Argentina And Australia Are Gaining Ground
Aside from these two overarching trends, the popularity of wines from New Zealand, Chile, and Australia also continues to rise. Recent vintages from 2020 and 2018 are rated highly by most professional critics and should be excellent additions to any collection.
With this in mind, here are the top 20 new wines to collect from some of the most renowned New-World regions, listed in no particular order:
By far the standout wine from this list is 2018 Dominus. Jeb Dunnuck, contributors from Wine Spectator, and James Sucklings website all ranked 2018 Dominus among their favorite recent wines Wine Spectator even selected it for the number one spot on its top 100 list. Critics note that this wine is drinking well now, but its one that collectors should seriously consider keeping around for 30 or more years. This wine is very likely to sell out on most primary and secondary marketplaces, so its important to secure your investments as early as possible.
Best Under $: Laetitia Estate Pinot Noir
From Californias Central Coast, Laetitia Estate offers this bright pinot made from a blend of 10, home-grown pinot noir clones from vineyards that soak up the ocean air. You can treat yourself to this tasty, meticulously-made wine for just under $30.
Youre hit with full aromas of mulberry and cranberry off the bat, followed by smoke and nutmeg. Expect flavors of cherry, raspberry, sandalwood and spice, along with crisp acidity and a lasting finish.
Operating out of Napa Valley, Domaine Carnerosâ founding winemaker Eileen Crane is best known for her landmark sparkling wines. Still, pinot noir is another trick up her sleeve. Whole berries for this pinot are cold-soaked for delicate flavor extraction, then barrel-aged for 10 months.
Intense and full-bodied with luscious tannins, this wine has notes of cherry, strawberry, chocolate, pomegranate and plum. Itâs sweet and juicy with brilliant texture and a long finish. The pinot is great on its own or as a companion to New York strip steak, herb-dusted pork loin or parmesan-crusted, pan-seared Dover Sole.
Also Check: Total Wine Near Here
Best Vintage: 2016 Roserock Pinot Noir
Image Source / Drizly
Region: Oregon, Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley | ABV: 14.1% | Tasting Notes: Cherry, Blueberry, Black Tea, Cocoa
The cool air of the Eola-Amity Hills serves as a backdrop for this riveting pinot from our Best Overall wine, Domaine Drouhin. This winery, now in its fourth generation of family winemaking, has roots that stretch back all the way over to the fields of Burgundy in France.
Drouhin is also known for its chardonnay, but the volcanic soils of the Willamette Valley are a true asset to their pinot productions. In 2016 producers got the ride of their life in the form of an absolutely perfect growing season, making 2016 our Best Vintage pick for the bevy of pinots balanced by brilliant acidity, and full of elegant and complex fruit flavorsso many of them drinking lovely today, but capable of longterm aging.
You May Like: Does Aldi In Pennsylvania Sell Wine
Best French: Patrice Rion Nuits
Region: Nuits-St-Georges, Burgundy, France | ABV: 12.5% | Tasting Notes: Red currant, Damp forest, Crushed stones
Representing a taste of France with great zeal,Patrice Rion is an expert winemaker, finely tuned to growing and harvesting grapes on his vineyards in Nuits-St-Georges. You can taste his decades of expertise with this delicious wine.
Beautiful delicate earth notes find black truffle, damp forest, and wild cherry. The pinot has remarkable layers of juicy cherry, red currant, and black raspberry, cut by sharp acidity, meaty tannins, crushed stone minerality, and a lengthy finish.
Best With Unlimited Budget
If budget is not an issue, make sure to treat your senses with a taste of HDV Ygnacia Pinot Noir. HDV is a collaboration between the Hyde family of Napa Valley and the de Villaine family of Burgundy. These families, connected by marriage, have long and rich histories of wine production. The primary goal of their auspicious collaboration is to produce wines that encompass all the knowledge and experience of both families. This is exactly what they have done with this Pinot Noir.
After uncorking a bottle, youll detect the scent of violet, small berries, and thyme with a hint of Oolong tea. Initially, youll taste the subtle flavors of fruit notes, its minerality coupled with intense yet subtle acidity. Flavors like raspberry, green tea, and sandalwood stand out. This wine can be enjoyed on its own, but that doesnt mean you cant pair it with other dishes. Foods like veal, beef, game, and poultry pair perfectly with this wine.
