Top 32 Pinot Noirs of 2023

DE BORTOLI RIORRET THE ABBEY PINOT NOIR

• Producer: De Bortoli Wines
• Region: Yarra Valley
• Country: Australia
• Vintage: 2020
• Grape varieties: 100% Pinot Noir
• ABV: 13%
• Residual sugar: 0.2g/l
• Medal: Gold
• Approx. retail price: £24

This pale, light, elegant Pinot from Australia’s Yarra Valley features flavours of raspberry and chocolate with stewed cherry and blood orange, which together make for an enjoyable and refreshing glass of red. (Patrick Schmitt MW)

SANCERRE À NICOLAS, DOMAINE PASCAL ET NICOLAS REVERDY

• Producer: Domaine Pascal et Nicolas Reverdy
• Region: Loire
• Country: France
• Vintage: 2020
• Grape varieties: 100% Pinot Noir
• ABV: 15%
• Residual sugar: 2.5g/l
• Medal: Gold
• Approx. retail price: £23

A fine example of Loire Valley Pinot, this Sancerre rouge has layers of red fruit, from fleshy cherry to firmer cranberry, along with notes of chocolate and cigar box, a touch of gunsmoke and then a crisp apple character too, which ensures it has a refreshing finish. (Patrick Schmitt MW)

MORANDÉ BLACK SERIES PINOT NOIR

• Producer: Viña Morandé
• Region: Malleco Valley
• Country: Chile
• Vintage: 2021
• Grape varieties: 100% Pinot Noir
• ABV: 13.5%
• Residual sugar: 2.09g/l
• Medal: Gold
• Approx. retail price: £29

A lovely example of Chilean Pinot Noir, and a fine complement to Morandé’s excellent Black Series Chardonnay, this delicate red has layers of flavour, and plenty of refreshing characters too. Mixed with the ripe strawberry and tomato concentrate are notes of nettle and white pepper, along with a touch of cranberry on the finish. While there is a core of fleshy ripe fruit, there’s a dry, finely tannic edge that mixes with a fresh acidity to make this an elegant glass of red. (Patrick Schmitt MW)

DOMAINE FRANÇOIS CROCHET, RÉSERVE DE MARCIGOUÉ SANCERRE

• Producer: Domaine François Crochet
• Region: Loire
• Country: France
• Vintage: 2020
• Grape varieties: 100% Pinot Noir
• ABV: 14%
• Residual sugar: 2.5g/l
• Medal: Gold
• Approx. retail price: £43

A refined and delicate style of Pinot, with a taut, fresh structure, that suggests this wine is built to last. Flavour wise there’s plenty of red berry fruit, some dark cherry too, along with cranberry and cedar, and a touch of matchstick. Good now, but with the potential to evolve greater complexity and softness with a bit more time in bottle. (Patrick Schmitt MW)

JOEL GOTT PINOT NOIR

• Producer: Joel Gott Wines
• Region: Oregon & Willamette Valley
• Country: USA
• Vintage: 2021
• Grape varieties: 100% Pinot Noir
• ABV: 13.9%
• Residual sugar: 0.5g/l
• Medal: Gold
• Approx. retail price: £17

This, a consistent Gold medallist in the Masters competition, is a remarkable find. It has all the hallmark characters of fine Oregonian Pinot, yet it retails for under £20 – when a wine like this routinely costs twice that amount. This first-rate Pinot has a delicate mouthfeel, with tight tannins, and flavours of black cherry and raspberry, along with notes of dark chocolate and cedar from barriques. (Patrick Schmitt MW)

DOMAINE VACHERON, BELLE DAME SANCERRE

• Producer: Domaine Vacheron
• Region: Loire
• Country: France
• Vintage: 2020
• Grape varieties: 100% Pinot Noir
• ABV: 14.5%
• Residual sugar: 2g/l
• Medal: Gold
• Approx. retail price: £47

The benchmark producer of Sancerre rouge, Domaine Vacheron impressed for its full but fine Pinot from a strong vintage. There’s fleshy cherry fruit, with notes of rose petal, white pepper, and a touch of nettle, married to creamy vanilla and toast from the used oak employed in the maturation process. In short, this is an elegant but ripe style of Pinot, with the structure to age and develop greater complexity with more time in bottle. (Patrick Schmitt MW)

PINO ARBA PINOT NOIR RESERVE 2014

• Producer: Arba Wine
• Region: Almaty Region
• Country: Kazakhstan
• Vintage: 2014
• Grape varieties: 100% Pinot Noir
• ABV: 15%
• Residual sugar: 1g/l
• Medal: Gold
• Approx. retail price: £40

