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Vinous98 points
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Robert Parker's95 points
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Decanter93 points
- Variety Pinot Noir
- Vintage 2006
- Brand Billecart Salmon
- Cellaring Drink Now
- Wine Type Sparkling
- Alcohol Percentage 13.5% Alcohol
Billecart-Salmon Le Clos Saint-Hilaire 2006"Billecart-Salmon Le Clos Saint-Hilaire 2006 is an exceptional champagne that ..."$1,199.00 -
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James Suckling92 points
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Robert Parker's91 points
- Variety Pinot Noir
- Vintage NV
- Brand Coessens Larfillier
- Cellaring Ready, but will Keep
- Wine Type Sparkling
- Alcohol Percentage 12.5% Alcohol
Champagne Coessens Largillier Blanc de Noirs NV"All of Coessens's champagnes come from the lieu-dit of Largillier. All are ma..."$139.00 -
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Robert Parker's94 points
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James Suckling92 points
- Variety Pinot Noir
- Vintage NV
- Brand Coessens Larfillier
- Cellaring Ready, but will Keep
- Wine Type Sparkling
- Alcohol Percentage 12.5% Alcohol
Champagne Coessens Largillier Brut Nature NV"All of Coessens's champagnes come from the lieu-dit of Largillier. All are ma..."$160.00 -
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Falstaff Magazi94 points
- Variety Pinot Noir
- Vintage NV
- Brand Champagne Drappier
- Cellaring 1-3 Years
- Wine Type Sparkling
- Alcohol Percentage 12.0% Alcohol
Champagne Drappier Rose de Saignee NV"We are one of the rare Houses producing Rosé by the saignée method. Several d..."$129.99 -
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- Variety Pinot Noir
- Vintage 2013
- Brand Jacquinot and Fils
- Cellaring Ready, but will Keep
- Wine Type Sparkling
- Alcohol Percentage 12.4% Alcohol
Champagne Jacquinot 'Symphonie Rose Millesime' 2013"Champagne Jacquinot 'Symphonie Rose Millesime' 2013 is an exquisite champagne..."$149.00 -
- Variety Pinot Noir
- Vintage NV
- Brand Louise Brison
- Cellaring Ready, but will Keep
- Wine Type Sparkling
- Alcohol Percentage 12.0% Alcohol
Champagne Louise Brison 'Impertinente Brut' Brut Rose NV"Champagne Louise Brison is a tiny Organic and Biodynamically farmed vineyard ..."$110.00 -
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Huon Hooke92 points
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VertdeVin91-92 points
- Variety Pinot Noir
- Vintage NV
- Brand Jacquinot and Fils
- Cellaring Ready, but will Keep
- Wine Type Sparkling
- Alcohol Percentage 12.5% Alcohol
Jacquinot & Fils Blanc de Noirs Brut Champagne"Jacquinot & Fils Blanc de Noirs Brut Champagne is an exceptional wine that em..."$115.01 -
Pinot Noir is a red grape that is one of the most challenging to grow in any part of the world. Due to its thin skin and tight bunches, it is susceptible to both mould and disease. However, when it is successful, it produces some of the most amazing wines in the world. Although its home is Burgundy, it has emerged as a popular variety in Australia. Representing only 1% of grapes crushed, it has built a high profile with a number of world-class, distinctly Australian wines being produced. The greatest examples coming from the cool climates of the Adelaide Hills, Tasmania, Mornington Peninsula, Geelong and the Yarra Valley.
Pinot Noir performs well on the deepish limestone based subsoils that are found on Burgundy's Côte d'Or. However, yields need to be kept in check. Pinot Noir's concentration and varietal characters disappear rapidly if yields are excessive. Some of the best and most expensive wines in the world are still found in Burgundy.
Pinot Noir also plays a key role in Champagne, being blended with Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. In the US, Oregon and Washington state are producing outstanding wines. In New Zealand, great Pinot Noirs are crafted in Martinborough and in Central Otago, New Zealand's only true continental climate.
The thin skins of Pinot Noir mean the wines are lighter in colour, body and tannins. However, the best wines have grippy tannins, fragrance and an intensity of fruit seldom found in wine from other grapes. Young Pinot Noir can smell almost sweet, but as it matures, the best wines develop a sensuous, silky mouthfeel with the fruit flavours deepening and gamey nuances emerging.