You May Like: How To Use Red Wine Vinegar For Weight Loss
Oceano Spanish Springs Vineyard Pinot Noir 2018
Wow. This wine is delish! Its a bit pricey, and only available online, but damn this is good. It has that Central Coast style with juicy cherry cola fruit and a hint of cinnamon. On the palate you just wanna chew on it with its fleshy, viscous mouthfeel. This is a bottle to pull out with close friends and legit light meats like duck or herb roasted chicken.
Recommended Reading: Is Stella Rosa Good
Income Tax Calculator: Estimate Your Taxes
According to Jim Bernau, the president of Willamette Valley Vineyards, one of Oregons leading Pinot Noir producers, cool climate Pinot Noir, especially whole cluster fermented wines, are more likely to deliver high levels of resveratrol than other varietal red wines.
Jim Bernau, President, Willamette Valley Vineyards
Bernau notes that resveratrol is a fungicide, a polyphenolic compound an antimicrobial deterrent and repellant that is naturally produced by grape plants to protect grapes from molds. Its found in the skin of the grapes.
Red grape varieties grown in cool regions that are prone to high levels of humidity during harvest time, and more prone to mold damage, will produce higher levels of resveratrol than red grapes grown in drier regions.
Thin skinned grapes are even more vulnerable to being attacked by molds, so those varieties of grapes, he believes, also tend to produce even higher levels of resveratrol. According to Bernau, local climatic conditions post veraison, regardless of where the thin-skinned grapes are grown, is the determining factor.
There are many thin-skinned red grape varietals. Sangiovese, Tuscanys main grape varietal, is famously thin skinned, although Sangiovese Grosso, the Sangiovese clone used to make Brunello di Montalcino, is much thicker skinned.
To maximize the level of resveratrol in a wine, Bernau argues, its necessary to minimize the wines contact with oxygen.
You May Like: How Do You Get Rid Of Wine Stains
J Christopher Medici Vineyard Chehalem Mountains 2018
Origin: Willamette Valley, OregonPrice: $70.00ABV: 13.5%Located in Oregons Willamette Valley, the J. Christopher winery specializes in Pinot Noir made using the traditional methods of the Old World. Owned by renowned Mosel winegrower, Ernst Loosen , the wines emphasize focus, length and balance. Medici is one of the original vineyards on Chehalem Mountain, planted in 1976 by Hal and Dotty Medici, making it one of the oldest vineyards in the Willamette Valley.The wine shows a lighter ruby red color with aromas of spice, volcanic earth, cherry, blueberries and pepper. The palate unfolds flavors of red fruit, orange zest and black tea. The wine ends with a complex finish with present acidity, soft tannins and a touch of mineral.> For more information, visit J. Christopher official website.
Where Does Pinot Noir Wine Come From
Pinot Noir is most famously tied to Burgundy, where for the better part of a millennium, it has been the source of some of the region’s top wines. Even today, the iconic Grand Cru vineyards of the Côte d’Or are synonymous with greatness: Names like Romanée-Conti, La Tâche, Richebourg, Le Chambertin, and more are studded along the limestone-rich escarpment. Yet great Pinot Noir can also be found in Champagne to the north, where it is often blended with Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay, or even used on its own for Blanc de Noirs bottlings. Bollinger’s terrific PN VZ16 takes it one step further: This is a rare Champagne that’s crafted entirely from Pinot Noir grown in the single village of Verzenay.
In the United States, Pinot Noir thrives in California, particularly Sonoma County, where the Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast, and Alexander Valley nurture excellent ones. Santa Barbara County is also the source of top Pinot Noir. Up north, in Oregon, the Willamette Valley has become a hot-spot for world-class Pinot Noir, and the recent further divvying-up into constituent AVAs has made the region even more exciting.