One of the benefits of blind tasting is discovering surprises such as this: a fine, mature Pinot Noir from Kazakhstan. Hailing from the high-altitude organic vines of Arba Wine in Almaty, a region surrounded by the Tian Shan mountains, this Pinot wowed for its mix of juicy cherry and toasty oak aromatics, as well as flavours of roasted tomato, stewed berries, fallen leaves, creamy coffee, and chocolate, with a finish featuring plenty of fine dry tannins. (Patrick Schmitt MW)

SPY VALLEY WINES, ENVOY OUTPOST

• Producer: Spy Valley Wines
• Region: Marlborough
• Country: New Zealand
• Grape variety: 100% Pinot Noir
• ABV: 13.5%
• Vintage: 2016
• Medal: Gold
• Approx. retail price: £24.99

In the depths of the Southern Valleys (Aotearoa), Spy Valley Wines in Waihopai Valley shares its site with an international satellite station. Whether or not a ‘spy station’ influences the Spy Valley vineyards, the wines are delicious. This pristine Pinot Noir exhibits a mid-ruby colour and aromatics of vibrant red berries enhanced by smoky oak and vanilla buttercream notes. Mid-weight, the palate is just dry and juicy, with the flavours framed by crisp acidity and supple tannins. This wine is a good pairing for rabbit Milanese-style (mustard-onion-crème fraiche sauce) or tartiflette from the French Alps. (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)

Signos de Origen Pinot Noir

• Producer : Emiliana Organic Vineyards
• Region: Aconcagua
• Country: Chile
• Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
• ABV: 13.5%
• Vintage: 2021
• Closure: Cork
• Approximate retail price: £20
• Medal: Gold

Pretty ruby colour, with very attractive nose of ripe cherries, raspberries and blueberries, with hints of hazelnut, nutmeg and some meaty undertones. In the mouth it has bright acidity, supple tannins and a fresh and rounded mid-palate. It shows elegance on the finish, with moderate length, and at this price is a bargain, especially for Pinot Noir.  Would be a lovely wine for a summer barbecue, especially grilled vegetable kebabs. (Siobhan Turner MW)

Last Shepherd Pinot Noir

• Producer: The Last Shepherd
• Region: Central Otago
• Country: New Zealand
• Grape Variety; Pinot Noir
• ABV: 13.5%
• Vintage: 2021
• Closure: Screw Cap
• Approximate retail price: £17
• Medal: Gold

Pale ruby hue, with appealing aromas of ripe cherries overlaying a touch of vanilla and hazelnut.  On the palate it has fresh bright acidity and plush finely knit tannins, and just a hint of sweetness on the finish.  Juicy, light style, this is a relatively simple but hugely enjoyable wine in a light style with unexpected elegance.  It would be perfect slightly chilled at a summer party. (Siobhan Turner MW)

Cambria Julia’s Vineyard Pinot Noir

• Producer: Cambria Estate Winery
• Region: Santa Maria Valley
• Country: USA
• Grape Variety; Pinot Noir
• ABV:  14.1%
• Vintage: 2021
• Closure: Cork
• Approximate retail price: £26
• Medal: Gold

Complete and compelling raspberry, blackberry and blueberry on the nose, ripe and bright with a whaft of black cherries and a touch of meatiness underneath.  Exotic clove and cinnamon aromas complement and deepen the juicy fruit.  The palate is very elegant, with fresh acidity and fine-grained tannins, building to a long, accomplished finish with just a hint of sweetness.  Lovely with a honey-glazed ham or barbecue pork ribs. (Siobhan Turner MW)

De Bortoli Riorret Lusatia Park Pinot Noir 

• Producer: De Bortoli Wines Pty Ltd
• Region: Yarra Valley
• Country: Australia
• Grape Variety; Pinot Noir
• ABV: 13.7%
• Vintage: 2020
• Closure: Screwcap
• Approximate retail price: £23
• Medal: Gold

Medium ruby colour.  Bright fresh cherry and raspberries on the nose, with a hint of redcurrant and dark chocolate underneath.  The palate shows vibrant acid and elegant, well-integrated oak.  The finish is long, moderately complex, and with silky tannins and a truly enjoyable freshness.  Beautiful now, but will improve yet further with five to eight years cellaring.  Would be a perfect match for magret de canard, or, even better, Peking Duck. (Siobhan Turner MW)

Bream Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir

• Producer: Bream Creek Vineyard
• Region: Tasmania
• Country: Australia
• Grape Variety; Pinot Noir
• ABV: NA
• Vintage: 2022
• Closure: Screwcap
• Approximate retail price: £26
• Medal: Gold

