Pinot Noir

[PEE-noh NWAHR]
The red grape of France's Bugundy region and one of the three grapes to make the sparkling wines of Champane. Pinot Noir is thought to have been grown in France for over 2,000 years, perhaps even prior to the Roman invasion of this area. The Pinot vine mutates very easily which makes consistency from this vine extremely difficult. There are estimates of over 1,000 different types or clones belonging to the Pinot family such as Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. The combination of Pinot Noir's mutating characteristic and difficult growing requirements makes this variety a frustrating grape from which to make wine. This situation is aggravating for Pinot Noir lovers as well, because the gap between the high and low quality of this wine is broader than any of the other important reds. When young, Pinot Noir exhibits the simpler fruity characteristics of cherries, plums, raspberries, and strawberries. As these wines mature, they display characteristics of chocolate, game, figs, prunes, smokiness, truffles, and violets.

Au Bon Climat
Knox Alexander
Au Bon Climat
Santa Barbara
Coppola Sofia Rose
Cycles Gladiator
Dom Billard
Dom Carneros
Dom Leclerc
Dom Tortochot
Hinman
Jadot Bourgogne
Kim Crawford
Koves-Newlan
La Crema
Lockwood
Mark West
Martin Ray
Martinus Estate
Nevis Bluff
Oyster Bay
Panther Creek
Saintsbury Brown Ranch
Schug
Shaky Bridge
St Gregory
Sticks
Toad Hollow
Vampire
Wither Hills