Category Archives: Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir, Fort Berens, Lillooet, BC VQA, 2012, 13.5% abv, C$26

How is this possible?  A Canadian winery poised at 50.5 degrees north latitude – just outside the usually accepted outermost limits of vinifera grape growing. Yet, there Fort Berens lies, thumbing its nose at the non-believers, and producing quality Pinot … Continue reading

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Champagne Marie Courtin, Résonance, Extra Brut, Pinot Noir, Polisot, Aube, France, 12% abv, disgorged May 2013, C$90

Champagne – bubbles, blended parcels of wines, large famous luxury brand companies.  Right?  Well, it has been that way for a long time for the internationally marketed mega brands. There has, however, been a resurgence in the grower Champagne market that has come … Continue reading

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Foxtrot, Pinot Noir, Foxtrot Vineyard, Naramata Bench, Okanagan VQA, BC, 2010, 13.6% abv, C$50

Pristine, precise, pleasureable – this is not your average Okanagan creation. Kudos to winemaking husband and wife team, Gustav Allander and Nadine Allander for this thoughtful Pinot Noir – one of several outstanding versions created since Foxtrot’s inception in 2003. … Continue reading

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Tantalus, Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley VQA, Kelowna, BC, 2010, 13.4% abv

Christmas is fast approaching and I always love to have a Pinot alongside the turkey and cranberry sauce.  Gamay wines, Pinot Noirs and even Cab Francs go swell with holiday bird.  They’re light enough and the tannins are subtle to … Continue reading

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Maysara, Pinot Noir, Delara, Momtazi Vineyard, McMinnville AVA, Oregon, US, 2006, 13.9% abv

Small and family-owned? Check.  Belief in the importance of terroir? Check.  Biodynamic certified?  Check.  Humble, friendly and welcoming? Check, check, check. When we visited this winery in 2013 because we found it mentioned in a Jancis Robinson footnote, Hanna Momtazi and … Continue reading

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De Ponte Cellars, Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon, 2009, 14.1% abv

Friends, Americans, neighbours to the south, what are you going to drink with your Thanksgiving turkey? Yes, you can drink red wine with this meal, you really can.  There are many options to choose from.  Pinot from Oregon’s Willamette Valley … Continue reading

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Pinot Noir, Seven Terraces, Rossendale Winery, Canterbury, New Zealand, 2012, 13% abv, C$27

Wine is about people and community – it’s usually best enjoyed with others and it always has a story. This Pinot Noir is no exception to that general rule.  From New Zealand’s South Island just 13 km south of Christchurch, it’s made … Continue reading

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Pinot Noir, Proposal Bloc, J Wrigley Vineyards, McMinnville AVA, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA, 2012, 14% abv

Little brother Allan purchased this across the border in Bellingham, WA where the owner of the winery and winemaker, John Wrigley, was doing a tasting. I have a soft spot for McMinnville having visited several wineries there in August, 2013.  There … Continue reading

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Villa Maria, Pinot Noir, Private Bin, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2011, C$22

This is wine.  It’s correct and it’s doing its thing, but there isn’t anything about it that makes you sit up and take notice, write poetry or break into song. In fact, the most exciting thing about this wine is … Continue reading

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Pinot Noir, Ken Wright Cellars, Savoya Vineyard, Yamhill-Carlton District AVA, Willamette Valley, Oregon, 2008, 13.5% abv, C$85.00

Forgive me, as I must begin this with a small rant. My first thought regarding this bottle was ‘Oh, this is going to be good.’ And I’m pleased to say I wasn’t disappointed.  But my second thought followed quickly on … Continue reading

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