Pinot Noir for every occasion
Pinot Noir has been growing in popularity for a while and it’s not hard to understand why.
Its a medium bodied red, not too heavy, not too light, that’s full of flavour but without the big tannin hit of shiraz or cabernet.
It pairs brilliantly with a wide range of foods and more affordable brands have been coming onto the market, meaning it’s no longer just for special occasions.
Under $25
Excuse my French Pinot Noir, $19.99
Hailing from the south of France means this little beauty packs more of a flavour punch than your usual Frenchy Pinot. Vibrant red fruits and soft silky tannins - very, very quaffable… :)
Moppity “Lock & Key” Pinot Noir, $24.99
We don’t quite know how Moppity produce such a good Pinot for this price… but we are very happy they do. Beautifully fragrant with lifted red fruits, strawberry and floral aromas and earthy undertones.
A seductive palate opens with pure red cherry and strawberry fruit flavours, following on to darker secondary characters of game and cured meats. The texture is pure Pinot; refined, polished and silky.
Elephant in the Room Palatial Pinot Noir, $19.99
It is nicely fragrant on the nose showing red/black cherry, game, clove and nutmeg characters, leading to a juicy palate that is rounded and smooth.
The wine offers attractive bright fruit flavours and silky texture, backed by fine tannins. A friendly pinot offering lovely fruit notes combined with gentle savoury complexity.
Under $50
Faiveley Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2016, $39.99
Bourgogne is French for Burgundy, the region known as the spiritual home of Pinot Noir. Burgundy vintages vary considerably from year to year and 2016 is considered a good year - but with small yields.
This entry level Pinot from Domaine Faiveley is well worth snapping up. All the hallmarks of the Burgundy style are here: fresh cherries, dried herbs, firm but fine tannins, spicy cedar, and a touch of earthiness adding complexity. Yum.
Kooyong Massale Pinot Noir 2018, $39.99
Morninton Peninsula in Victoria is renowned as one of Australia’s best regions for Pinot Noir, and the 2018 vintage shows you why.
On the nose there is a youthful perfume of black cherry, wild summer berries and dried rose petal.
On the palate, the wine is deep, medium-bodied and layered with flavours of cherry and cranberry, gentle tannins and excellent length and fruit purity.
Chard Farm River Run Pinot Noir 2016, $39.99
If you ever get to visit Central Otago (near Queenstown in NZ), this winery is a must visit - if only to say you have survived the road in! The “road” is a steep goats track, with no fence, next to the freezing Arrow River. I don’t know how they get all the wine out!
It is also a supremely beautiful place and the wine is always worth the trip.
The 2016 Pinot is classic Central Otago - packed full of red cherry and raspberry fruit, with dark clove spice, fine tannins, and a long balanced finish.
Over $50
Penfolds Bin 23 Pinot Noir 2017, ON SPECIAL $49.99
Sourced entirely from the Adelaide Hills, this Pinot shows a lovely balance of sweet fruit and savoury earthiness. There are notes of dried thyme and cedar as well. Elegant and refined, with fine grained mineral edged tannins.
A well made example of high altitude (600m +) Pinot Noir from the Penfolds stable.
Eldridge Estate Pinot Noir 2016, $79.99
The team at Eldridge Estate in the Mornington Peninsula is very focussed on producing beautiful expressions of mostly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grown on the rich volcanic soils of the region.
The 2016 Pinot Noir is right on point and shows pretty red fruits, red cherry with a little cranberry. The palate has beautiful balance & length. It begins with bright red cherry with a hint of raspberry on the finish.
The Mornington Peninsula is just over one hour from Melbourne and one of Victoria’s favourite weekend playgrounds. Eldridge Estate is a great place to visit (amazing views) and they also allow you to BYO cheeseboard & nibbles.
Felton Road Cornish Point Pinot Noir 2017, $99.99
One of the original superstars of Central Otago in New Zealand’s South Island, Felton Road has kept its position over the years as one of NZ’s most sought after Pinot Noirs.
The Cornish Point Pinot is often the most vibrant and fruit packed of their releases with lush rounded tannins.
The vineyard itself is surrounded by water, which helps protect from frost allowing slow, consistent ripening and resulting in increased intensity of flavour.