valley (AVA), Oregon

Production/Tasting Notes: Non-irrigated, sustainably farmed; volcanic & sedimentary soil; aromas of spice, cherries and toasty cedar; velvety texture enhanced by flavors of cherry, cranberry, chocolate; vibrant; supple, smooth finish; medium-bodied

12.3% Alcohol

    Sextant Pinot Noir 2014 ($25)

 

Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir  

Region: Santa Lucia Highlands, California

Production/Tasting Notes: 70% fermented in 5-ton open containers; the rest in 10-ten tanks; aged 11 months in neutral French oak barrels; aromas of wild stawberries, lavender, anise; on the palate notes of cherry, loamy earth, followed by black tea, red currants on the finish; balanced acidity, smooth tannins; long, lingering finish; medium bodied. May be cellared for several years.

Food pairings:  fresh pasta with light marinara sauce; grilled prawns with lime squeeze; roasted quail wrapped in grape leaves and bacon

14.7 % alcohol

    River Road Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2014 ($19)
     
                                 

Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir

Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma Country, California

Production/Tasting Notes: barrel aromas of anise, molasses, dusty earth, sweet smoke, wisp of cardamom;  ripe (sweet) cherry, plum  flavors on the palate; layers of mulling spice, smooth tannins; blackberry jam lingers on the long finish.

Food pairings: roasted duck; swordfish

13.7% alcohol

 

Factoids about Pinot Noir

-       One of the 7 noble grape varietals

-       The only red grape permitted in the Côte d’Or region of Burgundy

-       Cultivated in Côte d’Or for over a thousand years

-       Thrives in cooler climates, such as Willamette Valley (Oregon), Russian River Valley (Calif.), Carneros (Calif.), Marlborough (New Zealand)

-       Styles range from fresh fruit/easy drinking to intense fruit/ripe tannins to elegant/medium-full bodied with succulent fruit flavors, complexity and refined tannins

-       Thin-skinned, late ripening, prone to rot and easily damaged by rough handling

-       Notoriously difficult to make into premium wine

-       One of the primary varietals used to make Champagne

-       Gained increased popularity following the movie “Sideways” in 2004

-       Known as Blauburgunder or Spätburgunder in Teutonic regions