Pinot is a Girl’s Best Friend
Pinot Noir might be known as the heartbreak grape for many grape growers and winemakers, but for this girl, it’s a heartthrob! In this case, Pinot is a girl’s best friend. Not just any Pinot Noir, but the cool-climate goodness where this grape truly shines!
Here are some of my favourites:
The Estate Pinot Noir comes from the Westcott home farm vineyard and Butler’s Grant vineyard in the Niagara Escarpment. This wine is made with 30% whole cluster fermentation in French oak. The wine spends 22 months aging with no new oak.
Incredibly perfumed aromas of violets, ripe and sour cherry, black earth, cinnamon and river rock. Electric acidity on a silky palate of fine grained tannins, wet stone, cinnamon, fall leaves. Light-bodied, yet complex and wraps up with a deliciously long finish. Score 94 - $31.99
Westcott Reserve Pinot Noir 2019
This wine from Westcott is made with 100% Pinot Noir from estate vineyards in the Vinemount Ridge sub appellation of the Niagara Escarpment. Like the Estate Pinot Noir, it is made with 30% whole cluster fermented, and barreled in old French oak for 22 months.
Earthy charm exudes from the glass of this reserve pinot. Captivating aromas of red cherry and dried cranberry with a layer of rain soaked earth, fall leaves and cinnamon. Still fresh and maintains a terrific balance of earth, dried fruit, and baking spice that expands across the palate. Creamy, with lively acidity and sour cherry on the back palate. Open, elegant, and sitting in a perfect spot right now; the tannin integration is perfect. Persistent finish. Score-92 - $44.99
Westcott Mayfield Pinot Noir 2020
This Pinot Noir is sourced from Mayfield vineyard, a 25 year old vineyard in the Twenty Mile Bench sub-appellation.
Seductive aromas of red roses, cinnamon, red cherry and baked strawberry. On the palate, a fine framework of soft, dusty tannins, alluring acidity, and mineral edge. A perfect balance of sweet and sour fruit notes. A satisfyingly juicy, and persistent finish. Lovely to drink now but this bottle will reward another 5 years of aging. Score-95 - $44.99 Wine club exclusive.
* These three Westcott Pinot Noir are available on sale as a special offer 3 pack until the end of February. Order here.
Cedar, roses, red cherry, raspberry, fennel and black pepper aromas introduce this complex and exciting single varietal wine. An awe-struck tasting journey begins with silky, smooth tannins that give a gentle squeeze, electric acidity that sparks all edges of the palate, and a textured, chalky mouthfeel. Raspberry coulis, sour cherry and black pepper morph in to cooked mushroom, tree bark, and black tea. The tasting begins on a bright red spectrum and ends on soft black notes, that include salty black olive on an extended finish. Score-95 -$79.00
This wine comes from one of my favourites - Rosehall Run Winery in Prince Edward County, Ontario.
A mind-bending, traditional method sparkling rosé that’s fashionably balanced, and exudes Rosehall Run’s classic, endearing character.
Made with 100% estate pinot noir - 87% from the 2017 vintage, and 13% from the 2014 vintage comes a wine with encompassing minerality and acidity. Its fine and delicate mousse envelopes baked strawberry, ripe raspberry, and ruby grapefruit notes. In love with Loveless! -$39.95
(Tasted 2021)
Delicate and alluring aromas of red licorice, cinnamon, fall leaves and cola. Tantalizing acidity surrounds ripe cherry, black raspberry, cedar and spice notes. Pleasant earthy attributes add depth and savoriness. Medium-bodied, with a nice framework of soft, velvety tannins. This Pinot wraps up with a lengthy, refreshing, cherry and flint flavoured finish. Score-94 -$42.00
100% Pinot Noir from the DO Aconcuaga Costa, Chile. The nose sings of red berries- raspberries and cranberry, with green pepper and chive undertones. Hints of cedar and fresh roses. A light to medium-bodied wine, with a core of concentrated dried red fruit - cranberry and goji berry, with tomato leaf and black tea. A dusting of soft, feathery tannins, and a lengthy, spicy finish. - $20.95
100% Pinot Noir by 13th Street Winery that comes from the Whitty Vineyard in the Creek Shores sun-appellation of the Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada.
It boasts aromas of red cherry, violets, cedar, and black earth. The palate delivers a harmonious balance of red fruit and earth tones upon lively acidity, a mineral underlayer, and fine grained tannins. It wraps up with a long, juicy finish! Score-91 - $29.95
For more great Pinot Noir, check out some of my other favourites: