8 New Wines for Pinot Noir Lovers To Try
Tired of lurching for the Pinot Noir? It might be time to expand your wine horizons with eight of these juicy reds.
Related articles
Most red wine lovers start out the same way. They begin their love affair by admiring with the muscular structure of a Cabernet Sauvignon, then slowly they welcome the bright fruit of a spicy, Shiraz. Over time, as their tastes grow and change they inevitably mature into wine aficionados drawn to more the subtle qualities of Pinot Noir.
This grape’s irresistible combination of cherry, white pepper, tobacco and scents of game, or earth make it a world class wine. So much so, that many find high-end, luxury examples of Pinot Noir downright addictive.
Slowly and surely, sophisticates come to appreciate the more subtle fruit on these wines. Pinot-philes begin long for the nuance of white pepper, mushroom and forest floor that can be found in its complex profile. From there imbibers develop a deeper interest in the long-ageing quality of Pinot Noir, and learn respect for the mysteries of its mouth-feel. There’s often a stone-like or graphite quality to Pinot’s silky tannins and something unspeakably feminine.
But after you’re hooked on Pinot Noir, where to next? Whither shall you wander? If you have already splurged on a case of Felton Road form Central Otago or Russian River from the Napa for your cellar, or indulged in some fine Burgundy to age, you might be ready for something new.
After all there’s something refreshing about branching out and finding new pastures to play in. So to capture the same cherry bomb fruit, ethereal lightness, and suppleness of your favourite Curly Flat, or Bass Phillip, read ahead for 8 new wine suggestions that will each appeal to a dedicated Pinot Noir-lover. But be warned, once you stray, there may be, no turning back.
2020 Munjabeel VA Nerello Mascalese 2020
If you love good French Burgundy, try this instead. Frank Cornelissen is an Austrian winemaker who makes wine in the North Valley on Etna, Sicily. Etna’s primary varietal Nerello Mascalese is marvellous in the hands of this maker who really looks to the volcanic soil here to deliver wines of incredible complexity and distinction. Nerello Mascalese sits somewhere a Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo; Think complex, light bodied, with lush fruit and expression of terroir. Munjebeel; around $290; Sometimes Always
2012 Vietti ‘Barolo’ Villero
If you haven’t started drinking Nebbiolo, it’s the natural next step on from excellent Pinot Noir. On this wine your can find dried cherries, tar and pomegranate, with notes of rose petals, citrus and a few floral or lilac-like undertones. Still this isn’t all perfumed fruit on display, it has great structure, chunky tannins and a tobacco-accented finish. 2012 Vietti Barolo Villero; $950 Prince Wine Store
Graci Etna Roso
Graci’s Etna Rosso is a go-to, never fail wine for social occasions. Like Pinot Noir it is medium bodied and is also made from the delicious Italian variety Nerello Mascalese. Like all Sicilian wines it goes terrifically well with the Mediterranean foods we all the time like pasta, pizza and cheese. It comes from grapes grown on the sandy volcanic soils in Passopisciaro, which is also —surprise, surprise— found on the Northside of Etna in Sicily. This wine has a lovely fruit profile full of red fruits and herbs, but it is also very well-structured and offers a persistent finish. Hold back the Pinot Noir for once and treat your guests to some Sicilian wine. Around $50; Vintagecellars
Vietti Langhe Nebbiolo Langha Nebbiolo Perbacco
Popping over to someone’s place for dinner? Need a barbecue wine that will impress? Try this Langhe Nebbiolo which is great with lamb, T-bones, Tomahawks and more subtle vegetable dishes even like char-grilled vegetables or ratatouille. This premium maker in Castiglione Falletto offers 100% Nebbiolo of great consistency. It has a lifted perfume, and a really light -that belies its delightful complexity. It’s essentially a Barolo without the eye watering price-tag. You’ll find something familiar in the generous dark-fruits with spice and leather coupled with a really great structure. Around $60-70; Best Cellars
Mammolo by Koerner
If you love Australian red but don’t fancy the big fruity, rich, and oak driven styles of shiraz and cabernet anymore it might be time to catch up on the output of modern wine makers like Koerner in the Clare Valley. This wine, like Pinot Noir can be drunk on its own but is also a perfect accompaniment to food. Rarely seen as a single variety, Mammolo Sciacarello is another excellent Italian grape that can stretch in all directions. The flavour profile is light, bright, aromatic and spicy but also super juicy. This sells out quickly so make a note to register for indent next time they make it. Around $50; Koerner
2022 Frank Cornelissen Susucaru Rosato
