One of the lightest of the red grape varietals, a great Pinot Noir creates a lasting impression on the palate and in the memory with its soft, velvety texture. The aromas are often complex and intense with ripe grape, black cherry, and raspberry notes that are frequently accented by a pronounced spiciness of cinnamon, mint, or sassafras, but there may also be ripe tomato, mushroom, and barnyard aromas (which is more prevalent in Burgundian styles). The wines range from light to full bodied, they are not heavy, acidic or tannic, yet they have substantial flavor despite the delicate nature of the wine.
Pinot Noir is one of the most difficult grapes to grow. The vines are not very vigorous and lack adequate leaf coverage of the fruit, leaving the grape clusters susceptible to birds who can do a lot of damage. Even if the grapes survive the birds, if not picked promptly at maturity, the thin-skinned and tender berries shrivel and dry out rapidly resulting in a raisiny aroma and neutral flavor. In a Pinot Noir vineyard, they can expect to see every affliction know to affect the vines. Although they do well in cool climates, they leaf out early and are susceptible to spring frosts.
Some of the best Pinot Noir in the world comes from Burgundy, France, also referred to as Bourgogne. This plot of land that is two miles wide and thirty miles long provides the optimum growing conditions for the grapes. The quality of the wine in this region is due to a number of factors. The vineyards slope gently down toward the East, providing the vines with long sun exposure yet avoiding afternoon heat. The soil is very calcareous (chalky), offering good drainage. These well drained soils have a higher average temperature, which assists ripening. Pinot Noir seems to reflect more Gout de Terroir, or flavor of the soil, than other black grape types, making vineyard site selection a critical factor.
There are a few other regions that have been producing noteworthy Pinot Noir. Oregon’s Willamette Valley, New Zealand, and California are producing promising examples of the varietal. Although Oregon is know for its quality Pinot Noirs, these California regions do the same: Santa Maria Valley in Santa Barbara County; Russian River Valley in Sonoma County; Carneros in both Sonoma and Napa Counties; Anderson Valley in Mendocino County; as well as the Pinnacles (Monterey County) and, recently, Santa Lucia Highlands Monterey County.
The Wine List Recommends these fine Pinot Noir
Lucky Star Pinot Noir A great value for the price, this Pinot Noir features ripe red raspberry and cherry aromas that carry through to the palate, balanced by a crisp yet silky finish. Gold Medal winner at the 2010 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.
Definitive Pinot Noir The quintessential expression of Pinot Noir. The name says it all. This Pinot Noir “opens with fresh red cherries and currants, then a sweet barrel note of baking spices. There's plenty of ripe fruit in the middle of the palate, always balanced by the brightness of the cool-climate origin. Soft and delicious from start to finish, clean and lively, classic Sonoma Coast fruit.”
Twomey Cellars Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
This high end Pinot Noir is from the maker’s of Silver Oak Cabernet. The color of this wine is bright red ruby with some darker blue and black hues. Aromas of fresh red raspberry and rose petal highlight the nose and are complexed by mineral notes. On the palate the wine has a fruit-sweet attack and oozes fresh red raspberries nuanced by minerality. The ripe berry fruits are bright on the mid-palate and subtle oak supports the fruit through to a long and slightly grainy finish redolent of red roses.
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