Autumn is the perfect time to cosy up with a bottle of pinot noir. This wine is known for its smooth and earthy flavours, which pair perfectly with autumnal dishes and cooler weather.
If you’re looking for the best pinot noir to enjoy this autumn, look no further than this list. We’ve compiled a selection of our favourite bottles, all of which are sure to please even the most discerning palate.
Â
So, without further ado, here are the ten best pinot noirs for autumn 2022:
What is pinot noir?
Pinot noir is a red wine grape that is grown in cooler climates. The name comes from the French words for “pine” and “black”, which refers to the colour of the grapes.
Â
Pinot noir wines are typically light-bodied and have flavours of cherries, strawberries, and earth. These wines are versatile and pair well with a variety of dishes.
Â
Some of the more famous pinot noir wines come from the Burgundy region of France. However, you can find excellent examples from all over the world, including New Zealand, Chile, and the United States.
Â
WHY IS PINOT NOIR SO POPULAR?
Pinot noir wines are popular because they offer a good balance of fruit and acidity. They are also relatively light-bodied, which makes them easy to drink. In addition, pinot noir wines pair well with a variety of foods.
Â
If you’re looking for a red wine to enjoy this autumn, consider one of these ten delicious pinot noirs.
Evenstad Reserve Pinot Noir
This Oregon pinot noir has aromas of black cherry, baking spice, and dark chocolate. The palate is full of flavours of ripe berries, currant, and mocha. It’s a well-balanced wine with a long finish.
Â
Domaine Serene is a family-owned winery located in the Willamette Valley. The Evenstad Reserve is their flagship wine, and it’s a blend of grapes from their best vineyards. This pinot noir is a great example of Oregon winemaking and pairs well with grilled meats and vegetables.
Â
The Evenstad Reserve Pinot Noir is a great choice for drinking now or cellaring for a few years.
Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
Given a 95 rating by Robert Parker, this is a delicious example of Santa Barbara County pinot noir. The Kosta Browne winery is known for its top-notch pinot noirs, and this one does not disappoint.
Â
Aromas of dark fruits, earth, and spice lead to flavours of blackberry, plum, and espresso on the palate. The wine has firm tannins and good acidity, making it a great choice for food pairing. Try it with roasted chicken or a hearty stew.
2018 RAEN Pinot Noir Sea Field Vineyard Fort Ross-Seaview
A favourite of Michelin star restaurants, this pinot noir from the Sea Field Vineyard in Fort Ross-Seaview is a real treat.
Â
Tucked away in a remote corner of Sonoma County, the Sea Field Vineyard is one of the most picturesque and secluded vineyards in California. The cool, maritime climate produces grapes with intense flavour and aromatics.
Â
The 2018 RAEN Pinot Noir Sea Field Vineyard Fort Ross-Seaview is a beautiful expression of this unique terroir. The nose is explosive, with aromas of dark cherry, baking spices, and dried herbs. The palate is medium-bodied and elegantly structured, with flavours of blackberry, and plum.
Â
It’s well-balanced with good acidity and firm tannins. This pinot noir is a great choice for food pairing, especially with grilled meats or roasted vegetables.
Â
This wine could easily be mistaken for a grand cru Burgundy. It’s that good. If you can find it, snap it up. You won’t be disappointed.
2017 Black Kite Pinot Noir Kite’s Rest Anderson Valley
Black Kite is one of the top producers of pinot noir in California, and The Kite’s Rest vineyard is one of the most sought-after sites in the Anderson Valley. The 2017 vintage was an exceptional year for pinot noir in this region, and this wine is a beautiful expression of that.
Â
This particular bottle is from their Kite’s Rest vineyard, which is located in the Anderson Valley. The nose is full of dark fruit aromas, with a touch of baking spices.
Â
The palate is medium-bodied and well-structured, with flavours of blackberry, cherry, and a hint of oak. The finish is long and lingering with soft tannins. This is a beautifully balanced wine that will age gracefully.
Greywacke Pinot Noir
The Greywacke Pinot Noir is a stunning wine from New Zealand. While Marlborough might be more famous for sauvignon blanc, the climate in Marlborough is actually quite conducive to growing pinot noir.
Â
The nose on this wine is full of dark fruit and spice, with a hint of smokiness. The palate is medium-bodied and well-balanced, with flavours of blackberry, plum, and spice. The finish is long and lingering with soft tannins. This is an absolutely stunning wine that will age gracefully.
Antica Terra Coriolis Pinot Noir
Antica Terra is one of the top producers of pinot noir in Oregon. The Coriolis Pinot Noir is a blend of fruit from some of the best sites in the Willamette Valley.
Â
The subtlety and nuance in this wine are simply remarkable. The nose is full of delicate floral aromas and red fruits. The palate is light-bodied and elegant, with beautiful acidity and flavours of strawberry, raspberry, and spice. The finish is long and refreshing.
Twomey Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
The Anderson Valley is one of the top regions for pinot noir in California. The Twomey Pinot Noir is a blend of fruit from several different vineyards in the valley.
Â
This wine has an amazing nose, with aromas of dark fruits, spice, and earth. The palate is medium-bodied and very well balanced, with flavours of blackberry, cherry, and chocolate. The finish is long and lingering and pairs well with red meats.
Dragonette Cellars Pinot Noir
The Dragonette Cellars Pinot Noir is a single-vineyard wine from the Sta. Rita Hills region of California. The vineyard is located on a west-facing slope and benefits from cool ocean breezes.
Â
This is a stunning wine that shows the potential of Pinot Noir from the Sta. Rita Hills region. It has the beautiful aromas of dark fruits, spices, and chocolate. The palate is medium to full-bodied and very well balanced, with flavours of blackberry, cherry, and chocolate. The finish is long and lingering.
Burn Cottage Pinot Noir
This New Zealand Pinot Noir comes from the Central Otago region, which is known for its high-quality wines. The Burn Cottage vineyard is located on a south-facing slope and benefits from a long growing season.
Â
The Burn Cottage Pinot Noir has the beautiful aromas of dark fruits and spices. The palate is medium to full-bodied and very well balanced. The flavours of blackberry, cherry and chocolate are accompanied by a long, lingering finish.
Three Sticks Gap’s Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir
Three Sticks Gap’s Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir is a single-vineyard wine from the Sonoma Coast. The vineyard is situated on a ridge top with cool ocean breezes and morning fog, which helps to create an ideal environment for growing pinot noir grapes.
Â
The Three Sticks Gap’s Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir has aromas of dark fruits and spices, with a palate that is medium to full-bodied and well balanced. The flavours of blackberry, cherry and chocolate are accompanied by a long, lingering finish.
Excellent autumnal pinot noirs
So there you have it, our top ten picks for the best pinot noirs to enjoy this autumn. We hope you find a few new favourites to add to your list!