Recommended Reading: How To Get Wine Delivered To Your Home
Anton Bauer 2019 Pinot Noir
Origin: Wagram, AustriaPrice: $25.00ABV: 14%Anton Bauer, born in 1971, is the fourth generation to manage the 96-acre winery. After graduating from the Krems School of Viticulture and completing an internship in Burgundy, he worked for more than four years as an enologist in a renowned Austrian winery. In 1992 he took over his parents winery, which at that time was 8 acres, and since then he has uncompromisingly pursued his quest for quality. The winery is located in the Wagram viticultural region, a 25-mile long and 100-foot high ridge between the towns of Krems and Tulln in Austria. It consists of thousands of years old gravel sediments from the ancient Danube River.This Pinot Noir shows a lighter ruby color. Aromas of strawberries, cherry and violet emerge on the nose. The palate offers lots of ripe berries, light, elegant tannins and juicy acidity. The wine is light bodied with a balanced, elegant finish.> For more information, visit Anton Bauer official website.
Melville Sta Rita Hills 2019
Origin: Santa Rita Hills, CaliforniaVarietal: 100% Pinot NoirPrice: $37.00ABV: 14.25%Founded in 1989, Melville is a family-owned and operated estate winery with its roots in Sonoma Valleys Knights Valley, where Ron Melville grew high-quality and greatly sought-after grapes. In 1996, Rons desire to grow cold-climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah brought Melville Vineyards to the Sta. Rita Hills, located in the Western Santa Ynez Valley of Santa Barbara County. Today, Ron and his son, Chad, uphold Melvilles tradition as one of the most highly-regarded estates in California.This Pinot Noir has a light ruby color and lively aromas of cherry, strawberry, plum and violets in the nose. The palate reveals lots of red fruit, spices, soft tannins and a wonderful, silky finish.> For more information, visit Melville Winery official website.
Don’t Miss: How To Open A Wine Bottle Without An Opener
Pinot Noir Wines : Key Points
Pinot Noir is an old, prodigious black variety that was first mentioned in writings dating back to 1375 under the name of Plant Fin. Burgundy is home to its symbolic grape. It belongs to the Black variety family and has many relatives including Chardonnay, Aligote, Gamay and Melon de Bourgogne .
Pinot Noir is a complex and delicate variety that does not grow well in warmer regions because it would ripen too quickly before developing balanced flavors and acidity. It can reveal all of its splendor in the heart of Burgundy with its fine limestone terroir and the perfect growing conditions. The wines from the Cote de Nuits, which include Givry, Vougeot, Morey Saint Denis, Vosne-Romanee and Gevrey-Chambertin, and CortonGrand Cru from the Cote de Beaune, are among the best Pinot Noir wines in the world.
Pinot Noirs small, compact bunches makes it easily recognizable. Although it is a black variety, it produces a colourless juice and can therefore produce white wines, especially in the case of Cremant de Bourgogne or a Blanc de Noirs Champagne. When the grape skins and juice are in contact with each other, the maceration stage, it is possible to get wines with a bright, brilliant ruby red color, which evolves into a pale brick color with age.
Best Oregon: Belle Pente Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2017
Over the past decades, Belle Pentes pinots have been acclaimed as some of Oregonâs best, and this 2017 vintage continues that tradition. They owe their classy blend to the cool-climate grapes hand-harvested from their 70-acre hillside vineyard in Yamhill-Carlton AVA of Willamette Valley.
Expect red fruits like cherry and strawberry, as well as blackberry, earth and pepper. The medium-bodied pinot dances on the palate and falls gently on the finish.
Also Check: What Is The Best Temperature For Wine Cooler
Sommelier Secrets For Pinot Noir
For administrative purposes, the region of Beaujolais is often included in Burgundy. But it is extremely different in terms of topography, soil and climate, and the important red grape here is ultimately Gamay, not Pinot Noir. Truth be told, there is a tiny amount of Gamay sprinkled around the outlying parts of Burgundy but it isnt allowed with any great significance and certainly not in any Village or Cru level wines. So âred Burgundyâ still necessarily refers to Pinot noir.
For The Love Of Pinot Noir Grapes
Pinot Noir Being Such a Reflection of Terroir Necessitates a Large Pinot Noir Portfolio
Pinot Noir is such a dynamic grape that it demands attention from vine to glass. Though it isnt easy to grow, it responds graciously to tender loving care. Careful attention to grape clone selection for specific sites and winemaking styles is a good start to developing the ideal Pinot Noir life cycle. Following on, sustainable growing and winemaking methods are the ideal way to cultivate the taste of Pinot Noir throughout the life cycle of the vine. When this philosophy is strategically applied, Pinot Noir ends up with a sense of place, or terroir. That, in sum, is the aim of all die-hard Pinot Noir winemakers!