The second high medallist for this accomplished producer, made in a much simpler but no less enjoyable style to the Master-winning Reserve.  It has juicy sweet cherries on the nose, with a touch of cherry blossom and a hint of carbonic maceration.  It is juicy and berry-led, with enticing acidity, and a plush finish.  Not at all complex, but extremely enjoyable.  A wine for summer quaffing with friends. (Siobhan Turner MW)

Atelier Pinot Noir

• Producer: Share a Splash Wines
• Region: Russian River
• Country: USA
• Grape Variety; Pinot Noir
• ABV: 14.1%
• Vintage: 2021
• Closure: Cork
• Approximate retail price: £50
• Medal: Gold

Moderately deep ruby colour.  The nose is generous, with dark plum, morello cherries and garrigue herbs, with a touch of mocha and cinnamon and nutmeg spice from the oak.  On the palate the oak and alcohol are still noticeable, betraying its youth, but there is great depth and fine-grained tannins with a rich mid-palate and a long finish.  This will benefit from at least five years more in bottle, but is nonetheless enjoyable now, especially paired with a simply grilled well-aged ribeye steak and a rocket and parmesan salad dressed with good olive oil and balsamic vinegar. (Siobhan Turner MW)

La Interna Pinot Noir Finca Las Piedras, Parcela 12

• Producer : Bemberg Estate Wines
• Region: Valle de Uco
• Country: Argentina
• Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
• ABV: 13.8%
• Vintage: 2017
• Closure: Cork
• Approximate retail price: 375
• Medal: Gold

Attractive nose of cherries, roses and sweet vanilla and hazelnut, with touches of citrus zest and garrigue herbs.  High, quite linear acidity and a complex palate with well-integrated yet firm tannins leading to a long and textured finish.  Surprisingly youthful on both nose and palate, and although delicious now will benefit from a further three or more years in bottle.  This is a beautiful wine and will be very flexible in its food-pairings, but I’d be tempted to try it with Alastair Little’s Saltimbocca of Red Mullet. (Siobhan Turner MW)

Pinot Noir de Vex Clos de la Couta AOC

• Producer : Domaine Jean-René Gemanier
• Region : Valais
• Country: Switzerland
• Grape Variety; Pinot Noir
• ABV: 12.8%
• Vintage: 2020
• Closure: Cork
• Approximate retail price: £86
• Medal: Gold

Complex nose with aromas of cherry, blackberry, and clove with hints of alpine herbs.  Bright acidity speaks to its mountain heritage, lifting the dark fruit and firm yet supple tannins.  Moderate alcohol is very welcome, and together with the freshness marks this as very much a food wine.  Chicken pan fried with a tarragon sauce would be just perfect with this elegant wine, as would simply roasted salmon served with lemon and sorrel. (Siobhan Turner MW)

MAISON ALBERT SOUNIT MERCUREY 1ER CRU CLOS DES MONTAIGUS

• Producer: Maison Albert Sounit
• Region: Bourgogne
• Country: France
• Grape variety: 100% Pinot Noir
• ABV: 13.5%
• Vintage: 2020
• Medal: Gold
• Approx. retail price: £65

Established in Rully (Côte Chalonnaise) by Albert Sounit in 1945, the Maison has been Danish-owned since 1993. The property includes 16 hectares of vines, and the producer buys grapes from a further 10ha to produce still and sparkling wines. This 1er Cru Montaigus comes from 1.6ha of vines on stony limestone-clay soils with a southeast exposure. Quite deep ruby in colour, the wine has loganberry, black plum and wild strawberry fruit with toasty oak overlay. The full-bodied palate is sweet-fruited with the fruit and oak flavours nicely balanced by fresh acidity and dense tannins. The mouthwatering finish suggests that this is a wine for a rich dish such as game with wild rice. (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)

THE PRISONER WINE COMPANY PINOT NOIR

• Producer: The Prisoner Wine Company
• Region: California
• Country: USA
• Grape variety: 100% Pinot Noir
• ABV: 14.5%
• Vintage: 2021
• Medal: Gold
• Approx. retail price: £44.99

The flagship label was inspired by 19 th -century Spanish artist Francisco Goya’s etching Le Petit Prisonnier. Sourcing grapes throughout Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, and elsewhere in California, the company produces an excellent range of wines. This wine, youthful, with a deep purple-ruby colour, shows jammy black and red berry fruits and vanilla-cream oak. The palate is well-balanced, with brisk acidity and linen-textured tannins supporting the bright flavours and high alcohol. An excellent match for duck with wild cherries. (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)

TAMAR RIDGE RESEARCH SERIES PINOT NOIR

• Producer: Tamar Ridge
• Region: Tasmania
• Country: Australia
• Grape variety: 100% Pinot Noir
• ABV: 13%
• Vintage: 2021
• Medal: Gold
• Approx. retail price: £35

