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Robert Parker's93 points
- Variety Pinot Noir
- Vintage 2020
- Brand Sandhi
- Cellaring 15 Plus Years
- Wine Type Red
- Alcohol Percentage 14.0% Alcohol
Sandhi Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2020"Sourced mostly from our Domaine de la Côte estate (83%), the blend is buttres..."$99.00 -
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- Variety Pinot Noir
- Vintage 2020
- Brand Nielson
- Cellaring 3-5 Years
- Wine Type Red
- Alcohol Percentage 13.5% Alcohol
Nielson Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir 2020"Nielson Wines pays homage to Uriel J. Nielson, who in 1964 planted the first ..."$75.00 -
- Variety Pinot Noir
- Vintage 2018
- Brand Siduri
- Cellaring 5-10 Years
- Wine Type Red
- Alcohol Percentage 13.5% Alcohol
Siduri Santa Barbara Pinot Noir 2018"The 2018 Siduri Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir comes primarily from the vine..."$60.01
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.