If you love a light, ethereal Pinot Noir—perfect for drinking by itself with friends before dinner — then try this light red, instead of a Pinot Noir. This is really great Italian rosato once again made from the Italian variety Nerello Mascalese. It’s very fresh and elegant, showing the fragrance of young fruit with some delicious minerality also. It’s totally organic and made using old-style artisanal methods, so it can taste a little bit like it’s one third a natural wine. It comes from old vines cultivated on terrific volcanic soils from different parts of Etna. This soil really affects the tannins making them very fine and soft. Think of a complex wine like Pinot Noir but then make it very light and juicy. Around $60; MrWest.com.au
2022 Cati Ribot ‘Field Blend’ Cambuix
If you love easy drinking, lighter bodied Pinot Noir then this this Spanish wine is a surprising ‘field blend’ that you will want to a case of nab for summer. It’s a blend of red and white grapes that are native to Mallorca and it’s a high quality, highly smash-able, table wine that strangely comes in a one litre bottle. Created by female Spanish wine maker Cati Ribot it will quickly become your go-to wine for parties, long dinners and summer BBQs on the terrace. It’s very light, fresh, fruity and clean created from a sexy melange of Spanish grapes you’ve never heard of like Escursac, Callet, Callet Negrella, Esperó de Gall, Gorgollassa and Mantonegro. Around $65; PNV Merchants
2022 Jane Eyre Fleurie
If you love Pinot Noir, then a natural next step is Gamay. Gamay is the brilliant drink now grape that forms world famous Beaujolais. Fleurie is a sub region of Beaujolais, and it’s really a short hand way of describing a style that’s light fruity and fresh. This 2022 Jane Eyre Fleurie is an intoxicating mix of crimson and purple in the glass, with a light and fresh front palate that has more substantial fruit hiding behind a big bouquet of strawberries. Think white pepper layered over cherry with a good sound structure. Around $67; Fiveways Cellars
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can Pinot Noir age?
The Grands Crus Pinot Noir made from the Côte d’Or, in the heartland of Burgundy produce arguable some of the best wine in the world. These wines have made Pinot Noir a wine makers Holy Gail, a template for brilliance, long ageing, mouthfeel and magnificent fruit.
What is Pinot Noir know for?
Pinot Noir is widely known as the fashionable, cool climate varietal made famous by its expression in the region of Burgundy in France. Pinot Noir is known for being thin-skinned and difficult to grow. It impresses most when farmed in low yields and at best can reveal a textured, interesting and sexy expression of both the fruit and terroir. However when poorly farmed from the wrong regions it results in vapid, flabby wines with little structure and not fruit definition. This is why it pays never to drink low cost Pinot Noir. Look for cool climate expressions with a high price point.
Why is Pinot Noir more expensive than other varietals?
Pinot Noir is always more expensive than other single varietals because it is notoriously fickle and difficult to cultivate. Being a very thin-skinned grape, it is sensitive to both winter frost, botrytis, bunch rot, and to downy and powdery mildew that occurs in wet growing seasons.In Australia Pinot Noir is the fourth largest red variety, but accounts for less than 3 per cent of the national crush due to tricky growing. It produces the best results in temperate climates, when yields are kept very low and in Australia it does best in cool climate regions where vineyards benefit from the impact of maritime breezes or higher altitude.
What are Australia’s best regions for Pinot Noir?
Tasmania, Yarra Valley and the Adelaide Hills are the best places to source Pinot Noir. The Central Otago and Martinborough in New Zealand also make excellent Pinot Noir.
What are the most popular styles using Pinot Noir?
The best part of Pinot Noir is it transparent nature. It has an ability to communicate terroir, or the subtle differences in the grape-growing environment. Even close adjacent plots in a vineyard may show the different impacts of a micro climate. For example wines grown in Les Amoureuses vineyard in the village of Chambolle, taste distinct from the majestic Le Musigny next door. This expression also extends to how Pinot Noir is used as one off the main grapes in Champagne where roughly a third of the region is planted to Pinot Noir.
Subscribe to the Newsletter
Recommended for you
White Lotus-ing? How Hit Films and TV Shows Are Inspiring Elite Travelers to ‘Set-Jet’ Across the Globe
It’s not just The White Lotus. Prestige TV and blockbuster films set in far-flung destinations are driving bookings like never before.
October 2, 2024
Hiroshi Sugimoto Time Machine
Contemplate Eternity at Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art until 27 October