Part of the Brown Family Wine Group, Tamar Ridge is located near Launceston in northern Tasmania, with a cool climate and yellow clay and quartz sands that are perfect for growing Pinot Noir. Kayena and Rosevears Vineyards are the sources for this elegant wine. With a mid-ruby hue, the wine shows red berry fruits and charred-wood notes. Quite linear, with crisp acidity and lean tannins, this medium-bodied wine has lovely flavour definition and length. Lingering and savoury on the finish, the wine would pair well with pork chops in apricots and cream, or with wild mushrooms on tagliatelle. (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)

AKARUA, THE SIREN

NTH DEGREE PINOT NOIR

• Producer: Wente Vineyards
• Region: Livermore Valley
• Country: USA
• Vintage: 2019
• Grape varieties: 100% Pinot Noir
• ABV: 14.4%
• Residual sugar: 0.4g/l
• Medal: Gold
• Approx. retail price: £95

An outstanding Pinot Noir from the Livermore Valley – California’s oldest wine region – that represents the best expression possible from the Wente Vineyards estate. Rich in pure, ripe, black cherry fruit, with some fresh blueberry, then a touch of ripe tomato married to indulgent flavours from fine oak barriques, from cocoa powder and vanilla. Texturally, this wine starts with plenty of succulent fruit, before finishing with fine dry tannin and some gently refreshing, mouth-watering acidity. (Patrick Schmitt MW)

Bream Creek Vineyard Reserve Pinot Noir

• Producer: Bream Creek
• Region: Tasmania
• Country: Australia
• Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
• ABV: NA
• Vintage: 2021
• Closure: Screwcap
• Medal: Master
• Approximate retail price: £40

The first of two high medallists from this excellent producer. Deep cherry colour, with complex aromas of blackberry and plum, with an almost velvety character to the nose.  It had a hint of vanilla oak spice, perfectly integrated with the fruit elements and just a touch of sous bois.  In the mouth it was deep and complex, with a bright acidity, elegant tannins, beautiful integration and long and complex finish.  I took the remains of this bottle home with me to share over dinner – for me it was the wine of the day.  It went beautifully with our Pasta alla Norma, but might more conventionally be paired with a roast pork or a tuna dish with soy glaze. (Siobhan Turner MW)

Insólito Pinot Noir

• Producer: Bodega Puerta del Abra
• Region: IG Balcarce
• Country: Argentina
• Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
• ABV: 12.2%
• Vintage: 2020
• Closure: Cork
• Medal: Master
• Approximate retail price: £84

A stunning wine, with a complex and meaty nose, hints of cherry and a touch of exotic sandalwood given depth by sous bois elements and spicy oak. In the mouth it has fresh and precise acidity, supple and elegant tannins, and a full mid-palate with an almost unctuous finish on the mouthfeel. Overall, this was delicious and very more-ish. Meaty enough to stand up to game dishes, but with the freshness that I’d be tempted to pair with a pan fried Pacific salmon, finished with a touch of soy and ginger. Wonderful now, but has the capacity to age beautifully for at least five years. (Siobhan Turner MW)

MARIMAR ESTATE LA MASIA PINOT NOIR

• Producer: Marimar Estate Vineyards & Winery
• Region: Russian River Valley
• Country: USA
• Vintage: 2019,
• Grape varieties: 100% Pinot Noir
• ABV: 14%,
• Residual sugar: 0.3g/l
• Medal: Master
• Approx. retail price: £50

This Master-winner from Marimar Estate features top Russian River fruit to create a class-leading Pinot, with a lovely light mouthfeel, but plenty of sweet red berry fruit. Mingling with cherry and raspberry is milk chocolate and blood orange, giving both a creamy and zesty character to this wonderful, indulgent and refreshing red. (Patrick Schmitt MW)

PRIMERA PINOT NOIR

• Producer: Tolosa Winery
• Region: Edna Valley
• Country: USA
• Vintage: 2019
• Grape varieties: 100% Pinot Noir,
• ABV: 13.8%
• Residual sugar: 0.5g/l
• Medal: Master
• Approx. retail price: £122

Our top-scoring wine of the competition came from California’s Edna Valley, where Tolosa crafts this outstanding Pinot using the best barrels from its winery. Called Primera, and made in small quantities, it’s expensive, but just so good. Mingling with notes of charred bread and creamy vanilla are flavours of crushed strawberry and cherry compote, along with hints of rose petal and matchstick, which seem to persist on the dry, finely tannic and mouth-watering finish. (Patrick Schmitt MW)