You May Like: Where Can I Buy Mini Wine Bottles
Introduction Of Pinot Noir Wine
Pinot Noir enjoys relatively large popularity amongst all wine drinkers. Certainly, some of its fame can be attributed to the fact that the grape has been around for a very long time.
Considered the second-most widely planted grape behind Cabernet Sauvignon, it is surprising to discover that Pinot Noir is quite challenging to grow. While popular, the production is somewhat limited by a smaller supply than some other grape types.
Despite being challenging to cultivate, the grape can be found in almost every wine producing region including countries like Australia, Chile, and of course, the United States.
Pinot Noir may owe some of its popularity in the US to a movie called Sideways. This movie delved into the world of wines and wine snobbery. Pinot Noir was treated like the piece de resistance in the film and subsequently saw a surge of interest amongst American wine drinkers.
A majority of Pinot Noir is considered more expensive than other varietals and blends however, the surge in popularity led to a concurrent increase in affordable options on shelves. How does Pinot Noir get so expensive? What makes it so special? Lets examine some thoughts around how Pinot Noir is priced.
Best Party Pinot: Tendril Extrovert Pinot Noir
Image Source / Wine.com
Region: Oregon, Willamette Valley | ABV: 14.1% | Tasting Notes: Raspberry, Black Cherry, Plum, Caramel
Tendril winemaker Tony Rynders is a heavyweight of the Pacific Northwest wine industry who cut his teeth with experiences working at vineyards in several continents and made a name for himself earning a record number of 90+ point wines as head winemaker at Domaine Serene. So its no surprise that this bottle, the pinnacle of Rynderss storied career, is given such an outgoing name as Extrovert. With its floral and herbal aromas and fruity palate, it just may be the life of the party.
Read Also: Where To Stay In Burgundy Wine Country
Best Overall: 2017 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir
Image Source / Wine.com
Region: Oregon, Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley | ABV: 14.1% | Tasting Notes: Black Cherry, Orange Peel, Bramble, Rhubarb
The folks at Domaine Drouhin are so good, theyre on this list twice. But of all the debutantes at this ball, their 2017 Oregon Pinot Noir is the one turning the most heads.
The Drouhin saga goes back four generations starting in Burgundy, France, and taking that French tradition to Oregons Willamette Valley, making lengthy use of the lands similarities to the hallowed French region. When it comes to distilling the flavor of Oregon pinot in its top form, Domaine Drouhin is the bottle to beat.
Sokol Blosser Goosepen Block Pinot Noir 2017
Pinot Noir can age and this is a bottle that proves it. There is magic here but not for another year or so. Behind ornery tannin and some shy fruit you can smell the future, when the wine will be ripe with cherry fruit and earthy soil. If you pop it now it will breathe and be just fine, but if you want to know how this grape evolves, wait a year or two and this bottle will show you.
Donât Miss: Make Your Own Labels For Bottles
Recommended Reading: How To Make Non Alcoholic Wine
Domaine Denis Mortet Marsannay Les Longeroies
Burgundy expert Jasper Morris MW has called Denis Mortet a colossal figure, whose wines punch far above their weight. Mortet tragically took his own life in 2006, but his son Arnaud carries the torch. Marsannay is the northernmost appellation of the Côte de Nuits and Les Longeroies, is one of the crown-jewel vineyards of the appellation with vines that are over 80 years of age. Tart red cherry notes mingle with a salty minerality tinged with sweet tobacco, cedar, and chocolaty tannins.
En Route Les Pommiers 2019
Origin: Sonoma, CaliforniaPrice: $60.00ABV: 14.5%En Route is located in the Russian River Valley in Sonoma where the dense fog, the gravelly soil, the microclimates and the proximity to the cool Pacific Ocean create vineyards and conditions that work in concert to create some of the most textured, graceful and stylish Pinot Noirs.Les Pommiers has a bright red ruby color and offers aromas of cherry, strawberry, raspberry, forest floor and baking spice. The mouth unfolds lots of lingering fruit flavors accentuated by some spice, elegant tannins and evolving in a long, savory finish.> For more information, visit En Route Winery official website.
Also Check: How To Clean Red Wine Stains From Clothes
